WealthManagement.com surveyed the best-read financial advisors to compile the perfect end-of-summer reading list. The list highlights nine books as well as comments from the advisors who recommend them, well suited for your reading pleasure for the balance of the summer.

1. The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz 

• Recommend by: Julie Meissner, Founder and CEO of Treehouse Wealth Advisors 
• Summary: The book relies on the Harvard Study of Adult Development's findings to showcase how fostering connections with others can lead to a more fulfilling and happier life. According to Meissner, providing financial advice involves acting as a confidante and counselor, encompassing guidance on utilizing money as a tool for happiness and fulfillment. "The Good Life" offers practical tips for individuals to discover happiness and assist others in constructing happier and healthier lives.

2. Find Your Freedom Financial Planning for a Life on Purpose by Jamie P. Hopkins and Ron Carson 

• Recommend by: Lawerence Sprung, Founder of Mitlin Financial 
• Summary: Sprung included Find Your Freedom in his summer reading list, believing that every advisor can glean insights from it. The book emphasizes that the journey is a personal one and highlights the significance of discovering a path that brings individuals joy. 

3. The Suicide Index: Putting My Father's Death in Order by Joan Wickersham

• Recommend by: Diane Bourdo, President of The Humphreys Group 
• Summary: "The Suicide Index" delves into the effects of traumatic loss on survivors after the suicide of the author's father. This resonates with Bourdo's interest in understanding suicide, its aftermath, and its societal taboo. The book provides an enlightening perspective on the impact of suicide on surviving family members and evokes empathy for those who have endured this tragedy.

4. The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness by Morgan Housel 

• Recommend by: Dan Lear, Partner and Financial Planner at Affiance Financial 
• Summary: Lear states that by persuading our clients that intelligent financial choices drive wealth, we can create a meaningful impact on their lives, independent of market fluctuations. "The Psychology of Money" for its impactful real-life instances of behavioral finance. The author underscores that amassing wealth demands more than just a high investment return; it hinges on behavioral competencies practiced over a lifetime. 

5. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus 

• Recommended by: Amy Colton, Co-founder of Forefront Wealth Partners 
• Summary: The narrative revolves around a brilliant and charismatic woman who faces consequences for her outspokenness in a society unprepared for her. Garmus shared that "as a financial advisor dedicated to empowering women and having worked extensively in male-dominated fields, this book deeply resonates with me."

6. The Art of Living by Thich Nhat Hanh 

• Recommended by: Kyle Berg, Partner and Financial Planner at Affiance Financial 
• Summary: Berg states that advisors often become engrossed in details, inadvertently overlooking the beauty of life's immediate experiences. Focusing excessively on daily market fluctuations or intricate tax laws can lead us to neglect the importance of genuine presence with our clients. The Art of Living offers profound insights into mindfulness and the practice of living fully in the present moment.

7. From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brooks 

• Recommend by: Andrew Crowell, Vice Chairman Wealth Management at D.A. Davidson & Co. 
• Summary: From Strength to Strength presents an alternative to a life focused on climbing the ladder. The author advocates for embracing the idea of jumping to the next curve instead of struggling against the peak, recognizing that qualities like experience, wisdom and relationships tend to improve with age. 

8. Last Man Standing by David Baldacci 

• Recommended by: Jim Brown, Senior Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst at Buckingham Advisors 
• Summary: Last Man Standing follows skilled assassin Web London as he navigates a complex web of conspiracy, betrayal, and danger in a high-stakes mission to uncover the truth behind his team's tragic downfall. Brown believes advisors will find value in the relentless determination of protagonist Web London as he employs diverse approaches and his network of connections to relentlessly pursue those responsible for the ruthless massacre of his team. 

9. The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann 

• Recommended by: Douglas Feldman, Chief Investment Officer at Stash 
• Summary: The Wager recounts the genuine tale of an 18th-century British naval ship that foundered off Patagonia's shoreline, presenting a gripping narrative of adversity and human behavior that unfolds like fiction. The book is grounded in firsthand but conflicting documentation; the contrasting testimonies of the survivors highlight the propensity for individuals to manipulate facts to suit their own agendas, underscoring the importance of gathering information from reliable sources before drawing conclusions or making decisions.

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