Summer reading Lis

RegentAtlantic’sSummer Reading List 2016

Fiction All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr (2014) Set in France and Germany as World War II unfolds, this novel vividly interlaces the perspectives of two main characters: a blind Jewish girl who flees with her father from Paris to Saint-Malo, and a young German soldier drafted by the Nazis and sent to Saint-Malo to spot Resistance activity in the city. I was drawn to this book from my love of historical fiction as well as its setting in France, having lived in Brittany and Paris at various times during my high school and college years. This is a touching, humanistic story written from two fascinating perspectives that is not about the war itself, but about how two young people live through and survive the dangers of impending disaster until their paths inevitably collide. It was such a page-turner that I was disappointed to finish it! —Jane Newton, Managing Partner and Wealth AdvisorCircling the Sun: A Novel, by Paula McLain (2015) —Melody Gerhardt, Client Service Administrator The Nest, Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney (2016) I was drawn to this book as it mixes two subjects that are very intriguing to me: family dynamics and money. Meant to be a hard-working father’s small inheritance to his four children, after a couple of lucky breaks his trust fund, “The Nest,” grows to ten times its intended size. Drama unfolds as The Nest is threatened and each sibling has grown reliant on the trust’s assets to solve their unique problems. I like how the author ropes you into the lives of her multi-faceted characters—relatable, yet flawed—as their relations turn dysfunctional when this large sum of money comes between them. Set in contemporary New York City, this fun, witty novel explores family ties and reads like what could be a real-life soap opera! —Chris Cordaro, Chief Investment Officer and Wealth Advisor

Mothering Sunday: A Romance, Graham Swift (2016) —Alicia Wall, AnalystThe Singles Game, Lauren Weisberger (2016) —Krishma Patel, Marketing AssociateNon-FictionStumbling on Happiness, by Daniel Gilbert (2007)I’ve often wondered: How can two people have the exact same circumstances, but view thosecircumstances so differently? In working with individuals over a number of years, I have cometo realize that “happiness” is relative. Stumbling on Happiness is one of my favorite readsbecause it delineates empirical evidence that explores my realization, taking a close look intothe human psyche and how we can control our own perspectives. This is a scientific read thatprovides insights into how we as humans think about the future, our expectations for it, andhow this combination informs our outlooks on life. I particularly enjoyed the ending of thisbook, which ties together complex empirical data to promote an empowering self-awarenessof our ability to choose happiness rather than having happiness happen to us. —Brent Beene, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor

A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal, by Ben Macintyre (2015) Kim Philby was one of the greatest spies in history, a brilliant and charming man who rose to the head of Britain’s counterintelligence against the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War—while he was secretly working for the enemy. I read this book for my monthly book group and it sparked great conversation around the themes of character, loyalty, and deception. I love reading both fiction and non-fiction, so this book really stood out to me; this is an amazing true life spy story that reads like a detective novel! It’s a captivating, fun read that I think anyone can enjoy as Macintyre pulls you through the complex world of espionage amongst the 20th century British elite. —Cynthia Aiken, Wealth AdvisorHold Still: A Memoir with Photographs, Sally Mann (2015)Well before the days of Instagram and Snapchat, I was a photojournalist for the Bostontabloids. It was my first job after college and I’ve since remained a photography enthusiast.Sally Mann’s biography captured my attention initially because of her famous familyphotos. The book is a recollection of emotions and events that becomes itself a type ofphotographic pastiche, as she links key moments of her own and a broader Southern history asif looking through the lens of her camera. It is both simple in her candor and passion, while alsocomplex because of the external influences that shape who we are and the choices we make. —Tyrel Holston, Director of Marketing The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It, by Tilar J. Mazzeo (2008) After her husband’s death, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot takes charge of his growing wine business and transforms it into a luxury empire: Vueve Clicquot Champagne. This is a captivating historical chronology of an extraordinary business woman amidst the backdrop of the French Revolution. I like that this book is not a typical biography – Mazzeo must tell this story through piecing together records of Clicquot’s business and family, as women were not typically followed in history at this time. This book combines my interests in history, wine, and fascinating stories as it details the rise of champagne as a luxury commodity and how one crafty woman, before her time, was able to single-handedly pioneer what is today a multi- billion dollar industry. — Rebecca Sell, Client Service Administrator

