Nine compelling reading tips from our managing partners
The summer holidays are an ideal time to relax with a good book. By the pool or at the beach, in a cabin in the mountains: during the holidays, we gain inspiration for a whole year. Are you still looking for a good book? Let our managing partners inspire you.
Liene De Bie just finished Factfulness by Hans Rosling. 'The subtitle is Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – And Why Things Are Better Than You Think. The world-renowned statistician's book teaches us about the importance of facts and correctly interpreting data. I was surprised how often my gut feeling about a topic was wrong. Media reports on the state of the world often feel stifling because we focus on the worst events. This book shows that a lot of things are going really well in the world. For example the ever-increasing levels of democracy, literacy, scientific knowledge, nature conservation, and so on.'
Liene De Bie just finished Factfulness by Hans Rosling. 'The subtitle is Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – And Why Things Are Better Than You Think. The world-renowned statistician's book teaches us about the importance of facts and correctly interpreting data. I was surprised how often my gut feeling about a topic was wrong. Media reports on the state of the world often feel stifling because we focus on the worst events. This book shows that a lot of things are going really well in the world. For example the ever-increasing levels of democracy, literacy, scientific knowledge, nature conservation, and so on.'
Nicolas van Odijk prefers graphic novels and art books. 'When I read, I want to know everything in detail about a subject. That’s exhausting, so to relax I’m more likely to choose visual storytelling. Art books about Le Corbusier or Belgian constructivist Guy Vandenbranden fascinate me, as do graphic novels like the adaptation of Margret Atwoods's The Handmaid's Tale. Management books don't interest me one bit. I prefer watching documentaries to learn. And people are my ‘books’, by listening to them, I gain my knowledge.'
Nicolas van Odijk prefers graphic novels and art books. 'When I read, I want to know everything in detail about a subject. That’s exhausting, so to relax I’m more likely to choose visual storytelling. Art books about Le Corbusier or Belgian constructivist Guy Vandenbranden fascinate me, as do graphic novels like the adaptation of Margret Atwoods's The Handmaid's Tale. Management books don't interest me one bit. I prefer watching documentaries to learn. And people are my ‘books’, by listening to them, I gain my knowledge.'
Marcel van Buren of Gumption Netherlands takes no fewer than three books with him on holiday. 'The Smartest Guys in the Room tells the story of the success and downfall of US energy company Enron. It intrigues me that a company that was considered highly innovative turned out to be a big bubble due to questionable accounting methods. It paints a bleak picture of the financial sector.'
In addition, Marcel also takes Drive. Training your Stoic Mindset by top Dutch speedskater Mark Tuitert. The book gives ten lessons for a sharp and relaxed mindset. As a pure-bred Feyenoord fan ('more disappointments than rewards', according to Marcel), Lourdes aan de Maas had to be on the list. 'In previous years, we had season tickets in the family. Incredible and intense experience, sporting and personal. The book is about the almost religious devotion of the supporters, which goes far beyond love of the club.'
Marcel van Buren of Gumption Netherlands takes no fewer than three books with him on holiday. 'The Smartest Guys in the Room tells the story of the success and downfall of US energy company Enron. It intrigues me that a company that was considered highly innovative turned out to be a big bubble due to questionable accounting methods. It paints a bleak picture of the financial sector.'
In addition, Marcel also takes Drive. Training your Stoic Mindset by top Dutch speedskater Mark Tuitert. The book gives ten lessons for a sharp and relaxed mindset. As a pure-bred Feyenoord fan ('more disappointments than rewards', according to Marcel), Lourdes aan de Maas had to be on the list. 'In previous years, we had season tickets in the family. Incredible and intense experience, sporting and personal. The book is about the almost religious devotion of the supporters, which goes far beyond love of the club.'
Bart Embrechts met German entrepreneur Johannes E. Schumacher and is currently reading his book Game Changer: What doctors won't tell you about cancer treatments. Bart explains: 'After the death of his father from cancer, Schumacher delved into the subject. He became convinced of the salvation of dendritic cell therapies, which he now offers in his clinics.'
The second book Bart is reading this summer is Atomic Habits by James Clear. 'It teaches you what to do to cultivate better habits. Don't fixate on a goal, because once that’s achieved, you risk relapsing into old ways. Rather, focus on the method of getting there, like the sports team that gains one per cent every day when training and thereby wins the Olympics. That’s also what we do at Gumption: we hammer away at a top result every day. Step by step, small efforts make for a big result.'
Bart Embrechts met German entrepreneur Johannes E. Schumacher and is currently reading his book Game Changer: What doctors won't tell you about cancer treatments. Bart explains: 'After the death of his father from cancer, Schumacher delved into the subject. He became convinced of the salvation of dendritic cell therapies, which he now offers in his clinics.'
The second book Bart is reading this summer is Atomic Habits by James Clear. 'It teaches you what to do to cultivate better habits. Don't fixate on a goal, because once that’s achieved, you risk relapsing into old ways. Rather, focus on the method of getting there, like the sports team that gains one per cent every day when training and thereby wins the Olympics. That’s also what we do at Gumption: we hammer away at a top result every day. Step by step, small efforts make for a big result.'