author: Peter Frampton
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.40
book published:
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2025/02/02
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At the age of thirty-six, on the verge of completing a decade's worth of training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. One day he was a doctor treating the dying, and the next he was a patient struggling to live. And just like that, the future he and his wife had imagined evaporated. When Breath Becomes Air chronicles Kalanithi's transformation from a naïve medical student "possessed," as he wrote, "by the question of what, given that all organisms die, makes a virtuous and meaningful life" into a neurosurgeon at Stanford working in the brain, the most critical place for human identity, and finally into a patient and new father confronting his own mortality.
What makes life worth living in the face of death? What do you do when the future, no longer a ladder toward your goals in life, flattens out into a perpetual present? What does it mean to have a child, to nurture a new life as another fades away? These are some of the questions Kalanithi wrestles with in this profoundly moving, exquisitely observed memoir.
Paul Kalanithi died in March 2015, while working on this book, yet his words live on as a guide and a gift to us all. "I began to realize that coming face to face with my own mortality, in a sense, had changed nothing and everything," he wrote. "Seven words from Samuel Beckett began to repeat in my head: 'I can't go on. I'll go on.'" When Breath Becomes Air is an unforgettable, life-affirming reflection on the challenge of facing death and on the relationship between doctor and patient, from a brilliant writer who became both.]]>
author: Paul Kalanithi
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.41
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2025/01/04
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After decades of research, world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., discovered a simple but groundbreaking idea: the power of mindset. In this brilliant book, she shows how success in school, work, sports, the arts, and almost every area of human endeavor can be dramatically influenced by how we think about our talents and abilities. People with a fixed mindset � those who believe that abilities are fixed � are less likely to flourish than those with a growth mindset � those who believe that abilities can be developed. Mindset reveals how great parents, teachers, managers, and athletes can put this idea to use to foster outstanding accomplishment.
In this edition, Dweck offers new insights into her now famous and broadly embraced concept. She introduces a phenomenon she calls false growth mindset and guides people toward adopting a deeper, truer growth mindset. She also expands the mindset concept beyond the individual, applying it to the cultures of groups and organizations. With the right mindset, you can motivate those you lead, teach, and love � to transform their lives and your own.]]>
author: Carol S. Dweck
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/12/04
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"Anyone will tell you the born of this world are marked from the get-out, win or lose."
Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, this is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father's good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. In a plot that never pauses for breath, relayed in his own unsparing voice, he braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in a popular culture where even the superheroes have abandoned rural people in favor of cities.
Many generations ago, Charles Dickens wrote David Copperfield from his experience as a survivor of institutional poverty and its damages to children in his society. Those problems have yet to be solved in ours. Dickens is not a prerequisite for readers of this novel, but he provided its inspiration. In transposing a Victorian epic novel to the contemporary American South, Barbara Kingsolver enlists Dickens' anger and compassion, and above all, his faith in the transformative powers of a good story. Demon Copperhead speaks for a new generation of lost boys, and all those born into beautiful, cursed places they can't imagine leaving behind.]]>
author: Barbara Kingsolver
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.46
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/07/15
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In a future in which the world is run by the Board of Corporations, King’s daughter, Athena, reckons with his legacy—literally, for he has given her access to his memories, among other questionable gifts.
With climate change raging, Athena has come to believe that saving the planet and its Shareholders will require a radical act of communion—and so she sets out to tell the truth to the world’s Shareholders, in entrancing sensory detail, about King’s childhood on a South Indian coconut plantation; his migration to the U.S. to study engineering in a world transformed by globalization; his marriage to the ambitious artist with whom he changed the world; and, ultimately, his invention, under self-exile, of the most ambitious creation of his life—Athena herself.
The Immortal King Rao, written by a former Wall Street Journal technology reporter, is a resonant debut novel obliterating the boundaries between literary and speculative fiction, the historic and the dystopian, confronting how we arrived at the age of technological capitalism and where our actions might take us next.]]>
author: Vauhini Vara
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2023/12/31
date added: 2023/12/31
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The census isn’t simply data; it’s a ritual of American democracy. And behind every neat grid of numbers is a messy human story―you just have to know how to read it.
In Democracy’s Data , the data historian Dan Bouk examines the crucial 1940 census, uncovering what those numbers both condense and cleverly a universe of meaning and uncertainty, of cultural negotiation and political struggle. He introduces us to the individuals employed as census takers, bringing us with them as they go door-to-door to make a detailed yet imperfect record of their neighbors� lives. He takes us into the makeshift halls of the Census Bureau, where hundreds of civil servants labored with pencils, paper, and machines to divide and conquer the nation’s data. And he uses a series of data points to paint bigger pictures about the systems that govern us, such as the unchecked influence of white supremacy, the place of queer people within straight systems, and the struggle of ordinary people to be seen by the state as they see themselves.
In our age of constant quantification, Democracy’s Data teaches us how to read between the lines, and renews our perspective on the relationships between representation, identity, and governance.]]>
author: Dan Bouk
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.45
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2023/12/23
date added: 2023/12/31
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Celebrated by critics around the world, The Vegetarian is a darkly allegorical, Kafka-esque tale of power, obsession, and one woman’s struggle to break free from the violence both without and within her.]]>
As a vegetarian myself, I found this book intriguing but also incredibly frustrating. I felt like I could relate to the Yeong-hye's averseness to meat and the confused commentary her friends and family make, but at no point does she defend her choices or make a really concerted effort to explain her change of heart. Further, none of the three parts of this book are told from her perspective; rather it is the voices and opinions of those in opposition, casting a negative light on the protagonist despite her noble pursuit. Yeong-hye is abandoned by her husband, force-fed meat by her father, abused by her sister's husband, and caged in a hospital where she is injected with medicines. It's difficult not to see the harrowing comparison between her experiences and that of the animals that are slaughtered daily for mass consumption. This book is a great read for those in search of a dark but vivid fiction novel about a woman's struggle to control her destiny.]]>
author: Han Kang
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 2023/12/04
date added: 2023/12/09
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In "The Vegetarian", protagonist Yeong-hye suddenly begins to have gruesome dreams which convince her to abdicate the consumption of meat. She maintains her resolve despite enduring harsh backlash from her loved ones. Unfortunately the dreams persist, and she spirals into increasingly manic states of mind before eventually succumbing to life in a psychiatric ward.
As a vegetarian myself, I found this book intriguing but also incredibly frustrating. I felt like I could relate to the Yeong-hye's averseness to meat and the confused commentary her friends and family make, but at no point does she defend her choices or make a really concerted effort to explain her change of heart. Further, none of the three parts of this book are told from her perspective; rather it is the voices and opinions of those in opposition, casting a negative light on the protagonist despite her noble pursuit. Yeong-hye is abandoned by her husband, force-fed meat by her father, abused by her sister's husband, and caged in a hospital where she is injected with medicines. It's difficult not to see the harrowing comparison between her experiences and that of the animals that are slaughtered daily for mass consumption. This book is a great read for those in search of a dark but vivid fiction novel about a woman's struggle to control her destiny.
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A reflection on corruptive European colonialism and a journey into the nightmare psyche of one of the corrupted, Heart of Darkness is considered one of the most influential works ever written.]]>
This novel is deceptively short. The details of the story are not always explicit, so to truly understand the plot I had to do a lot of re-reading and inferencing between sentences. That being said, this book contains many familiar themes regarding colonialism, savagery, and morality (similar in many ways to those seen in Lord of the Flies). The narrator grapples with what he sees in the Congo, namely the enslavement of locals and the brutal working conditions assigned by the Company. Despite the terrible treatment, the locals never lashed out. Even on the journey up the Congo River when indigenous tribes attacked the steamboat, the "cannibals" remained calm compared to the quick-to-react pilgrims. On the contrary, Kurtz, who is perceived in such high regard by many, turns out to have committed gross atrocities to acquire his ivory. It begs the question which society is more civilized, Europeans or natives, and whether the wilderness plays a part in the unravelling of the colonists moral compass. A fascinating but tricky read, I'd recommend this book for those looking to revisit classic themes with an unexpected ending.]]>
author: Joseph Conrad
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.43
book published: 1899
rating: 3
read at: 2023/11/28
date added: 2023/12/05
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In "Heart of Darkness" a sailor by the name of Marlow recounts his time in the Congo as a steamboat operator for an ivory trading company. He describes his adventure to find Kurtz, a Company man with a mixed reputation, and the perils he faces along the way.
