What Tech Workers Actually Read This Summer (And Why Their Picks Might Surprise You)
What Tech Workers Actually Read This Summer (And Why Their Picks Might Surprise You)
You know that stereotype about tech workers? Yeah, the one where they're supposedly glued to their devices 24/7, reading nothing but Reddit threads and Stack Overflow documentation? It's totally wrong.
I've been curious for a while about what people in the tech and security space actually do when they want to unplug. So we asked our team—developers, strategists, marketers, and security experts—to share what they're genuinely excited about reading this summer. And honestly? The answers were refreshingly diverse.
The Unexpected Mix of Summer Reads
What struck me most wasn't just the variety, but how thoughtful everyone's choices were. Nobody just grabbed the bestseller list and called it a day. Instead, people picked books that aligned with their values, interests, and where they needed their minds to go during the break.
For instance, our IT team member Isaac Lyons recommended How Not to Die by Michael Greger—a plant-based nutrition guide that combines recipe inspiration with solid science. This isn't fluffy wellness stuff either. It's the kind of book that makes you question habits you've had for years. If you're the type who likes understanding the "why" behind health recommendations (and honestly, who in tech isn't?), this one hits differently.
But here's where it gets interesting: the same person also recommended The Belgariad Quintet by David Eddings, a classic fantasy series. So we've got someone who's simultaneously deep-diving into nutritional science and escaping into nostalgic adventure fiction. That's peak human behavior right there.
Books That Make You Think Differently About Life
Then there's Die With Zero by Bill Perkins, recommended by our President. This book honestly deserves more attention than it gets. It's not your typical financial advice book that tells you to save, save, save. Instead, it flips the script and asks: what's the point of money if you're not using it to actually live?
I find this recommendation particularly telling. It shows that even (or especially) in high-pressure professional roles, people are thinking about balance and what matters. It's the antithesis of hustle culture, and I respect that.
Fantasy Escapes and Emotional Depth
A few team members gravitated toward fantasy, but not the mindless kind. Uprooted by Naomi Novik got high marks for its beautiful prose and Polish folklore inspiration. One team member said it's the kind of book you want to finish in one sitting—which honestly sounds like the ultimate compliment.
Then there's Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman, described as "grim but poetic." That's... oddly appealing? It's a medieval fantasy with a plague-ridden backdrop and a mysterious child. It sounds heavy and dark, but apparently, the writing is so good it becomes beautiful. That's the kind of recommendation that makes you want to take a chance on something unconventional.
Real-World Grit and Modern Storytelling
Not everyone wanted escape though. Demon Copperfield by Barbara Kingsolver got double recommendations from our team—a reimagining of Dickens' classic set in rural Appalachia. Multiple people called it "poignant" and "raw." That tells me it's hitting on something real and honest, not just retelling a story for the sake of it.
And if you want something that's simultaneously thrilling and thought-provoking, One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware sounds absolutely wild. Picture reality TV contestants stranded on an island, but with actual stakes and danger. It's giving Survivor meets Lord of the Flies energy, and apparently, it's impossible to put down.
The Thrillers That Actually Deliver
For those who want their adrenaline pumping, The Defense by Steve Cavanagh came up with genuine enthusiasm. The protagonist is a con artist turned lawyer—which is such a cool premise—and apparently, the courtroom scenes absolutely crackle with tension. The fact that the entire series is worth binging tells you something about the quality here.
Lighter Reads and Humor
Not everything has to be heavy, though. Starter Villain by John Scalzi is described as a "comedic sci-fi romp" with corporate intrigue and supervillains. In a world where a lot of summer reads feel like they're trying way too hard to be serious, sometimes you just want something fun and absurd.
The Practical Side: Books That Actually Help
Our Brand Manager also threw in The 5 Principles of Parenting by Aliza Pressman. This one's interesting because it's practical, psychology-backed advice wrapped in real-world parenting challenges. And apparently, there's a companion podcast (Raising Good Humans) that makes it even better. That's modern reading—books paired with audio content for people who don't always have time to sit still.
Plus, there's a cookbook recommendation: The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook by Meredith Hayden (TikTok's beloved chef). Recipes that range from simple weeknight dinners to elevated classics. Because sometimes summer reading isn't about pages and prose—it's about creating something good in your kitchen.
Why This Matters
What I really love about this list is that it shows something important: tech people, security professionals, developers—we're not robots. We think about our values. We read for escape and for growth. We want stories that challenge us and moments of pure fun.
We're curious about health, money, relationships, and what it means to live a good life. We appreciate beautiful writing and complex characters. We like a page-turner that keeps us up way too late.
If you're looking to break out of your reading rut this summer, stop overthinking it. Grab something that sounds genuinely interesting to you, not what you think you should read. Whether that's nutritional science, fantasy escapes, or a good old-fashioned thriller, the best book is the one you'll actually finish.
And hey—if you're still hunting for your next read, there's a part two coming. More sci-fi adventures, epic sagas, and edge-of-your-seat mysteries are on the way.
What are you reading this summer? The truly underrated part of summer isn't just the books themselves—it's having actual time to read them.
Tags: ['summer reading', 'book recommendations', 'tech culture', 'mental health', 'lifestyle', 'reading list']