Whether I’m on a beach blanket, deck chair, or curled up in bed on a rainy morning, my favourite way to relax over the summer is with a great book. My shelves are home to a varied collection of old and new, fiction and non-fiction, and everything in between. Here are some of my all-time favourites to inspire your summer reading list: 

A Fine Balance

by Rohinton Mistry

I first read this book in 2001 when Oprah announced it as her latest book club pick. Since then it has always stayed in my number one position. 

 

 Brand Sense: Sensory Secrets Behind the Stuff we Buy

by Martin Lindstrom

 

All the secrets are right here in this book. It focuses on touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound. A great book if you are creating a brand of any kind.

 

Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness

by Susannah Cahalan

An award winning memoir. She writes about her own experience and recovery from mental illness. I couldn’t put this one down.

In My Shoes: A Memoir

by Tamara Mellon

One of my all-time favourites and a great book for any entrepreneur. Tamara is the co-founder of Jimmy Choo. It goes through her start up to finally the sale of the company. There were so many lessons to be learned.

Couture Prairie

by Rachel Ashwell

A great design book. This is Rachel’s most recent book but her whole collection is great for vintage hunters.