As summer slowly winds down, there’s still time to squeeze in some great reads—the kind that stay with you long after you’ve completed it.
At Sunrock, we spend our days focused on building a smarter, more resilient energy future. But when we're off the clock, we’re also curious thinkers, avid learners. Our late-summer reading list reflects that spirit: a mix of fiction and nonfiction, climate and creativity, bold ideas and quiet moments.
Here’s what’s on our nightstands as we head into fall:
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
This lyrical novel, partly narrated by a fig tree, explores love, migration, and the deep ties between humans and nature. It’s a reminder that ecosystems carry memory—and that storytelling, like sustainability, depends on listening closely.
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
Spanning centuries and continents, this novel connects five characters through a single story that survives the collapse of civilizations. It’s a celebration of resilience, knowledge, and the interconnectedness of life—a theme that hits home in climate and energy work.
Little Bets by Peter Sims
This book explores how small experiments can lead to big breakthroughs—especially in uncertain environments. As we navigate evolving energy markets, this mindset is essential: test, learn, and keep building toward a better grid.
Seth’s Blog by Seth Godin
A go-to for quick inspiration. Seth’s daily reflections cover trust, systems thinking, and what it means to create meaningful change. For anyone working to shift mindsets—about solar, resilience, or energy adoption—it’s worth bookmarking.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
A haunting story of resistance, humanity, and the power of words—set in WWII Germany. While not energy-related, it’s a moving meditation on doing what’s right in difficult times, something that resonates in an industry focused on long-term impact. One of our sons had to read this for school - and we’re so glad we read it too!
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
In this modern classic of narrative nonfiction, three young people set out on a perilous journey out of the Jim Crow South to the North and West in search of what the novelist Richard Wright called "the warmth of other suns."
Bonus Reads: Energy + Climate Picks We Love
If you're looking to dig deeper into energy systems, climate tech, or the future of the grid, we also recommend:
- The Grid by Gretchen Bakke – An insightful look at the vulnerabilities of the U.S. power grid and the push toward modernization
- Speed & Scale by John Doerr – A roadmap for solving the climate crisis through bold, measurable action
- The New Map by Daniel Yergin – A global look at how energy innovation is reshaping politics and economies
- All We Can Save edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson & Katharine Wilkinson – A beautiful collection of essays, poetry, and voices from women climate leaders
Happy reading!
