Voices of Vivaldi: 2021 Summer Reading List
With the end of summer fast approaching, it’s natural to hit a lull in weekend entertainment. There are only so many TV shows to watch or places to visit, and this is where Vivaldi comes into the picture. We have compiled a list of some of the books our team has been enjoying lately — from behavioral economics to page-turning novels, there’s something here for everyone.
The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness by Morgan Housel
Recommended by Ben Kuenzle, Strategy and Business Development Director
“Morgan Housel looks at the traditionally analytical practice of personal and professional investing and brings a new psychographic lens into the conversation around why we make the money related decisions that we do. According to Housel, investing money is a soft skill not a hard one.”
The New Climate War by Michael E. Mann
Recommended by Tabea Tiesler, Munich Office Assistant
“Michael Mann writes about how the current climate change debate is merely a propaganda war – but very soon it’ll be a fierce battle for resources.”
No Rules Rules by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer
Recommended by Joana Asshauer, Strategy Consultant
“Hastings and Meyer dive into the culture at Netflix and how it’s the foundation for the company’s success. Netflix CEO, Hastings rejects the conventional wisdom under which companies operate to instead build a culture based on freedom and responsibility.”
The Social Animal by David Brooks
Recommended by Joana Asshauer, Strategy Consultant
“Brooks discusses what drives individual behavior and decision making by delving into sociology, psychology, and biology and summarizing discoveries in their overlap— such as brain development in early life. He follows the journey of two fictional characters, ‘Harold’ and ‘Erica’, and portrays how people’s emotional personality changes over time.”
Aftershocks by Nadia Owusu
Recommended by Jessi Mardakhaev, Associate Director, Marketing and Digital
“A profoundly moving memoir, Nadia Owusu explores the aftershocks of a life marked by personal loss, lost identity, and statelessness. Beautifully written and deeply honest, it’s a book that sits with you even when it’s on the shelf.”
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Recommended by Hannah Shone, Senior Designer
“Ishiguro tells the story of Klara, a girl who, carefully observes the behavior of the customers browsing in her store. The book and its unique narrator explore the question: what does it mean to love? ”
Circe by Madeline Miller
Recommended by Hannah Shone, Senior Designer
“Miller explores the idea of female strength in a man’s world with Circe, daughter of the sun god Helios. Circe is not powerful, like her father, nor alluring like her mother, but after turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she also possesses great power.”
Hunger by Lan Samantha Chang
Recommended by Yashi Samrendra, Intern
“Chang eloquently tells five different tales on the lives of immigrant families haunted by lost loves. Her characters are each motivated by a different purpose and a different person — some looking to avenge the death of a father and others seduced into their own death by a ghost of their past.”
Last but not least, we have to recommend The Interaction Field by Erich Joachimsthaler, Vivaldi Founder and CEO
“Erich Joachimsthaler explains that the only way to thrive in today’s environment is by creating value for everyone. Businesses that solve the immediate challenges of people today and the major social and economic challenges of the future are the ones that will survive and grow.”