Still searching for a good book to take to the beach, the country, or just a secluded corner?

In a summer of the Olympics, tight baseball pennant races and other high-profile sporting events, even the most dedicated athletes and executives find time in their busy schedules for some quiet reading. Here are books that several sports and business personalities have been reading, or plan to read, in their spare moments this summer.

Billy Beane, President & General Manager, Oakland A’s
"I am reading the George Martin series of books that the HBO show “Game of Thrones” is based on. They are not brief, so I’m sure they will fill the summer months."

Natalie Coughlin, 11-time swimming Olympic medal winner
“Drop Dead Healthy,” by A.J. Jacobs. "I love reading about food, cooking, and nutrition. This book looks at all sorts of diets, workout regimens, and health ideologies in an interesting, light-hearted way."

Sunil Gulati, President, U.S. Soccer Federation
“Thinking, Fast and Slow,” by Daniel Kahneman

• “Behind the Beautiful Forevers,” by Katherine Boo
• “The End of Illness,” by David Agnus
• “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” by Rebecca Skloot

Phil Knight, Co-Founder & Chairman, Nike
“The Orphan Master’s Son,” by Adam Johnson

Christopher Ramsey, CEO, USA Water Polo
“Unbroken,” by Laura Hillenbrand.

• “The New Cathedrals: Politics and Media in the History of Stadium Construction,” by Robert Trumpbour.
• “How Will You Measure Your Life?” by Clayton Christensen, James Allworth, and Karen Dillon.
• “Migration: New and Selected Poems,” by W.S. Merwin.

Harvey Schiller, Chairman of the Board & CEO, Global Options Group

• “It Worked For Me,” by Colin Powell
• “A Universe From Nothing,” by Lawrence Krauss
• “The Candy Bombers,” by Andrei Cherny
• “The Passage of Power,” by Robert Caro
• Still trying to finish “Steve Jobs,” by Walter Issacson.

Mary Wittenberg, President & CEO, New York Road Runners

• “Gone Girl,” by Gillian Flynn.  A New York Times review landed this thriller on my list.
• “Steve Jobs,” by Walter Isaacson. I know, I am behind in getting to this one, but it’s a must read I have been saving for the summer.
• “Thinking, Fast and Slow,” by Daniel Kahneman. My management-type book for the summer.

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