Pi Labs’ Summer Picks 2024

Summer is the perfect time to slow down, recharge, and explore new interests. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, taking a trip, or just enjoying a quiet evening at home, there’s nothing like a great book, show, or podcast to keep you entertained.

We asked our team at Pi Labs what they’re reading, watching, and listening to this summer and curated a list of their top picks. From engaging stories to insightful perspectives and thought-provoking content, we hope you find something you love in our selections. Enjoy your summer!

Books

1. Ministry of the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson is a fictional but near-realistic account of what might happen on Earth a few decades from now. The Ministry of the Future is set up to protect future generations of inhabitants on Earth. Faisal Butt, Founder & Managing Partner
2. Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson is a fantastic read that really does offer a close and intimate look into the life and mind of the visionary himself. Michael Murad, Partner
3. Indian Summer by Alex von Tunzelmann is for anyone interested in the history of the British Empire and their last few years leading up to the partition of India and Pakistan. Dhruv Gupta, Investment Manager
4. An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong explores the incredible ways animals perceive their surroundings, with senses far beyond human abilities. The book highlights how human activities disrupt these sensory worlds and emphasizes the importance of protecting them. Sarah O’Donoghue, Head of Brand & Marketing
5. Blood & Oil by Bradley Hope and Justin Scheck is a fantastic read on Saudi Arabia and the rise of Mohammed bin Salman. It was originally recommended to me by Michael Murad. Dhruv Gupta, Investment Manager
6. May Contain Lies by Alex Edmans looks at the statistics we reference in our personal and business lives and how many of them are actually misleading. A great resource for challenging your worldview and learning to think critically. Luke Graham, Head of Research
7. Cashing Out by Alexis Sikorsky is the personal account of a Swiss entrepreneur who partnered with private equity to scale his software company to an eventual nine-figure exit. Luke Graham, Head of Research
8. Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier is an essential read. If you find yourself wasting too much time scrolling or struggling to kick your social media habit, this book will help. Varja Jakovleva, EA/Office Assistant
9. Surrounded by idiots by Thomas Erikson— how to get the most out of relationships with your colleagues and learn to take on some of their best traits. Jack Cruise, Investment Intern
10. Foundation (1951) by Isaac Asimov looks at the crumbling of a galactic empire from the perspective of the planet Terminus, located on the Empire’s outer edge. Terminus is home to the Foundation, a community formed by a mathematician who could predict the future and the Empire’s inevitable demise. As the Empire crumbles, the Foundation gains increasing influence through a mixture of atomic power, religion, and economic savvy. Sanober Jakhrani, Brand & Marketing Analyst
11. Atomic Habits by James Clear is a simple, practical guideline on how to keep improving and become the best version of yourself. It applies professionally as well as in other aspects of life, from training to get my PB marathon time to being the best parent for my 3 children. Stefania Ponzo, Partner
12. Black Edge by Sheelah Kolhatkar is an insider’s account of the biggest insider trading case in history involving hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen and his firm, SAC Capital Advisors. It exposes Wall Street's corrupt practices and the difficulty of bringing justice to those who operate above the law. Henry Martin, Business Development Manager.

Podcasts

1. Modern Wisdom by Chris Williamson — Don’t mess with his guests. Pick any episode, and you’ll walk away with a different perspective, new information, or food for thought. Varja Jakovleva, EA/Office Assistant
2. Data-Driven VC: Andre discusses new approaches in VC and how quantitative methods can be applied to generate greater returns and reduce risk. The most interesting of these is the augmented approach, combining traditional venture investment with quantitative methods: the data informs the decisions, but the human makes them. Jack Cruise, Investment Intern
3. Cover Up: Ministry of Secrets: a series of investigative stories that take us on a journey into a world of subterfuge and secrecy — a world where the truth is concealed under a blanket of lies. Sanober Jakhrani, Brand & Marketing Analyst.
4. 10X Capital Podcast is a podcast focused on interviews with the world’s top Venture Capitalists and their Limited Partners. Henry Martin, Business Development Manager

Shows and Documentaries

1. The New Look: Around WWII, set in Paris, focused on the involvement of Dior and Chanel with the Nazis. Very interesting perspective on war history and the role of fashion in post-war revival. Dhruv Gupta, Investment Manager
2. Owning Manhattan: The combination of the high-paced life of real estate and a new age of brokerage in one of the most demanding cities in the world, sprinkled with some unbelievable drama and luxurious apartments. Hugo Silva Partner
3. Giannis: The Marvellous Journey: A documentary about NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. You do not need to know anything about basketball to appreciate his unbelievable journey from poverty in Greece to his stardom in the NBA. Varja Jakovleva, EA/Office Assistant
4. Eric: set in the 1980s of NYC, Vincent, a troubled puppeteer, unravels after his nine-year-old son vanishes, descending into a world of madness and addiction. A thriller for hot summer days, with incredible acting from the cast and a strong storyline that keeps you glued to the screen. Christina Kim, Business Development Analyst
5. Smile: A psychiatrist’s life unravels when a disturbing encounter with a patient exposes her to a relentless evil presence marked by a terrifying grin. Sanober Jakhrani, Brand and Marketing Analyst
6. The Navalny Documentary: Oscar-winning documentary follows Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny as he and his team unravel a plot to poison him with deadly nerve agent novichok. Henry Martin, Busines Development Manager