The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey, by Candice Millard (2006) This is a true story about Theodore Roosevelt’s most challenging adventure – through the River of Doubt – that weaves biography with non-fiction thriller. The tale depicts Roosevelt’s journey through this uncharted river in the treacherous jungles of Brazil. His feat of physical and mental perseverance to map this territory was so incredible that the River of Doubt was renamed the Roosevelt River. It’s an amazing story of adventure, family, perseverance, and guts. I read the book on my trip to Antigua this past spring and couldn't put it down. This is a perfect read for a day (or days) on the beach. —Jeff Boyer, Partner and Wealth AdvisorThe Curious World of Wine: Facts, Legends, and Lore about the Drink We Love SoMuch, Richard Vine, PhD (2012) —Joe Gazdalski, Senior Business Development OfficerFinance Prodigal Sons and Material Girls: How Not to Be Your Child's ATM, by Nathan Dungan (2003) This is a great book for parents and grandparents to understand how younger generations view money and how to teach them its value. Nathan Dungan explores notions of “wants” versus “needs” and the disconnect between the two amongst America’s youth. I know that when I ask my 5-year-old daughter to make a list of her needs, she will list the newest Barbie but omit basic necessities such as food and shelter. Dungan addresses this disconnect to help you understand why many of today’s children relate to money in unrealistic ways. Particularly relevant for children who will be inheriting wealth in the future, this book offers helpful tools to teach your children and grandchildren financial and social responsibility in the midst of a consumer society. —Andrew Byers, Wealth Advisor

The Little Book that Still Beats the Market, by Joel Greenblatt (2010) This book is an accessible read for anyone interested in learning more about the why’s and how’s of investing. Greenblatt walks through the basics of value investing – why should investors expect to make money, how do they decide whether a company is a good value or too expensive, and what is the criteria for a secure investment? I like this book because it breaks down an investment discipline that informed the one we follow at RegentAtlantic, and I think it serves as a great baseline for those with or without a financial background. —Andy Kapyrin, Director of Research and PartnerThe Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine, by Michael Lewis (2011)A lot of you have probably seen the movie by now, but this book offers a more in-depth lookinto the 2008 housing bubble and the mindset of those few people with enough intuition topredict it. Michael Lewis’s witty prose depicts the who, what, when, where, and why of themarket downturn of 2008 in the form of a compelling and informative story. As a hockeyenthusiast, when things start to fall apart I always remember to go back to the basics to playmy best game. I admire the tenacity of those few individuals making their big-short bet to stickwith the facts and fundamentals amidst extensive criticism from their peers. —Michael Steiner, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money, by Ron Lieber (2015) As the title suggests, the goal of this book is to help parents talk openly with their children about money in order to ensure that they grow up to be modest, generous, and financially responsible. As a new parent, encouraging these traits as my 2-year-old daughter grows up is very important to me. This book has a lot of great tips for starting conversations that teach kids how to make deliberate financial choices from a young age, ones that I look forward to integrating with my daughter as she gets older. It’s refreshing to read a wealth management book focused on a child demographic, which makes this book stand out from my regular readings on investments and financial planning topics. —Brian Kazanchy, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor

Young ReadersThe Isle of the Lost: A Descendants Novel, Melissa De La Cruz (2015, ages 8-10) —Jim Ciprich, Wealth Advisor The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred, by Samantha R. Vamos (2011, ages 4-8) The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred is a cumulative tale of a farm maiden who wanted to make rice pudding (“arroz con leche”) for a fiesta. Once she started, all the farm animals wanted to help. The cow gave milk, the hen gave eggs, and the donkey picked a lime, which all added to the arroz con leche. I picked this book because reading it aloud made for a fun, rollicking time with my children. It incorporates Spanish words in an easy way and includes a recipe for arroz con leche that’s perfect to savor after the story. I hope you will enjoy reading this book to your own kids as I did with mine. —Paula Santin, Client Service AdministratorOne Cent, Two Cents, Old Cent, New Cent: All About Money, by Bonnie Worth (2008,ages 4-8) —Greg Allison, Director of Portfolio Management