Summer Reading
for Ambitious Women

Call me crazy, but I find summer reading to be especially delicious. There’s just something magical about being swept away into another world on a warm, lazy summer day. All I need to be happy is a deckchair under a tree, a dark and stormy, and a good book! And apparently, I’m not the only one who feels this way because I keep seeing requests for summer reading recommendations popping up all around me.
So today I’m sharing my summer reading list with you. As always, it’s a combination of biographies, comedy, inspiration, and learning. I try to keep it light, but I also always include titles that will inspire me and help me grow personally and professionally.
If you’re interested in reading along with me, I’d love to hear your insights and reviews. BUT Before you just click on through to Amazon I’d really like to encourage you to buy from your local bookstore if possible!
Tell me: what books have you got lined up for the summer? Let me know in the comments below!

The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World
by Melinda Gates
“In her book, Melinda tells the stories of the inspiring people shes met through her work all over the world, digs into the data, and powerfully illustrates issues that need our attentionfrom child marriage to gender inequity in the workplace.” -President Barack Obama
Why it’s on my list: This year, I’ve completely re-oriented my business to focus solely on working with women. I’ve stepped away from ‘business as usual’ and have embraced building a business that empowers and uplifts other women. Who better to learn from than Melinda Gates, who has spent decades working to help those in need and bring equality to our world?
Read what Bill Gates has to say about it here.

Becoming
by Michelle Obama
‘An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States’ – from the cover
Why it’s on my list: Another book I’ve been waiting to read as I’ve heard rave reviews about it. (Check out this review by Sigrun) I thought Michelle Obama was an exceptional First Lady and she just impresses me as a human being.

The Magnolia Story
by Chip and Joanna Gaines
A story about love, adventure and dreaming big. (Magnolia)
Why it’s on my list: I want to know more about Chip and Joanna, and the ups and downs they’ve gone through to get where they are today. As a ‘young’ entrepreneur, I am fascinated by the empire the Gaines’ have built in a relatively short period of time. Their brand message really speaks to me and I feel like they’ve built a business that is honest, authentic, but also very strategic.
I’m a big fan of the Gaines’ so I actually can’t believe I haven’t read this book yet, but I haven’t.

Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love
by Jonathan Van Ness
Over the Top uncovers the pain and passion it took to end up becoming the model of self-love and acceptance that Jonathan is today. (Amazon)
Why it’s on my list: A few months back I discovered Queer Eye on Netflix. I had enjoyed the original series way back in the day, so I thought I’d check it out, but the new Queer Eye was even better! I absolutely loved it. Each episode was unique, honest, heartfelt, and just really inspiring. A lot of what was going on on the show was similar to some of the work I do with my clients, and I really felt like each of the ‘Fab 5’ had a lot to contribute.
So when I discovered that some of them have written books, I knew I’d be adding at least one of them to my summer reading list. This is my first of 2 picks. At the beginning of the show, Jonathan was actually the one I felt the least affinity to. He was, as his obviously well-chosen book title suggests, just too much for me. But, over the 3 seasons, he really grew on me. He was unashamedly authentic, never trying to be someone else just to put others at ease, but also giving 100% of himself to empower and uplift those he was helping. And that’s why he’ll be my first Queer Eye read.

Naturally Tan: A Memoir
by Tan France
“Tan France has wife words to offer across all areas of life. France gives readers a candid and intimate look at his past and shares all that he’s learned about being a spouse, television personality, and role model.”—Time (“Books You Need to Read this Summer”)
Why it’s on my list: My second Queer Eye pick. I loved how Tan was always trying to elevate a person’s look, but in a way that was authentic to them. I draw a lot of parallels between his work and mine, as that’s always my goal as well: elevate in a way that feels good and is authentic.

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