This novel is deceptively short. The details of the story are not always explicit, so to truly understand the plot I had to do a lot of re-reading and inferencing between sentences. That being said, this book contains many familiar themes regarding colonialism, savagery, and morality (similar in many ways to those seen in Lord of the Flies). The narrator grapples with what he sees in the Congo, namely the enslavement of locals and the brutal working conditions assigned by the Company. Despite the terrible treatment, the locals never lashed out. Even on the journey up the Congo River when indigenous tribes attacked the steamboat, the "cannibals" remained calm compared to the quick-to-react pilgrims. On the contrary, Kurtz, who is perceived in such high regard by many, turns out to have committed gross atrocities to acquire his ivory. It begs the question which society is more civilized, Europeans or natives, and whether the wilderness plays a part in the unravelling of the colonists moral compass. A fascinating but tricky read, I'd recommend this book for those looking to revisit classic themes with an unexpected ending.
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Though much of Housel's guidance may seem common-sense to some (avoid emotional investing, live frugally, don't take on too much debt), I felt it served as a timely and impactful reminder to take care in managing wealth especially against the context he provides surrounding consumer behaviors in America. Housel frequently referenced bureau data and historical events to tell a story about how we came to think about money. The tone of the book was casual and convincing, and every anecdote was purposeful. I especially liked the postscript, which provided an analytical justification of American psychology as it relates to money from WWII all the way to present day. This to me was the most interesting and thought-provoking part of the book, in which he described how consumers interacted with money given the political and socio-economic landscape of each decade throughout the 20th century. I'd strongly recommend this book for anyone looking for a better relationship with money or is simply curious about the drivers of American history that have led to our current financial mindset.]]>
author: Morgan Housel
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2023/11/21
date added: 2023/11/22
shelves:
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In "The Psychology of Money", author Morgan Housel explains the importance of having a sound mentality when handling money to achieve financial success. He describes various psychological fallacies that cause the average consumer to make poor financial choices and offers solutions to combat these patterns.
Though much of Housel's guidance may seem common-sense to some (avoid emotional investing, live frugally, don't take on too much debt), I felt it served as a timely and impactful reminder to take care in managing wealth especially against the context he provides surrounding consumer behaviors in America. Housel frequently referenced bureau data and historical events to tell a story about how we came to think about money. The tone of the book was casual and convincing, and every anecdote was purposeful. I especially liked the postscript, which provided an analytical justification of American psychology as it relates to money from WWII all the way to present day. This to me was the most interesting and thought-provoking part of the book, in which he described how consumers interacted with money given the political and socio-economic landscape of each decade throughout the 20th century. I'd strongly recommend this book for anyone looking for a better relationship with money or is simply curious about the drivers of American history that have led to our current financial mindset.
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They are an unlikely pair: George is "small and quick and dark of face"; Lennie, a man of tremendous size, has the mind of a young child. Yet they have formed a "family," clinging together in the face of loneliness and alienation. Laborers in California's dusty vegetable fields, they hustle work when they can, living a hand-to-mouth existence. But George and Lennie have a plan: to own an acre of land and a shack they can call their own.
While the powerlessness of the laboring class is a recurring theme in Steinbeck's work of the late 1930s, he narrowed his focus when composing Of Mice and Men, creating an intimate portrait of two men facing a world marked by petty tyranny, misunderstanding, jealousy, and callousness. But though the scope is narrow, the theme is universal: a friendship and a shared dream that makes an individual's existence meaningful.
A unique perspective on life's hardships, this story has achieved the status of timeless classic due to its remarkable success as a novel, a Broadway play, and three acclaimed films.]]>
This book was a quick read but had some concerning themes (I suppose that was the point). A vivid story set in not-to-long-ago California reveals some troubling behaviors, including violence, racism, and animal abuse. Some details are particularly gruesome, especially those depicting Lenny's interactions with various animals. I personally found them to be upsetting, and I'm not sure I took away any insights other than resounding shock. It's an interesting novel, but I'd advise caution for innocent imaginations.]]>
author: John Steinbeck
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.88
book published: 1937
rating: 3
read at: 2023/11/14
date added: 2023/11/21
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In "Of Mice and Men", Lenny and George look for work in rural America after having to flee a prior employer. Once hired, they struggle to avoid both the heated confrontations with the hot-headed boss and the subtle advances of the boss's wife.
This book was a quick read but had some concerning themes (I suppose that was the point). A vivid story set in not-to-long-ago California reveals some troubling behaviors, including violence, racism, and animal abuse. Some details are particularly gruesome, especially those depicting Lenny's interactions with various animals. I personally found them to be upsetting, and I'm not sure I took away any insights other than resounding shock. It's an interesting novel, but I'd advise caution for innocent imaginations.
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Thoreau's writing is typical of 19th century prose, consisting of long sentences and older English vernacular. This made it difficult to comprehend; I frequently found myself re-reading passages. However, Thoreau's narration is stunningly detailed and introspective. Throughout the book he observes everything in the forest, from the ant colonies near his home to the way the ice freezes over the lake in the winter. He even provides a detailed calculation of the cost of materials to build his home and grow his own crops in the forest, explaining that the equivalent in the city would result in a negative annual balance and that he is able to afford a better lifestyle by living frugally. Though it is a tough read, I'd recommend Walden as a reminder to live in the present and smell the roses along the way.]]>
author: Henry David Thoreau
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.77
book published: 1854
rating: 3
read at: 2023/11/07
date added: 2023/11/10
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In "Walden", Henry David Thoreau recounts his experience leaving the bustling city to live in the woods near Walden Pond for 2 years. He lives off the land and reflects on the beauty of the nature surrounding him, narrating his appreciation for the solitude the forest offers.
Thoreau's writing is typical of 19th century prose, consisting of long sentences and older English vernacular. This made it difficult to comprehend; I frequently found myself re-reading passages. However, Thoreau's narration is stunningly detailed and introspective. Throughout the book he observes everything in the forest, from the ant colonies near his home to the way the ice freezes over the lake in the winter. He even provides a detailed calculation of the cost of materials to build his home and grow his own crops in the forest, explaining that the equivalent in the city would result in a negative annual balance and that he is able to afford a better lifestyle by living frugally. Though it is a tough read, I'd recommend Walden as a reminder to live in the present and smell the roses along the way.
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The Analects are a collection of Confucius’s sayings brought together by his pupils shortly after his death in 497 BC. Together they express a philosophy, or a moral code, by which Confucius, one of the most humane thinkers of all time, believed everyone should live. Upholding the ideals of wisdom, self-knowledge, courage and love of one’s fellow man, he argued that the pursuit of virtue should be every individual’s supreme goal. And, while following the Way, or the truth, might not result in immediate or material gain, Confucius showed that it could nevertheless bring its own powerful and lasting spiritual rewards.
This edition contains a detailed introduction exploring the concepts of the original work, a bibliography and glossary and appendices on Confucius himself, The Analects and the disciples who compiled them.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.]]>
Much of this book consists of seemingly random aphorisms. The introduction was a helpful primer, but the anecdotes themselves were difficult to decipher. This is expected given much of the original text has been lost to time. An interesting read with the occasional insight, I'd look elsewhere for a more thought-provoking ethical treatise.]]>
author: Confucius
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.83
book published: -475
rating: 3
read at: 2023/10/16
date added: 2023/11/10
shelves:
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In "The Analects", what remains of Confucius's teachings are compiled into 20 books. These books are comprised of short stories and quotes from the life of Confucius, illustrating the central importance of benevolence as the key indicator to moral righteousness.
Much of this book consists of seemingly random aphorisms. The introduction was a helpful primer, but the anecdotes themselves were difficult to decipher. This is expected given much of the original text has been lost to time. An interesting read with the occasional insight, I'd look elsewhere for a more thought-provoking ethical treatise.
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On a bitter-cold day, in the December of his junior year at Harvard, Sam Masur exits a subway car and sees, amid the hordes of people waiting on the platform, Sadie Green. He calls her name. For a moment, she pretends she hasn't heard him, but then, she turns, and a game begins: a legendary collaboration that will launch them to stardom. These friends, intimates since childhood, borrow money, beg favors, and, before even graduating college, they have created their first blockbuster, Ichigo. Overnight, the world is theirs. Not even twenty-five years old, Sam and Sadie are brilliant, successful, and rich, but these qualities won't protect them from their own creative ambitions or the betrayals of their hearts.
Spanning thirty years, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Venice Beach, California, and lands in between and far beyond, Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a dazzling and intricately imagined novel that examines the multifarious nature of identity, disability, failure, the redemptive possibilities in play, and above all, our need to connect: to be loved and to love. Yes, it is a love story, but it is not one you have read before.]]>
The writing in this book is full of imagery and emotion. The author did a beautiful job of describing Sadie and Sam's everyday lives, which served as the basis for some really strong character development throughout the novel. The author also expanded on the thoughts, biases, and motives behind each of the characters during key moments in their journey to success, making them both lovable but also fallible (and therefore more relatable). This made it difficult to pick sides when the protagonists were at odds, making the ramifications of their occasional bitterness towards one another all the more frustrating. Yet the two always found a way to make up, and in the end I couldn't help but feel their emotions were ultimately understandable and even somewhat justified given their circumstances.
