Summer Reads for the Dr. Bray Beach Brain Book Club
- Dr. CK Bray
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
Because who says a beach read can’t blow your mind?
Summer is here, and whether you’re poolside, lakeside, trailside, or stuck inside with the AC blasting, it’s the perfect time to get lost in a good book. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite reads, from true crime jaw-droppers to space adventures and brainy brilliance. These picks are divided into three categories: Vacation Reads, Biographies, and Brainy Science. Enjoy, share, and get reading.
Vacation Reads
For when your brain wants a workout but also wants to be wildly entertained.
1. The Devil at His Elbow by Valerie Bauerlein
If John Grisham wrote true crime and added an extra scoop of Southern scandal, you'd have this book. It's a deliciously dark dive into the fall of the Murdaugh dynasty. Think courtroom drama, corruption, and family dysfunction so twisted you’ll want to grab popcorn with your iced tea.
2. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The classic spiritual quest through the desert that somehow feels like it’s also about your life. Light in pages, heavy in meaning. You’ll find yourself inspired, reflective, and maybe talking to your soul a little more than usual. Bonus: you’ll sound very wise quoting it at dinner parties. This is one book I have read every year for over 20 years. Pick it up and send me a thank you email!
3. The Sing Sing Files by Dan Slepian
This real-life page-turner follows a journalist uncovering wrongful convictions inside one of America’s most notorious prisons. It's gripping, emotional, and oddly hopeful. Think: “60 Minutes” meets “Shawshank Redemption,” only this time, it’s all true.
4. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
From the guy who wrote The Martian comes this epic space adventure that’s part buddy comedy, part science nerd dream. One astronaut. One mission to save Earth. One alien sidekick. And a whole lot of clever problem-solving. It’s like “MacGyver” in space with heart. I read it and listened to it on Audible. I'm usually a reader, but for this book, you have to choose Audible. You will know why I choose Audible by the second chapter.
Biographies
For when you want to learn, grow, and feel inspired (even while wearing flip-flops).
5. Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller Sr. by Ron Chernow
So much oil. So much ambition. So many mustache-twirling business deals (figuratively). This is the story of America’s first billionaire, told by a biographer who knows how to bring history to life. Please read it and feel like you, too, could build an empire… or at least run your HOA better. (Just got a letter from my HOA.........saving that for another podcast).
6. A Place Called Yellowstone by Randall K. Wilson
Not just geysers and bison. This is the history of America’s first national park and how it shaped our ideas of wilderness, identity, and what it means to protect something wild. Perfect for reading under the stars or beside a campfire, marshmallows optional.
Science & Smarts
For when your brain wants to be fed AND flexed.
7. Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein
This book will make you feel seen if your resume looks like a buffet line. Epstein celebrates the curious, the dabblers, and the late bloomers. It’s basically a hug for your nonlinear career path. You’ll walk away proud of all your “random” knowledge.
8. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Haidt dives into how smartphones and social media are rewiring young brains and what we can do about it. It’s part warning, part action plan, and 100 percent essential reading if you’re raising, coaching, or mentoring anyone under 25 (or just trying to stay sane yourself). Every parent should read this book, every teacher of children should read this book, and every aunt, uncle, and grandparent should read this book. (Getting my drift?)
9. Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
This book might ruin your night owl lifestyle in a good way. Walker explains why sleep is basically the magic potion for memory, health, and mood. You’ll never look at naps the same way again. Read it before bed if you’re not too tired.
Summertime is the time to rejuvenate so get some sleep!
Final Thought
Whether you're after a soul-searching journey, a legal thriller, a biography binge, or some good ol’ brain candy, there’s something here for everyone. So grab a book (or five), find your perfect reading spot, and escape into some smart summer stories.
Which one are you picking up first? Let me know and don’t forget to share with your fellow bookworms!
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