Literary Masterpieces

I deeply enjoy non-fiction. How can you not? Real life is sooo scandelous.

And, well, useful.

This lives under Bronthie Socialité because cultivated presence is not only visual. It is intellectual.

These are my selected works of wisdom. Literary masterpieces which have influenced my thinking. Some which have allowed me into conversations I would not have entered without a certain level of presence and meaningful intellectual contribution.

Some of the works were brought to my attention by industry leaders, others by those who navigate life's challenges with strategic thinking. Some of my intelligence begins here. Those who work with me in Bronthie Socialité receive not just life-altering knowledge, but distilled perspective shaped by sources like these.

Remember, reading is fun... and it's most fun when it builds a more dangerous mind.

On life, power, and human behavior

• The 33 Strategies of War - Robert Greene

• Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter - Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson

  • Yes... really. You will be wonderfully surprised.

• The 48 Laws of Power  - Robert Greene

• Human Nature - Robert Greene

• Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life - Francesc Miralles and Héctor García

• Outliers - Malcom Gladwell

 On marketing and perception

• Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind - Al Ries, Jack Trout, Philip Kotler

• Kotler on Marketing - Philip Kotler

• Selling the Invisible: A Field Guide to Modern Marketing - Harry Beckwith

• One Great Insight Is Worth a Thousand Good Ideas: An Advertising Hall-of-Famer Reveals the Most Powerful Secret in Business - Phil Dusenberry

• To Sell is Human - Daniel Pink

• McDonald's Behind the Arches - John F. Love

• When McKinsey Comes to Town: The Hidden Influence of the World's Most Powerful Consulting Firm - Walt Bogdanich, Michael Forsythe

Building your thinking and leadership muscle

• Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know - Adam Grant

• Start with Why - Simon Sinek

• Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less - Leidy Klotz

• Sex, Lies and Handwriting - Michelle Dresbold, James Kwalwasser

Fine. Some fiction too.

Only because Frieda McFadden is, well, Freida McFadden.

• The Tenant

• The Boyfriend

• One by One

• Brain Damage

  • P.S. Please don't start with 'The Housemaid'.

Cooking brings me great joy. It might bring you joy too.

• Listen To Your Vegetables: Italian-Inspired Recipes for Every Season - Sarah Grueneburg (native Houstonian, owner of Monteverde in Chicago, can do no wrong)

• The Lula Cafe Cookbook: Collected Recipes and Stories - Jason Hammel

"That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet" by author Jhumpa Lahiri.