Reading with... Bill Rancic

photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez

Bill Rancic is a television personality and the author of You're Hired: How to Succeed in Business and Life, Beyond the Lemonade Stand and I Do, Now What?, which was written with his wife, Giuliana Rancic. Since winning the first season of NBC's The Apprentice, Rancic has become a well-known entrepreneur and motivational speaker. He speaks to businesses and organizations around the world on business-related topics and is a frequent guest on daytime broadcast and cable TV shows such as Today, the View, Rachael Ray and various CNBC programs. His debut novel, First Light, was published by Putnam on November 1, 2016.

On your nightstand now:

The Available Parent by Dr. John Duffy. Because my son, Duke, just turned four, I want to read up on how I can make the fewest mistakes in raising him!

Favorite book when you were a child:

Andrew Henry's Meadow by Doris Burn. It's about adventure, building things and imagination.

Your top five authors:

Harper Lee--I loved To Kill a Mockingbird. Everybody can learn something from Atticus Finch.

John Grisham--The thrill and suspense of his stories amaze me every time I pick up one of his books.

J.D. Salinger--The Catcher in the Rye reminds me of high school.

William Danko--The Millionaire Next Door is a book everyone should read at least once.

Malcolm Gladwell--Outliers: I learned a lot from that book.

Book you've faked reading:

Romeo and Juliet--I read the CliffsNotes to pass tests.

Book you're an evangelist for/book that changed your life:

The Millionaire Next Door is a book I am such an evangelist for you would think I was receiving a profit for each copy sold. I tell everyone to read this book--ask my friends and family. It taught the value of money along with many other great tips on saving and not trying to keep up with the neighbors.

Five Seven books you'll never part with:

The Harry Potter books! I want to pass them on to my son. I can't wait until he's old enough to read them--and I am going to make sure he reads them before he sees the movies!

Book you most want to read again for the first time:

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I barely remember reading it, but I loved the movie, so now I want to go back and read it again.