The book that changed how I see the world is: The Quiet American by Graham Green
"When I was in undergrad, I spent a year at Oxford doing an independent study. There was a used bookstore just downstairs from my flat and as Grahame Greene was something of a local hero, his books were always on sale out front. I ended up becoming addicted to his novels, and as an American abroad, his stories about men, often on a mission of varying degrees of valor and importance in a foreign land really spoke to me. I would later spend a good percentage of my life abroad, but always as an outsider, and the Quiet American was, along with frankly most of his work, always really informed how I viewed my own role in a land that was not my own."
The book I've read more than once (or twice) is: Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart
"Some years ago, the great writer Gary Shteyngart was doing a feature in the New Yorker on his newfound love for wristwatches. He came to my apartment to interview me, and I was just awestruck by how funny he was, and how weirdly interested he was in, well, me, and my little world. His next novel, that came out shortly after that piece was published, was called Lake Success, and watches play an oddly meaningful role in the story. It's a hilarious and insightful look at a part of New York culture that I occasionally have to pretend to be a part of (finance), and there's some great deep-cut watch references in there. Oh, and there may or may not be a character that looks a bit like me."
The book I gift all my friends is: I Don't Want to Talk About it by Terrence Real
"This is a book I wish I didn't have to give to friends, but it is one that changed my life and, frankly, I think the lives of a few good friends of mine. It is something of a self-help book about the mental health of men. About ten years ago, I was going through some really challenging times personally, and a therapist I'd become friendly with recommended I at least give it a read. I did, and not all of it applied to me personally, but the parts that did, explained a whole hell of a lot of how I was feeling. And why so many men – friends, family, co-workers– are the way that they are. If you know any man that's struggling, it's a must read."
The book that reminds me of my childhood is: The Boy Scouts Handbook by The Boy Scouts of America
"There are several cute storybooks that played large roles in my early, early life, but the one book that was constantly by my side in my formative years was the Boy Scout Handbook. I was one of those guys who really did value his time as a Boy Scout – and yes, back then, like now, if i'm going to do something, I'm going to go all the way – so I am indeed an Eagle Scout - judge me how you must. The Boy Scout Handbook is basically a single source of truth for life for how to survive and thrive, at least operationally. It is the ultimate book of hacks – and though I haven't seen a copy in years, it's undoubtedly the book with which I spent the most time in child and young adulthood. Come to think of, now that I live in the country, I should probably get a new copy."
The book that inspired by career is: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
"I've been an Apple die-hard since day 1. And I mean day 1. I grew up in a household that had a fully functioning Apple Lisa on the countertop and a Mac Classic in my bedroom. I think those early days with the computers my dad put in front of me taught me a lot about not only user-oriented design, but simple product creation. Subconsciously or not, I think that time informed how I continue to design products today when we collaborate on limited edition products with the likes of Hermes, Leica, IWC, and Vacheron Constantin. When I applied to Columbia Journalism School – I cited Steve Jobs as one of my personal heroes – and somehow got in. His biography showed just how brilliant and flawed Jobs was. Some years later, I would go on to befriend one of Steve's protege's, Jony Ive through the creation of the Apple Watch – and I can certainly say that without Steve Jobs and Jony Ive, Hodinkee doesn't exist in the way it does today."
The book I never finished (but wanted to) is: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.
"Last fall, I was flying to Singapore for a meeting. For those who don’t know, JFK to SNG is actually the longest commercial flight on earth – something like 19+ hours. I was going there for a single meeting (sincerely), and flying back to the next day. I was in the middle of negotiating the sale of Hodinkee at the time so I was pretty stressed and at the airport, I thought to myself “You know, I’ve never read the Grapes of Wrath, and I could use something to take my mind off of things. So I bought a copy and thought “Hey, I’ve got 38 hours of flying to get through this thing. Turns out, 19 hours on Air Singapore lends to a pretty good nights sleep (or two), and I barely cracked 100 pages. I’ll get there some day. Or not."
If I were an Assouline book, I would be: Watches: A Guide by Hodinkee by Ben Clymer
"There couldn't be another choice, could there? In 2019, my colleagues and I at Hodinkee worked with Assouline to write what we think is the best simple guide to watchmaking in all the land. We used some of our favorite historical images alonside some incredible original photography to illustrate effectively the only watch book someone would ever need. I remain so proud to see in book stores all over the world."