Each year, I look forward to McKinsey’s annual book recommendations. Their 2025 list, just released, once again offers a wide-ranging and intellectually stimulating set of titles, spanning AI, leadership, personal growth, and the future of work. It’s a reminder that the business of scaling innovation isn’t just about deals and execution. It’s also about perspective—and the mental models we create for ourselves in quieter moments.

So, what’s worth your attention this summer? Here are a few picks from the list that stand out, particularly for those of us working at the intersection of mobility, AI, and high-growth ventures.

For those thinking deeply about AI’s future:

“The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI, and the Race to Invent the Future” by Keach Hagey

Recommended by Kathy Bloomgarden (CEO, Ruder Finn)

This is likely to be one of the most talked-about books in tech circles this summer. It charts the evolution of OpenAI, Altman’s leadership style, and the broader implications of generative AI on global power structures. It’s not a hagiography—it’s a mirror. If you’re in venture, product, or policy, it will sharpen your understanding of the stakes.

“The Thinking Machine: Jensen Huang, Nvidia, and the World’s Most Coveted Microchip” by Stephen Witt

Recommended by Alan Murray (WSJ Leadership Institute)

This book reads like a business thriller, tracing how Nvidia became the driving force behind the AI hardware revolution. For anyone advising or investing in AI-enabled startups, understanding the power dynamics of the chip industry is non-negotiable—a must-read.

For those shaping culture in scale-ups:

“Death by Meeting” by Patrick Lencioni

Recommended by Sofana Dahlan

Still one of the most pragmatic, story-led guides to fixing the most common disease in business: ineffective communication. As companies transition from founder-led chaos to operational maturity, this book serves as a quiet transformer. If you’re advising scale-ups, keep it close.

“The Culture Map” by Erin Meyer

Recommended by María Eugenia del Castillo Cabrera

In our increasingly globalised ecosystem—where UK mobility founders seek expansion into the Gulf, or AI teams source dev talent across five continents—this is a powerful guide to decoding cultural nuance in decision-making, negotiation, and leadership.

For perspective outside the boardroom:

“Why We Sleep” by Matthew Walker

Still one of the most powerful books I’ve read in the past five years. This isn’t just about health—it’s about longevity, decision quality, and leadership resilience. For those of us who wear “busyness” as a badge of honour, this is a grounding read that argues for deep recovery as a strategic weapon.

“Range” by David Epstein

Recommended by Malcolm Gladwell

This is a perennial favourite. It reframes the myth of specialisation and argues that breadth—across industries, disciplines, and life experience—is what makes for standout performance—a reassuring and motivating read for anyone shifting sectors or wearing multiple hats.

Why It Matters

Holiday reading isn’t about checking a productivity box. It’s about stepping back far enough to reconnect with what matters. The ideas we absorb now may not manifest instantly, but they will shape how we see markets, manage energy, lead teams, and identify breakout opportunities in Q3 and beyond.

So, however you’re spending this summer, I hope you make space for a few great books—and return in September with a sharper lens, broader context, and perhaps even one or two transformative ideas.

Have a great week!