For nearly three decades, a summer reading list that once circulated quietly within Wall Street circles has evolved into a broader reflection of the ideas shaping business and culture. J.P. Morgan’s 2026 selection brings together 14 books covering artificial intelligence, leadership, geopolitics, creativity, wellness and performance.

Curated by advisors from around the world, the selections reflect the themes increasingly shaping boardrooms, markets and modern life. They arrive at a moment when executives and organizations are navigating rapid technological change, global uncertainty and evolving ideas around human performance and longevity. Practical yet expansive, analytical yet deeply human.

HOW GREAT IDEAS HAPPEN

In How Great Ideas Happen, cognitive scientist George Newman reframes creativity not as a lightning strike, but as a process of discovery and disciplined experimentation. Drawing on psychology and innovation research, the book argues that the best creators work more like archaeologists, scanning broadly, refining ideas methodically and uncovering patterns others overlook. Through examples ranging from Jackson Pollock’s drip paintings to Korean filmmakers redefining genres, Newman presents creativity as a skill that can be practiced and repeated.

THE INFINITY MACHINE

Sebastian Mallaby’s The Infinity Machine traces the rise of Demis Hassabis from chess prodigy and teenage coder to one of the central figures shaping modern artificial intelligence. Built on extensive interviews and behind-the-scenes reporting, the book explores the race toward frontier AI, the economics of compute power and the intense competition for talent driving the industry forward. More than a biography, it offers a portrait of a technology rapidly moving to the center of geopolitics and global business.

AI FOR GOOD

Josh Tyrangiel’s AI for Good shifts the conversation around artificial intelligence away from speculation and toward practical impact. Through stories tied to healthcare, education, government and public service, the book examines how organizations are already using AI to improve decision-making and solve complex problems. Rather than presenting AI as a replacement for human judgment, Tyrangiel positions it as a tool that can enhance outcomes when deployed responsibly and thoughtfully.

AMERICA: THE IMAGINATION OF A NATION

Created in conjunction with the United States’ 250th anniversary, America: The Imagination of a Nation explores how myths, symbols and cultural touchstones shaped the country’s identity over generations. From Benjamin Franklin and the Declaration of Independence to Hollywood, Route 66 and the moon landing, the book traces the evolution of the American narrative through politics, commerce, entertainment and design.

CRISIS ENGINEERING

In Crisis Engineering, Marina Nitze, Matthew Weaver and Mikey Dickerson deliver a practical playbook for navigating organizational turmoil. Drawing on experiences that include the HealthCare.gov rescue effort, wildfire response coordination and pandemic logistics, the authors examine why crises escalate and how leaders can restore clarity under pressure. The result is a framework designed for executives operating in increasingly unpredictable environments.

THE COMING STORM

Historian Odd Arne Westad revisits the geopolitical tensions that preceded World War I to explore parallels with today’s global order. The Coming Storm argues that rising powers, strategic ambiguity and diplomatic failures remain recurring ingredients for international instability. By connecting historical patterns to contemporary flashpoints, Westad offers both a warning and a case for more deliberate global diplomacy.

MATTERING

Award-winning journalist Jennifer Wallace centers her book on a simple idea: people need to feel valued. Through research and personal stories, Mattering examines the emotional and social consequences of feeling overlooked and offers a practical framework for building stronger relationships and healthier organizational cultures. The book positions connection and purpose as essential components of long-term well-being and leadership.

COACHABLE

After decades covering elite athletes, NBA analyst Ric Bucher identified one trait shared by many of the world’s best performers: coachability. In Coachable, conversations with figures including Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Diana Taurasi and Stephen Curry reveal how adaptability, accountability and openness to feedback often separate sustained greatness from short-term success. The lessons extend beyond sports into business leadership and organizational culture.

THE STIMULATED MIND

Neuroscientist and physician Dr. Tommy Wood challenges the assumption that cognitive decline is inevitable. The Stimulated Mind introduces the concept of “headroom”—the brain’s capacity to adapt, recover and remain resilient over time. Combining neuroscience with practical performance strategies, the book offers readers a roadmap for protecting long-term cognitive health and sustaining mental sharpness well into later life.

LIGHT AND THREAD

Nobel Prize-winning author Han Kang’s Light and Thread blends essays, poetry, photographs and diary fragments into a meditative exploration of creativity, resilience and meaning. At the center of the collection is the image of a north-facing garden sustained by reflected light, a metaphor for maintaining hope and purpose even in difficult periods. Quiet and intimate, the work reflects on the relationship between art, memory and survival.

IRREPLACEABLE

Produced by the World Monuments Fund, Irreplaceable celebrates landmark cultural sites across continents and centuries, from Angkor Wat and Babylon to Easter Island and Beijing’s Forbidden City. Through photography and essays, the book also highlights the threats facing these places, including climate change, conflict and overtourism. The result is both a visual archive and a call to preserve shared cultural heritage.

KEITH HARING IN 3D

Keith Haring in 3D explores a lesser-known side of the iconic artist’s work, focusing on his experiments beyond painting and drawing. Featuring more than 350 illustrations and archival photographs, the book examines how Haring transformed objects, spaces and collaborations into extensions of his artistic practice. Published alongside a major exhibition at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, it offers a fresh perspective on Haring’s enduring cultural influence.

SQUEEZE ME: LEMON RECIPES AND ART

Chef Ruthie Rogers and artist Ed Ruscha collaborate in Squeeze Me, a visually driven celebration of the lemon. Combining 50 citrus-focused recipes with original artwork, the book balances practicality with aesthetic appeal. From risotto al limone to lemon tart, the collection transforms a simple ingredient into a creative centerpiece.

WE ARE THE WORLD (CUP)

Roger Bennett’s We Are the World (Cup) blends memoir, reporting and cultural commentary to examine the global impact of soccer’s biggest tournament. Covering World Cups from the late 1970s through 2022, Bennett explores how the event became intertwined with geopolitics, pop culture and national identity. The book also traces soccer’s rise in the United States and the role media platforms like Men in Blazers played in shaping modern fandom.