PYAW Library
There is a lot of reading going on among the PYA Waltman team. Here are some of our favorite books. If you find something you like, let us know!
Biography / Memoir
A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis is a poignant exploration of the author's personal experience with grief after the death of his wife. Lewis’ writing gives a raw and honest reflection on the emotional and spiritual aspects of loss.
Recommended by: Melissa
Call Sign Chaos by Jim Mattis is a memoir by the former U.S. Secretary of Defense, reflecting on leadership lessons learned through his military career, providing insights into decision-making, strategy, and the challenges of command.
Recommended by: Payton
Fearless by Eric Blehm is a biography that chronicles the extraordinary life of Adam Brown, a Navy SEAL, showcasing his courage, resilience, and the ultimate sacrifice he made in service to his country.
Recommended by: Doug
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson is a comprehensive biography that delves into the life of the iconic co-founder of Apple, providing insights into his visionary leadership, innovation, and the personal difficulties that shaped his legacy.
Recommended by: Payton
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch is based on the author's final lecture before his death, where he imparts wisdom on achieving one's childhood dreams and living a meaningful life.
Recommended by: Payton
The Scars That Have Shaped Me by Vaneetha Rendall Risner is a memoir that shares the author's journey of finding hope and resilience in the face of profound suffering and loss.
Recommended by: Melissa
The Unwinding by George Packer is a narrative nonfiction that weaves together the stories of various individuals to portray the societal and economic changes in America over the past few decades. Through relatable and intriguing anecdotes, Packer presents a compelling perspective on the evolution of the American dream.
Recommended by: Payton
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi is a poignant memoir that reflects on life, mortality, and the pursuit of meaning, written by a neurosurgeon facing a terminal illness.
Recommended by: Mary Alex
Business and Markets
Black Edge by Sheelah Kolhatkar is an investigative account of the insider trading scandal involving hedge fund manager Steven Cohen and his web of accomplices..
Recommended by: Bill
Factfulness by Hans Rosling is a book that challenges the common misconception that the world is "getting worse". Rosling uses data and statistics to present a more optimistic and fact-based view of the world, encouraging a more informed and nuanced understanding of global issues.
Recommended by: Payton
Freezing Order by Bill Browder is a legal thriller that delves into the author's efforts to hold those responsible for the death of his lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, accountable through legal means, providing a dramatic account of the pursuit of justice..
Recommended by: Bill
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell takes you on an intellectual journey through the world of “outliers”—the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful.
Recommended by: Austin
Red Notice by Bill Browder is a gripping memoir that recounts the author's experiences as a successful hedge fund manager in Russia and his subsequent campaign against corruption. This thriller provides a firsthand perspective on the complexities of Russian business and politics.
Recommended by: Bill
The Internet of Money by Andreas Antonopoulos is a collection of talks exploring the principles and significance of Bitcoin and blockchain technology, giving readers an inside perspective into the transformative potential of decentralized digital currencies.
Recommended by: Eric
The Most Important Thing Illuminated is the culmination of years of writing from legendary investor, Howard Marks. Marks’ wisdom and valuable insights into the principles of successful investing, risk management, and contrarian thinking are invaluable to all aspiring investors.
Recommended by: Bill
The Success Equation by Michael Mauboussin explores the factors influencing success and failure in various fields, blending statistical analysis with exciting real-world examples to provide a thought-provoking framework for understanding performance across the worlds of business, investing, and sports.
Recommended by: Payton
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara delves into the principles of exceptional hospitality and service, drawing on the author's experiences in the hospitality industry to inspire and guide those seeking to create memorable customer experiences.
Recommended by: Bill
When Genius Failed by Roger Lowenstein is a gripping account of the rise and fall of Long-Term Capital Management, a hedge fund managed by Nobel laureates and financial experts. The book explores how the fund's brilliant minds mismanaged risks and ostracized their key banking partners, leading to its catastrophic collapse and deleterious effects on global financial markets in 1998..
Recommended by: Payton
History
All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days by Rebecca Donner is a historical narrative that uncovers the life of Mildred Harnack, an American woman involved in anti-Nazi resistance in Germany during World War II, providing a gripping account of her activism and the challenges she faced.
