Many of the people we work with tell us they value not just our diligence and professionalism, but also the personal touch and team chemistry that make working together feel special. In that spirit, we’re pulling back the curtain to share what’s been on our bookshelves lately and why these titles resonated with us. Think of it as an open invitation to browse, discover, and maybe even find your next great read or a thoughtful gift.

Let’s start with my suggestion:
Odds On: The Making of an Evidence-Based Investor by our own Matt Hall is a thoughtful overview of our evidence-based approach, how it reflects academic insights, and how it contrasts with more traditional investing methods.

You may have read it at some point over the past decade, but your friends and family—especially the next generation of investors who were too young when it debuted in 2016—may not have had the chance.

If you or someone you know would like to explore our investing philosophy, we’re happy to share a complimentary copy. There’s no cost or obligation. It’s simply a resource we’re proud to pass along. Just email me and we’ll send one your way. Short on time or attention? Email me for a two-page summary. Prefer audio or Kindle? Those versions are available too.

Now, onto more team favorites for you to explore:

I’ve been leaning hard into fiction lately and found some real gems. Pachinko is an epic family story set in Korea and Japan, surprising and moving in how it explores generational identity. Tom Lake is a beautifully written portrait of family and choices that shape a life. The Night Circus—magical realism, stunning imagery, and an immersive mystery—is pure escape. My latest nonfiction read was Good Morning, Monster: powerful real-life stories of resilience that stay with you.

In fiction, I recently reread A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, a timeless favorite. I also enjoyed The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post (a great example of someone who took the long view). The Favorites is a story about figure skaters I picked up for nostalgic reasons—think The Cutting Edge. Lady Tan’s Circle of Women scratched my historical fiction itch. On the nonfiction side, The Anxious Generation has been especially helpful as a mom looking to support calm and confidence in my kids.

Going Infinite (by Michael Lewis) offers a fascinating look at Sam Bankman-Fried and the broader crypto narrative. It’s a complex profile of someone who became a central figure in one of the biggest financial stories of the decade. For fiction, Project Hail Mary (by the author of The Martian) was a standout, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow might be one of the best books I’ve read in a while. For a lighter beach read: Nora Goes Off Script.

Good Morning, Monster was a recommendation from Matt, and it’s now one of my top five books. It shares a therapist’s most difficult cases—dark, yes, but incredibly insightful. It helped me appreciate how much childhood experiences shape adult life.

A fiction book I recently loved is Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. It follows two childhood friends who reconnect in college and begin designing video games together. What stood out most was the deep, complex relationship between the two main characters, intimate without being romantic. It was refreshing and emotionally rich.

My favorite nonfiction book is Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing. It tells the gripping true story of Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 Antarctic expedition, where his crew endured an unimaginable struggle for survival after their ship was crushed by ice. It’s an unforgettable story of leadership and perseverance.

We’d love to hear what you’re reading, too. If you have a book you’d recommend, please send it our way, along with a short note about why you loved it. With your permission, we may feature your suggestion in an upcoming issue of the Monthly Journal.

In a recent conversation with Charles Kafoglis, he shared a profound realization: it’s time. After years of taking the long view, Charles has decided to retire. Inspired by the wisdom in the book Die With Zero, which encourages us to embrace and maximize the unique opportunities of life’s seasons, Charles is stepping into his next chapter with excitement and purpose.

With his wife, Pattie, Charles plans to explore more of the world, deepen their involvement in non-profit work, and set meaningful new goals—including an ambitious one: running a 10-minute mile on his 80th birthday!

While he will undoubtedly miss the people of Hill, the clients he has served so thoughtfully, and working alongside his son Michael, we know this next season will bring new joys and adventures.

Charles’ departure will be effective at the end of December, and we are committed to making this transition seamless for our clients and team.. We are actively meeting with candidates for this lead position and look forward to an announcement we can share with you soon. In the interim, a combined team at Hill will ensure continuity for all clients. 

We are deeply grateful for Charles’ contribution and wish him a fulfilling and hopeful journey ahead.