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Get Cozy This Winter with One of Our Favorite Books!

December 20, 2022 |
4 minute read
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Commonfund Institute is excited to share our most recent picks for our annual winter reading list, gathered from our Commonfund colleagues. We send you our warmest wishes for the holidays and can’t wait to hear your thoughts on our latest favorites.  

The 5AM Club | Robin Sharma

“…in this life-changing book, handcrafted by the author over a rigorous four-year period, you will discover the early-rising habit that has helped so many accomplish epic results while upgrading their happiness, helpfulness and feelings of aliveness.”1

Black Faces in High Places: 10 Strategic Actions for Black Professionals to Reach the Top and Stay There | Randal D. Pinkett, Jeffrey Robinson

“Black Faces in High Places is the essential guide for Black professionals who are moving up through their organizations or industries but need a roadmap for how to get to the top and stay there.”2

The Bond King | Mary Childs

“To understand the winners and losers of today’s money game, journalist Mary Childs argues, is to understand the bond market―and to understand the bond market is to understand the Bond King.”3

Digital Body Language: How to Build Trust and Connection, No Matter the Distance | Erica Dhawan

“In Digital Body Language, Erica Dhawan, a go-to thought leader on collaboration and a passionate communication junkie, combines cutting edge research with engaging storytelling to decode the new signals and cues that have replaced traditional body language across genders, generations, and culture.”4

The End of the World is Just the Beginning: Mapping the Collapse of Globalization | Peter Zeihan

“In The End of the World is Just the Beginning, author and geopolitical strategist Peter Zeihan maps out the next world: a world where countries or regions will have no choice but to make their own goods, grow their own food, secure their own energy, fight their own battles, and do it all with populations that are both shrinking and aging.”5

Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II | Daniel James Brown

“Whether fighting on battlefields or in courtrooms, these were Americans under unprecedented strain, doing what Americans do best—striving, resisting, pushing back, rising up, standing on principle, laying down their lives, and enduring.”6

Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law | Haben Girma

“Haben takes readers through a thrilling game of blind hide-and-seek in Louisiana, a treacherous climb up an iceberg in Alaska, and a magical moment with President Obama at The White House. Warm, funny, thoughtful, and uplifting, this captivating memoir is a testament to one woman's determination to find the keys to connection.”7

Impact: Reshaping Capitalism to Drive Real Change | Sir Ronald Cohen

“..whether you're: an aspiring young entrepreneur, an established business person, an investor, a philanthropist, or somebody in government, or are interested, as a consumer or employee, in companies doing good and doing well at the same time – this book is a sure-fire way to find out how you can play a role in changing the world.”8

Miseducated: A Memoir | Brandon P. Fleming

“Through his personal narrative, readers witness Fleming’s transformation, self-education, and how he takes what he learns about words and power to help others like himself. Miseducated is an honest memoir about resilience, visibility, role models, and overcoming all expectations.”9

My Life in Full: Work, Family, and our Future | Indra Nooyi

“Generous, authoritative, and grounded in lived experience, My Life in Full is the story of an extraordinary leader’s life, a moving tribute to the relationships that created it, and a blueprint for 21st century prosperity.”10

Power and Prediction | Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans and Avi Goldfarb

“Filled with illuminating insights, rich examples, and practical advice, Power and Prediction is the must-read guide for any business leader or policymaker on how to make the coming AI disruptions work for you rather than against you.”11

The Serendipity Mindset: The Art and Science of Creating Good Luck | Christian Busch

“In The Serendipity Mindset, Christian Busch explains that serendipity isn’t about luck in the sense of simple randomness. It’s about seeing links that others don’t, combining these observations in unexpected and strategic ways, and learning how to detect the moments when apparently random or unconnected ideas merge to form new opportunities.”12

The Source of Self-Regard: Selected Essays, Speeches, and Meditations (Vintage International) | Toni Morrison

“An essential collection from an essential writer, The Source of Self-Regard shines with the literary elegance, intellectual prowess, spiritual depth, and moral compass that have made Toni Morrison our most cherished and enduring voice.”13

