Summer Reading Experience

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, by Mark Haddon
iCon, by Steve Jobbs
Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki
Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson

Contrary to what one might extrapolate from my relatively short reading list this past summer, I am an avid reader. Since I was a young child, I read books as a recreational activity; though this habit has unfortunately waned over time. I used to read and re-read various novels of all genres, some above my level and some below, but all equally enjoyable to myself. Even now, whenever I find the rare opportunity of having free time, my mind seems to draw itself towards its old habits. Take the last book on the list for example, this summer was not the first time I read Treasure Island (probably the 8th or 9th in fact), yet for some reason, almost as soon as summer vacation had begun, I was compelled to pick up this book and revisit the experiences of Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver.

However, the one reading that was most striking in my mind was Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki. The book is an educational narrative intended to teach the reader on how to make money. In using his own life as an example, Kiyosaki talks of his childhood, when he abandoned the advice of his own father for his friend's father, whom he called his own, merely because of the fact that his friend's father was rich and his own was not. This shock was compounded when, upon a little research, I discovered that the author was now bankrupt. Ironically, I continued to read his thoughts on how to create a fortune for myself and I found myself fascinated. I talked about my thoughts on the book with the person who I thought the most qualified in the subject, my father.

Although his job description falls under the category of investment banker, my father has not made his fortune that allowed for my brother and myself to enjoy our lives to the fullest by working within the lines. Through hard-work he has been able to become one of the most sought-after risk managers in Korea. His wealth was increased by his research and investment in the real estate market, along with his safe-spending. My interest in this field led to many discussions with my father about money making, and has consequently resulted in a better understanding of my father’s life as well as a strengthened bond because of this mutual interest between us.

Learning about the real estate market, the stock exchange, the currency exchange, mutual bonds, and how to maximize my assets while minimizing my liabilities really taught me something about myself as well. Up until now, I had been set on a college major related to medicine. My major of choice was not changed by a single summer of reading but this newly-found interest in finance and business has certainly opened up new horizons in my future as I look forward to many more educational readings on this topic. (520)