Our team's rad reading recommendations are back by popular demand! We share with you these personal picks to add to your summer book list:
Johnathan enjoyed reading The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. Johnathan says "whilst this book is not for the faint-hearted, anyone who enjoyed The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit should read it. It depicts the creation of the universe in which Middle Earth resides, it provides an explanation and origin for the events that unfold in The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings".
Kelsey recommends White Teeth by Zadie Smith, which, in my opinion, is a very under-appreciated modern classic. It is a multi-generational story that offers an insightful social commentary whilst exploring themes of race, identity, and cultural clashes in a rapidly changing world.
Beth liked Atomic Habits by James Clear which is a practical guide on how to create good habits, break bad ones and get 1% better every day. Clear also draws from psychology and neuroscience to explain why these incremental habits work and how they positively impact our daily lives. (This is so Beth!)
I highly recommend Peter Bernstein's "Against The Gods" The Remarkable Story of Risk. It is interesting to see how the story of risk is the story of what defines us as humans. Plus you learn some interesting factoids: who knew that Lloyds of London was formed in a coffee shop? ☕
Ben recommends The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, And The Art of Living by Ryan Holiday. The book collates a selection of the most relevant stoic teachings into digestible pieces with teachings for each day of the year.
Bronagh suggests ME VS BRAIN An Overthinker’s Guide to Life by Hayley Morris. When asked "why this book?" Bronagh said "I recommend this book because....sometimes we need something funny and easy to read. Don't read this because you're an overthinker; read this if you're looking for a good laugh." 😂
Ellen Kerr just joined our team as an Investment Associate. She recommends. The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho, which follows the journey of a young Andalusian shepherd, exploring the idea of personal transformation and self-discovery with spiritual and philosophical themes. Welcome to the team Ellen!
Omyaa Malhotra is our 2023 summer intern, currently studying Law at Durham University. Omyaa recommends Ghost Wars by Steve Coll, which is an intricate examination of CIA operations and U.S. foreign policies in Afghanistan from the Soviet invasion to the eve of 9/11. It reveals the complex roots of international terrorism and provides a detailed historical context for understanding the origins and development of extremist movements, specifically Al-Qaeda. Welcome to the team Omyaa!
Boyd recommends reading the FCA Handbook. Boyd is a fun loving individual. I wonder if it is available in a beach friendly reader format?
Last, but certainly not least, Dr. Eric Warner has recently joined Sapphire's board as a non-executive director. Eric recommends Built to Last by Jim Collins – a truly eye-opening, and frequently counter-intuitive analysis of what goes in to making a truly visionary company. Dr. Warner says: "most of the early stage funds I have encountered, (and I suspect many in the Sapphire family), would be challenged by this analysis".
The book appears to share its title with the Grateful Dead's last album ... the cover features the band members building a house of cards (see for yourselves ⬇️ ).
If, after reading our recommendations you still haven't found a book that interests you, why not download one from Sapphire's own collection of ebooks, such as the Sapphire Guide to SEIS and EIS Advance Assurance. They are free and accessible from our website by visiting the Sapphire Learning Centre . Happy reading!!!