I especially appreciated the author's approach to the exploration of love as an overarching theme. I found the platonic friendship between Sadie and Sam to be refreshing, and I really liked that the author introduced a number of non-conventional relationships throughout the story. But by far the most intriguing commentary of love was in the video games themselves. The protagonists ponder the importance of love in the simulation, which in parallel begs the question of its role in the real world. They then extend this introspection to what lies beyond the field of gameplay in the black, un-pixelated nothingness, boldly confronting the idea of love beyond life. Their inquiry into the need for love, despite how openly and honestly the characters express their feelings in earlier parts of the book, further emphasizes the state of mind of the protagonists as they grapple with the harsh realities of their life which are conveniently absent from the virtual gameworld.
The plot itself was full of surprises from start to finish. The author managed to tie all the loose ends together and provided a sense of closure and satisfaction. Though I myself am not a gamer, I easily resonated with the story of two kids sharing a passion for video games and then chasing their dreams to become video game designers. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a modern rags-to-riches story infused with a variety of subplots related to love, death, entrepreneurship, and friendship.]]>
author: Gabrielle Zevin
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2023/03/01
date added: 2023/10/26
shelves:
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"Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" is a story about how two childhood friends (Sadie and Sam) reconnect in a new city after many years. Their shared passion for gaming leads them to collaborate and eventually create world-renowned video games. But despite their successes, the characters have to navigate many unexpected twists and turns which often tests the mettle of their friendship.
The writing in this book is full of imagery and emotion. The author did a beautiful job of describing Sadie and Sam's everyday lives, which served as the basis for some really strong character development throughout the novel. The author also expanded on the thoughts, biases, and motives behind each of the characters during key moments in their journey to success, making them both lovable but also fallible (and therefore more relatable). This made it difficult to pick sides when the protagonists were at odds, making the ramifications of their occasional bitterness towards one another all the more frustrating. Yet the two always found a way to make up, and in the end I couldn't help but feel their emotions were ultimately understandable and even somewhat justified given their circumstances.
I especially appreciated the author's approach to the exploration of love as an overarching theme. I found the platonic friendship between Sadie and Sam to be refreshing, and I really liked that the author introduced a number of non-conventional relationships throughout the story. But by far the most intriguing commentary of love was in the video games themselves. The protagonists ponder the importance of love in the simulation, which in parallel begs the question of its role in the real world. They then extend this introspection to what lies beyond the field of gameplay in the black, un-pixelated nothingness, boldly confronting the idea of love beyond life. Their inquiry into the need for love, despite how openly and honestly the characters express their feelings in earlier parts of the book, further emphasizes the state of mind of the protagonists as they grapple with the harsh realities of their life which are conveniently absent from the virtual gameworld.
The plot itself was full of surprises from start to finish. The author managed to tie all the loose ends together and provided a sense of closure and satisfaction. Though I myself am not a gamer, I easily resonated with the story of two kids sharing a passion for video games and then chasing their dreams to become video game designers. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a modern rags-to-riches story infused with a variety of subplots related to love, death, entrepreneurship, and friendship.
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Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, following our dreams.]]>
Unlike some literature favorites, this book was a quick and easy read with a very clear theme. I'm a fan of the old-world, Aladdin-esque rags-to-riches trope like the one imagined in this fable. The protagonist is easy to root for, persevering through the harsh and deceptive world while maintaining his inquisitive but ever-innocent boyish view of reality. There is no shortage of quotable tidbits of knowledge throughout the novel ("There is only one way to learn...through action"), serving as a constant reminder both for the young shepherd and the reader alike to seize life's daily opportunities. I'd recommend this classic for anyone in search of a short book with a timeless message to enjoy the journey of life, wherever it may take us.]]>
author: Paulo Coelho
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.01
book published: 1988
rating: 0
read at: 2023/10/04
date added: 2023/10/06
shelves:
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In "The Alchemist", a young shepherd renounces his livelihood to pursue his "Personal Legend" of finding a treasure in Egypt after speaking to a mysterious king. He encounters many landscapes and societies throughout his expedition, including an alchemist who encourages him to better understand "The Soul of the World" in order to achieve his goals.
Unlike some literature favorites, this book was a quick and easy read with a very clear theme. I'm a fan of the old-world, Aladdin-esque rags-to-riches trope like the one imagined in this fable. The protagonist is easy to root for, persevering through the harsh and deceptive world while maintaining his inquisitive but ever-innocent boyish view of reality. There is no shortage of quotable tidbits of knowledge throughout the novel ("There is only one way to learn...through action"), serving as a constant reminder both for the young shepherd and the reader alike to seize life's daily opportunities. I'd recommend this classic for anyone in search of a short book with a timeless message to enjoy the journey of life, wherever it may take us.
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At first I felt "Sapiens" read too much like a world history textbook, but I quickly learned to appreciate the author's approach to this topic. Harari doesn't just list out discoveries and established theories, he uses these insights to imagine how our biological ancestors conducted themselves as individuals and communities. Through his story-telling and illustrations, he synthesizes an image of what life may have looked like thousands of years in the past and applies deductive reasoning to determine the drivers of change at each stage of the Homo Sapien evolutionary journey. I particularly enjoyed Harari's inquisitive commentary, especially regarding the emergent properties of civilization (social norms, religion, etc) and the possibilities (albeit mostly bleak/problematic to nature) of the future. I'd strongly recommend this book to those looking for a comprehensive but simultaneously detailed depiction of human history with thought-provoking questions about how we came to be.]]>
author: Yuval Noah Harari
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2023/09/24
date added: 2023/09/26
shelves:
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In "Sapiens", Yuval Noah Harari offers a historical overview of the evolution of the human race. He references archeological evidence, ancient texts, and research studies to draw conclusions about how humans went from being quiet, insignificant animals to the world's most culturally and technologically dominant species over the span of ~70,000 years. He also reflects on the negative side effects of humanity's speedy rise to the top of the food chain, such as global warming and reduced biodiversity, and ponders the possible long-term effects on the planet should this rate of progress sustain.
At first I felt "Sapiens" read too much like a world history textbook, but I quickly learned to appreciate the author's approach to this topic. Harari doesn't just list out discoveries and established theories, he uses these insights to imagine how our biological ancestors conducted themselves as individuals and communities. Through his story-telling and illustrations, he synthesizes an image of what life may have looked like thousands of years in the past and applies deductive reasoning to determine the drivers of change at each stage of the Homo Sapien evolutionary journey. I particularly enjoyed Harari's inquisitive commentary, especially regarding the emergent properties of civilization (social norms, religion, etc) and the possibilities (albeit mostly bleak/problematic to nature) of the future. I'd strongly recommend this book to those looking for a comprehensive but simultaneously detailed depiction of human history with thought-provoking questions about how we came to be.
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When Nora Seed finds herself in the Midnight Library, she has a chance to make things right. Up until now, her life has been full of misery and regret. She feels she has let everyone down, including herself. But things are about to change.
The books in the Midnight Library enable Nora to live as if she had done things differently. With the help of an old friend, she can now undo every one of her regrets as she tries to work out her perfect life. But things aren't always what she imagined they'd be, and soon her choices place the library and herself in extreme danger.
Before time runs out, she must answer the ultimate question: what is the best way to live?]]>
There are so many emotional ups and downs in this book. Nora's outlook begins extremely bleak, but the tone of her narration turns increasingly uplifting as she accumulates the experiences of her multiversal selves. The commentary on the need for human connection, especially as a partial (or in some cases, total) antidote to depression, felt appropriate and relevant. I particularly like how Nora suddenly grasps the extent of her impact on others by visiting friends, neighbors, and students in alternate timelines and realizing that in many cases they are worse off without her presence. She also acknowledges (albeit after many iterations of life-skipping) that she has the capability to accomplish anything so long as she commits to the task at hand. It's a moving message to the audience that we matter, more than we know, and that we can live any life we want to live, we just have to start living. This story is a timely reminder of the importance of seizing our opportunities and cherishing the present moment, and I'd recommend this book for anyone looking for fascinating science fiction with an ending that has a worthwhile payoff.]]>
author: Matt Haig
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2023/09/11
date added: 2023/09/13
shelves:
review:
In "The Midnight Library", protagonist Nora Seed becomes disgruntled with her life and decides to end things. She then enters a space between life and death (known as the Midnight Library) where she can choose to adopt any version of her life by simply "checking out" a book, the only caveat being that if the selected timeline is unsatisfying, she will return to the library. Nora visits many variations of her existence, ultimately coming to the realization that her presence in the world is noticed and that she has the power to lead a fulfilling life.
