My choice of books focuses on storytelling across a variety of themes – science, history and business. In my free time, I like to unwind with books that explore topics outside my day-to-day work.

Each of these picks is quite different, but all have led to introspection, reflection and a deeper appreciation of the world around me. I hope you find them as insightful as I have.

Scientific exploration

My first choice, Music as Medicine by Daniel Levitin, is inspired by a personal encounter. I once met a lady who was in a coma for months following a tragic car accident. She told me that the hospital staff played her music daily – and that she remembered every tune. She shared how she could hear that distant music in her unconscious state, gently and surely pulling her back to life.

Her story moved me deeply. I’ve had a lifelong passion for music, particularly classical music, and I have experienced its power on the soul firsthand. This book beautifully explores the healing power of music. I often think that in another professional life, I would have become a music therapist.

Biography

My next pick is more related to the industry that I work in. The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Investors and Managers compiles the most insightful thoughts and excerpts from Warren Buffett's legendary shareholder letters. I'm a huge admirer of his wisdom, wit and clarity. It offers a no-nonsense approach to investing and management.

Inspired by History

Historical Non-fiction

I am a great admirer of Stefan Zweig's novels and writing, particularly his compelling biographical works. Montaigne was written after he had migrated out of Europe, on the eve of WWII. Inspired by Michel de Montaigne's Essais, Zweig sought to understand the tormented world he inhabited, exploring themes of personal freedom and the question of how one ought to live. I often think of his words, "He who thinks freely for himself, honours all freedom on earth."

Another favourite is The Illegals by Shauna Walker. It is a compelling read and narrative about Russia's covert “illegal” agents who infiltrated foreign communities under deep cover. It ultimately highlights Russia's fascination with old-school conspiracy theories, which can shed light on the mindset behind Russia’s geopolitical behaviour today.

Historical Fiction

I am currently reading the famous novel, Radetzky March by Joseph Roth. It's an engaging story spanning three generations of the Trotta family, set against the backdrop of the unraveling Austro-Hungarian Empire. Roth captures the fragility of tradition and the inevitability of change in a way that stays with you long after you put the book down.

Reading, for me, is more than a pastime – it’s a way to step outside my routine and rediscover curiosity. Whether it’s exploring the science behind human emotion, the lessons of great thinkers or the resilience found in history, each book offers a new perspective and a reminder of how much there is to learn beyond our own fields.

I hope this selection inspires you to pick up something unexpected – a story, an idea or a lesson that broadens your view of the world, just as these books have done for me.