Book Recommendations From Business and Cultural Leaders

“This simple little book—a French short story from 1953—is a beautiful parable for our time: A burnt, ruined landscape is saved and revived by the actions of a man who planted seeds every day for 40 years. Everyone can understand its message—that, contrary to what we often tell ourselves, our daily actions can have lasting, profound effects on the world around us, and we have the power to create.

radical change takes place. I think everyone should read it. “

seal

Singer and Songwriter

The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture, by Gabor Maté

“What I like [Maté] so he focused on receiving. It doesn’t have to be this or that. He points to acceptance, not abdication of responsibility, but acceptance that there is beauty in imperfection and accepting that. The point of life, in my opinion, is to try and be happy. It seems simplistic, but hard to achieve, to get to a place where one understands that. It is understanding that we sometimes do imperfect things to get through this thing called life, but to try and be better, and to accept and understand that we have done something that hurts others, feels true regret that, and learn and don’t do it anymore. I don’t think he’s talking about forgiveness. The way I interpret it is that it’s about acceptance, so you don’t walk around with a heavy weight on your shoulders. It’s about apologizing.”

Eric Rosenblum

CEO, Julien’s Auctions

Staying Real: A Memoir, by Hua Hsu

“I’ve read a few memoirs this past year, but none have had as much impact as Hua Hsu’s. Stay Real. This gripping coming-of-age story centers on the unlikely friendship between Hsu, a self-styled music snob, and Ken, a Japanese-American frat boy, who ultimately dies in a carjacking three years after they met at Berkeley. Instead of focusing on the inevitable tragedy that is his new friend’s death, Hsu puts together a masterpiece of life—and how even the smallest of experiences shape a person’s self.”

Noah Horowitz

CEO, Art Basel

The Miracle of Castel di Sangro: A Story of Passion and Madness in the Heart of Italy, by Joe McGinniss

“I caught World Cup fever this past fall and since then I’ve been in a football black hole. The Miracle of Castel di Sangro surely one of the best books about the game ever written – charting the exploits, aspirations and hilarious antics of a seemingly unremarkable Series B Italian club. The book revels in the gritty and unpredictable day-to-day of a team trying to make its mark, complemented by an absurd cast of characters. Against all this, somehow, some way, they find themselves. Through the prism of the latest World Cup, it also serves as a poignant reminder of what makes the ‘Great Game’ so great, from the unique personalities and culture, to the unexpected results (Let’s go to Morocco!!) that never stops looking up and encouraging.”

Ciara Pardo

President, Los Angeles Fashion Week

Become Superhuman: Unlimited Memory. Ultimate Speed ​​Reading Techniques. Write Smarter and Faster. Accelerate Your Learning, Accelerate Your Life, by Ben Smith

“This is a wonderful book, life changing. It’s about changing your whole mind to change your whole reality and taking your life to a whole new level.

This article appears in the March 2023 issue of Penta magazine.