Words: Gentleman's Journal
Richard Reed, CBE, is a British businessman, investor, and pioneer. He’s the man who first blitzed up your favourite fruit drinks, Innocent Smoothies, and has shaken up British start-ups in a similar way with JamJar investments — the venture capital firm who are backing many of the brands who power our daily lives, from Simba mattresses to Deliveroo.
We asked Reed what titles take pride of place on his bookshelf at home, and how they have helped shape him throughout his life. So, whether it be the book he couldn’t put down as a young boy, or a guide to help him strategise his businesses, here are his choices.
Eating The Big Fish by Adam Morgan
Eating the Big Fish is a book that uses cases studies to show exactly how small start-ups can overtake the big corporate brands to become household names. Something Richard knows a thing or two about by now.
Reed says: “The business book I read while we were setting up Innocent — instrumental in learning how the small can beat the big.”
Any Human Heart by William Boyd
A novel that takes the reader through the twentieth century by following the writer, spy and art-dealer Logan Mountstuart.
Reed says: “One man’s tale beautifully told from start to finish.”
If I Could Tell You Just One Thing by Richard Reed
A collection of life advice from some of the most influential and powerful people in the world, from Bill Clinton to Judi Dench.
Reed says: “Encounters with the world’s most remarkable people and their best piece s of advice.”
Riders by Jilly Cooper
A classic bestseller, Riders takes the lid off international show jumping, a sport where the brave horses are almost human, but the humans behave like animals.
Reed says: “Got me through my GCSEs. Some see it as just a bonk-buster, but the characterisations and storytelling are of the greatest literary standards.”
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
Bringing the old world of civic virtue and sexual inhibition into violent collision with the era of hands-off parenting, do-it-yourself mental healthcare and globalised greed.
Reed says: “The greatest American novel ever written.”
The Calligrapher by Edward Docx
A gripping story of modern-day love and old-fashioned revenge. He is not quite as clever as he thinks he is. She is smarter than she seems.
Reed says: “A London based romantic comedy with darkness, wit and a killer twist.”
The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
On a warm summer night in 1974, six teenagers play at being cool. They smoke pot, drink vodka, share their dreams and vow always to be interesting.
Reed says: “Quietly brilliant novel following a group of friends throughout their lives, which captures the pain, joy, success and failure of human existence.”
The Nix by Nathan Hill
Nathan Hill’s brilliant debut takes the reader from the rural Midwest of the 1960s, to New York City during Occupy Wall Street; from Chicago in 1968, to wartime Norway: home of the mysterious Nix.
Reed says: “Incredible how one novel, so lightly written, could contain so much relevance to the past, present and future.”
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