During late summer, many of my clients are more focused on their vacations than on their financial statements. So, in the spirit of the season, I’m taking a break from our usual investment discussions to share my first annual summer reading list. If you’re looking for thoughtful books to pack for your next trip, these selections are highly recommended. (A quick note: I’m part Swiss and work in finance, so you won’t find any fiction here!)

 

1. The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger. By Marc Levinson

Global trade has been a hot topic lately, especially with ongoing discussions about tariffs. But sometimes, it’s the quieter innovations that truly reshape our world. This book explores how the humble metal shipping container—those you see on cargo ships, trains, and trucks—revolutionized the global economy.  Excerpt: “Before the container, transporting goods was expensive—so expensive that it did not pay to ship many things halfway across the country, much less halfway around the world.”

2. Uptime: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing.  By Laura Mae Martin

Laura Mae Martin, Google’s productivity expert, brings a fresh perspective to the world of productivity. Unlike many books in this genre, Martin writes from the perspective of a working mom, offering practical advice that fits real life. She shares actionable strategies—like applying zero-based budgeting to your calendar, valuing rest and how to finally get your email inbox under control by managing it like a laundry pile.  Excerpt: “Productivity is 1) Defining clearly what you want to do, 2) Setting aside the (right) time and place to do it, and 3) Executing well within the designated time. The consistent practice of these three things we can define as finding your Uptime.”

3. Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams.  By Matthew Walker

My wife and I have a 6-month old baby in the house, so a book on sleep is my “aspirational read.” Neuroscientist Matthew Walker offers a compelling look at the critical role sleep plays in our health and well-being. After reading this, you may find yourself more motivated to put your phone down at night and get to sleep — or better yet, avoid screens altogether before bed. Excerpt: “Routinely sleeping less than six or seven hours a night demolishes your immune system, more than doubling your risk of cancer.”

4. Finance Pick: A Man for All Markets: From Las Vegas to Wall Street, How I Beat the Dealer and the Market.  By Edward O. Thorp.

Ed Thorp is one of my investing heroes. He was a mathematician who in the 1960s used early computers to develop a card-counting system for blackjack so effective that it changed casino practices forever. He later brought his analytical approach to Wall Street, founding a statistical arbitrage hedge fund that had only three negative months out of 230. This book is a masterclass in analytical thinking, evaluating odds, and making smart bets—whether at the casino or in your daily life.  Excerpt: “Life is a mixture of chance and choice. Chance can be thought of as the cards you are dealt in life. Choice is how you play them.”

Stay disciplined,

-Andrew

 

Andrew Pittet is an Investment Advisor with CIBC Wood Gundy in Calgary. The views of Andrew do not necessarily reflect those of CIBC World Markets Inc.  This commentary is for informational purposes only and is not being provided in the context of an offering of any security, sector, or financial instrument, and is not a recommendation of a specific investment strategy, or solicitation to buy, hold or sell any security.  CIBC Private Wealth consists of services provided by CIBC and certain of its subsidiaries, including CIBC Wood Gundy, a division of CIBC World Markets Inc. The CIBC logo and "CIBC Private Wealth" are trademarks of CIBC, used under license. "Wood Gundy" is a registered trademark of CIBC World Markets Inc. If you are currently a CIBC Wood Gundy client, please contact your Investment Advisor.