There are so many emotional ups and downs in this book. Nora's outlook begins extremely bleak, but the tone of her narration turns increasingly uplifting as she accumulates the experiences of her multiversal selves. The commentary on the need for human connection, especially as a partial (or in some cases, total) antidote to depression, felt appropriate and relevant. I particularly like how Nora suddenly grasps the extent of her impact on others by visiting friends, neighbors, and students in alternate timelines and realizing that in many cases they are worse off without her presence. She also acknowledges (albeit after many iterations of life-skipping) that she has the capability to accomplish anything so long as she commits to the task at hand. It's a moving message to the audience that we matter, more than we know, and that we can live any life we want to live, we just have to start living. This story is a timely reminder of the importance of seizing our opportunities and cherishing the present moment, and I'd recommend this book for anyone looking for fascinating science fiction with an ending that has a worthwhile payoff.
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In prose that is at once frank, entertaining, and deeply informed, The New Yorker writer Elizabeth Kolbert tells us why and how human beings have altered life on the planet in a way no species has before. Interweaving research in half a dozen disciplines, descriptions of the fascinating species that have already been lost, and the history of extinction as a concept, Kolbert provides a moving and comprehensive account of the disappearances occurring before our very eyes. She shows that the sixth extinction is likely to be mankind's most lasting legacy, compelling us to rethink the fundamental question of what it means to be human.]]>
I never particularly enjoyed studying taxonomy (or any sort of biology for that matter) but I enjoyed reading about the studies Kolbert described and the learnings gleaned from them. I knew plants and animals have generally had to adapt to accommodate human behavior, but I had no idea how drastic of a change some species have had to make (as temperatures rise, some tree families effectively "move" uphill because previous regions are no longer conducive to growth). Kolbert also provided plenty of data points, scientific reasoning, and anecdotes from her international ventures to explain exactly why the planet is experiencing an unprecedented drop in biodiversity. Her descriptive and often witty storytelling, paired with the root-cause analysis of extinction risk for impacted taxonomic groups, served as unquestionable evidence for an already compelling argument to address climate change. Kolbert's commentary is an endearing voice for all life on Earth, and I'd recommend this book for anyone looking to familiarize themselves with the historical events in human history that have caused such strife for at-risk species.]]>
author: Elizabeth Kolbert
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2014
rating: 3
read at: 2023/08/10
date added: 2023/09/03
shelves:
review:
In "The Sixth Extinction", Elizabeth Kolbert describes how recent human activity has reduced biodiversity across the planet. She recounts her expeditions with various research teams from around the world to explain why certain organisms are being reduced in numbers and concludes that we as a species must change course to avoid a mass extinction event driven by human negligence.
I never particularly enjoyed studying taxonomy (or any sort of biology for that matter) but I enjoyed reading about the studies Kolbert described and the learnings gleaned from them. I knew plants and animals have generally had to adapt to accommodate human behavior, but I had no idea how drastic of a change some species have had to make (as temperatures rise, some tree families effectively "move" uphill because previous regions are no longer conducive to growth). Kolbert also provided plenty of data points, scientific reasoning, and anecdotes from her international ventures to explain exactly why the planet is experiencing an unprecedented drop in biodiversity. Her descriptive and often witty storytelling, paired with the root-cause analysis of extinction risk for impacted taxonomic groups, served as unquestionable evidence for an already compelling argument to address climate change. Kolbert's commentary is an endearing voice for all life on Earth, and I'd recommend this book for anyone looking to familiarize themselves with the historical events in human history that have caused such strife for at-risk species.
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Her father forbade hospitals, so Tara never saw a doctor or nurse. Gashes and concussions, even burns from explosions, were all treated at home with herbalism. The family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education and no one to intervene when one of Tara's older brothers became violent.
Then, lacking any formal education, Tara began to educate herself. She taught herself enough mathematics and grammar to be admitted to Brigham Young University, where she studied history, learning for the first time about important world events like the Holocaust and the civil rights movement. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge. Only then would she wonder if she'd traveled too far, if there was still a way home.
Educated is an account of the struggle for self-invention. It is a tale of fierce family loyalty and of the grief that comes with severing the closest of ties. With the acute insight that distinguishes all great writers, Westover has crafted a universal coming-of-age story that gets to the heart of what an education is and what it offers: the perspective to see one's life through new eyes and the will to change it.]]>
For as long as I can remember I was pushed to excel in school, so I couldn't relate to Westover's lack of parental support regarding her academic ambitions. However, this book did remind me to appreciate the privilege of having been able to attend college (that too at no cost). Her dialogue regarding acceptance of her family was particularly thought-provoking. This conflict, especially with her father and brother, was as much internal as it was external. Despite hating their actions, she still sought to please them for fear of losing their favor. But more than anything, this novel is a testament to Westover's resolve to achieve something beyond the restraints imposed by her family's traditional tendencies. I'd recommend this book for anyone looking for an inspiring memoir that speaks to the power of education.]]>
author: Tara Westover
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.46
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2023/09/02
date added: 2023/09/03
shelves:
review:
In "Educated", Tara Westover narrates the challenges of her upbringing in a conservative family from rural Idaho. She struggles to balance her perceived duty as a Mormon girl with her intrigue for the world beyond her hometown, ultimately pursuing educational opportunities abroad and drawing the ire of her father in the process.
For as long as I can remember I was pushed to excel in school, so I couldn't relate to Westover's lack of parental support regarding her academic ambitions. However, this book did remind me to appreciate the privilege of having been able to attend college (that too at no cost). Her dialogue regarding acceptance of her family was particularly thought-provoking. This conflict, especially with her father and brother, was as much internal as it was external. Despite hating their actions, she still sought to please them for fear of losing their favor. But more than anything, this novel is a testament to Westover's resolve to achieve something beyond the restraints imposed by her family's traditional tendencies. I'd recommend this book for anyone looking for an inspiring memoir that speaks to the power of education.
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The news of Burke Harris’s research is just how deeply our bodies can be imprinted by ACEs—adverse childhood experiences like abuse, neglect,parental addiction, mental illness, and divorce. Childhoodadversitychanges ourbiologicalsystems, and lasts a lifetime. For anyone who has faced a difficult childhood, or who cares about the millions of children who do, the scientific insight and innovative, acclaimed health interventions inThe Deepest Wellrepresent hope for preventinglifelong illness for those we love and for generations to come�.]]>
This book is a game-changer for the medical community! Dr. Harris manages to show through anecdotal and empirical evidence that elevated stress hormones (cortisol) at an early age as a result of prolonged exposure to adversity forces the body into a fight-or-flight response, which can inhibit physical growth. If left unchecked, that child's body may not fully develop and often results in an increased risk for various health conditions. It's one thing to understand that a correlation exists between toxic stress and difficulties with mental health, but Dr. Harris's work provides borderline irrefutable evidence that there is a physical indicator we can screen for to improve health outcomes. While the data may still be thin, the early findings paired with the scientific hypothesis of how ACEs impact health is a compelling theory that cannot be dismissed. I felt Dr. Harris introduced data-supported, objective truths without reducing her patients' experiences down to statistics; every step of her journey in raising awareness for and searching for solutions to combat ACEs was driven by her human interactions with children and parents.
Dr. Harris faces criticism and denial many times throughout the book, even from the people who stand to benefit the most from her work. She attends a conference in one of the later chapters where the discussion of ACE screening is met with much resistance and doubt from colleagues in the medical profession. She reasons that the pushback may be rooted in different places for different people. Members of marginalized communities won't support ACE screening because they fear medical practicioners will use their children as guinea pigs to experiment, whereas members of more privileged communities worry ACE screening is redundant and will pull funding away from hospitals to support poorer neighborhoods. Time and time again Dr. Harris reminds the reader that her studies show ACEs impact everyone. However, it is harder for members of marginalized communities to cope with ACEs due to the lack of available resources. Dr. Harris eloquently addresses these concerns by explaining that we ought to put aside these misguided differences and implement a simple protocol that is proven to benefit all people, especially when the data tells such a strong story. Nonetheless, I found myself pondering some of the emergent ethical questions. Is there such a thing as over-medicalizing someone's experiences? And if so, what constitutes over-analysis and where do we draw the line? These questions, while important, seemed to me trivial against the backdrop of overwhelmingly positive anecdotal feedback from patients, especially given the huge prevalence of ACEs across demographics as evidenced by Dr. Harris's conversations with people of all sorts of backgrounds. Dr. Harris's powerful commentary is a call to action signaling the sheer importance of recognizing ACEs as a risk factor. I'd strongly recommend this book especially for those interested in medicine looking to understand how we can combat the effects of toxic stress and hopefully improve quality of life.]]>
author: Nadine Burke Harris
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.42
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2023/08/24
date added: 2023/08/26
shelves:
review:
In "The Deepest Well", Dr. Nadine Burke Harris explains how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have long-term effects on a person's physical health. She cites her research and recounts her experiences as a medical professional to establish exactly how trauma impacts early development and how her team's work is changing the way we approach patient diagnosis in hospitals across the country.
