Summer Reading List 2025

June 4, 2025 4 min read
📚 arvy's Book Club

arvy's Teaser: Summer is just around the corner — the perfect time for books that open new perspectives. This summer, we've put together four works that personally inspired us: a book about Switzerland's great entrepreneurial dynasties, a science-based health guide, a poetic novel about home and identity, and the geopolitical reflections of Singapore's founding father. Here is the arvy Summer Reading List 2025.


The 4 Books at a Glance
# Book Author Recommended by
1 Patriarchen Alex Capus Thierry
2 Good Energy Dr. Casey Means Florian
3 Damals, am Meer Marco Balzano Patrick
4 One Man's View of the World Lee Kuan Yew Seraphin

1. Patriarchen: On Bally, Lindt, Nestlé and Other Pioneers

by Alex Capus · Recommended by Thierry, Co-Founder arvy

"Patriarchen" by Alex Capus portrays ten remarkable business figures who helped shape the Swiss economy. With a light and engaging narrative style, Capus blends historical facts with vivid anecdotes to capture a time when bold vision and personal ambition drove entire industries forward.

From shoe magnate Bally to chocolate innovator Lindt and Nestlé's pioneering founder, Capus tells the stories of individuals who, through energy, ingenuity and sometimes sheer coincidence, built brands that still resonate today. The book is both a tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit and an entertaining journey through the early days of Switzerland's industrial success.

Thierry's Takeaway

"'Patriarchen' reminds us how much entrepreneurial courage, personal risk and determination lie behind the names we take for granted today. Alex Capus shows that economic progress is always a human story — shaped by chance, vision and decisive action."


2. Good Energy

by Dr. Casey Means · Recommended by Florian, Co-Founder arvy

"Good Energy" by Dr. Casey Means is a science-based health guide that explores how our cellular health, inflammation and metabolism are directly connected to our energy levels, well-being and long-term vitality.

In a clear and accessible way, the author explains how chronic fatigue, brain fog and many modern health issues often stem from silent inflammation within the body. With concrete recommendations on nutrition, sleep, movement and stress reduction, the book offers practical tools for living with greater energy, mental clarity and inner balance.

Florian's Takeaway

"'Good Energy' is especially relevant in today's time where exhaustion and silent inflammation are widespread. Dr. Casey Means encourages us to see health as an active process — and demonstrates how we can sustainably enhance our quality of life through simple, everyday choices."


3. Damals, am Meer

by Marco Balzano · Recommended by Patrick, Co-Founder arvy

"Damals, am Meer" by Marco Balzano is a gentle and poetic novel that follows three generations of a family on a journey from Milan to the southern coast of Italy. As they return to the grandfather's crumbling seaside apartment in Apulia, each views the place differently: one as his true home, another as a memory of youth, and the youngest as a simple vacation spot.

Balzano explores themes of identity, belonging and generational change through quiet reflections and understated emotion. In a fast-moving world, this book invites us to pause and reflect on what truly matters.

Patrick's Takeaway

"'Damals, am Meer' reveals how personal histories and family ties shape our understanding of home. Through Marco Balzano's quiet yet evocative storytelling, the novel gently reminds us that belonging is not just about place — but about the memories and relationships we carry with us."


4. One Man's View of the World

by Lee Kuan Yew · Recommended by Seraphin, arvy

"One Man's View of the World" presents the geopolitical reflections of Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of Singapore. With clarity and precision, he analyses developments in the United States, China, Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. He speaks openly about global power shifts, economic interdependence and social challenges.

This book offers no diplomatic pleasantries but rather sharp analysis and strategic insight. Lee Kuan Yew writes for readers who seek to understand how the world truly operates — not on the surface, but at a structural level.

Seraphin's Takeaway

"I read 'One Man's View of the World' as preparatory reading for my exchange semester in Singapore. It proved to be a fascinating insight into the thinking of the man who shaped the rise of an entire nation. During my time in Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew's legacy was visible everywhere — and I often found myself reflecting on the perspectives I had encountered in this remarkable book."


3 Sentences to Remember

1. Behind every great Swiss brand lies a human story — shaped by courage, coincidence and decisive action.

2. Real energy doesn't come from the coffee cup — it comes from understanding how your body works at a cellular level.

3. Understanding the world — structurally, not superficially — is the foundation for long-term thinking and smart investing.

Do you like the list? Share it with your friends and colleagues!

Grab a book, enjoy the sun and let yourself be inspired — whether by entrepreneurial stories, renewed energy for body and mind, a literary journey to the sea, or a statesman's view of the world. Enjoy reading! — Your arvy Team


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This article was written by Seraphin, Investment Analyst & Sales Support at arvy, and reviewed by Patrick Rissi, CFA, and Florian Jauch, CFA.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute personal investment advice. Amazon links are affiliate links. arvy is a FINMA-supervised asset manager.