Reading preferences, like political alliances, can make for strange bedfellows. Every fall, when we canvass executives around the world for their favorite recently published books (see our lists from 2022, 2021 and 2020), overlaps occur in unlikely places. One odd couple? The chef at Eleven Madison Park, Daniel Humm, and Liz Young, head of investment strategy at SoFi Technologies. They found common ground in The Creative Act: A Way of Being, the new book from Rick Rubin, who’s produced hits for Adele, Jay-Z and Johnny Cash. “This book made me realize that creativity can take on many different forms,” Young says.
And you might assume that Bill Ackman, who manages $17 billion in assets as chief executive officer of Pershing Square Capital Management, would have nothing in common with Steve Aoki, the techno DJ and producer who throws cake at his wild parties. But you’d be wrong. Both have longevity on their mind, recommending Outlive from Dr. Peter Attia. “For anyone who wants to live a healthier and more alive life,” Aoki says, “this is the book for you.” Here are almost 60 others loved by someone you might never expect. (Comments have been edited for clarity and length.)
—Assists from Claire Ballentine, Ava Benny-Morrison, Taylan Bilgic, Paul Brennan, Krystal Chia, Nikki Ekstein, Hannah Elliott, Lisa Fleisher, Lily Girma, Amanda Gordon, Bei Hu, Kate Krader, Matthew Kronsberg, Francine Lacqua, Janet Lorin, Kari Lundgren, Carolina Millan, Justin Ocean, Evan Ortiz, Joanna Ossinger, Filipe Pacheco, Kati Pohjanpalo, David Ramli, Sarah Rappaport, Chris Rovzar, Jennifer Surane, Gillian Tan, Natalie Wong
Editors: James Gaddy, Chris Rovzar
Photo editors: Leonor Mamanna, Evan Ortiz
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