It’s back! Our book list is one of our most popular traditions of the year. Just in time for holiday gifting and relaxation, our employees have shared some of their favorite books they read in 2023.
From fiction to nonfiction, fantasy to business, you will find something for every reader on this year’s list. Enjoy and happy holidays from Manning & Napier!
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
by Gabrielle Zevin
“I saw this book in every bookstore in the airport and it piqued my interest. I wasn't expecting to read the best book I read all year. This love story is unconventional since it tells a story of a lifelong friendship with deep character development that has you sharing every emotion. I wasn't convinced that I would relate to the characters since they were younger and serious gamers, everything I am not, but their relatability transcends age or interests.”
- Nikki Hamblin, Intermediary Distribution
Chip War
by Chris Miller
“A fascinating read into the history of the semiconductor industry, the amazing modern technology that goes into it, and how the geopolitical impacts truly make these tiny pieces of metal the ‘World's Most Critical Technology.’”
- Jeff Ingraham, Portfolio Strategies
The Collected Regrets of Clover
by Mikki Brammer
“A well-written book that reminds us of the important things in life: nurturing our relationships, both romantic and platonic, and that life is for living, not by-standing.”
- Rebecca Galliford, Wealth Management
The Island of Sea Women
by Lisa See
“The Island of Sea Women is a beautifully written book that follows the story of Mi-ja and Young-sook, best friends from disparate backgrounds, starting as they grow up in the 1930s and begin working in the sea with their village’s all-female diving collective. The decades-spanning story touches on themes of friendship, motherhood, family, and loss, and mesmerized me through its vivid descriptions of the little-known Korean island of Jeju, where the women are in charge and do the dangerous work of diving while the men take care of the children.”
- Felicia LeRoy, Research
Atlas of the Heart
by Brene Brown
“This book is a wise and caring guide through our feelings and relationships. With clear insights and real-life stories, Brown helps us understand our emotions better and connect with others more deeply. It's a thoughtful book that shows how our hearts work and how we can navigate life's emotional terrain.”
- Jordan Staiti, Client Services
Remarkably Bright Creatures
by Shelby Van Pelt
“If you saw the Netflix documentary, My Octopus Teacher, and loved it, then this book is for you! It is a fictional story about unlikely friendships, hope, and one truly remarkable octopus!”
- Susan Pilon, Wealth Management
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as If Your Life Depended On It
by Chris Voss
“Life is a series of negotiations you should be prepared for: buying a car, negotiating a salary, buying a home, renegotiating rent, deliberating with your partner. Chris Voss is a former FBI hostage negotiator, who takes you behind the scenes of some of the tensest situations and how the principles learned in those high stress environments can help improve emotional intelligence and intuition. Never Split the Difference helps you to learn how to connect better with people, work with them instead of against them in negotiations, and gives you the competitive edge in any discussion to work towards productive agreements.”
- Ryan Hohensee, Advisory Services
The House in the Cerulean Sea
by TJ Klune
“This book is a heartwarming and enchanting tale that beautifully weaves together whimsy and depth. With endearing characters and a captivating storyline, it immerses readers into a world of magic, acceptance, and the power of empathy. The author's storytelling expertise shines through, leaving a lasting impression of hope and the importance of embracing differences.”
- Tim Seymour, Marketing
The Last Lecture
by Randy Pausch
“Pausch was a professor at Carnegie Mellon diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This book is about his life and what he learned by following his dreams. He talks about all aspects of life, the funny, sad, happy, and mundane. This book will make you laugh and cry and every emotion in between. It is a beautiful book full of humor, wit, and great advice about living a full and happy life.”
- Emily Perechov, Wealth Management
The Wager
by David Grann
“The Wager is the masterfully told true story of an ill-fated 1700s British naval mission that ended in wreck and mutiny in one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Combining history with the true crime genre, this book was one I couldn't put down.”
- Allen Coker, Research
American Dirt
by Jeanine Cummins
“Although this is secondarily a story about a family's migration to the US from Mexico, it is really a story about a mother's love for her son and her determination to give him a better and safer life in a new country. It is one of the most amazing books I have read - in fact, I am reading it again over the holidays!”
- Veronica Van Nest, Trust Services
Octopus: Sam Israel, the Secret Market, and Wall Street's Wildest Con
by Guy Lawson
“This is an interesting and compellingly told story about the wild world of financial scams and their victims back in the 1980s and 1990s. Tales of secret government organizations, "can't fail" investments, and secret agents all expertly woven together to try and separate people from their money.”
- Liam McMahon, Research
Kane and Abel
by Jeffrey Archer
“Brought together by fate and the quest of a dream, two men are locked in a relentless struggle to build an empire, fueled by their all-consuming hatred. Through war, marriage, fortune, and disaster, Kane and Abel battle for the success and triumph that only one man can have. Their stories captivate a person and leave you questioning if we really know who a hero or a villain in our lives is.”
- Jennifer Rohring, Client Services
Alexander Hamilton
by Ron Chernow
“Alexander Hamilton’s path from orphan immigrant to lead architect of this nation’s entire financial system (by age 34) is a remarkable story of perseverance, creativity, and bravery. Though the famous Broadway musical well covers the life and tragic death of the Founding Father, Ron Chernow’s underlying biography should be required reading for anyone in finance. Chernow thoroughly and compellingly delivers essential context for his establishment of the US Treasury, our first Central Bank, the concept of private property, and many more basic tenets of American life we take for granted today.”
- Gerry Gugger, Taft-Hartley
How to Break Up with Your Phone
by Catherine Price
“How often do you find yourself staring at your phone when you realize that five, ten, or thirty minutes have suddenly passed as you mindlessly scroll? Price’s book is full of practical tips to help you reclaim your life and spend your time more intentionally.”
- Sarah Mayne, Marketing
Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted
by Suleika Jaouad
“A beautiful memoir that details both the physical and mental hurdles associated with a cancer journey, culminating with the author taking us along on her self-healing road trip. It was a very emotional and thought-provoking read!”
- Shelly Snook, Legal
Shoe Dog
by Phil Knight
“Phenomenal book that tells an amazing story of how Nike came about – Phil Knight tells everything.”
- Henrik Strabo, Rainier
How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen
by David Brooks
“This book is a practical and heartfelt guide that delves into the essential skill of truly understanding others in order to foster meaningful connections in various aspects of life—at home, at work, and throughout our lives.”
- Ryan Stiphany, Wealth Management
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