#158 - Summer Reads 2026

Chasing the “dream school” can quietly turn college admissions into a stress contest, and it doesn’t have to. We’re sharing our annual summer reading list for college parents, with books that help you step back, ask better questions, and support your student without getting pulled into rankings anxiety. If you’ve been wondering how to talk about fit, finances, and what your child actually needs to thrive, these reads give you a calmer, clearer way in.We start with Jeffrey Selingo’s Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You, plus the bigger perspective his work brings to the college search. We talk about why the most famous schools aren’t automatically the best schools, how rankings can distort decisions, and how to reframe “What’s your dream school?” into questions about learning environment, outcomes, and support. We also touch on Selingo’s “buyers and sellers” idea, a practical way to understand recruiting, merit aid, and why some colleges compete hard for students.From there, we widen the lens to what’s happening emotionally for both students and parents. Brad Stolberg’s Master of Change introduces “rugged flexibility,” a useful mindset for major life transitions. Jennifer Breheny Wallace’s Mattering explores belonging and purpose as real needs, not buzzwords, and we connect that to the college transition. We also recommend a striking poem that captures what neurodiversity can feel like from the inside, a hands-on guide to rekindling motivation when a bright kid seems checked out, and a fascinating look at how the arts can support mental health and brain function, even for students who swear they’re “not artistic.”If you want a summer reading list that’s practical, humane, and full of conversation starters, come listen, then share this with a fellow college parent and leave us a review so more families can find the support. Which book are you adding to your list first? Thank you for listening!Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent CentralFind us on Twitter at @CollParCentralFind us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.socialSign up for our newsletter for ongoing information