This book is a game-changer for the medical community! Dr. Harris manages to show through anecdotal and empirical evidence that elevated stress hormones (cortisol) at an early age as a result of prolonged exposure to adversity forces the body into a fight-or-flight response, which can inhibit physical growth. If left unchecked, that child's body may not fully develop and often results in an increased risk for various health conditions. It's one thing to understand that a correlation exists between toxic stress and difficulties with mental health, but Dr. Harris's work provides borderline irrefutable evidence that there is a physical indicator we can screen for to improve health outcomes. While the data may still be thin, the early findings paired with the scientific hypothesis of how ACEs impact health is a compelling theory that cannot be dismissed. I felt Dr. Harris introduced data-supported, objective truths without reducing her patients' experiences down to statistics; every step of her journey in raising awareness for and searching for solutions to combat ACEs was driven by her human interactions with children and parents.
Dr. Harris faces criticism and denial many times throughout the book, even from the people who stand to benefit the most from her work. She attends a conference in one of the later chapters where the discussion of ACE screening is met with much resistance and doubt from colleagues in the medical profession. She reasons that the pushback may be rooted in different places for different people. Members of marginalized communities won't support ACE screening because they fear medical practicioners will use their children as guinea pigs to experiment, whereas members of more privileged communities worry ACE screening is redundant and will pull funding away from hospitals to support poorer neighborhoods. Time and time again Dr. Harris reminds the reader that her studies show ACEs impact everyone. However, it is harder for members of marginalized communities to cope with ACEs due to the lack of available resources. Dr. Harris eloquently addresses these concerns by explaining that we ought to put aside these misguided differences and implement a simple protocol that is proven to benefit all people, especially when the data tells such a strong story. Nonetheless, I found myself pondering some of the emergent ethical questions. Is there such a thing as over-medicalizing someone's experiences? And if so, what constitutes over-analysis and where do we draw the line? These questions, while important, seemed to me trivial against the backdrop of overwhelmingly positive anecdotal feedback from patients, especially given the huge prevalence of ACEs across demographics as evidenced by Dr. Harris's conversations with people of all sorts of backgrounds. Dr. Harris's powerful commentary is a call to action signaling the sheer importance of recognizing ACEs as a risk factor. I'd strongly recommend this book especially for those interested in medicine looking to understand how we can combat the effects of toxic stress and hopefully improve quality of life.
]]>
Alec Karakatsanis is interested in what we choose to punish. For example, it is a crime in most of America for poor people to wager in the streets over dice; dice-wagerers can be seized, searched, have their assets forfeited, and be locked in cages. It's perfectly fine, by contrast, for people to wager over international currencies, mortgages, or the global supply of wheat; wheat-wagerers become names on the wings of hospitals and museums.
He is also troubled by how the legal system works when it is trying to punish people. The bail system, for example, is meant to ensure that people return for court dates. But it has morphed into a way to lock up poor people who have not been convicted of anything. He's so concerned about this that he has personally sued court systems across the country, resulting in literally tens of thousands of people being released from jail when their money bail was found to be unconstitutional.
Karakatsanis doesn't think people who have gone to law school, passed the bar, and sworn to uphold the Constitution should be complicit in the mass caging of human beings—an everyday brutality inflicted disproportionately on the bodies and minds of poor people and people of color and for which the legal system has never offered sufficient justification. Usual Cruelty is a profoundly radical reconsideration of the American "injustice system" by someone who is actively, wildly successfully, challenging it.]]>
This was an eye-opening book. I knew our laws had its flaws, but this commentary revealed a disturbing truth that really made me question our judicial system. Karakatsanis's analysis explains how political agendas influence what does and does not constitute a crime, often resulting in the jailing of historically oppressed minorities. He questions why certain crimes like petty theft or possession of small amounts of drugs, many times with no malicious intent, are met with much harsher sentencing than white-collar crimes that put millions of dollars in rich people's pockets. He openly mocks this hypocrisy, and I really resonated with his assertion that we would be morally and fiscally better off allocating legal resources to prosecute the crimes that actually resulted in harm to our society. He also calls out politicians (Democrats and Republicans alike) on their track record in the field of law and challenges them to do better.
What stood out most to me was how horribly those arrested are treated before even being convicted of a crime. In many cases these people were harmless, having unknowingly missed a deadline or failing to pay some parking tickets. Despite not having yet been tried, they are forced to spend nights in a prison with utterly inhumane conditions while waiting for their arraignment (no doubt due to the lack of legal services available). When the arraignment is finally scheduled, these people are marched into a courtroom in shackles, which can subconsciously bias the jury into thinking that person is guilty. Furthermore, Karakatsanis removes the ambiguity of the situation and really humanizes the defendants. It's not imprisonment, but rather "the caging of a body". It isn't just some unlucky victim having to leave their family, it's "her losing her freedom and the ability to care for her children". Karakatsanis does not shy away from describing these real problems that affect real people as it is, no fluff whatsoever. It is in lieu of these compelling anecdotes and make his call to action so energizing. We can't just be "tough on crime", we have to ask ourselves if a "crime" is really so severe that it justifies stripping an individual of their civil liberties. My perception of crime and justice has definitely shifted, and I'd strongly recommend this book for anyone looking to better understand how to contribute to a discussion that attacks the root of our country's incarceration problem and generates a momentum that can truly reform the criminal justice system.]]>
author: Alec Karakatsanis
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.30
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2023/07/24
date added: 2023/07/31
shelves:
review:
In "Usual Cruelty", Alec Karakatsanis sheds light on the shortcomings of the American legal system that protects the power of privileged classes and disproportionately punishes minorities. Over the course of three essays he uncovers the sources of this country's heightened incarceration rate, the better understanding of which will lead to more fruitful debates and ultimately affect meaningful change in the criminal justice system.
This was an eye-opening book. I knew our laws had its flaws, but this commentary revealed a disturbing truth that really made me question our judicial system. Karakatsanis's analysis explains how political agendas influence what does and does not constitute a crime, often resulting in the jailing of historically oppressed minorities. He questions why certain crimes like petty theft or possession of small amounts of drugs, many times with no malicious intent, are met with much harsher sentencing than white-collar crimes that put millions of dollars in rich people's pockets. He openly mocks this hypocrisy, and I really resonated with his assertion that we would be morally and fiscally better off allocating legal resources to prosecute the crimes that actually resulted in harm to our society. He also calls out politicians (Democrats and Republicans alike) on their track record in the field of law and challenges them to do better.
What stood out most to me was how horribly those arrested are treated before even being convicted of a crime. In many cases these people were harmless, having unknowingly missed a deadline or failing to pay some parking tickets. Despite not having yet been tried, they are forced to spend nights in a prison with utterly inhumane conditions while waiting for their arraignment (no doubt due to the lack of legal services available). When the arraignment is finally scheduled, these people are marched into a courtroom in shackles, which can subconsciously bias the jury into thinking that person is guilty. Furthermore, Karakatsanis removes the ambiguity of the situation and really humanizes the defendants. It's not imprisonment, but rather "the caging of a body". It isn't just some unlucky victim having to leave their family, it's "her losing her freedom and the ability to care for her children". Karakatsanis does not shy away from describing these real problems that affect real people as it is, no fluff whatsoever. It is in lieu of these compelling anecdotes and make his call to action so energizing. We can't just be "tough on crime", we have to ask ourselves if a "crime" is really so severe that it justifies stripping an individual of their civil liberties. My perception of crime and justice has definitely shifted, and I'd strongly recommend this book for anyone looking to better understand how to contribute to a discussion that attacks the root of our country's incarceration problem and generates a momentum that can truly reform the criminal justice system.
]]>
Not only is the cliché flawed—preexisting passions are rare and have little to do with how most people end up loving their work—but it can also be dangerous, leading to anxiety and chronic job hopping.
After making his case against passion, Newport sets out on a quest to discover the reality of how people end up loving what they do. Spending time with organic farmers, venture capitalists, screenwriters, freelance computer programmers, and others who admitted to deriving great satisfaction from their work, Newport uncovers the strategies they used and the pitfalls they avoided in developing their compelling careers.
Matching your job to a preexisting passion does not matter, he reveals. Passion comes after you put in the hard work to become excellent at something valuable, not before. In other words, what you do for a living is much less important than how you do it.
With a title taken from the comedian Steve Martin, who once said his advice for aspiring entertainers was to "be so good they can't ignore you," Cal Newport's clearly written manifesto is mandatory reading for anyone fretting about what to do with their life, or frustrated by their current job situation and eager to find a fresh new way to take control of their livelihood. He provides an evidence-based blueprint for creating work you love.
