Given my line of work, I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve neglected my own reading list lately. However, there’s something about summer that makes a good book feel even more appealing.
You might be heading off on holiday, making the most of a quieter commute or, like me, simply looking for something you can easily dip in and out of over the coming weeks. Either way, it offers both a chance to switch off and an opportunity to think a little differently.
And for marketers, the best recommendations aren’t always about marketing, which is why the following list, shaped by recommendations from across the industry, covers creativity, psychology, personal development and more, with a few podcasts and newsletters thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!
Wins, Losses and Lessons by Lou Holtz
While on the surface you may think this is a sports book, it's actually a personal reflection on leadership that can be applied equally to business and life. It talks about the clarity of purpose, ability vs motivation vs attitude, and the courage to do what's right even when it's inconvenient. And asks the most wonderful and provocative question, "Would anyone care if I didn't show up?"
Mark Watson, Chief Client Officer, McDonald's Marketing, tms
Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams
I found this book a real eye-opener. It highlights the incredible power of big tech, the dangers of social media, and exposes how good PR can make almost anything palatable. It's written about the age before AI. But there are plenty of lessons to be learned for the age of AI.
Heather Baker, Founder, The AI Edit
The 38 Letters from J.D. Rockefeller to his son
This is a rare and incredibly insightful read. As a marketer and PR professional, I find the book does an excellent job of providing a fantastic glimpse into the mind of one of history's most influential figures. The strategic thinking from this book has trickled down into campaigns I've helped build for clients, and it's yielded excellent results. A must-read for any marketer, in my opinion.
Tristan Van Den Berg, Senior Account Manager, Spa Communications
The Wim Hof Method: Activate Your Potential, Transcend Your Limits by Wim Hof
I've been a cold water therapy advocate for years - our team bonding days regularly involve jumping into the sea, rivers, or tubs of ice, and this year I even took our deputy MD to Norway where we hiked nearly two and a half hours up a mountain in shorts at -12°c and plunged into ice fjords. Wim Hof's book is the philosophy behind all of it.
For marketers specifically, this book is about learning to override the voice that tells you to play it safe. That's an incredibly useful muscle in our industry, where the temptation to default to what's familiar is constant. Wim teaches you that doing hard things deliberately builds resilience, focus and a genuine sense of calm under pressure. This book will give you a competitive advantage and fuel your soul. If you want to think more clearly, lead more confidently, and stop flinching when a bold idea hits the table, read this book. Then maybe have a cold shower. You'll thank yourself.
Lawrence Harmer, Founder and Director of digital growth agency Solve
Beyond Small Talk by Naomi Regan and Lynsey Kitching
This book is a must-read for marketers who find themselves taking on more leadership responsibilities, whether that's for teams and individuals or projects. It focuses on how to have meaningful conversations that engage and motivate people, bring out their best, tackle challenges constructively and make the most of the interactions you're already having. It's also more than just theory - there are useful, practical tools that you can apply in your day-to-day role.
Charissa Redfern, Founder of Rosefern Communications
Alchemy by Rory Sutherland
I would highly suggest reading Alchemy for marketing professionals. It reminds us as marketers that people don't always act in a linear fashion. In my work with companies doing search engine optimisation (SEO) and growth, I have seen many of these companies fall in love with their funnel metrics, clean attribution models, and data. While those are all important to your business, they often do not tell the full story on why people trust brands, click results, recall messaging and/or pick one company over others.
Connor Gillivan, SEO and Growth Expert at Trio SEO
Measure What Matters by John Doerr
This book reframed how I think about accountability in a creative industry that has often struggled to prove its value. I'm passionate about measurement in PR and Marketing, and am always looking to innovate in this space. Doerr's OKR framework sounds corporate on the surface, but for agency leaders, it really can be transformative. Quite simply, it forces you to define what success actually looks like before you start the work, not after. This book gives you the language and the structure to define outcomes, both internally with your team and externally with clients.
Emily Keogh, Founder, Palm PR
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Harari
If you need to understand why we are the way we are, this is your bible. It is the roadmap on why we feel, gossip, buy, dance; in other words, the crucial building blocks to marketing. In a world of content fatigue and constant new technologies, Harari's book remains a powerful reminder that understanding humanity is still what shapes success.
Bonus suggestion: If you're after something a little lighter that keeps you firmly in the cultural loop, give Dua Lipa's Service95 newsletter a spot in your OOO inbox. Part hotspot guide and part lifestyle digest, it curates everything from thought-provoking articles to insider city recommendations, wellness tips and emerging trends. And the best part, it has its own monthly book club featuring recommendations and exclusive interviews with authors.
Tamara Walbourn, Junior Creative at Hijinks Collective
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
I first read Predictably Irrational a few years ago when I went freelance. It's a good reminder that copywriting isn't all about the words. Really, it comes down to understanding people. Dan Ariely talks about why we make decisions in ways that may feel logical to us but are actually shaped by hidden biases, emotions, expectations, and other factors.
It's especially useful for marketers and copywriters because it gets you thinking about testing, pricing, offers and all the seemingly small changes that influence how people respond. It’s not exactly a copywriting book, but it will make you a better marketer - which will almost certainly make you a better copywriter too.
Laura Bracher, Freelance Copywriter and News Analyst for CIM
Podcast/Blog - Stuff from the Loft by Dave Dye
A fascinating look behind the curtain at how some of the most iconic advertising campaigns came to life, including all the work that didn't make it. The accompanying blog adds another layer, with documents and artefacts that bring the stories to vivid life. Not short on drama either, with some genuinely eyebrow-raising tales from the industry.
Philly Bains, Creative, Fold7
Podcast - What Does Your Mum Think by Kristian Shepherd
A wide-ranging series of fun, chaotic, and inspiring conversations with creatives from all walks of life. Each episode digs into the roots of a guest's creative practice, why they do the work they do and where it all began. It's candid, warm, and genuinely entertaining.
Elliot Huckett, Brand and Motion Designer at Fold7
To level up your learning this Summer, check out the CIM Content hub now. From expert-led webinars and articles covering every marketing topic, to the latest episodes of the CIM Marketing Podcast, we have exactly what you need to keep your learning fresh.
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