Every year, PEI Media’s editors and reporters reach out to professionals across the industry to find out what’s on their summer reading lists. For 2022, we decided to mix things up by only asking LPs. The result is a fascinating mix of first novels, biographies and historical non-fiction – and even a children’s book recommendation for good measure.

Whatever book you plan to pick up this summer, we hope it’s a relaxing one.

Books to bring you closer to the industry…

The Culture of Contentment
By J K Galbraith

“We’re looking at rough times ahead for the economy and geopolitics. I’ve got plenty of light reading for the summer I’m looking forward to, but for something more substantial, I’d recommend The Culture of Contentment by J K Galbraith. One of my favourite economists and thinkers, even if I don’t agree with all that he advocated. Some of it is timeless and it’s a bombshell of a book. I’m planning to re-read it soon.” – Sachin Khajuria, founder and chief investment officer at family office Achilles Management (Khajuria himself is a book author, having released Two and Twenty: How the Masters of Private Equity Always Win in June)

Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future
By Ashlee Vance

“In my vacation bag… I have packed the Elon Musk book… I may be the last person in the industry not to have read it!” – Natalia Ilmark, senior investment manager at Skandia Asset Management

The War on the West: How to Prevail in the Age of Unreason
By Douglas Murray

“My colleagues will not be surprised at this choice, given some of my apparently antediluvian views on ‘wokeness’! I’m a big fan of Douglas Murray, as he regularly provides wonderful antidotes and rational arguments to challenge a number of the current dominant orthodoxies. I think his previous book, The Madness of Crowds, is a must read. Also,

The Premonition: A Pandemic Story
By Michael Lewis

“It’s difficult to go wrong with Michael Lewis – as evidenced by previous books such as Liar’s Poker and The Big Short, he has the ability to deftly and humorously interrogate a big issue (with meticulous research) through the eyes of intriguing and expert ‘witnesses’ at the centre of events as they unfolded. It will be fascinating to get his take on the biggest global issue (hopefully!) in my lifetime.” – Merrick McKay, head of Europe, private equity at abrdn

The Power Law: Venture Capital and the Making of the New Future
By Sebastian Mallaby

“Venture Capital is such an important segment of institutional portfolios, and this is a great look at how the industry has evolved (through great anecdotes from legendary investors). To postulate on where VC is going, it is important to understand its own evolution.” – Joe Greiner, director of investments at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

The Key Man
By Simon Clark and William Louch

“I’d like to read again this incredible thriller where greed meets manipulation and corruption. A deep dive in the Abraaj scandal and a wakeup call for the industry. Extremely well documented; a must-read.”

Being Present: Commanding Attention at Work (and at Home) by Managing Your Social Presence
By Jeanine W Turner

“And… Remaining focused in a world full of distractions becomes more and more difficult. Looking forward to learning more about focus (at work and at home!) from this Georgetown professor. Mobile phones and other digital devices could significantly affect our ability to concentrate properly and that’s the reason why I bought myself a reMarkable tablet last year. I strongly recommend!”

The Hard Thing About Hard Things
By Ben Horowitz

“Finally… get smarter by learning from one of Silicon Valley’s most respected and experienced entrepreneurs – a guide to how to survive the loneliness of a CEO’s life.” – Salim Belkaid, senior member of the PE investment team at BNP Paribas Wealth Management

…and books to take you further away

The Braid
By Laetitia Colombani

“A first gripping novel intertwining the very different destinies of three women on three continents, like three strands in a braid (Smita, an untouchable in India; Sarah, a lawyer in Canada; [and] Giulia, a wigmaker in Italy) with a message of hope, courage and solidarity on a subject that is close to my heart: the universal struggle of women strongly committed to fight for their freedom and dignity, and therefore for a better world.” – Claire Roborel de Climens, head of private and alternative investments at BNP Paribas Wealth Management

Look Closer
By David Ellis

“I went to college with David and this will be the first book I will read from his body of work. This novel is… set in Chicago. Release date is early July.” – Fernando Vinzons, director of investments at Cook County Pension Fund

Life as a Unicorn: The Memoir of a Muslim Drag Queen
By Amrou Al-Khadi

“This might not make the typical LP reading list.” – Delaney Brown, managing director and head of funds and secondaries at CPP Investments

Twilight of the Gods: War in the Western Pacific, 1944–1945
By Ian W Toll

“It meticulously articulates how the US and Japan fought in the Pacific theatre and is pretty colourful, actually.” – Frank Su, managing director and head of private equity, Asia at CPP Investments

The Chess Player’s Bible
By James Eade and Al Lawrence

“I started taking chess online lessons during the pandemic, so I’m currently reading/studying the Chess Player’s Bible… in combination with a checkmate problems book The Final Steps Towards Victory by Stefan Hildingstam, as well as:

First Man on the Moon
By Ben Hubbard

“I spend a lot of time reading with my five-year old son, and we are currently reading the First Man on the Moon.” – Natalia Ilmark, senior investment manager at Skandia

Heat 2
By Michael Mann and Mag Gardiner

“This is a sequel and prequel to the Michael Mann movie (Heat) starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. It’s one of my favourite movies, and Michael Mann is also one of my favourite directors. This is Michael Mann’s first novel. Release date is early August.” – Fernando Vinzons, director of investments at Cook County Pension Fund

Assembly
Natasha Brown

“Absolutely unbelievable book, but very skinny.” – Delaney Brown, managing director and head of funds and secondaries at CPP Investments

 

Helen de Beer, Madeleine Farman, Louise Fordham, Adam Le, Alex Lynn, Carmela Mendoza and Hannah Roberts contributed to this story