As Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer 2026, many financial professionals are looking for reading material to enjoy during downtime at the beach or pool. InvestLin asked several wealth managers to recommend business titles that offer valuable insights for advisors and their clients.
Stasia Washington, managing director and senior wealth manager at Lido Advisors, recommends House of Fidelity by Justin Baer. Washington notes the book provides a deep dive into the Johnson family dynasty and the democratization of investing through mutual funds, which disrupted traditional brokerage models. The narrative offers lessons on how access to investment products has evolved, a topic relevant to advisors navigating today's market.
Bob Peterson, senior client advisor at Crescent Grove Advisors, suggests The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. Peterson emphasizes that successful financial planning hinges more on behavior and emotions than on math or market performance. He tells clients there is a 'human' answer and a 'robot' answer, and focusing on client needs rather than trying to solve the unsolvable makes for a better advisor. The book underscores that consistency over time, not chasing trends, drives financial success.
Andrew Plum, managing partner and investment committee head at Loxahatchee Capital, recommends Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Plum has long been intrigued by whether persistent outperformance stems from luck or skill. While he believes in manager skill and market inefficiencies, he acknowledges that durable outperformance in broad, liquid equity indexes is challenging. Taleb's work unpacks common misconceptions about trading and markets, making it a valuable read for investment professionals.
Stacy Wilson, director of operations at Wilson Peak Wealth Management, an affiliate of Private Advisor Group, suggests Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. Wilson's firm gifted this book to clients in 2023 to encourage planning for end-of-life care and aging with dignity. Gawande blends pragmatic realities with hope, emphasizing the strength in planning for life's inevitable stages. For advisors, the book reinforces the importance of comprehensive planning that extends beyond finances.
Jessica Chominski, financial advisor and director of institutional marketing at Aquinas Wealth Advisors, recommends The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. She reads it with her middle schooler to connect and build a common vocabulary for discussing larger topics. This pick highlights how advisors can use shared experiences to strengthen relationships, a lesson applicable to client interactions.
Spencer Knickerbocker, partner and chief investment officer at Stonebrook Private, chooses Atomic Habits by James Clear. Knickerbocker notes that advisors are always on, with constant client conversations, emails, and decisions. Clear's model of small, repeatable behaviors building up faster than expected offers an actionable framework for managing priorities. The book provides a fresh approach to habit formation that can enhance productivity.
Chris Jauch, senior client advisor at Crescent Grove Advisors, recommends No Worries: How to Live a Stress-Free Financial Life by Jared Dillian as a graduation gift. The book takes a practical, holistic approach to big financial decisions like housing, cars, college, debt, and portfolio diversification, while managing stress. Jauch also suggests The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz for advisors facing tough business challenges.
For advisors looking to refine their practice during the summer lull, these books offer diverse perspectives on client behavior, operational efficiency, and personal growth. As the industry evolves, staying informed through such reads can help advisors better serve their clients and navigate complex markets.
