Summertime is reading time and what better way to find inspiration than through the pages that captivate the people behind Switzerland’s presence in the United States? The Embassy Bookshelf is a summer series by the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington, D.C., featuring book recommendations from our staff and leadership.
Running throughout the quieter political months, the series offers thoughtful glimpses into the books that have shaped, challenged, or inspired those working on Embassy grounds. From history and politics to culinary arts and beyond, our picks span a wide range of interests — we hope you’ll find something that resonates with you.
Whether you’re a fellow diplomat, a Swiss abroad, or simply a curious reader: welcome to the bookshelf. We hope it sparks your next great summer read. Find all recommended titles below and happy reading!
Einstein’s Dream by Alan Lightman
Recommended by: Dr. Ralf Heckner, Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States
Recommended to: anyone in the market for a short yet profound read set in Switzerland
About the book: Set in 1905, Einstein’s Dreams imagines a series of dreams from the young Albert Einstein as he develops his theory of time. Each chapter explores a different concept of time: circular, frozen, fragmented, blending science with philosophy.
“Alan Lightman, a physicist himself, makes the complicated topic of the relativity of time, approachable to wider audience through Einstein’s dreams. The book cleverly plays with Bern’s scenery and the paradox of time, inviting the reader to reflect on how time passes and shapes our world.” — Ambassador Heckner
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Recommended by: Christoph Sommer, former Deputy Chief of Mission
Recommended to: Travel Enthusiasts
About the book: On the Road captures the restless energy of post-war America through the travels of Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty. With its jazz-infused prose and search for freedom, Kerouac’s novel is a classic ode to adventure, friendship, and the open road.
“I chose this book because my family and I are currently packing up and getting “on the road” to a new diplomatic post after five fascinating years here in Washington, D.C. The book is a gift from Mike, Nancy, and Summer Hamman, who opened their home in Huntsville (Alabama) to me over three decades ago and hosted me as a high school exchange student for a year. With this unique experience they gave me the curiosity and confidence to stay “on the road” and keep discovering the world.” – Christoph Sommer
I love NY – ingredients and recipies by Daniel Humm and Will Guidara
Recommended by: Chef Marcos Barboza, Head Chef at the Residence of the Swiss Ambassador
Recommended to: Culinary Lovers
About the book: In I Love NY, Swiss chef Daniel Humm and restaurateur Will Guidara share the recipes, ingredients, and philosophy behind their acclaimed restaurant Eleven Madison Park. The book celebrates New York’s rich culinary landscape through refined yet approachable dishes.
“Daniel Humm is one of my favorite Swiss chefs and I even met him at the Residence of the Ambassador for the Soirée Suisse in 2018. Having heard him talk about ingredients and having eaten at Eleven Madison Park, inspired me to cook more of his recipes. Although, the restaurant is now fully plant-based, my favorite recipe remains the Braised Duck Legs.” – Chef Marcos
Looking for Trouble by Virginia Cowles
Recommended by: Kristi Shalla, Swiss Business Hub
Recommended to: History Buffs
About the Book: In this vivid memoir, pioneering journalist Virginia Cowles recounts her journey from society columns to the frontlines of the Spanish Civil War and World War II.
“I read Looking for Trouble many years ago, and it sparked my fascination with international affairs. It’s a gripping firsthand account of war, made all the more compelling by the author’s fearless curiosity and sharp journalistic eye. Her vivid storytelling and remarkable wit make this a fast-paced yet informative read for the summer.” – Kristi Shalla
Helvetic Heights: A Human History of the Swiss Alps by Richard Hacken
Recommended by: Marco Bottini, Campaign Manager
Recommended to: Alpinists, Lovers of Switzerland
About the Book: Helvetic Heights offers a compelling exploration of the evolving relationship between humans and the Swiss Alps. It traces how the perception of the mountains transformed over time from being seen as dangerous and forbidding to celebrated as breathtaking, peaceful, and idyllic.
“This is an excellent summer read for everyone that misses the Swiss Alps this summer and doesn’t have the chance to go back. Especially the chapter about how the Alps were used in a political context was fascinating to me.” – Marco Bottini
Parias. Hannah Arendt et la “tribu” en France (1933-1941) by Marina Touilliez
Recommended by: Beatrice Müller, Diplomatic Attaché
Recommended to: French speaker/ Readers looking to improve their French, as the book has not yet been translated
About the Book: Marina Touillez recounts Hannah Arendt’s exile during the darkest times of the 20th century, in-between Geneva and New York. At its heart, the book is a powerful tribute to the enduring strength of true friendship amidst displacement and hardship.
“One of my favorite books read this year. It brings to light the daily ordeals Hannah Arendt and her loved ones had to endure, with one important silver lining: The group’s friendship allowed their lives to remain active and their thinking to survive.” – Beatrice Müller
The Too-Tall Swiss Guard by Michelle Widmer-Schulz
Recommended by: Sally Dill, Translator
Recommended to: parents of young children, especially if they happen to be quite tall!
About the book: The Too-Tall Swiss Guard follows the story of Andreas, who has journeyed from his hometown in Switzerland to Rome to serve as a Swiss Guard for Pope John Paul II. After facing challenges, including some caused by simply being too tall, a coincidental meeting with the pope gives him encouragement and inspiration.
“My children love the story of the Too-Tall Swiss Guard. The famous Swiss Guards serve at the Vatican to this day, continuing a proud, centuries-long tradition of protecting the pope. This picture book tells a true story about one of them (in fact, the author of the story is married to the real-life Andreas, so she has it on good authority!)
I recommend this book to any parents looking for a heartwarming story about how we each have our own unique role to play—and that sometimes, when we feel that we don’t fit in, we may be close to finding exactly where our gifts lie.” – Sally Dill
Short Stories by John Bernhard
Recommended by: Barbara Schlagbauer, Board Member of the Swiss American Society of Houston
About the book: From the jungles of Central America to the Great State of Texas, Short Stories is a vivid collection shaped by the pursuit of freedom, the weight of memory, and the enduring allure of the American Dream. With the eye of an artist and the soul of an immigrant, Swiss American John Bernhard brings to life the people and places that left their mark on him, from lost lovers and chance encounters to the strange poetry found in exile. At the heart of the collection is his first novella, The Woman Who Stayed Behind, a haunting tale of unexpected passion and danger set on the forgotten coast of Guatemala, where a solitary American is drawn into a world of love, myth, and conflict. Some stories are imagined. Others are lived. All of them carry the pulse of truth. With quiet power and emotional clarity, Bernhard captures what it means to cross borders, both real and unseen, in search of a life fully lived. A striking debut in short fiction by a storyteller who has seen the American Dream from the inside out.
“This book is for you if you feel captivated by a having roots in one place but dreaming of discovering another- an Odyssey filled with wisdom, blending the charm of innocence with a sharp darkly comic wit and delivering a freshly entertaining take on the classic American dream from a European perspective. I could not let the book down after the introduction’s “Sometimes we don’t choose a story, but the story chooses us”. With brushstrokes that capture both beauty, absurdity, fiction & reality- the artist’s experiences not only reveal triumph but also unexpected challenges from making a life far from home. From awkward encounters to moments of self-reflection, these stories explore complex themes of identity, camaraderie, belonging and creativity all with a playful but poignant tone that keeps the readers smiling even in the place of hardship! It invites the reader to reflect on love, legacy and the timeless quest to live a life with purpose and fulfillment.” – Barbara Schlagbauer
