Summer Reading: Books to Inspire Your Financial Life (and a Few Just for Fun)

Summer is a great time to slow down just enough to build—or refresh—your money skills. One simple way to do that? Add a solid personal finance or investing book to your summer reading list. A good book can shift your mindset, spark new habits, or simply offer a welcome moment of reflection.

One of my favorites is The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. It’s an easy, engaging read that focuses less on formulas and more on how our behavior, habits, and emotions shape financial outcomes. The lessons are practical, timeless, and surprisingly relatable—perfect for reading on a porch, beach, or plane ride.

This year at MilMoneyCon, Wes Moss opened the conference with insights from his book What the Happiest Retirees Know: 10 Habits for a Healthy, Secure and Joyful Life. Drawing from his study of the happiest retirees, Moss outlines ten concrete habits that contribute to a more fulfilling and financially secure retirement. It’s a motivating, research‑backed look at how lifestyle and money decisions intersect.

And because summer reading should also be fun, I like to mix in great fiction as well. A few books I’ve enjoyed recently:

• Call of the Camino by Suzanne Redfearn – A thoughtful, character-driven story that stays with you long after you finish.
• The Alice Network by Kate Quinn – A gripping historical fiction novel set during WWII, full of intrigue and strong female characters.

Whether you’re sharpening your financial knowledge or just enjoying a good story by the pool, a great book is always a smart investment of your time. Happy reading—and here’s to learning, relaxing, and recharging this summer.