So Good They Can't Ignore You will change the way we think about our careers, happiness, and the crafting of a remarkable life.]]>
Newport begins by promising the chapters will be to-the-point, but I still felt the book was longer than it needed to be due to excessive examples. That being said, I did appreciate his advice on how to truly build a life you love. His argument starts with de-bunking the passion hypothesis, the idea that you should follow your dreams and ignore things you don't like. This seemed somewhat reductive to me at first, but Newport's alternative framework to achieving passion in work (get good at something and trade up until the work is naturally rewarding) was compelling and logical. At first I struggled to reconcile the idea of trying many things (a concept David Epstein promotes in his book "Range") and getting really good at one thing, but Newport's commentary on taking small bets on various endeavors and fine-tuning your efforts put these questions to rest. Although some of the suggestions are self-explanatory, I found the applicability to and focus on the professional setting to be the most valuable aspect of this book and would recommend it for individuals figuring out how to establish a sense of purpose in their career.]]>
author: Cal Newport
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2012
rating: 4
read at: 2023/07/18
date added: 2023/07/20
shelves:
review:
In "So Good They Can't Ignore You", Cal Newport advocates that fulfillment in life can be achieved using strategies to improve workplace performance. He argues against blindly chasing passions because they are rooted in fleeting emotions, leaving pursuers susceptible to frequent discouragement. He recommends mastering unique skills to acquire career capital, which can then be traded for greater control and ultimately will lead to greater satisfaction in life.
Newport begins by promising the chapters will be to-the-point, but I still felt the book was longer than it needed to be due to excessive examples. That being said, I did appreciate his advice on how to truly build a life you love. His argument starts with de-bunking the passion hypothesis, the idea that you should follow your dreams and ignore things you don't like. This seemed somewhat reductive to me at first, but Newport's alternative framework to achieving passion in work (get good at something and trade up until the work is naturally rewarding) was compelling and logical. At first I struggled to reconcile the idea of trying many things (a concept David Epstein promotes in his book "Range") and getting really good at one thing, but Newport's commentary on taking small bets on various endeavors and fine-tuning your efforts put these questions to rest. Although some of the suggestions are self-explanatory, I found the applicability to and focus on the professional setting to be the most valuable aspect of this book and would recommend it for individuals figuring out how to establish a sense of purpose in their career.
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Told in language we all can understand, A Brief History of Time plunges into the exotic realms of black holes and quarks, of antimatter and “arrows of time,� of the big bang and a bigger God—where the possibilities are wondrous and unexpected. With exciting images and profound imagination, Stephen Hawking brings us closer to the ultimate secrets at the very heart of creation.]]>
This book is definitely a challenging read! Hawking wastes no time jumping into complex topics like quantum mechanics and general relativity. Despite the technical nature of the content, Hawking manages to structure the book as a story of the evolution of physics rather than as a monotone series of findings. His references to important theories and experiments are often paired with anecdotes, especially relating to the political and religious backdrops in which the scientists achieved their discovery. Hawking also frequently (and comically) recounts events in his own journey through academia, citing his own papers and how the works of those before him informed his own theories. I was exposed to a whole new side of physics and learned a lot of new details about various theories regarding the origins of the universe (ideas like string theory and Einstein's twin paradox suddenly make a little more sense!). I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a challenging but informative read on humanity's journey through physics, offered via the unique perspective of one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century.]]>
author: Stephen Hawking
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.22
book published: 1988
rating: 4
read at: 2023/05/31
date added: 2023/07/19
shelves:
review:
In "A Brief History of Time", Stephen Hawking discusses notable breakthroughs in science that have led to humanity's present understanding of the universe. Hawking explains the physics behind key experiments from the past millennium and discusses a future where the laws of the natural world can be condensed into one grand, unifying theory, the ultimate goal of physics as we know it.
This book is definitely a challenging read! Hawking wastes no time jumping into complex topics like quantum mechanics and general relativity. Despite the technical nature of the content, Hawking manages to structure the book as a story of the evolution of physics rather than as a monotone series of findings. His references to important theories and experiments are often paired with anecdotes, especially relating to the political and religious backdrops in which the scientists achieved their discovery. Hawking also frequently (and comically) recounts events in his own journey through academia, citing his own papers and how the works of those before him informed his own theories. I was exposed to a whole new side of physics and learned a lot of new details about various theories regarding the origins of the universe (ideas like string theory and Einstein's twin paradox suddenly make a little more sense!). I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a challenging but informative read on humanity's journey through physics, offered via the unique perspective of one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century.
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The Success Secrets of the Ancients�
An Assured Road to Happiness and Prosperity
Countless readers have been helped by the famous “Babylonian parables,� hailed as the greatest of all inspirational works on the subject of thrift, financial planning, and personal wealth. In language as simple as that found in the Bible, these fascinating and informative stories set you on a sure path to prosperity and its accompanying joys. Acclaimed as a modern-day classic, this celebrated bestseller offers an understanding of—and a solution to—your personal financial problems that will guide you through a lifetime. This is the book that holds the secrets to keeping your money—and making more.
The Richest Man in Babylon
Read it and recommend it to loved ones�
and get on the road to riches.
MORE THAN TWO MILLION BOOKS SOLD]]>
There is something captivating about reading the stories of ancient civilizations, always offering some simple but very relevant moral guidance. Each vignette described the perspective of a different Babylonian, from a poor tradesman to a rich merchant. They all had in common the desire to decrease debts and increase assets, and their quests towards improving their financial wellness made for fun short stories. The commentary was straightforward and logical (save and invest 10% of your income, pay down debts with 20%, and live off the remaining 70%). While it is certainly easier said than done to reduce costs, I appreciated the underlying reminder to honestly re-evaluate the necessity of any given expense. There isn't anything flashy in Clason's writing, just a blunt framework for how one should make decisions about their money. Most of the advice gleaned from these parables is common knowledge, but I'd still recommend giving it a read because it offers timeless wisdom regarding the path to financial independence.]]>
author: George S. Clason
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.25
book published: 1926
rating: 3
read at: 2023/07/09
date added: 2023/07/11
shelves:
review:
"The Richest Man in Babylon" is a compilation of parables that take place many millennia ago, each providing a lesson on wealth management. These stories uncover the five rules of gold as expounded by the financial gurus of Babylon, which include living off of 70% of your income and investing wisely such that your money grows over time. The final pages of this book describe the archaeological discovery of clay tablets from the historic city with etchings summarizing these rules, followed by a tale of how such sound advice remains relevant nearly 4,000 years later.
There is something captivating about reading the stories of ancient civilizations, always offering some simple but very relevant moral guidance. Each vignette described the perspective of a different Babylonian, from a poor tradesman to a rich merchant. They all had in common the desire to decrease debts and increase assets, and their quests towards improving their financial wellness made for fun short stories. The commentary was straightforward and logical (save and invest 10% of your income, pay down debts with 20%, and live off the remaining 70%). While it is certainly easier said than done to reduce costs, I appreciated the underlying reminder to honestly re-evaluate the necessity of any given expense. There isn't anything flashy in Clason's writing, just a blunt framework for how one should make decisions about their money. Most of the advice gleaned from these parables is common knowledge, but I'd still recommend giving it a read because it offers timeless wisdom regarding the path to financial independence.
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Trevor Noah’s unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of his parents� indiscretion, Trevor was kept mostly indoors for the earliest years of his life, bound by the extreme and often absurd measures his mother took to hide him from a government that could, at any moment, steal him away. Finally liberated by the end of South Africa’s tyrannical white rule, Trevor and his mother set forth on a grand adventure, living openly and freely and embracing the opportunities won by a centuries-long struggle.
Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story of that young man’s relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fervently religious mother—his teammate, a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life.]]>
author: Trevor Noah
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.48
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2023/07/10
shelves: favorites
review:
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In 1962, fresh out of business school, Phil Knight borrowed $50 from his father and created a company with a simple mission: import high-quality, low-cost athletic shoes from Japan. Selling the shoes from the trunk of his lime green Plymouth Valiant, Knight grossed $8,000 his first year. Today, Nike’s annual sales top $30 billion. In an age of startups, Nike is the ne plus ultra of all startups, and the swoosh has become a revolutionary, globe-spanning icon, one of the most ubiquitous and recognizable symbols in the world today.
But Knight, the man behind the swoosh, has always remained a mystery. Now, for the first time, in a memoir that is candid, humble, gutsy, and wry, he tells his story, beginning with his crossroads moment. At 24, after backpacking around the world, he decided to take the unconventional path, to start his own business—a business that would be dynamic, different.
