At Smith Falconer Financial Group, our summer reading recommendations have become one of our favourite traditions to share with you.

This year, we have put together a collection of titles to be enjoyed by the water, on the patio, or settling into your favourite chair with a quiet afternoon ahead. As always, there is something here for everyone in the family.

Lois Smith

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Virginia Evans has become an overnight sensation with her debut novel The Correspondent.

I was reluctant to choose it given how many have already sung its praises.

If you haven’t yet read it, it deserves a couple of days of your summer reading pleasure.

Meet Sybil. She is intelligent, a retired lawyer, stubborn and witty.

An epistolary novel, we meet her, her friends and her family through written letters and email.

It is packed with emotion.

We experience her grief.

We experience her long held secrets.

We are reminded of the solace that good literature can bring.

It is a quick, ever so pleasant read. Perfect for summer!

Rodney Falconer

1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin

1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin is about human nature, panic, and survival rather than a book about economics.  It is also about human psychology, speculation, and the dangerous illusion that "this time is different".  Sorkin brings historical records to life, focusing on the real-time drama of visionaries, fraudsters, and titans caught in the collapse.  It shows how easily hope turns into greed and how confidence can change into total panic. After reading this book you will see how a single week of chaos forever changed our modern culture, lifestyle, and society.

Lira Lamaca

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

Will Guidara was only 26 years old when he took the helm at Eleven Madison Park in NYC.  Eleven years later, it was named the best restaurant in the world.  This book goes beyond restaurant management.  Will shares lessons on building a culture of excellence through generosity, creativity, and genuine human connection.  Full of memorable stories (surprising a family who had never seen snow in Central Park), it is an inspiring reminder that unexpected gestures can leave a lasting impact.

Meredith Mercer

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Kristin Hannah, the beloved author whose books I have recommended before, returns with another unforgettable story. The Women is a historical fiction novel that follows a young woman, Frankie McGrath, who enlists as an Army nurse in the Vietnam War and discovers not only the brutal realities of conflict, but also her own extraordinary strength. I enjoyed every minute of following Frankie’s journey which was both inspiring and heartbreaking. Her bravery and resilience are remarkable. The relationship with her experiences and with family, friends, and herself is very human and one that in some way we can all identify with. The Women is the kind of novel that reminds you why you love reading in the first place.

Angela Dang

Smile, Smile Crocodile by Susy Fossati

Smile, Smile Crocodile by Susy Fossati (a colleague of ours!) is a charming and joyful story that gently introduces young children to the world of manners and kindness. Through a delightful train ride around the zoo, little readers have the chance to meet their favourite animals while picking up valuable lessons about good behaviour and treating others with care.

This is a wonderful book for parents, grandparents, and children to enjoy together, making the learning experience as fun as it is meaningful. With its playful and engaging approach, Smile, Smile Crocodile helps children build lasting social skills and lays the foundation for positive habits that last a lifetime.

Maddie Hubbard

On all Fronts by Clarissa Ward

In her memoir, CNN’s Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward details the beginning of her career as a conflict reporter. This book goes far beyond simply being an account of war zones, it offers lessons in work ethic, emotional intelligence, and female leadership. It considers challenges she faced in remaining objective while feeling deep empathy, the importance of appreciating nuance rather than jumping to oversimplified conclusions, and the delicate balance between her professional responsibilities and personal life and safety. It will leave a lasting impression!

In return for ours, we look forward to receiving your summer reading recommendations too. Please share them with us!

Happy reading!