My books of the year
EDITOR'S NOTE
It's been a little crazy at work and home this year, so I didn't get to read that much. But I did manage to squeeze in a few enjoyable books, and I'd love to share them here to close things out for 2019.
> Golden Gates, by Conor Dougherty. Conor's a great friend whom I've known since I showed up to The Wall Street Journal as an intern in 2007. So I've always known he's a great journalist, but now I know he's a great book writer, too. I was a little nervous to read something written by a friend, because what if I didn't like it?! Fortunately, that wasn't a problem here. The book is a fascinating and amusing account of how the pro-development a.k.a. "YIMBY" movement started in San Francisco, and helps explain the housing politics of today, especially among millennials.
> Pioneers, by David McCullough. I really enjoyed his earlier book Brave Companions, and I was drawn to this one both for the discussion of how the Northwest Ordinance prohibited slavery and to be reminded of what life was like back in the days of America's founding (it didn't disappoint). Plus, it's packed with tons of other fascinating tidbits, like how Marietta, Ohio--the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territories--was named after...Marie Antoinette. Huh? Turns out she was held in great regard by Americans at the time for doing "more than anyone, including Benjamin Franklin, to persuade the King of France to lend support to the American cause with both financial and military health." News to me! Oh, and after reading the accounts of pioneer life, I retract my earlier remarks and agree that we millennials are indeed snowflakes. And so are you!
> On Liberty, by John Stuart Mill. I decided I needed to give it a proper read as an adult, since I remembered very little of what I'd read in school. His discussion of individual liberty is a refreshing read right now, though I can't subscribe to his views on utilitarianism and the nonexistence of natural rights. In any case, it's actually one of Mill's subsequent essays in the book I read ("The Subjection of Women") that's been on my mind. Mill asserted that if women were given the choice, very few of them would continue to settle solely for the role of housewife and mother. Prescient--and a paradox that society is grappling much with today.
> Your Blue Flame, by Jennifer Fulwiler. This book isn't actually out yet. But I've read (and would recommend) Fulwiler's earlier two books, which have a passing mention to this concept which I'm pleased she is now expanding into full-book treatment. In light of what Mill discussed, Fulwiler--a radio-show host, stand-up comic, and mom of six!--uses the "blue flame" analogy to explain how her work gives her energy to raise her family. And let me just say, as I voluntarily and joyfully write this newsletter while on maternity leave, I can relate. It's why I hope we don't go too far in promoting parental leave policies that forbid people from working while absent, especially those of us in creative industries. [To that point, I'm crashing Rapid Fire today. Shhh!!]
> The Missionary of Wall Street, by Stephen Auth. Lots of you will know Steve as a frequent guest on CNBC and the chief investment officer at Federated. Get this: he spends his down time proselytizing for the Catholic Church on the streets of Soho--which is even more amazing to me because he is fairly likely to be recognized by its well-heeled denizens. Talk about challenging popular stereotypes (hello, Wolf of Wall Street), and talk about brave. This book and his story should have gotten way more press than it did.
> Shut Up and Listen! by Tilman Fertitta. I always try to at least skim the books that our guests come on to promote, and this was no exception. The unique thing was, I read the whole thing. Tilman shares the story of how he became big and successful enough to buy the Houston Rockets pro hoops team, including how he took his company private during the financial crisis and made a killing when he re-IPO'd it as markets recovered. And he never loses sight of what he's in business to do: make the customer happy. You want eggs at the airport at 11 a.m. but no one's open for breakfast? He wants to feed you. That's "capitalism" at its finest.
Happy New Year!!! Oh--and just in time for the new year, our show, "The Exchange," is now available as a podcast. You can download and subscribe now wherever you listen and never miss a moment. Then you can get back to your reading ;-)
Kelly
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