Each summer, Brown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman shares her thoughtfully curated selection of must-read books. From gripping novels to inspiring memoirs, her picks reflect a range of voices, ideas, and stories perfect for the season. Explore the full list below, discover why each title earned a spot on her highly-anticipated list, and find links to purchase each book through a platform that supports local independent bookstores.
Troubled by Rob Henderson
Synopsis: In this compelling memoir, Rob Henderson recounts his journey from a chaotic childhood in foster care and the military to the elite halls of higher education, where he coined the term “luxury beliefs” to describe the disconnect between privileged ideology and working-class reality.
"This was one of my favorite reads! It is the true story of a young man growing up in foster care who eventually gets adopted and struggles with addiction before entering the military and then Yale. The story follows his journey grappling with the duality privilege and luxury vs family and staying true to oneself. I love the journey this book takes you on — I could not put it down." - Bess Freedman
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Open by Andre Agassi
Synopsis: This acclaimed autobiography reveals tennis legend Andre Agassi’s lifelong struggle with the sport he was forced into, chronicling the emotional and physical toll of his rise to greatness.
"I love everything about tennis and learning Andre’s story is truly fascinating. His Dad made him hit 2500 balls per day with a ball machine he named “the dragon” and truth be known, Andre hated tennis! His story, relationship with his dad, marriage to Brooke Shields and then Steffi Graff — it’s all deeply interesting. This book is also a reminder that if you want to be great at anything you cannot skip the steps: Hard work, practice, and persistence….AND losing a lot." - Bess Freedman
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Right Thing Right Now by Ryan Holiday
Synopsis: Blending ancient Stoic wisdom with modern-day relevance, Holiday’s latest book offers a guide to making morally sound decisions in a turbulent world.
"Ryan often talks about stoicism and has a great podcast called the Daily Stoic. This book offers great stories of individuals who lived meaningful lives and encourages readers to consider cause and effect and how their actions impact others. " - Bess Freedman
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The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
Synopsis: In this motivational fable, Robin Sharma introduces a morning routine practiced by successful people throughout history—waking at 5 a.m. to maximize productivity, focus, and personal growth.
"This was such a cool read! The book is about how important it is to value your time and how if you commit to getting up every day at 5 am, you can accomplish incredible things. You read about a group of very different people from various backgrounds and how getting up at 5 am changes their entire way of life. Very inspiring!" - Bess Freedman
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Tribe by Sebastian Junger
Synopsis: Sebastian Junger explores the deep human need for connection, belonging, and purpose - particularly in the face of adversity and modern alienation, drawing from history, psychology, and his own experiences.
"This nonfiction book had my mind considering things I had never thought about. For example, post 9/11 people united and came together because the shared sense of danger forced connections. He also discusses the connections made during war and how impending danger builds something in human relationships that is quite special. As humans, the more dangerous the situation, the more willing we are to help one another." - Bess Freedman
