As for my reading, I enjoy reading books that relate to economic development, focussing on non-economic components, urban sociology, foreign policy, finance, and healthcare. I have discovered, as an economic development specialist, that many non-economic forces determine economic outcome. Paul Krugman, Milton Friedman, Harry Browne, Jane Jacobs, Wes Jackson, and Jane Orient have written excellent books dealing with this potpourri of interests.

Lately, I've become interested in the role of neoconservatism and its influence on foreign policy, banking, and domestic government programs. I'm interested both in its philosophical base, from the late Prof. Leo Strauss of the University of Chicago, to its applications from people such as Dick Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz, and Douglas Feith.

I have found reading fulfilling not only in keeping up with my academic interests but also in staying on a budget. Ebay and Abebooks are two great internet sites that list hard-to-find books at reasonable prices.