It's that time of year again! The sun is out, the sky is blue and you finally have some time to crack open a new book. Whether you're looking for an inspiring, empowering self-improvement book, a humorous autobiography, or a post-apocalyptic, suspense-filled mystery, you're sure to find something you'll enjoy on this list. We asked the team at Ruby Cup to share their favourite summer reads, and why they believe they are worth reading.

The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates

"It's an inspirational book by a truly inspirational woman. Gates writes about the women who have inspired her and shares her own journey to becoming a women's empowerment advocate. Not only did I learn a lot about women's lives around the world, but also insights about her marriage and the path she and Bill took to become equals in their marriage and their work. The message that stayed with me is that if you want to lift a society up, you need to invest in women. Which is exactly what we are doing in our work at Ruby Cup."

Djanira Cortesao, Head of Marketing and Communications

The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz

"I read it when I was 13 and it was a really good foundation for me, especially because of the aspects around self-confidence and changing your mindset to look at the world in a different way. It has good strategies for overcoming fear and is quite an old book but still very wise and applicable today."

Alfred Muli, Regional Program Manager - East Africa

Blindness by José Saramago

"It's a big metaphor because even though it is called Blindness, it is very eye-opening. You can see how it's possible to instantly lose your humanity and kindness, because everyone becomes so selfish in order to survive. But, it also makes you appreciate everything you have right now and not take that for granted."

Valentina Carrara, Customer Care and Community Manager

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

"He talks about racism––he can talk about racism in a way where––it's such a difficult topic, people get angry and offended but because he was 'born a crime' and under Apartheid, and a brilliant comedian, I think he can present the topic in a way that is both very valid and humorous. There's a lot of truth to the way he explains it."

Julie Weigaard Kjær, Co-Founder and CEO

Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys Boys. by Viv Albertine

"It is the most inspiring memoir I have ever read. It touches up on so many subjects: love, heartbreak, female friendship, punk, masturbation (and lack thereof), feminism, illness and recovery... and I know it is a cliché to say, but it makes you laugh and it makes you cry. Viv Albertine is a legend and, disclaimer, her follow up book To Throw Away Unopened is just as good."

Amaia Arranz, COO and Social Impact Director

La part du colibri: L'espèce humaine face à son devenir by Pierre Rabhi

"I love to read and re-read this often because it is a great book that always reminds you that no matter how little your action is, it counts. Because if millions, billions of people do that action, then it will have an impact. Rabhi shows that we can live in a sustainable way and that we shouldn't throw in the towel. Everything counts."

Stephanie Ruelle, Head of B2B Sales

The Cemetery of Forgotten Books: "The Labyrinth of Spirits" by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

"It has everything––a little bit of romance, a lot of history and a lot of detective and mystery stuff. It takes place in Barcelona in the 1930s-60s and has to do with the difficult time in Spanish history with the Franco regime and the Civil War. It talks about all the secrets and hardships people had to face and the end is nothing like how you expect it to be."

Alla Shoman, B2B Sales Manager

Los peligros de fumar en la cama by Mariana Enríquez

"Her tales transcend terror, they are full of haunting stories that talk about violence, strangeness and the weird things in life. She also adapts Argentinian folklore and transforms it into something actual."

Agustín Saviza, Finance and Accounting Manager

The Power by Naomi Alderman

"It's mind-blowing how she imagines a world where the gender roles are completely flipped around. It's a fictional novel and a little bit dystopian but it still feels empowering and is a perfect summer read."

Leanka Sayer, Senior Community Strategist and Social Content Manager

The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron

"Julia Cameron talks about how to manage and develop creativity as well as about the importance of the process, not just the end result."

Estela de Diego, Visual Designer

Women Who Run With The Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estés

"It is a bible of feminine empowerment for women and men alike. She uses mythological stories to describe this Wild Woman that lives inside all of us and how to let her free by embracing your genuine self and your own raw spirit. It teaches you to let go, to 'let die what needs to die' in order to be free and and continuously grow and rebirth yourself. She teaches you to trust your own intuition and break the bonds that society has created to hold you back, to be passionate and creative and to be completely true to yourself––to be wild."

Mia White, Marketing and Communications Intern