Knight details the many risks and daunting setbacks that stood between him and his dream—along with his early triumphs. Above all, he recalls the formative relationships with his first partners and employees, a ragtag group of misfits and seekers who became a tight-knit band of brothers. Together, harnessing the transcendent power of a shared mission, and a deep belief in the spirit of sport, they built a brand that changed everything.]]>
This memoir is so good that at times I wondered if I was reading a fiction novel! Knight's narration of his own story vividly captures the mindset of a young man looking to make his mark on the world. The tales of his triumphs, from working with celebrity athletes at a young age to taking on the corporate giants such as Adidas and Converse, evoke a sense of awe (he frequently refers to himself as the "David" in this "David vs Goliath" battle). More than anything, this book captures the entrepreneurial spirit. Knight has an unflinching commitment to creating a lovable product, never wavering despite the numerous obstacles and setbacks he faces. He candidly his admits mistakes and focuses on what he's doing to improve, all the while vigorously defending his company as any great businessman should.
His story is as much about creating a business as it is about finding his purpose and pursuing his dreams. As a young individual with entrepreneurial aspirations, it is easy to relate to Knight's urge to succeed. Time and time again he refuses to settle for anything less than the grand pursuit of his passion and never compromises on his beliefs. He quits his job and travels the world despite having a great education and lucrative job. He constantly acquires new skills and tries new things without a fear of failure but rather, with the fear of not seizing the opportunity to learn. It's a remarkable quality of his that allows him to handle some of the toughest challenges. I don't think I can look at a Nike swoosh anymore without feeling inspired by Phil Knight's story. I strongly recommend this book, a timeless depiction of how grit and faith in oneself can allow a kid from Oregon to realize his highest potential and leave a lasting legacy.]]>
author: Phil Knight
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.45
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2023/06/30
date added: 2023/07/10
shelves: favorites
review:
In "Shoe Dog", Phil Knight recounts the story of how he turned a "Crazy Idea" of selling high quality shoes into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. He describes in riveting detail the events that led to the founding of Nike, from its inception as a quaint operation in the back of his old van to one of the most recognizable brands the world has ever seen.
This memoir is so good that at times I wondered if I was reading a fiction novel! Knight's narration of his own story vividly captures the mindset of a young man looking to make his mark on the world. The tales of his triumphs, from working with celebrity athletes at a young age to taking on the corporate giants such as Adidas and Converse, evoke a sense of awe (he frequently refers to himself as the "David" in this "David vs Goliath" battle). More than anything, this book captures the entrepreneurial spirit. Knight has an unflinching commitment to creating a lovable product, never wavering despite the numerous obstacles and setbacks he faces. He candidly his admits mistakes and focuses on what he's doing to improve, all the while vigorously defending his company as any great businessman should.
His story is as much about creating a business as it is about finding his purpose and pursuing his dreams. As a young individual with entrepreneurial aspirations, it is easy to relate to Knight's urge to succeed. Time and time again he refuses to settle for anything less than the grand pursuit of his passion and never compromises on his beliefs. He quits his job and travels the world despite having a great education and lucrative job. He constantly acquires new skills and tries new things without a fear of failure but rather, with the fear of not seizing the opportunity to learn. It's a remarkable quality of his that allows him to handle some of the toughest challenges. I don't think I can look at a Nike swoosh anymore without feeling inspired by Phil Knight's story. I strongly recommend this book, a timeless depiction of how grit and faith in oneself can allow a kid from Oregon to realize his highest potential and leave a lasting legacy.
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A heartrending new novel from the Pulitzer Prize–winning and #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Overstory.
The astrobiologist Theo Byrne searches for life throughout the cosmos while single-handedly raising his unusual nine-year-old, Robin, following the death of his wife. Robin is a warm, kind boy who spends hours painting elaborate pictures of endangered animals. He’s also about to be expelled from third grade for smashing his friend in the face. As his son grows more troubled, Theo hopes to keep him off psychoactive drugs. He learns of an experimental neurofeedback treatment to bolster Robin’s emotional control, one that involves training the boy on the recorded patterns of his mother’s brain�
With its soaring descriptions of the natural world, its tantalizing vision of life beyond, and its account of a father and son’s ferocious love, Bewilderment marks Richard Powers’s most intimate and moving novel. At its heart lies the question: How can we tell our children the truth about this beautiful, imperiled planet?]]>
author: Richard Powers
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2023/07/10
shelves: favorites
review:
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Plenty of experts argue that anyone who wants to develop a skill, play an instrument, or lead their field should start early, focus intensely, and rack up as many hours of deliberate practice as possible. If you dabble or delay, you'll never catch up to the people who got a head start. But a closer look at research on the world's top performers, from professional athletes to Nobel laureates, shows that early specialization is the exception, not the rule.
David Epstein examined the world's most successful athletes, artists, musicians, inventors, forecasters and scientists. He discovered that in most fields--especially those that are complex and unpredictable--generalists, not specialists, are primed to excel. Generalists often find their path late, and they juggle many interests rather than focusing on one. They're also more creative, more agile, and able to make connections their more specialized peers can't see.
Provocative, rigorous, and engrossing, Range makes a compelling case for actively cultivating inefficiency. Failing a test is the best way to learn. Frequent quitters end up with the most fulfilling careers. The most impactful inventors cross domains rather than deepening their knowledge in a single area. As experts silo themselves further while computers master more of the skills once reserved for highly focused humans, people who think broadly and embrace diverse experiences and perspectives will increasingly thrive.]]>
As a jack-of-all-trades, I easily resonated with the core message of this book because the author's words were reassuring. The author supports his assertion by referencing personal stories, pointing to data from research studies, and comparing individuals who have enjoyed different levels of success in a given field. I felt the author did well to continuously introduce novel concepts (such as kind/wicked learning environments), but felt he sometimes relied too heavily on anecdotal evidence and seemingly arbitrary research to back up his claims. As the novel progresses, the central themes start to feel drawn out; I couldn't help but feel the book is twice as long as it needed to be. Nevertheless I found myself agreeing with the author's overall message and would recommend this book for those looking to understand the value of broad scope in a world that appears to reward the contrary.]]>
author: David Epstein
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2023/01/14
date added: 2023/07/10
shelves:
review:
In his novel "Range", Epstein argues success comes to those who draw from a variety of experiences and skills rather than those who hyper-specialize. Unlike chess and golf, which have well-defined rules and can be mastered with hours of focused practice, the challenges of the world have fluid boundaries and often require out-of-the-box thinking. The key to effective problem-solving is unlocked with exposure to a breadth of verticals.
As a jack-of-all-trades, I easily resonated with the core message of this book because the author's words were reassuring. The author supports his assertion by referencing personal stories, pointing to data from research studies, and comparing individuals who have enjoyed different levels of success in a given field. I felt the author did well to continuously introduce novel concepts (such as kind/wicked learning environments), but felt he sometimes relied too heavily on anecdotal evidence and seemingly arbitrary research to back up his claims. As the novel progresses, the central themes start to feel drawn out; I couldn't help but feel the book is twice as long as it needed to be. Nevertheless I found myself agreeing with the author's overall message and would recommend this book for those looking to understand the value of broad scope in a world that appears to reward the contrary.
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This book was captivating from start to finish and evoked a wide spectrum of emotions. In a given chapter I could feel frustration, excitement, horror, and joy, all the while never once doubting my allegiance to the protagonist. Elizabeth's witty and nonchalant attitude in the face of resistance is especially alluring, and I found myself cheering anytime she triumphed. Despite facing constant sexism and strife throughout the plot, Elizabeth refuses to back down and perseveres. The plot itself was full of surprises, hearkening back to easter eggs left in chapters past. No detail was too small, and all the pieces came together beautifully at the end. Lessons in Chemistry is a celebration of the power of women and is absolutely a must-read for all audiences.]]>
author: Bonnie Garmus
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2023/02/01
date added: 2023/07/10
shelves: favorites
review:
"Lessons In Chemistry" recounts the story of Elizabeth Zott, a remarkable chemist and chef who refuses to submit to the society's male-centric norms. Zott routinely challenges the status quo of a woman's place in the world, from standing up to male colleagues that don't value her intellectual input to hosting a nationally-broadcasted cooking show where she unapologetically instructs her viewers to set the table so their mothers can have a moment to relax. Zott's relentless persistence enables her to overcome life's toughest obstacles and receive the recognition and respect she's already earned.
This book was captivating from start to finish and evoked a wide spectrum of emotions. In a given chapter I could feel frustration, excitement, horror, and joy, all the while never once doubting my allegiance to the protagonist. Elizabeth's witty and nonchalant attitude in the face of resistance is especially alluring, and I found myself cheering anytime she triumphed. Despite facing constant sexism and strife throughout the plot, Elizabeth refuses to back down and perseveres. The plot itself was full of surprises, hearkening back to easter eggs left in chapters past. No detail was too small, and all the pieces came together beautifully at the end. Lessons in Chemistry is a celebration of the power of women and is absolutely a must-read for all audiences.
