J.P. Morgan unveils 14-title Summer Reading

J.P. Morgan published its 2026 Summer Reading List on Monday, marking the 27th year of a seasonal franchise the firm uses to package books and experiences for its private-bank audience. The new list includes 14 titles, down from 16 in 2025, and arrives with a second-year “NextList Summer Series” of four travel and culture recommendations. The books were curated by client advisors from around the world, according to the firm, and span leadership, artificial intelligence, geopolitics, performance, longevity, art, culture, design and travel. (privatebank.jpmorgan.com) The release places the reading list inside a broader client-experience push. J.P. Morgan’s NextList, first rolled out as a wider books-and-experiences concept, is being used again this summer as an extension of the annual reading package, with programming that the firm says runs from a Broadway stage to the Swedish Riviera, Paris and other destinations. ### Which books anchor this year’s list? The 2026 lineup opens with George Newman’s *How Great Ideas Happen*, which J.P. Morgan describes as a book about creativity as a skill that can be practiced rather than a sudden flash of insight. (finance.yahoo.com) Sebastian Mallaby’s *The Infinity Machine* follows Demis Hassabis and DeepMind, while Josh Tyrangiel’s *AI for Good* focuses on practical uses of artificial intelligence in government, healthcare and education, according to the firm’s book notes. (privatebank.jpmorgan.com) Artificial intelligence is one of the clearest through-lines in this year’s selections. CNBC, citing J.P. Morgan’s list, said AI leads the mix with two titles: Mallaby’s account of the race for AI breakthroughs and Tyrangiel’s book on real-world deployment. ### Why is J.P. Morgan pairing books with experiences? J.P. Morgan said the NextList Summer Series returns for a second year as an extension of the NextList introduced in November, broadening the package beyond books into arts, culture and travel. The firm said this year’s four experiences include a Broadway show tied to New York City, Scandinavia’s premier car and lifestyle event, and a longevity-focused wellness escape spanning Mexico, Spain and the United Arab Emirates. (privatebank.jpmorgan.com) (cnbc.com) The firm has been moving in that direction for more than a year. In May 2025, J.P. Morgan described that year’s summer list as its “most expansive and comprehensive to date” and added new NextList experience recommendations that included an AI arts museum, a Tony-nominated musical and a global sailing championship. ### Who is the list meant to reach? CNBC reported that the annual list has become a guide for wealthy clients looking for summer reading, and that family offices are paying particular attention to books tied to generational transition. (finance.yahoo.com) Darin Oduyoye, chief communications officer of J.P. Morgan Asset & Wealth Management, told CNBC that Jennifer Breheny Wallace’s *Mattering* is resonating with “next-generation family leaders” as families navigate leadership transition and legacy. J.P. Morgan framed the list more broadly as a prompt for reflection and renewal. (jpmorgan.com) Oduyoye said in the company’s release that summer is a time for “rest, reflection and renewal,” and called the 2026 selections an invitation to “explore, find inspiration and discover memorable new adventures.” ### How does 2026 compare with last year? The 2025 edition carried 16 titles, while the 2026 version lists 14. The earlier release also highlighted curiosity as its central theme, whereas this year’s package is grouped around leadership, AI, geopolitics, performance and longevity, based on the company’s own description. (cnbc.com) The publishing date also moved earlier. J.P. Morgan issued the 2025 list on May 29, 2025, and released the 2026 list on May 18, 2026. (finance.yahoo.com) ### Where can readers see the full selections? J.P. Morgan posted the 14-book list on its Private Bank site, where each title is presented with a short description and author credit. The companion NextList page carries the broader 2026 books-and-experiences package and a video introducing the program. (jpmorgan.com) Monday’s release said the NextList Summer Series is now live as part of the 2026 rollout. Readers can find the summer selections on J.P. Morgan’s Private Bank pages published May 18, 2026, alongside the firm’s seasonal client programming. (jpmorgan.com) (privatebank.jpmorgan.com)