Summer Reading List

My kids are on summer break and I’m traveling a ton. Continuing to write has been impacted for last sixty days, no doubt. But in the absence of regular writing I have been offsetting it by reading. A lot.

For whatever reason, rarely do I read fiction, if ever. I typically read for the purpose of learning something new. I find this especially true with biographies. People patterns show up again and again and I’m always trying to stand on the shoulders of any relevant experience I can find.

I’ve also found that for the first time in my life, I’m in more than one book concurrently. A far cry from even 10-15 years ago, where other than short form internet or magazine, I would say I didn’t read books at all. What a missed opportunity.

Here’s what’s on my recent list:

• Give and Take by Adam Grant – In progress. Speaking to the nature of people who “Give, Take and Match” in all of their relationships. Seems like it’s headed for the thesis that “nice guys (givers) finish first” so long as they are not in a toxic “taker” environment. Originals by Adam Grant was great. Digging this one so far, but a slower read than I was expecting. I think Brock gave me this. Thanks Brock!
• Poorly Made in China by Paul Midler – In progress. Fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what it’s actually like to manufacture in China. It spans the manufacturing rise in the 20th century to now and how the norm is potentially changing with China’s change in global stature. Interesting view into collective Chinese culture as a whole. On my list for a while. Finally getting to it.
• A Higher Loyalty: Truth Lies and Leadership by James Comey – Recently finished. After the reality show car wreck which was Fire and Fury, I wanted to see the perspective from the other side. Broader and more interesting than I was expecting, following Comey’s full career in the public and private sectors. Everything from working for Giuliani to the prosecuting the mob. Obviously speaks in detail about the Clinton emails and his dance with The Donald. Quick read. And if you’re wondering where I fall, I think the current administration is a joke and hurting this country. A vote in that direction is completely indefensible at this point….
• Tiger Woods by Jeff Benedict – Recently finished – Oh for Christ’s sake, if 25% of this book is accurate… Testament to the fact that kids are not born screwed up or jerks, their parents do it to them. This story is as interesting as it is sad. The greatest golfer who ever lived never had a shot at normal or even reasonable from the time he was a toddler, and there was nothing he could do about it. I had never read any of the other Tiger books, but apparently this has a fair amount of retelling from other sources. Quick read.
• Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance – Recently finished. Follows the arc of a family and their community from rural Kentucky Appalachia roots to a migration Ohio’s rust belt in search of upward mobility, only to be met with the eventual rust belt manufacturing decline and its impact and reinforcement of the poverty cycle. Very sobering societal commentary through the eyes of a man who grew up there and eventually escaped the odds. Quick read.

Branson and McCain books up next, along with Factfulness, Thinking Fast and Slow and the The Innovators by Isaacson.

Side note, I still buy actual books. I find that I enjoy it less and retain less when I’m not actually flipping the pages with my feet up. I have hoarder tendencies, yes, but I when I look at the book up on the shelf in my office I can recount my takeaways from it pretty well. I do this often. Out of sight, out of mind for the e-books, I guess.

Also none of these are affiliate links :-p

#leadersarereaders #neversettle