Recommended by: Bill
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann is a true crime narrative that investigates the murders of Osage Indians in the 1920s. Grann’s gripping account reveals a conspiracy to exploit the Osage oil wealth and the resulting birth of the FBI in the wake of the investigative debacle.
Recommended by: Bill
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl is a profound exploration of the human psyche, drawing from the author's experiences as a Holocaust survivor to emphasize the importance of finding meaning and purpose in life even in the face of extreme suffering.
Recommended by: Payton
The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham explores the true story of a high school baseball team from Biloxi, Mississippi, in the 1940s, highlighting their remarkable journey to the state championship and the impact on their lives.
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brow is a compelling nonfiction narrative that follows the journey of the ragtag University of Washington's rowing team as they strive for gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics in Nazi Germany.
Recommended by: Aaron Sams
Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose narrates the epic journey of Lewis and Clark, exploring their expedition across the American West, highlighting their courage, leadership, and the impact of their exploration on the nation's history.
Recommended by: Payton
Psychology / Self-Help
In Being Mortal, Atul Gawande, a practicing surgeon, examines medical limitations as life draws to a close and explains that the ultimate goal isn't a good death, but a good life--all the way to the very end.
Recommended by: Eric
Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend helps you learn when to say yes and know how to say no in order to take control of your life and set healthy, biblical boundaries with your spouse, children, friends, parents, co-workers, and even yourself.
Recommended by: Melissa
How to Lead by David Rubenstein draws on interviews with a wide-ranging spectrum of leaders including Warren Buffett, President George W. Bush, Bill Gates, and Oprah Winfrey. Their insights and stories distill key principles of effective leadership in an engaging and clear format.
Recommended by: Payton
Indistractable by Nir Eyal is a practical guide to overcoming distractions in the modern world. Readers are presented with strategies and insights to help regain control of their attention and focus on what truly matters.
Recommended by: Aaron Nolan
No More Faking Fine by Esther Fleece Allen is a book that encourages readers to embrace honest expressions of pain and grief and details the healing power of acknowledging and processing emotions.
Recommended by: April
Nudge by Richard Thaler explores the concept of choice architecture and how small changes in the way decisions are presented can influence (or nudge) human behavior. This is a great read for anyone interested in psychology, habit formation, decision making optimization, or behavioral economics.
Recommended by: Payton
Same as Ever by Morgan Housel is a collection of essays exploring timeless lessons on investing, human behavior, and decision-making, offering profound reflections on the ever-relevant principles of psychology and finance.
Recommended by: Bill
Switch by Chip Heath and Dan Heath is a book that explores how to make positive changes in one’s personal and professional life by understanding and influencing the factors that shape behavior. Readers are given practical applications for effective decision-making and change management.
Recommended by: Melissa
The Defining Decade by Meg Jay is a motivational book that explores the importance of decisions made in one's twenties and provides guidance on shaping a meaningful and fulfilling life during this formative period.
Recommended by: Claire
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel is a thought-provoking exploration of the psychological aspects that influence financial decisions, human behavior, and emotions that shape our relationship with money.
Recommended by: Melissa
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer details the negative effects of our technologically connected modern society and advocates for a slower, more intentional pace of life. Comer presents practical insights and perspectives on escaping the culture of constant busyness through a deeper connection with God.
Recommended by: Aaron Nolan
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman is a groundbreaking exploration of the two systems that drive human thought processes, revealing the cognitive biases and decision-making patterns that influence our judgments.
Fiction
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein is a novel narrated by a dog named Enzo. The story provides a unique perspective on life, love, and the human experience through the lens of a loyal canine companion. Enzo reflects on his life with his owner, Denny Swift, a race car driver, sharing insights into the complexities of the human condition in this touching and heartwarming tale.
Recommended by: Doug
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon is a heartwarming mystery novel narrated firsthand by an autistic teenager, Christopher, as he investigates the mysterious death of a neighbor's dog.
Children's Books
Milton the Money Savvy Pup – Brings Home The Bacon by Jamie Bosee is an educational children's book that follows the adventures of Milton, a money-savvy pup, who is learning to be smart with his money. Milton uses his money smarts to teach kids the basics of money and how to manage it wisely.
Recommended by: Melissa
Milton the Money Savvy Pup – Makes Saving a Habit by Jamie Bosee is the second book in the series teaching young readers important lessons about financial literacy in a fun and engaging way.
Recommended by: Melissa
