Updated July 2008

Growth & Development

  1. Brain Rules by John Medina;  Current research and knowledge about the brain, its development, and good habits to keep the brain functioning.
  2. The Stuff of Thought by Steven Pinker; An exploration of language and how we use it.  Thus, this is an exploration of the human mind and the role language plays in thinking.
  3. Mindset by Carol S. Dweck Phd; Current research and knowledge about success and what’s required for success.
  4. Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath; An exploration of successful communication and what qualities make them work.
  5. repacking your bags by Richard J. Leider and David A. Shapiro; A useful look at exploring our lives, reducing stress, and increasing future happiness

Health & Well Being

  1. Eat, Drink and Be Healthy by Walter C. Willett; words of wisdom regarding food and how mankind has ended up in the place we are today.
  2. DIETARY REFERENCE INTAKES FOR Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids. published by the Food and Nutrition Board ; the latest research and knowledge about the human body’s requirement for nutrition as sourced from food.

Investment Management

  1. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham; the first investment book one should read
  2. Investors & Markets by William Sharpe; the latest thinking about investment asset prices and portfolio management
  3. One Up on Wall Street by Peter Lynch; the second investment book one should read
  4. The Age of Turbulence by Alan Greenspan; the life history and economic thinking of the former Federal Reserve chairman
  5. Investment Science by David Luenberger; a look at investment science from a mathematical perspective
  6. Investment Analysis Portfolio Management by Frank K. Reilly and Keith C. Brown; a text book for the subject of investment analysis and portfolio management.

Business Management

  1. Executing Your Strategy by Morgan, Levitt, and Malek; a primer on developing and executing business strategy
  2. Built to Last by Jerry Porras & Jim Collins; research and analysis of successful companies and what makes them different
  3. How Customers Think by Gerald Zaltman; an approach to examining the minds of customers.
  4. The Creative Edge by William C. Miller; a primer on bringing creativity into the workplace
  5. Decision Making Under Uncertainty by Charles Holloway; a textbook for making decisions in an uncertain environment.  My favorite class at Stanford. 

Great Stories

  1. Gabriella Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado
  2. Truth to Tell by Lanny J. Davis
  3. Paradise by Toni Morrison
  4. Master of the Senate by Robert A Caro
  5. My Soul is Rested: Movement Days in the Deep South Remembered by Howell Raines

Great Music (listed by artist that I assoicate with the music)

  1. Dance With My Father (Luther Vandross)
  2. Can I Walk With You (India.Aire)
  3. The Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding)
  4. Girl From Ipanema (Astrud Gilberto, João Gilberto & Stan Getz)
  5. Put Your Records On (Corinne Bailey Rae)
  6. Made to Love Ya (Gerald Levert)
  7. Ebony Eyes (Stevie Wonder)
  8. Saturn (Stevie Wonder)
  9. I Wish It Would Rain (The Temptations)
  10. Precious (Esperanza Spaulding)
  11. My Girl (The Temptations)
  12. Power of Love (Luther Vandross)
  13. No Mirrors In My Nana’s House (Sweet Honey in the Rock)
  14. Three Little Birds (Bob Marley)
  15. I Can’t Stop Loving You (Count Basie & His Orchestra)
  16. Baby, It’s Cold Outside (Vanessa Williams)
  17. Man In The Mirror (Michael Jackson)
  18. Fever (Joe Sample & Lalah Hathaway)
  19. Waterfalls (TLC)
  20. You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman (Aretha Franklin)
  21. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Aretha Franklin)
  22. And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going (Jennifer Holliday)
  23. Love and Happiness (Al Green)
  24. Oh Happy Day (Edwin Hawkins)
  25. SóDanço Samba (Antonio Carlos Jobim, João Gilberto& Stan Getz) 

Favorite Recording Artist (no particular order)

  1. Al Jarreau
  2. Grover Washington Jr.
  3. Kirk Whalum
  4. David Sanborn
  5. Quincy Jones
  6. India.Aire
  7. Stevie Wonder
  8. Everett Harp
  9. Janis Siegel
  10. Mariah Carey
  11. Vanessa Williams
  12. Aretha Franklin
  13. Celine Dion
  14. Luther Vandross
  15. Prince
  16. The Temptations
  17. Whitney Houston
  18. Carlinhos Brown
  19. Daniela Mercury
  20. Milton Nascimento
  21. Antonio Carlos Jobim
  22. Gilberto Gil
  23. Marisa Monte

Up and Coming Music Artist

  1. Esperanza Spaulding
  2. CèU
  3. Corrine Bailey Rae
  4. Laura Izibor

Artist

  1. Brenda Joysmith
  2. Kenneth Gatewood
  3. Ed Dwight
  4. Ernie Barnes

Story Selections

My Things