Stuck for something to read? Four summer book recommendations

After a turbulent first half of the year, marked by market volatility and trade tariffs disrupting the landscape, summer has finally arrived. 

It won’t be long until business attire makes way for shorts, T-shirts and swimsuits, and office chairs are swapped for sun loungers. 

With this in mind, I wanted to share some book recommendations to enjoy over the summer break. You can also help support your local library: just download the library app, search for your favourite book, and place an order. It’s an easy way to enjoy great reads while helping keep your library thriving.

First on the list is The Trading Game by Gary Stevenson, a number-one Sunday Times bestseller, which chronicles Stevenson’s short career as a foreign currency swaps trader at Citibank*, detailing his journey from a working-class background to becoming a highly profitable trader, along with the highs and lows, the pressure of the industry and his eventual disillusionment.

After completing numerous sales development courses over the years, the next book, while having quite the contentious title, is a must-have. Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson explains four key behaviour types (described using colours) that define how we interact with and perceive people. ‘Reds’ are dominant and commanding, ‘yellows’ are social and optimistic, ‘greens’ are laid-back and friendly, and ‘blues’ are analytical and detail orientated. I won’t reveal my dominant colour, but suffice to say it’s a popular one for those in my line of work! 

One of my favourite authors is Ben Mezrich, who occupies a lot of shelf space at home alongside Stephen King. One of my favourites is The Antisocial Network, which covers the GameStop* short squeeze, and how a group of private investors and internet trolls took down one of the biggest hedge funds on Wall Street. 

My last book recommendation is by Dr Michael Greger: How Not to Age. The book presents easy, evidenced-based ways to keep feeling youthful, both physically and mentally. It converted me to soya milk and hibiscus tea, convinced me of the benefits of not mixing blueberries with yogurt or milk, and flax and pumpkin seeds now feature heavily on my kitchen shelves. It certainly opened my eyes to the importance of a healthy diet and is backed up by years of scientific research.

With an endless array of books spanning countless genres, whichever one you choose to accompany you this summer, reading offers a wealth of benefits: boosting mental stimulation, expanding knowledge, easing stress, sharpening focus and even improving sleep quality. Enjoy your literary adventure!

*For illustrative purposes only. Reference to a particular security is on a historic basis and does not mean that the security is currently held or will be held within an L&G portfolio. The above information does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any security.