A few more books recommended by wealth advisors — fiction this time
These works inspire empathy, creativity and open-mindedness, as well as a little fun
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The best family advisors never stop learning and growing. But being a good advisor is about more than keeping up with the latest industry expertise. We need to be well-balanced, too.
And for that, reading fiction can be beneficial. We asked seven Canadian Family Offices readers to recommend books that entertain, inspire and make you think. (If you’re looking for helpful resources for your career, scroll to the end and you’ll find links to previous recommendations in this series.)
Steve Ivacko, partner, Family Office Services, MNP, Vancouver
Greenwood (by Michael Christie): My wife recommended Greenwood to me, as it was her favourite finalist in 2023 Canada Reads, CBC’s annual “battle of the books.” The author is a West Coaster whose previous books have been nominated for the Scotiabank Giller Prize.
Greenwood starts in the not-too-distant future (2038) where the state of the environment is troubling to say the least. We are introduced to a struggling young woman before going back through many generations of her family to examine how her family legacy has unintentionally impacted both her personally and the broader world. This book overlaps what we do for a living: intentions and messages getting lost over generations while having great impact on those yet to come, and decisions made with the best intentions reverberating negatively through time.
Aside from the interesting professional link to the story, Greenwood is also well-written. Themes of environmental crisis and family secrets hold your attention while weaving a tale through generations with engaging characters. The key messages for me were the analogies drawn between the family members and the trees that built their legacy. No tree is perfect, and some have knots, as do many families. But ultimately the forest (or family) matters more than any single individual, and those unique individuals come together to tell the most interesting story.
Scott Dickenson, principal, Northwood Family Office, Toronto
A Gentleman in Moscow (by Amor Towles): It’s the best fiction book I have read in the past decade and the one I recommend most to people. The book follows the fictional Russian Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, who was sentenced by a Bolshevik tribunal in 1922 to spend the rest of his life in a luxury hotel in Moscow. His life in the hotel, the cast of characters he meets there, and his journey of self-discovery over the next 30 years is unforgettable. As someone who works in the family office field, I also find it amazing that the book’s author spent the first 20 years of his career as a principal at a New York investment firm; he wrote his first book in his mid-40s.
The Midnight Library (by Matt Haig): I tore through this book after my wife recommended it to me a couple of years ago, and I think most people would enjoy it as much as I did. The story revolves around Nora, a depressed 30-something, who ends up in the Midnight Library after attempting to commit suicide via overdose. The Library is a purgatory-like place where Nora is offered the chance to try out the other lives she could be living if she had made different choices at different stages of her life. It’s an ultimately uplifting story that will likely be a giant hit movie at some point in the next few years.
Arthur Salzer, founder and CEO, Northland Wealth Management Inc., Oakville, Ont.
Atlas Shrugged (by Ayn Rand): This book, and her previous work, The Fountainhead, had a great effect on my life. The insights into the current world, politics and the challenges that family enterprises face are prescient. I’m 52, and my only regret was not reading this book until I was 40 years old.
Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. (by Ron Chernow): I am just finishing this one now. It’s a fascinating and balanced biography of the great-great-grandfather of an industry acquaintance of mine, Justin Rockefeller. By the way, John D. Rockefeller created the first known family office.
Brad Jesson, principal, client service, Northwood Family Office, Toronto
The Great Believers (by Rebecca Makkai): This Pulitzer Prize finalist has two timelines. One follows a group of friends in Chicago’s gay community in the 1980s as they navigate the AIDS epidemic; the second takes place in the 2010s as one character searches for her estranged daughter in Paris. It explores love, loss, unbreakable friendships and resilience in the face of adversity — it really humanizes the crisis. The book is one of my favourite works of fiction, and was a powerful reminder of the importance of my connections and friendships and the impact they can have on shaping one’s own path.
Victor Godinho, managing partner, advisor, Kismet Wealth Group, Toronto
The Alchemist (by Paulo Coelho): I first discovered this book listening to an interview with Will Smith, and then hearing more prominent and successful people quoting and referencing it. It ranks as my favourite fiction book — it’s a really engaging read, and is very relatable. We follow a young man from a modest upbringing who leaves all that he knows to follow dreams that promise amazing opportunities, while overcoming obstacles along his journey. This book really spoke to me as I reflect on my journey into the finance world, and to the position I am in now. Paulo Coelho touches on all aspects of a young person’s life in this book, as the main character develops a better personal relationship with himself, finds love and discovers purpose. I think the quote from this book that really made an impactful impression was, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” Learning to focus on what you can control, and leave the rest up to the universe, is the approach to life for me after reading this book.
Steve Legler, Family Legacy Guide, coach and facilitator, Montreal
The Danny Ryan Trilogy (by Don Winslow): The drives from my home near Montreal to my cottage in New Brunswick last about nine hours, so it’s the perfect time for me to catch up on my reading via audiobooks. Lately I’ve deviated from my old habit of tackling books for work, opting instead for fiction. A good novel done with great voice acting can make even a long drive seem like a breeze. A favourite author I discovered recently is Don Winslow. City of Dreams is the second of a trilogy that I started last year with City on Fire. I can’t wait for City in Ruins, the final instalment due next spring. Great writing, lots of action and twists, wonderful character development, and a view of some underworld stuff that I’m not typically exposed to, all make for an enjoyable listen.
Cindy Radu, independent family wealth transition advisor, Calgary
Horton Hears a Who! (by Dr. Seuss): One fine day, Horton — a giant, bumbling, kind-hearted elephant — hears a soft cry for help. With his keen sense of hearing, he pins down the source of distress to a tiny dust speck that turns out to be a microscopic planet that is home to the citizens of Whoville. Horton eventually realizes that to save Whoville, he must prove its existence, and he learns that every single person in the town can make a difference. Aside from being wildly entertaining even 70 years after its publication, Horton Hears a Who! offers thought-provoking messages: who and what should we pay attention to?; know your values; the importance of committing to a cause; just because you can’t see or hear something doesn’t mean it’s not there; the art of persuasiveness; do what you believe is right; commit to your vision; respect others; every voice matters; be systematic in your approach; the power of collaboration; bullies can change their tune; pay attention to the little guy; there’s a time for play and a time for work … and, of course, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”
More book recommendations
If you’re looking for non-fiction books that might give your career a boost, check out these previous recommendations from Canadian family advisors:
- Six Canadian family-office leaders and the books that energized them
- Six more Canadian family-office leaders and the books that inspired them
- Thirteen more books highly recommended by family advisors
- Just in time for summer: More books that inspired Canadian advisors
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