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know | Adam Grant 

“Think Again reveals that we don't have to believe everything we think or internalize everything we feel. It's an invitation to let go of views that are no longer serving us well and prize mental flexibility over foolish consistency. If knowledge is power, knowing what we don't know is wisdom.”14

The Transformation Myth: Leading Your Organization through Uncertain Times (Management on the Cutting Edge) | Gerald C. Kane

“This book shows that companies that use disruption as an opportunity for innovation emerge from it stronger. Companies that merely attempt to ‘weather the storm’ until things go back to normal (or the next normal), on the other hand, miss an opportunity to thrive.”15

Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation | Linda Villarosa

“…in Under the Skin, Linda Villarosa lays bare the forces in the American health-care system and in American society that cause Black people to “live sicker and die quicker” compared to their white counterparts.”16

 

HAVE YOU READ ANY OF THESE BOOKS?  WE’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR REVIEWS. EMAIL US AND LET US KNOW YOUR FAVORITES.

  1. The 5AM Club
  2. Black Faces in High Places: 10 Strategic Actions for Black Professionals to Reach the Top and Stay There
  3. The Bond King
  4. Digital Body Language: How to Build Trust and Connection, No Matter the Distance
  5. The End of the World is Just the Beginning: Mapping the Collapse of Globalization
  6. Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II
  7. Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law
  8. Impact: Reshaping Capitalism to Drive Real Change
  9. Miseducated: A Memoir
  10. My Life in Full: Work, Family, and our Future
  11. Power and Prediction
  12. The Serendipity Mindset: The Art and Science of Creating Good Luck
  13. The Source of Self-Regard: Selected Essays, Speeches, and Meditations (Vintage International)
  14. Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know
  15. The Transformation Myth: Leading Your Organization through Uncertain Times (Management on the Cutting Edge)
  16. Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation
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To the extent views presented forecast market activity, they may be based on many factors in addition to those explicitly stated herein. Forecasts of experts inevitably differ. Views attributed to third-parties are presented to demonstrate the existence of points of view, not as a basis for recommendations or as investment advice. Market and investment views of third-parties presented herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Commonfund, any manager retained by Commonfund to manage any investments for Commonfund (each, a “Manager”) or any fund managed by any Commonfund entity (each, a “Fund”). Accordingly, the views presented herein may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of Commonfund, any Manager or any Fund.

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Disclaimer

Certain information contained herein has been obtained from or is based on third-party sources and, although believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified. Such information is as of the date indicated, if indicated, may not be complete, is subject to change and has not necessarily been updated. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be given by The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations, any of its affiliates or any of its or their affiliates, trustees, directors, officers, employees or advisers (collectively referred to herein as “Commonfund”) or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in any third-party materials. Accordingly, Commonfund shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on any statement in, or omission from, such third-party materials, and any such liability is expressly disclaimed.

All rights to the trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property listed herein belong to their respective owners and the use of such logos hereof does not imply an affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owners of such trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property.

To the extent views presented forecast market activity, they may be based on many factors in addition to those explicitly stated herein. Forecasts of experts inevitably differ. Views attributed to third-parties are presented to demonstrate the existence of points of view, not as a basis for recommendations or as investment advice. Market and investment views of third-parties presented herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Commonfund, any manager retained by Commonfund to manage any investments for Commonfund (each, a “Manager”) or any fund managed by any Commonfund entity (each, a “Fund”). Accordingly, the views presented herein may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of Commonfund, any Manager or any Fund.

Statements concerning Commonfund’s views of possible future outcomes in any investment asset class or market, or of possible future economic developments, are not intended, and should not be construed, as forecasts or predictions of the future investment performance of any Fund. Such statements are also not intended as recommendations by any Commonfund entity or any Commonfund employee to the recipient of the presentation. It is Commonfund’s policy that investment recommendations to its clients must be based on the investment objectives and risk tolerances of each individual client. All market outlook and similar statements are based upon information reasonably available as of the date of this presentation (unless an earlier date is stated with regard to particular information), and reasonably believed to be accurate by Commonfund. Commonfund disclaims any responsibility to provide the recipient of this presentation with updated or corrected information or statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For more information please refer to Important Disclosures.