JPMorgan has released its much awaited summer reading list, 2025 edition. This announcement represents the 26th year of the bank’s storied exclusive tradition of serving the rich and their privileged offspring. Equally important, the bank’s client advisors sifted through more than 1,000 ideas to put together a list. We hope this curated selection will help inspire knowledge, resilience, and curiosity in the next generation of wealthy families.
A special review committee meticulously whittled down the extensive list to include books that cover a diverse range of topics. This year’s selection features titles that explore themes of happiness, resilience, artificial intelligence, and the future of the U.S. dollar. These topics speak to the aspirations and worries of the modern wealthy family, getting their heirs ready to assume roles of leadership in life and legacy.
Generational wealth transfers are going to exceed $100 trillion from older generations to their spouses and children. As a result, family offices are focusing even more on the need to educate the next generation. “From our family office survey, what we heard loud and clear was that values are very important to the next generation,” stated a representative from J.P. Morgan Private Bank. This emphasis on values is crucial as families look to instill principles that will guide their heirs in both personal and professional endeavors.
The theme of this year’s reading list is based on the “power of curiosity.” Darin Oduyoye, involved in the compilation of the list, remarked, “Our focus was around the power of curiosity for this year’s list.” This method encourages the audience to adopt fresh concepts and ways of seeing the world. More importantly, it fosters an innovative mindset that’s critical for adapting to our rapidly evolving future.
The books chosen are not just meant to foster curiosity and imagination, but some have made wider social contributions. The review committee recognized the need for future leaders to balance financial prosperity with community engagement and responsible business practices. “It’s about how to think about that from a psychological perspective as well, to make sure you’re balancing, not just the prosperity of wealth, but the things that you can do to make impact both within your community and within your business,” the J.P. Morgan Private Bank representative added.
Issues such as artificial intelligence just bring home how important technology is. At the same time it is profoundly determining the economic and social futures of our countries and communities. As all the best books on resilience remind us, deep-rooted adaptability is the secret sauce for thriving in difficult times, while interrogations of joy offer valuable lessons for sustaining happiness in the face of stressors that come with riches and prestige.
Besides these thematic motifs, the reading list acts as a clearinghouse of information for families to consider during leadership transitions. When assessing participants for adult leadership positions on family councils or enterprises, being prepared is key. Ensuring these people are equipped and empowered to meet that challenge is paramount. “As they’re thinking about the adult leadership of the next generation for the family operating committee or business, they want to make sure these people are prepared,” stated a representative from J.P. Morgan.
The summer reading list from JPMorgan makes for a great recommended book list. It further serves as a tactical playbook for families, particularly those working through the challenges of managing family wealth and teaching future generations. By focusing on curiosity and values, JPMorgan hopes to help families raise a legacy that has more to offer than monetary riches.