It’s truly the most glorious time of the year. The days are longer, the sun is shining and we are days away from the peace that comes with our students moving out of the residence halls for a few months. This might be the time to deep clean your office, reach out to all of the campus partners for RA training, or catch up on some reading.
Whether you are someone who reads for fun, or doesn’t read more than a book per year, there is a peace that comes with reading. Whether you enjoy reading for personal growth, to learn a new skill, or just love getting caught in a great story, books can teach us so much and take us to far away places. Beyond the actual literature of it all, there is so much to say about being fully present, focusing on one thing and having a mindful moment with yourself through reading. Within many of my roles, my departments have hosted book clubs through various peaks of the semester, including summer! There’s something powerful about reading alongside your peers and coming together to see how a book can be interpreted differently. In a field that moves quickly, book clubs give us a reason to slow down and be in conversation with one another again, without a designated teacher or trainer, but simply sharing space and sitting with the themes and ideas that stick.
My challenge to you, dear reader, is to find time in the upcoming months to read. Below is a list of recommendations based on different interests, experiences, and themes. Many of these books have resonated with me both personally and professionally, and that I hope spark something for you. Whether you’re diving into a book solo or inviting your team to read alongside you, this list offers many options grounded in both personal growth and compelling storytelling. If you’re looking for a place to start, here are a few thoughtfully chosen reads for the summer ahead. If you’re starting a book club with your team, I’d suggest beginning with the nonfiction titles, but if you’re reading on your own for fun, be sure to check out the fiction picks at the bottom.
Nonfiction Reads
For the reader who is wondering if this meeting could have been an email…
The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
This book encourages us as readers to challenge the way we come together and gather. I appreciated the real-life examples when we gather with intention, even the simplest moments can become impactful. “The Act of Gathering” asks us to be more intentional about the spaces we create and the time we share with others, whether that’s in our friendships, families, or with the people we spend most of our day with, our coworkers. The author reminds us that social and professional gatherings often fall flat not because of a lack of individual effort, but because we focus too much on logistics and not enough on purpose. Does this sound familiar in your roles? Definitely something to consider with your team this summer.
For the reader who feels like they have to choose between being liked and being respected…
The Likability Trap by Alicia Menendez
This book explores a challenge the author identifies specifically for women in leadership: the pressure to be seen as confident, competent, and likable. As someone who leads with authenticity and positivity, there have been various times where I’ve felt pressure to fit a certain mold of leadership, to be a leader who should always have the answer, act quickly, and separate who they are from how they lead. While that style works for some leaders, it doesn’t always make space for the kind of relational, people-centered leadership that many of us naturally bring into our residence life leadership styles. While this book is centered on women in leadership, it does provide an intersectional lens and feels like a hug from a mentor reminding you that you are enough just as you are.
For the reader who finds themself stretched too thin….
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
As an entry-level professional, this book was one of the most pivotal books to me during my residential curriculum journey. I remember feeling frazzled with how “metacognitive” curriculum felt, how almost complex the concepts were until I connected the framework to how the curriculum shapes me as a leader. The curricular approach encourages us to consider the “why” behind the work, but essentialism teaches us how to design systems centered on clarity, impact, and are simple to understand. These concepts truly shape my leadership style. This book is not about curriculum as a concept, but it’s more of a mindset shift and has helped me in my daily life reconsider what are the things that are truly important and truly essential, which is wonderful for both work and our personal lives.
For the reader wanting to understand how privilege shows up on campus…
Paying for the Party by Elizabeth Armstrong & Laura Hamilton
This book leans a lot more on the Sociology side, but feels especially relevant for anyone working at a large public institution, particularly those influenced by Greek Life. I was first introduced to this book many moons ago in an undergrad Sociology of Education class with Dr. Hamilton (the author), but it wasn’t until recently that I really connected it to my work in Residential Education in being able to think about who our students are and the identities, privileges, and experiences they bring into the residence halls. This book is a qualitative five-year study of a group of women who are shaped by the “party pathways” at a large public Midwestern university. The themes of social class, Greek Life, and parental influence are prominent within this book, and it is definitely one that really makes you consider the larger systems at play within higher education.
For the reader who is tired of the weird vibe during department meetings…
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
This book definitely leans a lot more on the Business-side and was published a while back, I actually read this as an Orientation Leader in undergrad (throwback!). This book carefully breaks down what gets in the way of teams actually working well together, naming common challenges, and real life personas of various types of folks who have conflict at work. If you’ve ever sat in a staff meeting where no one truly says what they’re really thinking, struggled with uneven workloads for staff, or felt the frustration of decisions being made without real buy-in, this book will hit close to home. In our work, collaboration is a pillar of our work, and this book helps give language to those moments that feel off but are hard to name. It’s a reminder that strong teams aren’t about avoiding tension, but building trust and moving towards understanding of one another.
Fiction Reads with Themes to Consider
Reading has been a form of self-care for me, helping me slow down, be present while also offering the joy of getting lost in a good book. For the sake of time and personal preference, I’ve included a brief list of a few fiction reads that have stayed with me past the first time I’ve read them. Many of these stories pulled me in with their tender characters, complex relationships, the places they’re set in, along with a few twists and turns that kept me hooked. I encourage you to check out reviews and see which ones spark your interest!
- Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez – Themes of care, vulnerability, and learning to receive support.
- The Women by Kristin Hannah – Themes of sisterhood, sacrifice, and navigating life during and after war.
- An American Marriage by Tayari Jones – Themes of love, injustice, and the impact of systemic barriers on relationships.
- Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo – Themes of grief, identity, family, and connection across distance.
- Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir – Themes of resilience, curiosity, and the power of friendship in unexpected places.
- Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke – Themes of identity, ambition, motherhood, and darker realities that sit beneath a seemingly put-together online life.
Whether you pick up one of these books or find something entirely your own, I hope you give yourself the time and space to slow down this summer, before Fall Move In that is. Wishing you a summer of rest, reflection, and a really good book!
