Posted: 06/13/2024

At PDS Planning, we believe true wealth isn’t just about amassing money, but rather the full life we live. In our recent article, Living a Richer Life, we noted that a rich life can and should include a variety of priorities, including hobbies.

That got us thinking about one of our favorite hobbies, reading. So, we asked the PDS Team what is on their nightstand or in their beach bag this summer. Just like our team, the responses are unique!

Jamie Menges, CFP®, CPA

  • The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel – Twenty great lessons on personal finance and investing told through the lens of some great stories, familiar names, with great entertainment value. I no longer need to write a personal finance book Morgan wrote mine for me.
  • I’m Fascinated by Sacrifice Flies – Tim Kirkjian – If you’re a baseball fan, I challenge you to get through this book without laughing so hard it brings tears to your eyes. Kirkjian is one of the funniest sports journalists around. I wish I could read it again for the first time!

Drew Potosky, CFP®

  • Project Hail Mary – Andy Weir – He also wrote The Martian. I read this a year ago and it’s now my favorite book of all time. It’s sci-fi without being overly complicated or technical and the dialogue is incredible and funny. I would recommend this to everyone.
  • The Comfort Crisis – Michael Easter – One of my favorite takeaways from this one was Easter describing a person’s potential like a dinner plate. Most people live in the small circle within, having no idea what exists out on the edge. Discomfort is necessary for growth and for discovering that potential.
  • The Lies of Locke Lamora – Scott Lynch – This one was like a giant heist with smaller heists along the way. The writing style is unlike anything I’ve read before and the characters are really likeable.
  • Dark Matter – Blake Crouch – Okay, last one. I read this one earlier this year and still think about it. It’s the best I’ve read this year! It’s sci-fi and put my brain in a pretzel multiple times. So fun! A TV show on Apple TV based on the book just came out as well.

Alyssa Troyer

  • The Great Alone – Kristin Hannah – Jaw-dropping moments, on the edge of my seat to finish some of the chapters, and I shed some tears.

Joel Bleskey

  • The Go-Giver– Bob Burg and John Mann – A great book about a simple principle that can make you more successful AND fulfilled in both business and your personal life. A very simple story and does a great job of giving actionable advice to immediately implement in your life.
  • Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike – Phil Knight dives into the adversity Nike faced when it first started back in 1963 and gives the honest truths about all the reasons Nike should NOT have succeeded. Year after year they faced new challenges which each could have ended the company on the spot. At the end of the day, this book will teach you why you need to have faith in yourself to create your own “luck.” A great follow-up to this book is watching the movie Air where you can see the mindset play out while Nike’s struggling basketball division attempts to sign the rookie star Michael Jordan.
  • The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel – A simple personal finance book with some actionable steps you can take to start achieving your financial goals. This book does a good job of highlighting how data and formulas will only go so far in the finance industry and at the end of the day, your behavior will ultimately dictate which of your goals you will be able to accomplish.
  • I am Number Four – Pittacus Lore – A seven-book series that will keep you engaged from start to finish. The ONLY book series I have read in its entirety. Solid series, but each book is quite long, so it may be best to start on a long trip where you have a few hours to get into it.

Rita Itsell

Laurie Licata, CFP®

Jimmy Rogers, CFP®

Jillian Wendling

  • Brain on Fire – Susannah Cahalan – I recommend this book because it’s based on real-life events and with each chapter, I found myself rooting for the character to figure out what was happening to her and clinging to hope that she’d see it through.
  • 10% Happier – Dan Harris – I recommend this book as I found it to be equal parts biography and self-help with a healthy dose of quick-witted humor. The author does a good job of reaffirming why and how mindfulness really can lead to a happier mentality.

Karl Lemke

Kurt Brown, CFA

  • Red Notice – Bill Browder – Who would expect a book about a hedge fund manager to read like a thriller? I couldn’t put the book down after starting as Browder explained the real-life story being the first manager to go after the Russian oligarchs and expose their corruption.
  • Talking to GOATs – Jim Gray – I really enjoyed this book as a sports fan where Jim Gray shares his behind-the-scenes stories interacting with a few of the sports greats such as Jordan, Tiger, Kobe, Brady, Phelps and many more.

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