It is said that every summer tells its own story, replete with casts of characters and novel settings, twists on familiar themes and surprise plotlines. And, at last, the summer of 2022 has arrived with all due haste, bursting with the promise of new stories to be told and adventures to be had.
New titles abound this summer, and here are a few of our favorite books from the first half of the year, each full of fresh perspectives, offbeat solutions and big ideas to help kick-start your own summer story.
Happy Reading!
 | Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long and Well You Live Yale professor and leading expert on the psychology of successful aging Dr. Becca Levy draws on her groundbreaking research to show how age beliefs can be improved so they benefit all aspects of the aging process. Based on her research, her own experiences and stories that range from pop culture to the corporate boardroom, Levy shows how age beliefs shape all aspects of our lives. (William Morrow) |
 | Build the Damn Thing: How to Start a Successful Business If You're Not a Rich White Guy African-American venture capitalist Kathryn Finney, founder and CEO of Genius Guild, a $20 million venture fund that invests in Black founders, delivers an indispensable, hard-won, battle-tested guide for every entrepreneur whom the establishment has left out. Finney, an investor and startup champion, explains how to build a business from the ground up, from developing a business plan to finding investors, growing a team and refining a product. (Portfolio) |
 | Competing in the New World of Work: How Radical Adaptability Separates the Best from the Rest Bestselling author Keith Ferrazzi, along with co-authors Kian Gohar and Noel Weyrich, explains how leaders can shape their organizations and practices to remain competitive in a context irrevocably changed by the pandemic. Based on an ambitious global research initiative involving thousands of executives, innovators and changemakers who redefined their strategies, business models, organizational systems and cultures, Competing in the New World of Work is an inspirational road map for embracing new realities, motivating talent and winning bold frontiers. (Harvard Business Review Press) |
| The Earned Life: Lose Regret, Choose Fulfillment Packed with instructive exercises and stories from Marshall Goldsmith's storied career as a coach to some of the world's most high-achieving leaders, The Earned Life offers a potent outline for ambitious people seeking a higher purpose. With this book as their guide, readers can close the gap between what they plan to achieve and what they actually get done. (Currency/Crown) |
 | The First, the Few, the Only: How Women of Color Can Redefine Power in Corporate America Women of color make up one of the fastest-growing segments of the corporate workforce, yet they are often underrepresented. Author Deepa Purushothaman offers a deeply personal call to action for women of color to find power from within and to join together in community, advocates for a new corporate environment where everyone belongs—and is accepted—on their own terms, and delivers a blueprint for making an impact that is valued. (HarperBusiness) |
 | Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise Golden is a field guide for navigating the noise of the today's world. Drawing on lessons from neuroscience, business, spirituality, politics and the arts, authors Justin Zorn and Leigh Marz deftly explore why auditory, informational and internal silence is essential for physical health, mental clarity, ecological sustainability and vibrant community. With vital lessons for individuals, families, workplaces and whole societies, Golden is an engaging and unexpected rethinking of the meaning of quiet. (Harper Wave) |
 | Jerks at Work: Toxic Coworkers and What to Do About Them Author Tessa West reveals strategies for dealing with jerks who make work and life miserable, including hallmarks of jerks at work, motivations for bad behavior and proven strategies for handling each and every jerk. West delivers practical advice and guidance for keeping the well-being of you and your workplace intact. (Portfolio) |
 | Leading with Heart: Five Conversations That Unlock Creativity, Purpose, and Results At a time when workplaces are struggling to build high morale and connected cultures, Leading with Heart will help leaders unlock the best version of themselves and those around them with transformative results. By encouraging you to ignore outdated “leadership hacks“ and embrace introspection and growth, leadership coaches John Baird and Edward Sullivan show readers how to ask the right questions and find their own answers. (Harper Business) |
 | Science of Stuck: Breaking Through Inertia to Find Your Path Forward We all experience “stuckness“ in our lives. We feel stuck in our relationships, career paths, body image struggles, addiction issues and more. Many of us know what we need to do to move forward—but find ourselves unable to take the leap to make it happen. Author Britt Frank, a psychotherapist and educator, brings together research-backed solutions and other clinical practices to deliver a hands-on road map for moving forward with purpose, confidence and the freedom to become who you're truly meant to be. (TarcherPerigee) |
 | The Super Age: Decoding Our Demographic Destiny Demographic futurist Bradley Schurman explains the coming “Super Age”—when there will be more people older than 65 than those under 18—and explores what it could mean for our collective future. If we plan now, he says, we can harness the benefits of the Super Age, including extended and healthier lives, more generational cooperation at work and home, and new markets and products to explore. (Harper Business) |
 | Talking Taboo: Making the Most of Polarizing Discussions at Work When polarizing subjects come up in conversation among co-workers, what happens next? SHRM Chief Knowledge Officer Alexander Alonso, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, explains why some topics are taboo while others are not, then brings them to life with real-world conversations on such taboo topics as politics, race, religion, sex and gender. Based on extensive findings from the 2020 SHRM Survey of Politics and Polarizing Discussions in the Workplace, Alonso looks into the future of talking taboo, delivers proven assessment and guidance tools, and shows how to make taboo topics work in your workplace. (SHRM) |
 | This is a compact, potent guide to demystifying the SHRM-CP® and SHRM-SCP® certification exams with expert tips for understanding, studying, practicing and acing the tests. Completely updated to reflect the new SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (SHRM BASK™), the second edition features 40 SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP® practice questions with an answer key. (SHRM) |
Matt Davis is manager of SHRM Book Publishing.
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