Weekend Reading: Flash Boys Giveaway Edition
Michael Lewis is one of my favourite financial authors. He has a unique blend of on-the-ground experience (he was a bond trader on Wall Street before resigning to write Liar’s Poker), plus the talent and ability to turn a complex story into a compelling narrative.
His best work, in my opinion, was The Big Short, which explained why the U.S. housing market was propped up on bad loans and how Wall Street designed strange and complicated products to profit from its ultimate demise. The book has now been turned into movie with a star-studded cast:
I can’t wait!
Flash Boys
More recently, Lewis wrote Flash Boys, a book about a small group of Wall Street idealists who realize the stock market has been rigged for the benefit of insiders and high-frequency traders.
One of the traders, RBC’s Brad Katsuyama, tried to design a way to level the playing field and deny high-frequency traders the ability to game the system. He ended up leaving RBC to open his own stock exchange called Investors’ Exchange, or IEX, which last week applied to become a public stock exchange.
I’m about three-quarters of the way through reading Flash Boys and it’s a fascinating story. Once again, Lewis has managed to take a seemingly complex and boring subject and spin it into a page-turning thriller.
The book’s publisher, Norton, sent me an extra copy to give away on the blog. If you want a chance to win a copy of Flash Boys, just leave a comment below and I will draw one winner at random – to be announced in the next edition of Weekend Reading.
Good luck!
This week’s recap
On Monday I looked back at a hypothetical leveraged investment scenario and what might have happened if an investor borrowed to invest in Canadian Oil Sands last year.
On Wednesday Marie explored the real cost of getting married.
And on Friday I explained why I simplified my investment portfolio, switching from dividend stocks to a two-ETF solution.
Weekend reading:
Tim Cestnick continues to provide incredible insight in his column at The Globe and Mail. This article explains how to time the collection of CPP and OAS.
How much are you spending on the little things? Wealthing Like Rabbits author Robert Brown explains why it’s more than you think.
Garry Marr explains everything you need to know about the tax free savings account and the federal election.
Blogger Mark Seed says the TFSA should be one of these three personal finance issues in the election.
Michael James offers three counter-arguments to Mark’s proposed election issues.
Put your keys in the fridge so you don’t forget your groceries (or one weird trick to counter your cognitive biases).
One of the big “safety nets” to people who retire early is that they always have the option to re-enter the work force.
Believe it or not, insurance works, says this investment advisor, who sadly lost her husband at 35 and was left to raise their five-year-old child on her own.
Rob Carrick says it might be time for many Canadians to abandon the 20% down-payment rule.
The bizarre Volkswagon scandal, or diesel-dupe, explained.
In the market for a new car? Never say these five things to a car dealer.
Accountant Dan Wesley gives a useful explanation of how taxes work for severance pay.
Robin Powell explains why investors need to curb their competitive streak.
Finally, Nelson Smith, from Financial Uproar fame, lists 11 personal finance and investing blogs you should be reading.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
I agree that The Big Short was a fascinating read – looking forward to the movie!
Sounds like a great book!
Thanks for the mention Robb, that looks like an interesting book. Best of luck to your Browns tomorrow against the Raiders
I regularly come for your weekend round-up. And the book sounds interesting.
Congrats to Mr Lewis on his success as a writer and thanks to B&E for telling us about him.
This would certainly be both an interesting read and a real eye opener
Definitely looking forward to The Big Short on the Big Screen. I also enjoyed your cautionary tale about leveraging to invest even in a sector that seems like a sure win.
Had some trouble loading fully your website with Firefox.
Flash did load, so Safari it was.
Great weekend list of articles to read.
Thanks
This sounds like a great book!
As someone who has worked as an “active trader” for a discount brokerage, Flash Boys occasionally came up in client conversations. I need to read it and would be pleased to win a copy. Thanks for your weekly recap as well, many of which I have yet to read.
Was not able to access the article on timing of CCP & OAS because of G & M limitations. Was for interest only as I have been receiving CCP for many years and OAS is clawed back.Since claw back of OAS is relatively new I’m surprised it has not been raised during the election.
Would share the book if lucky enough to get it to read.
Regards
Brien
Looking forward to the film. It’s amazing the rigging tha occurs in many financial markets.
Thanks for the mention! I haven’t read any Michael Lewis, but it sounds like I should check him out.
John
I would like to read Flash Boys!
Rob Carrick’s article has me scratching my head. Why doesn’t he even mention (or run the numbers) that prices may go down?
The book sounds intriguing. Put me in the draw for it. Lliking forward to the movie as well.
Thanks
Andrew G.
Sounds like a fascinating read. I enjoyed the big short.
I really enjoy your weekend reading editions.
I’ve got an e-copy of the book and hope to read it this fall/winter.
Thanks for the mention Robb. I always appreciate your support.
Mark
Another week of great information.
Thanks
thanks for the recommendation of another great read! Also looking forward to “The Big Short”>
As always, an interesting and informative weekend round-up. The Big Short and Flash Boys both sound great. I too love what Michael Lewis has written and I’m in “need” of a good book to read right now!
I would love to become an “insider to the insiders” and look forward to reading The Big Short.
Cheers,
DQ
Sounds like a good read, so hope I win Flash Boys. I enjoy your Weekend Reading.
Hope to win a copy of Flash Boys
looking forwrd to the Flash Boys.
would appreciate the opportunity to win a copy of Flash Boys and I have added The Big Short to my December viewing list. Thanks for all the valuable information you gather and so kindly share.
Sounds like an interesting read!
I am trying hard to improve my financial knowledge and am sure this book could help me.
I enjoy B&E, keep up the relevant research and writing.
The book sounds good
Sounds like a interesting book
Would love to read this book!
I have been unable to find this book at the library. Winning a copy would be wonderful. I have been looking forward to reading this book for quite a while now.
I would love this book =-)
Would be interested in reading this book.
The book sounds interesting.
Should be an interesting read…..even if I believe returns on the market can improve if we actually do some research. Thanks.
Thanks for the chance to win this book and always providing great info!
Weekend reading is my favourite column.
Always interested in Lewis book!
Sounds very interesting. Looking forward to reading it someday.
Your weekend list line up eliminates having to search various sources for interesting articles. This weekend has at least five ‘must read’ articles for me. A valuable e-mail
Heard about “The big short” and look forward to see it.
Mario
Count me in for the book! Sounds like a very interesting read.
Seems like a good read! I am definitely looking forward to “The Big Short”.
Please add my name to the List. Sounds like an interesting book.
I’m looking forward to the movie. No need to enter me in the draw (I’ve read the book). Thanks for the mention.
Put me in the draw please. Looking forward to the movie