Reading is one of my favorite past times. I put aside time in the morning and time at night to read and that’s how I fit it in. You make time for what’s important to you and reading is important to me.

It keeps you interested and interesting.

And if you’re trying to read more, I highly recommend getting a Kindle. It holds a ton of books, it’s perfect for travel and you can even keep it in your handbag and fit in some reading while you wait at the doctor’s office or school pick-up.

If you don’t know where to start, here are some incredible books I’ve read recently.

The Bottomless Cup by Kevin Boehm

This one made me think about standards. Not just in business, but in how you treat people, how you host, how you follow through. It’s hospitality on the surface, but really it’s about relationships and consistency. It sharpened how I think about experience in everything I build.

Be sure to listen or watch his episode on The Bossticks.

The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne

I loved this for the storytelling. It’s family, Hollywood, growing up around interesting people, but it never feels forced. It reminded me how powerful it is to just tell things as they are, without overproducing the narrative.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

This put everything into perspective for me. Time, purpose, how you’re actually living day to day. I like that it’s calm and matter of fact. It doesn’t try to pull emotion out of you, it just does.

Strangers by Belle Burden

This made me more aware. Of people, of moments, of how often we’re moving too fast to notice anything. It’s subtle, but it stays with you in how you go about your day after.

Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill

I’m very drawn to Jackie’s composure. The discipline, the restraint, the way she carried herself through so much pressure. This book really shows that. It made me think a lot about presence and control.

All The Way To The River by Elizabeth Gilbert

This felt grounding. It’s about trusting yourself, your ideas, your instincts. I’m always looking for ways to get clearer and less noisy, and this pushed me in that direction.

Gwyneth: The Biography by Gwyneth Paltrow

I respect how she’s built her brand and stayed aligned with her point of view. This book shows the decisions behind that. It made me think about owning your narrative and not adjusting it for everyone else.

Listen or watch our conversation with Gwyneth here.

I Regret Almost Everything by Keith McNally

I like how direct this is. He talks about success, but also everything that goes wrong along the way. It’s honest in a way that feels useful, especially when you’re building something long term.

Say Everything by Ione Skye

This one feels very personal. It’s about growing up, relationships, different phases of life. I liked how she reflects without over-explaining. It made me think about my own phases and how they shaped me.

The Tell by Amy Griffin

This made me think about storytelling in a different way. What we share, what we hold back, and how that shapes perception. It’s quiet, but it shifts how you think about your own voice.

How to Murder Your Life by Cat Marnell

This is intense, but very real. I don’t read it as aspirational at all. It’s more a look at what happens when things go too far. It made me appreciate structure and balance even more.

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

I love Ina’s approach. She’s steady, prepared, and very clear. This book reinforced that success isn’t random. It’s built over time, with intention.

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

This stayed with me. The way she processes grief is so controlled and observant. It made me think about how we handle hard things and how much strength there is in restraint.

Be sure to check out more book recommendations on my Amazon page and Goodreads. You can also check out Michael’s book recommendations here.

Again, if you’re goal is to read more I highly recommend getting a Kindle with a cute case. My favorites are this red one and French blue one.

If you prefer real books, which I often do too, use this red light book light. It’s so calming and good for your eyes.

Happy reading.

x, Lauryn

+ The best Kindle Unlimited books.

++ The 7 books successful people read.