CHRIS WRIGHT
President, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx
 |
Wright
|
I love Malcolm Gladwell —
“The Tipping Point” and
“Blink” were brilliant. Can’t wait to get to
“Outliers.”
I love Jeffrey Gitomer and have read a lot of his stuff. This summer I am going to read his book on leadership.
As you get to your 60s, your health is really important (not that it’s not at any age). The book all of my friends are saying to read is
“Younger Next Year,” by Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge.
My wife has told me that “you will read this book this summer”:
“Fifty Shades of Grey,” by E.L. James. Sounds as though there will be repercussions if I don’t, so it’s on the list!
BOB WILLIAMS
President, Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena
 |
Williams
|
“Hit Men: Power Brokers and Fast Money Inside the Music Business,” by Fredric Dannen
Provides incredible understanding into the behind-the-scenes deal making of the music industry. Also highly entertaining.
“A Good Walk Spoiled: Days and Nights on the PGA Tour,” by John Feinstein
Fascinating look at the hundreds of golfers trying to live the dream and make it to the tour. It exposes the pressure and grind these players endure throughout the season.
“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” by Ken Kesey
A book that captured my interest in college that I want to re-read.
BUBBA CUNNINGHAM
AD, University of North Carolina
 |
Cunningham
|
“Lead … For God’s Sake!” by Todd Gongwer
“The Social Animal,” by David Brooks
“Multipliers,” by Liz Wiseman
“Too Many Bosses, Too Few Leaders,” by Rajeev Peshawaria
“Engines of Innovation: The Entrepreneurial University in the Twenty-First Century,” by Holden Thorp and Buck Goldstein
Each of these books interests me for different reasons, and I’m fascinated by leadership styles, strategies, human behavior and purpose. I’m expecting these books to provide relevant insight into people and behaviors that will positively impact the University of North Carolina, our department and myself personally.
DAVID WILLEY
SVP/GM, Rodale Active Living Group;
Editor-In-Chief, Runner's World
 |
Willey
|
“Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” by Ben Fountain
I bought this immediately after reading some rave reviews. I love stories that use sports as a stepping-off point to something larger than games and athletes. Looking through the keyhole of a Dallas Cowboys game on Thanksgiving, Fountain — who can really write — casts an irreverent eye on present-day America and the wars we’ve been fighting.
“The Warmth of Other Suns,” by Isabel Wilkerson
Wilkerson, who won a Pulitzer Prize for feature writing, interviewed more than 1,200 people to bring to life the decades-long migration of 6 million African-Americans away from the South to cities up north and out west. I expect to be inspired by the individual characters and their struggles, but also by Wilkerson’s epic journalism.
“Covering Home,” by Jack Petrash
My wife and I have three young kids, including a 7-year-old son who, like his dad, is mad about baseball (and the Red Sox). Brilliantly disguised as a book about the game we love, this is really a guide to being a better, more present father. As life continues to get crazier, I plan to come back to it often. Even Big Papi takes BP.
TOM WADE
Chief Marketing Officer, PGA Tour
 |
Wade
|
“A Universe From Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing,” by Lawrence Krauss
“Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010” by Charles Murray
“Strategic Vision: America and the Crisis of Global Power,” by Zbigniew Brzezinski
“The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution,” by Francis Fukuyama
CHRIS SCHLOSSER
GM, MLS Digital
 |
Schlosser
|
“Velocity: The Seven New Laws for a World Gone Digital,” by Ajaz Ahmed and Stefan Olander
A great read about the ongoing impact of digital technology on a wide range of industries. It is written by two titans of digital strategy: Ahmed, founder and chairman at AKQA, and Olander, who works in the sports industry.
“The Redbreast,” by Jo Nesbo
After a slow buildup, this thriller is a great read for people who enjoyed Stieg Larsson’s “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.” A perfect read for the beach, boat or deck.
“The Hunger: A Story of Food, Desire, and Ambition,” by Graydon Carter and John DeLucie
It’s the story behind some of the hottest restaurants in New York City.
“Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World,” by Michael Lewis
A fascinating read on the impact of globalization and the increased connectivity of our world.
MARK WILLIAMS
Principal, HKS
 |
Williams
|
“The True Measure of a Man,” by Richard E. Simmons III
A little self-introspection is a very healthy gift you can give yourself.
“The Expectant Father,” by Armin Brott and Jennifer Ash
Our first child (Daddy’s little girl) is coming in November.
“Churchill By His Contemporaries,” by various colleagues
If you want to read about Churchill, this is an incredible view of the man.
“The Power of Myth,” by Joseph Campbell
One of the most fascinating people I wish I could have met.
“Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales,” by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Great folklore, mystique and adventure to escape to.
DENNIS LEE
CEO, PlayUp USA
 |
Lee
|
“Outliers,” by Malcolm Gladwell
Gives a nice perspective on the different paths to achievements, grasping opportunities, and striving to make a change/difference in what we do.
“The Now Revolution,” by Jay Baer and Amber Naslund
Very interesting feedback I’ve received from friends. We know “social” and we sell “social” — but do we run our companies “social”? Interesting stories and takeaways provoking thoughts on running our companies in the same manner as we externally try to interact with our customers.
BILL SQUADRON
Head of Bloomberg Sports
 |
Squadron
|
“Under the Banner of Heaven,” by Jon Krakauer
Really liked Krakauer’s “Into Thin Air,” “Where Men Win Glory” and “Into the Wild,” and interested in the Mormon religion and culture for obvious reasons in this political year.
“The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer,” by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Want to understand more about the origins of cancer and where we stand in this battle.
JON KNIGHT
Senior Principal, Populous
 |
Knight
|
“The Cruelest Miles,” by Gay and Laney Salisbury
The heroics of man and dog in a race against a diphtheria epidemic in Alaska in 1925, traveling nearly 700 miles in 5 1/2 days to save the people of Nome.
“Wild,” by Cheryl Strayed
A moving story of a young woman who loses her mother to cancer and loses herself in life’s struggles. To get herself together she decides to walk the Pacific Coast Trail to find herself. She’s smart, gritty, brutally honest about herself and, ultimately, triumphant.
“Life of Pi,” by Yann Martel
This is my second reading. An exploration of spirituality through 227 days at sea after a shipwreck lands Pi, the central character, on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, an orangutan, a zebra and a hyena. Beautifully written.
“At Home,” by Bill Bryson
This is basically a world history of all the things in our lives, told through a room-by-room tour of his own house in England. Everything from the glass we take for granted in our windows to the paint on the walls. And Bryson tells it with his typical entertaining wit and humor.
