Summer is the perfect time to start anew and find your center. This list of books – including novels and nonfiction – will have you feeling fresh and enlightened this season.

Awaken by Denese Shelton

In this new novel, Sierra can’t seem to shake the dreams that are slowly taking over her life. Sleeping longer than ever before, Sierra begins to see that her dream alter-ego Dorothy may be onto something – Dorothy is a civil rights activist, fighting for freedom and finding happiness within herself. Before she knows it, Sierra thinks that inheriting Dorothy’s life may be the key to unlocking new love, a better spiritual connection and a new sense of accomplishment.


The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker

Priya Parker thinks that everyday interactions and gatherings can be unproductive and routine. In The Art of Gathering, she shares how society as a whole can change this. Parker investigates a wide variety of social gatherings – everything from conferences, a courtroom and camp – and describes what works and what doesn’t work in these settings. She inspires readers to take a new approach to their daily meetings and make them worth their time and energy.


The Business of Being by Laurie Buchanan, Ph.D.

Laurie Buchanan thinks that individuals operate like their own independent businesses. Personal transformation in business and spirituality is key, and Buchanan helps readers to live their full potential and achieve their goals, just as a successful business owner would do. From business plans to tips and how to set goals that will benefit you, The Business of Being is an eye-opening read for the summer.


The Cactus by Sarah Haywood

When Susan Green loses her mother and discovers she is pregnant, her life begins to feel very much out of control. When she finds out that her mother’s will favors her brother, she becomes dismantled. It will take help in the unlikeliest of places and some self-discovery for Susan to control her own existence and prepare for her baby.


The Amendment by Anne Leigh Parrish

In this new novel from Anne Leigh Parrish, Lavinia Starkhurst is doing her best to move on with her life after her husband loses his life in an accident no one saw coming. Beginning a road trip she hopes will bring her peace, Lavinia encounters new characters with their own problems. Beginning to see that everyone struggles with something in their lives, Lavinia becomes hopeful that the best parts of her life are still to come and that reflecting on your past can bring about a new form of healing.


My Ex-Life by Stephen McCauley

David Hedges’s life is falling apart, so he finds comfort in his ex-wife, Julia. As Julia’s life seems to be simultaneously unraveling, David steps in to help her 17-year-old daughter get into the college of her dreams. Before he knows it, he and Julia are moving in together and picking up the life they left behind 30 years ago. This novel is full of both heartbreaking and heartwarming moments, perfect for a summertime read.


Clock Dance by Anne Tyler

Willa Drake has not had an easy life. In 1997 she becomes a young widow. Twenty years later, an out-of-the-blue phone call from a stranger changes her life. She finds herself moving across the country to care for a young woman and her nine-year-old daughter. Finding fulfillment in an unexpected place, Willa begins to feel that she might finally be where she was meant to be all along.


Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker, Ph.D.

This New York Times bestseller is being released in paperback this summer and it’s a must-read for anyone looking to understand the importance of sleep. Sleep expert Matthew Walker brings to light all of the benefits of sleep, including bolstering our emotions, metabolism, appetite and our immune systems. You’ll also learn about the importance of dreams and how to get the best out of your daily need for shut-eye.