With our first child in the house 2023 has been a slow reading year. Great to finally get stuck into Nelson Mandela’s “A Long Walk to Freedom”. Shame on me for taking so long! The autobiography is a profound testament to resilience and perseverance. It’s almost unimaginable that Madiba endured 27 years in prison, yet … More Walking in the footsteps of a Sage, Nelson Mandela
When I first picked up Hillbilly Elegy in 2020 I was not prepared to contemplate poor America. Being an immigrant, without a solid income, I can feel all sorts of emotions related to money, wealth status and opportunity. I needed more optimistic and inspirational stories at the time so I put the book to one … More Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance
David has an incredible ability to tease out the nuances in human experience, which adds a richness to my life. I particularly love the way he describes the ‘shadows’ that lie beneath every meaningful experience. One could argue that this focus on the darker elements of life is intense, depressing or negative but I find … More The Three Marriages by David Whyte
“What are your principles?” my sister in-law Ameera asked me recently. I recoiled slightly. It is such a big question and it requires deep thought so… I brushed it off. A few days later I was reading the philosopher Epictetus. There is no escaping the direct line of questioning from the stoics… You are right … More Principles to live by
Not the most groundbreaking book I have ever read, particularly not for Thomas Sowell. Usually Sowell’s books are dripping with profound insights on every line. But given I love him as an author it was great to read about his background and personal experience. He had a very colourful and unique life, filled with pain … More A Personal Odyssey by Thomas Sowell
I have never read a book as physically beautiful as this. Each page was decorated with a unique motif by Boris Artzybasheff and a single Tagore poem. Artzybasheff’s art complements Tragore’s intimate connection between human experience and nature. It was a pleasure to page through and dwell on the poems that really hit the mark. … More Fireflies by Rabindranath Tagore
I am constantly buffeted by my thinking mind, which is both a great source of joy and pain as it creates stories to amplify each life experience. I use all the techniques in my armoury shorten the pain/struggle so that I can attempt to be a better person to myself and those around me. Reading … More Living Beautifully by Pema Chodran
A wonderfully captivating and truly depressing book – it is clear why this is a literary great. John Steinbeck describes the journey of the Joad family from Oklahoma to California during the dust bowl of the great depression. Despair drips heavily off every page and Steinbeck captures the emotions skillfully. One technique was the naïve … More The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck
A short book review from an investing classic. I enjoyed the turn of the century historical context, the booms and busts of the time and the different character of the investment management industry. For example, when Livermore was on holiday in Palm Beach Florida, he had to go into the physical trading houses to see … More Reminiscences of a Stock Operator by Edwin Lefèvre
A couple of notes from one of Jack Schwagers well known books. Market Wizards contains interviews with world’s best traders. I find it useful to remind myself of these core principles. It probably a useful discipline to return to these kinds of notes periodically to ensure that the good habits of being ingrained and the … More Market Wizards by Jack Schwager
Sound Money 