Having a good book and a delicious cup of coffee will give you the best break whether you are inside trying to avoid the sun or outside basking yourself in the summer breeze. The following list is my preferences in the top summer books that are mostly tailored for small business owners but are also enjoyable for the occasional reader.

The Full Burn by Kevin Conley ($25.99)

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Scratch your itch for adventure travel with this true tale of some real fall guys, and get a lesson in the business of jumping from tall buildings and rolling brand new cars.

Tuna: A Love Story by Richard Ellis ($27.95)

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Meet the entrepreneurs behind your tuna hand roll. From “ranch” to fish market, tuna harvesting is a complex global business populated by charismatic business owners.

Serve The People: A Stir Fried Journey Through China by Jen Lin-Liu ($24)

Chinese cuisine has enjoyed a rebirth in China, thanks in large part of the rise of small businesses after Mao. Lin-Liu serves up a delightful dish of experience in a Beijing cooking school, plus a helping of the country’s social and cultural history.

Heirloom: Notes From an Accidental Tomato Farmer by Tim Stark ($24)

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What Stark began as a lark – 3,000 heirloom tomato seeds started in a Brooklyn apartment-has become a thriving business that supplies scores of Manhattan restaurants. It is a satisfying journey that began long before “local sourcing” was a buzzword.

Now moving on to the best coffee machines that you could buy and happily put it in your kitchen.

Illy X6 Trio ($500)

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It resembles a cute critter from a Pixar movie, but the X6 is surprisingly high maintenance. The manual specifies spring water and an additional milk container. The steam wand will make you feel like a real barista. If you prefer a lot of individual style (and foam) in your latte, this is the machine for you.

Delonghi Nespresso ($699)

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This intimidating model, in red or chrome, is almost too sexy for any kitchen counter. It boasts many flavors and a detachable unit for milk heating. But with its clunky brewing process, large frame, and inconveniently narrow cup holder the Nespresso left me unimpressed.

Braun Tassimo ($169)

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This is my personal favorite and I own this one. It is a classy model that looks like a spaceship but has a compact physique. It offers nine coffee brands. I greatly appreciate its one-touch approach. The pods contain both coffee and milk, which takes the guesswork (and risk of getting burned) out of your hands if you are not being careful.