Soul In The Game: The Art of a Meaningful Life

As any avid reader will know, there are periods where it becomes surprisingly difficult to find something new worth reading. Recommendations begin to follow familiar patterns and you find yourself waiting for something to genuinely catch your attention.

I’d been in one of those stretches recently when I came across an interview with Vitaliy Katsenelson on the Excess Returns podcast. During the conversation he mentioned a couple of his books and, given I was on the lookout for something new, I decided to give Soul in the Game: The Art of a Meaningful Life a listen.

The best compliment I can probably give the book, which would hopefully be well received by the author, is that it reads like it’s written by a normal person. Despite running his own investment firm, the tone, ideas and general style of the book feel wonderfully grounded and relatable.

He explains during the introduction that the book is a collection of writings over the years just as a pre-warning in case the reader finds the sequencing at any time disorientating. That said, even with that caveat, I thought the book flowed well and felt coherent throughout.

Whilst I probably can’t claim to love classical music as much as Katsenelson, I do have a fairly eclectic musical taste myself. Much to my girlfriend’s bewilderment at times, I often listen to classical piano when in deep focus, reading or just seeking to unwind. That being the case, I quite enjoyed the sections on classical music and exploring the history of classical composers.

The book moves comfortably across a number of themes, from classical music and composers through to Stoicism and broader reflections on building a life and career centred around what truly matters. Rather than focusing purely on professional success, Katsenelson leans more towards ideas of fulfilment, meaning and living deliberately.

The title itself reflects that the author is writing from within the journey rather than looking back at it from a finished point. He’s still actively applying the ideas he discusses and striving to build a meaningful life, rather than presenting himself as someone who has already figured everything out. That interpretation isn’t just mine; it’s something he touches on towards the end of the book.

If anything, it leaves you hoping there might be a follow up five or ten years down the line to see how those ideas continue to evolve.

Despite being written by an investor, this isn’t an investment book. Whilst Katsenelson’s earlier works focus on investing, Soul in the Game sits much more comfortably in the realm of life philosophy and personal reflection.

It’s the sort of book you could pick up at almost any time, though it also feels like one worth revisiting occasionally or bringing along as a thoughtful holiday read.

Who’s It For?

Whilst I think plenty of readers could take something from this book, it will probably resonate most with those who have reached midlife, achieved a degree of success professionally or personally, and have started to think more deeply about meaning beyond the traditional markers of success.

Parents in particular will likely find many of the reflections relatable, and occasionally quite amusing.