Recommended Summer Reading from Joline
I am infamous for casually suggesting—in the midst of my talks—books as “must read resources for parents”. Because the list is organic, constantly changing with my last airplane read or a new book just discovered, my plan is to start offering up a quarterly list that will aid families trying to raise financially fit, resourceful, and happy kids. If you have a recommendation of your own, please send it along so I can enjoy it and share with others…
The Martian, by Andy Weir. Good Reads describes this book as ‘Apollo 13 meets Cast Away.’ It is that for sure—and so much more. This book was recommended to me by a 15 year old, but it is not a YA book—it is a gripping tale, set in the not so distant future, of a man, accidentally left behind on a Mars mission, and his attempt to stay alive. It is one of the most ingenious instructional works on resilience and ingenuity I’ve ever read and it should be in every family’s tool kit. Rumor has it that it will also be a movie; directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. But don’t wait for the movie; treat yourself to this summer novel for the whole family (read it outloud over a campfire—it will keep everyone on the edge of their log!)
Speaking of resilience, that’s another book I often suggest: Resilience, by Andrew Zolli. Though written for a corporate audience, I recognized it as another handbook for families as soon as I heard Andrew speak about it. The question he addresses is: what do organizations need to thrive in an era of steady disruption: of technology, economics, and geography? His ideas are as relevant for a family as for a company and his stories explaining how and why are entertaining and compelling. Another good beach read—honest!
OK, maybe not a beach read, but surely another important summer fun book is Collective Genius, written by my friends Linda Hill, Greg Brandeau, Emily Truelove and Kent Lineback. It is partly the story of how Pixar (where Greg was the long time CTO) manages to stay fresh and creative, animated film after animated film, partly the story of how we can do it too. Like Resilence, it was written with the assumption that smart company executives will read the book and take away lessons to be applied to their own companies. But of course I am seeing that my smart, thought leader families are stealing these good ideas and applying them to the quest to help families thrive. If you and your family liked Cars, Toy Story II, and Up, read this book and understand why.
A Wealth of Possibilities: Navigating Family, Money and Legacy, by Ellen Perry, is another cool book for a hot summer. A small book (you can read this in an afternoon), with big ideas about money and family. For every family who worries that “money will ruin their kids”, or that money is a dysfunctional element of their family life, this report from the field offers fresh ideas and reassurance for how families can build meaning in their lives.
I also LOVE the Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler. I was late to this book. Fortunately NYT columnist Ron Leiber (whose Your Money column should be on your must read list as well) sent me a copy and I am flummoxed that I didn’t read it sooner. It is a fun and amazingly practical book with ideas every family can apply immediately. Example: on pages 179/80, he addresses in just a few paragraphs ways to manage privacy, use color, and manage light that will make family life better almost immediately. Yes, this is another beach book.
It’s shameless I know, but I have to give a plug for my own new/old book, Raising Financially Fit Kids. If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’ve had some exposure to my book. Quick, take a look at the cover. If it’s orange you need the new one with a yellow cover! The new Revised,
Raising FInancially Kids, Second Edition
, was released last June (a year ago). The first one (as proud of it as I was) was written pre-social media; pre-IPhone; pre-2008 financial meltdown. The new edition is written in the context of a much different world—and it is written by someone (me) with another decade of experience (and I hope, wisdom). I hope you will find it addresses the themes I mention in the books above: resilience, resourcefulness, creativity, resourcefulness, and happiness.
Financial education is not, of course, just about the money. It’s about raising great families. I hope these books will help you do that.Have a great summer!
The Martian, by Andy Weir. Good Reads describes this book as ‘Apollo 13 meets Cast Away.’ It is that for sure—and so much more. This book was recommended to me by a 15 year old, but it is not a YA book—it is a gripping tale, set in the not so distant future, of a man, accidentally left behind on a Mars mission, and his attempt to stay alive. It is one of the most ingenious instructional works on resilience and ingenuity I’ve ever read and it should be in every family’s tool kit. Rumor has it that it will also be a movie; directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. But don’t wait for the movie; treat yourself to this summer novel for the whole family (read it outloud over a campfire—it will keep everyone on the edge of their log!)
Speaking of resilience, that’s another book I often suggest: Resilience, by Andrew Zolli. Though written for a corporate audience, I recognized it as another handbook for families as soon as I heard Andrew speak about it. The question he addresses is: what do organizations need to thrive in an era of steady disruption: of technology, economics, and geography? His ideas are as relevant for a family as for a company and his stories explaining how and why are entertaining and compelling. Another good beach read—honest!
OK, maybe not a beach read, but surely another important summer fun book is Collective Genius, written by my friends Linda Hill, Greg Brandeau, Emily Truelove and Kent Lineback. It is partly the story of how Pixar (where Greg was the long time CTO) manages to stay fresh and creative, animated film after animated film, partly the story of how we can do it too. Like Resilence, it was written with the assumption that smart company executives will read the book and take away lessons to be applied to their own companies. But of course I am seeing that my smart, thought leader families are stealing these good ideas and applying them to the quest to help families thrive. If you and your family liked Cars, Toy Story II, and Up, read this book and understand why.
A Wealth of Possibilities: Navigating Family, Money and Legacy, by Ellen Perry, is another cool book for a hot summer. A small book (you can read this in an afternoon), with big ideas about money and family. For every family who worries that “money will ruin their kids”, or that money is a dysfunctional element of their family life, this report from the field offers fresh ideas and reassurance for how families can build meaning in their lives.
I also LOVE the Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler. I was late to this book. Fortunately NYT columnist Ron Leiber (whose Your Money column should be on your must read list as well) sent me a copy and I am flummoxed that I didn’t read it sooner. It is a fun and amazingly practical book with ideas every family can apply immediately. Example: on pages 179/80, he addresses in just a few paragraphs ways to manage privacy, use color, and manage light that will make family life better almost immediately. Yes, this is another beach book.
It’s shameless I know, but I have to give a plug for my own new/old book, Raising Financially Fit Kids. If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’ve had some exposure to my book. Quick, take a look at the cover. If it’s orange you need the new one with a yellow cover! The new Revised,
Raising FInancially Kids, Second Edition
, was released last June (a year ago). The first one (as proud of it as I was) was written pre-social media; pre-IPhone; pre-2008 financial meltdown. The new edition is written in the context of a much different world—and it is written by someone (me) with another decade of experience (and I hope, wisdom). I hope you will find it addresses the themes I mention in the books above: resilience, resourcefulness, creativity, resourcefulness, and happiness.Financial education is not, of course, just about the money. It’s about raising great families. I hope these books will help you do that.Have a great summer!
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