Hate to switch off? Fear not, How To Make A Billion author Richard Harpin has put together his holiday reading guide to stay switched on this summer

I’d like to say my summer holiday is one of the few times in the year when I truly switch off. The trouble is, my switch is never off for very long. Mid-afternoon snoozes in the sun are not my style. At work, there is always something new to work on, an interesting entrepreneur to meet. Away from the office it’s a physical challenge or a boisterous family get-together to enjoy. I get a little twitchy if I’m sitting still for too long.

For me, the summer getaway is a chance to think a little deeper and learn a little more. In my experience, the best leaders are those with boundless curiosity. If we don’t keep asking questions and seeking new perspectives, then we’re destined to repeat ourselves. Whether you’re a young entrepreneur with a brilliant new business, or a veteran chief executive of an established company, you still need to drive yourself forward by nurturing the brain.

That’s why my three grown-up kids still tease me when they see me packing my holiday bags. It’s not clothes that take up all the room but books. Business books, memoirs, bestselling fiction, personal development manuals and classic old favourites that I love to dive back into.

However, the one which I won’t be taking is the one that I’ve written – although I hope you’ll be........

© City A.M.