Summer 2026 Reading List
It's almost the end of the school year, which means it's time to start prepping for your summer reading! Get a head start with our Summer Reading List, which features book selections from Festival 2026 artists and Jacob's Pillow's own staff!
Urban Bush Women: "The Warmth of Other Suns" by Isabel Wilkerson
This book is influential as it discusses stories from the Great Migration, which is directly connected to Jawole Willa Jo Zollar’s SCAT!... The Complex Lives of Al & Dot, Dot & Al Zollar.
"SCAT! is my story. It is my family’s story. It is a personal and collective story of a family and a people, moving from the Jim Crow South during the Great Migration." — Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Director and Choreographer, SCAT!... The Complex Lives of Al & Dot, Dot & Al Zollar.
Circa Contemporary Circus
Nathan Boyle, Tour Director: "The House in the Cerulean Sea" by TJ Klune
“An uplifting fantasy about belonging and chosen family. The book is about a rule-following caseworker who visits a secluded orphanage for magical children. When he is there, he discovers a world that challenges everything he thought he knew. It’s heartfelt and humorous. When I finished, it made me reflect on what it truly means to find home.” — Nathan Boyle
Shea Baker, Acrobat: "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin
“As a kid I used to read constantly, it was my favourite thing to do but as I got older and busier, I struggled to find the time to read. I read this book a year ago and it reignited my love for reading. It’s not a romance story but it’s full of love and passion and is really touching. One of my favourite books I’ve ever read. Being alive is difficult but so beautiful and this book shows that wonderfully.” — Shea Baker
Maya Davies, Acrobat: "Martyr!" by Kaveh Akbar
“This book follows Cyrus, a queer Iranian-American poet dealing with depression and addiction, all the while obsessed with the idea of Martyrdom. The novel shifts across time periods and perspectives, and is filled with candor, poetic imagery, humor, and a whole lot of life.
The book is beautifully written, and an incredibly enjoyable, easy read, especially considering some of the tougher subject matter. The novel made me reflect alongside the protagonist about the idea of dedicating one’s life towards a higher purpose, and what that means in actuality; why we make and share our art, and how we move through this turbulent life.” — Maya Davies
Oscar Morris, Acrobat: "Acid for the Children" by Flea
“Beautifully written memoir about the tragic and incredible life of one of the world’s most prolific and influential bass players of today’s music. Without Flea, I wouldn’t be the artist that I am today; his bass playing shaped me as a musician which shaped me as an acrobat in this company.” — Oscar Morris
Ilya Vidrin: "The Score" by Thi Nguyen
“I loved this book because it focuses on the philosophy of play and the metrics we use to evaluate our actions—what “counts” as doing well. I think this resonates deeply in a dance context because his philosophy opens up the possibility of asking: What am I actually measuring here? and Is that what I actually want to value?” — Ilya Vidrin
Brinae Ali: "Steppin' On The Blues: The Visible Rhythms of African American Dance" by Jacqui Malone
“One book I highly recommend that has been essential to my research and creative development is Steppin' On The Blues: The Visible Rhythms of African American Dance by Jacqui Malone. I chose this book because it clearly shows how African aesthetic and cultural practices have influenced American entertainment and society. I also love how Malone weaves in stories and oral histories that show the deeper connections and relationships between the dancers and musicians, further emphasizing the relevance and impact of Jazz vernacular language.” — Brinae Ali
Ogemdi Ude: "Perfect Victims and the Politics of Appeal" by Mohammed el-Kurd
“el-Kurd is a Palestinian writer and poet who challenges Western expectations that Palestinians abide by a clean narrative of victimhood in order to be worthy of protection and liberation. He questions the lens through which Palestinians, Black folks, and other oppressed peoples are perceived and how appeals for sympathy do not bring us to radical solidarity. el-Kurd reminds me that all our liberation is intertwined, and our duty to protect each other is not contingent on "model minority" behavior.” — Ogemdi Ude
UFlyMothership: "No Guts No Glory" by Matt Khan and "Island Possessed" by Katherine Dunham
“Two books that have been inspiring are No Guts No Glory by Matt Khan, which shines light on Greg's barbering journey and his road to winning the David Prize of New York, and Katherine Dunham's Island Possessed, which depicts her student journeys through a 1960s Haiti that created her bond to spiritual complexities and a vibrant community.
Both these books possess the spirit of self innovation, journeying beyond the expectations of society, and finding ways to understand community from a sense of self and connection. The work of UFlyMothership has been rooted in creating works that are mantras in motion. We ask questions of the society that we are in and explore how we can find internal anecdotes of healing and survival. We are driven by honoring the resilience of people of color and the ability to dream amidst the chaos of the world." — Tendayi Kuuma and Greg Purnell, UFlyMothership
Jacob's Pillow Staff
Megan Burgess, Special Projects Manager: Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang
“I love how this book addresses the effect technology has on art and our relationships. Set in the near future, this story centers around the friendship of two young girls as they come of age and try to make it in the world as artists. It brings up questions around ownership and originality of ideas, and it reflects on the mental/emotional boundaries we are all constantly navigating.” — Megan Burgess
Hunter Styles, Editorial and Design Director: Spellbound: My Life as a Dyslexic Wordsmith, Phil Hanley
“Possibly the only thing harder than becoming a successful stand-up comedian with severe dyslexia is writing a whole book about it. I’ve enjoyed Phil Hanley’s precise, quick-witted comedy for years, but I liked that his memoir isn’t built on well-trodden jokes. What I found was a poignant and well-written account of how a learning disability gone undiagnosed for years can completely reshape your life. It's a story of empowerment I think anyone can relate to, especially since the road to self-acceptance is always paved with humor.” — Hunter Styles
Experience the 94th Festival Season
From June 24 – August 30, 2026, Jacob’s Pillow will present world-class performances, special events, exhibits, workshops and classes, PillowTalks, and more.
This Pillow Pick was written by Lucy Kudlinski and published on May 7, 2026.
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Summer 2026 Reading List
Get a head start on summer reading with our Summer Reading List, which features book selections from Festival 2026 artists and Jacob's Pillow's own staff!
What's Blooming in Festival 2026
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