My 2024 Summer Reading List
Yes, I Went To Hogwarts.
A Special Note
Hey!
Thank you for being part of this transformational community. As you know, we are in the midst of a five-article series called A Vision for a Better World, in which I share my thoughts on transforming the world using four distinct yet complementary delivery systems.
Click here to read or reread Part 3 (the latest article), published earlier this month. Also, look out for Part 4, which will be released on July 5th.
As we approach the official start of summer (2024), this is the perfect opportunity to insert some additional writing. My goal is to slowly increase the output without sacrificing the quality. We'll see how it goes, but for now, happy reading!
-Sean
If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book. – J.K. Rowling
I've been fond of reading for as long as I can remember.
As a kid, I spent countless hours lost in the pages of books. My most cherished childhood memories are of chasing Harry Potter through the halls of Hogwarts, where I found a sense of wonder that fueled and formed my young imagination.
I know some of you are side-eyeing me, but yes, I grew up reading Harry Potter. Judge your auntie.
Looking back on my childhood, I am even more convinced that God wires us for our work. God knew my love for reading would come in handy as I came of age during the content revolution.
Today, I am more obsessed with reading than ever, a habit that has proven helpful in my role as a knowledge worker across various industries. Since leaving Hogwarts, my reading choices have evolved beyond magic into mastery. These days, I am looking for books that expand my intellectual borders as I look to solidify myself as an emerging thought leader.
Without further ado, I'd like to share my summer reading list, which I compiled as a reflection of my commitment to growth and my current season of life.
I've always had a love-hate relationship with social media. On the one hand, it is a digital mission field. On the other hand, it is a dark hole of distraction. This book argues that we're better off without social media. Are we? Am I? How could I, as a budding missiologist, justify not being part of arguably the largest mission field in the world? I don't have the answers, but I am passionate about the questions.
Catherine Price, How To Break Up With Your Phone
I remember my first phone—a Tracfone from Family Dollar. I was so excited, but like everything else I couldn't wait to get, the excitement dwindled as I aged. I want to use my phone less. This book offers a path to do just that. Don't be fooled by the title—it's break up to make-up. I will always have my phone, but I long for the day when my phone doesn’t have me.
Cal Newport, Slow Productivity
I will have finished reading this book by the time I publish this writing. It has rocked my world and shifted my paradigm on productivity. I can't recommend this book enough, especially to those who, like me, are wired to "go get it" and often succumb to the effects of burnout. This book offers a slower alternative to getting things done. I feel relieved. There is a better way.
Ethan Mollick, Co-Intelligence
I am not an expert on AI at all. If I'm being candid, sometimes I feel like a dinosaur, even as a thirty-something. I've been on a mission to change that. What does it look like to work with smart machines? Is it even possible? This book argues that it is not only possible but necessary.
Some people think AI is a sign of the apocalypse, but who am I to judge? I went to Hogwarts.
Will Smith, Will
I am fascinated (borderline obsessed) with people who take their craft seriously. I have admired Will Smith's work for as long as I can remember. There isn't a better actor in the world (let's argue). This book chronicles the journey of the kid from West Philly who became a global icon through rap, television, and the big screen. At the time of its release, Oprah called it the best memoir she'd ever read.
Well, that’s my list.
What are you reading for the summer?
Let me know in the comments.