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In short chapters filled with intriguing historical anecdotes, personal asides, and rigorous exposition, readers learn the difference between how the world works at the quantum level, the cosmic level, and the human level--and then how each connects to the other. Carroll's presentation of the principles that have guided the scientific revolution from Darwin and Einstein to the origins of life, consciousness, and the universe is dazzlingly unique.
Carroll shows how an avalanche of discoveries in the past few hundred years has changed our world and what really matters to us. Our lives are dwarfed like never before by the immensity of space and time, but they are redeemed by our capacity to comprehend it and give it meaning.
The Big Picture is an unprecedented scientific worldview, a tour de force that will sit on shelves alongside the works of Stephen Hawking, Carl Sagan, Daniel Dennett, and E. O. Wilson for years to come.]]>
This is by far the most comprehensive book I've read on philosophy and science! Carroll literally begins with the start of the measurable universe and pulls from numerous fields of study to create a rational story of how we came to be. He is quick to establish his stance as a poetic naturalist; he believes the universe and everything in it is nothing more than a combination of atoms that follow some set of physical laws. However, he favors describing the emergent qualities of the world at the macroscopic level rather than merely reducing them to particle collisions. Much of Carroll's logic hinges on the use of Baye's Theorem, which advocates the thinker to assign higher credence to a simpler explanation of a given phenomenon. He routinely reminds the reader that modern physics is able to predict real-world observations with high accuracy, and therefore additional layers of complexity (such as "soul" or "God") simply aren't useful. Carroll's approach is very analytical, which at times felt disjointed with the subject of humanity and made his commentary feel impersonal. However, he frequently clarified that this framework was simply a way to perceive the world in a purely scientific manner without the added fluff of potentially biased and conflicting viewpoints of religion. I ultimately appreciated his methodology and felt it allowed me to better understand how he discerned what is and isn't believable given our technological advancements.
Carroll doesn't shy away from complex subjects, often referring to tricky philosophical paradoxes (ex: Ship of Theseus) or intricate quantum mechanics equations (ex: Schrodinger's equation, wave functions) to corroborate his points or refute competing ideas. I was definitely learning something new on every page, but I found myself having to slow down and re-read passages frequently despite my technical background (I even remember studying some of these equations in my chemical engineering classes) to make sense of the content. This book is not for the feint of heart. I believe "The Big Picture" requires focused reading and active engagement with the ideas to get a semblance of an understanding, but that shouldn't discourage anyone from picking up this book! I'd highly recommend this book for patient readers looking to gain a newfound appreciation for philosophy and science and how they intersect to inform our understanding of the natural world.]]>
author: Sean Carroll
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2023/04/19
date added: 2023/07/10
shelves: favorites
review:
In "The Big Picture", Sean Carroll uses the laws of science in an organized attempt to answer timeless questions on the origins of the universe and our role in it. He grounds his logic using concepts from philosophy, quantum physics, statistics, and biology to support his naturalistic claim that the cosmos operates according to physical laws, unaffected by an arbitrarily defined higher power such as those described in Western religions. He further asserts that our bodies and minds, while an impressive combination of luck and evolution, simply emerged from the natural workings of the universe and are no more than a collection of subatomic particles. Against this seemingly bleak backdrop that concludes the universe is indifferent to our existence, Carroll encourages that we do matter, and that we ought to appreciate the very fact that the atoms of the world coalesced in such a way that we may live the life we have and make the most of our time on Earth.
This is by far the most comprehensive book I've read on philosophy and science! Carroll literally begins with the start of the measurable universe and pulls from numerous fields of study to create a rational story of how we came to be. He is quick to establish his stance as a poetic naturalist; he believes the universe and everything in it is nothing more than a combination of atoms that follow some set of physical laws. However, he favors describing the emergent qualities of the world at the macroscopic level rather than merely reducing them to particle collisions. Much of Carroll's logic hinges on the use of Baye's Theorem, which advocates the thinker to assign higher credence to a simpler explanation of a given phenomenon. He routinely reminds the reader that modern physics is able to predict real-world observations with high accuracy, and therefore additional layers of complexity (such as "soul" or "God") simply aren't useful. Carroll's approach is very analytical, which at times felt disjointed with the subject of humanity and made his commentary feel impersonal. However, he frequently clarified that this framework was simply a way to perceive the world in a purely scientific manner without the added fluff of potentially biased and conflicting viewpoints of religion. I ultimately appreciated his methodology and felt it allowed me to better understand how he discerned what is and isn't believable given our technological advancements.
Carroll doesn't shy away from complex subjects, often referring to tricky philosophical paradoxes (ex: Ship of Theseus) or intricate quantum mechanics equations (ex: Schrodinger's equation, wave functions) to corroborate his points or refute competing ideas. I was definitely learning something new on every page, but I found myself having to slow down and re-read passages frequently despite my technical background (I even remember studying some of these equations in my chemical engineering classes) to make sense of the content. This book is not for the feint of heart. I believe "The Big Picture" requires focused reading and active engagement with the ideas to get a semblance of an understanding, but that shouldn't discourage anyone from picking up this book! I'd highly recommend this book for patient readers looking to gain a newfound appreciation for philosophy and science and how they intersect to inform our understanding of the natural world.
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Most Americans consider Abraham Lincoln to be the greatest president in history. His legend as the Great Emancipator has grown to mythic proportions as hundreds of books, a national holiday, and a monument in Washington, D.C., extol his heroism and martyrdom. But what if most everything you knew about Lincoln were false? What if, instead of an American hero who sought to free the slaves, Lincoln were in fact a calculating politician who waged the bloodiest war in american history in order to build an empire that rivaled Great Britain's? In The Real Lincoln, author Thomas J. DiLorenzo uncovers a side of Lincoln not told in many history books and overshadowed by the immense Lincoln legend.
Through extensive research and meticulous documentation, DiLorenzo portrays the sixteenth president as a man who devoted his political career to revolutionizing the American form of government from one that was very limited in scope and highly decentralized—as the Founding Fathers intended—to a highly centralized, activist state. Standing in his way, however, was the South, with its independent states, its resistance to the national government, and its reliance on unfettered free trade. To accomplish his goals, Lincoln subverted the Constitution, trampled states' rights, and launched a devastating Civil War, whose wounds haunt us still. According to this provacative book, 600,000 American soldiers did not die for the honorable cause of ending slavery but for the dubious agenda of sacrificing the independence of the states to the supremacy of the federal government, which has been tightening its vise grip on our republic to this very day.
You will discover a side of Lincoln that you were probably never taught in school—a side that calls into question the very myths that surround him and helps explain the true origins of a bloody, and perhaps, unnecessary war.]]>
author: Thomas J. DiLorenzo
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2002
rating: 3
read at: 2015/01/01
date added: 2023/07/02
shelves:
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author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.44
book published: 1850
rating: 3
read at: 2014/01/01
date added: 2023/07/02
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author: Shannon Eric Denton
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2009
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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The Boxcar Children take a bus trip to the Science and Hobby Fair, but a bad storm forces them to stay at a bus station along the way. Soon they are in the middle of a mystery involving a polluted river, two strange boys, and a suspicious bus-station manager.
What started as a single story aboutthe Alden Childrenhas delighted readers for generations and sold more than 80 million books worldwide. Featuring timeless adventures, mystery, and suspense, The Boxcar Children® series continues to inspire children to learn, question, imagine, and grow.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.83
book published: 1974
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/02
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When Benny and Henry get summer jobs at a department store in town, they don't expect to be solving mysteries at work. But when an expensive vase disappears, the salespeople receive strange notes, and the jewelry display is tampered with, it's up to Benny to uncover the truth!
What started as a single story aboutthe Alden Childrenhas delighted readers for generations and sold more than 80 million books worldwide. Featuring timeless adventures, mystery, and suspense, The Boxcar Children® series continues to inspire children to learn, question, imagine, and grow.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.85
book published: 1976
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
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At the beach, Benny finds a valuable gold locket and decides to try to find its owner. Soon the children are caught up in a puzzle involving strange visitors at the beach and the mysterious Miss Smith, who seems to live along in the big Tower House nearby.
What started as a single story aboutthe Alden Childrenhas delighted readers for generations and sold more than 80 million books worldwide. Featuring timeless adventures, mystery, and suspense, The Boxcar Children® series continues to inspire children to learn, question, imagine, and grow.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.86
book published: 1971
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
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Renting a lighthouse is unusual, but even more so is an unfriendly boy's peculiar behavior.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.94
book published: 1962
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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When the Boxcar Children find a mysterious journal hidden behind the wall of the guest room, it leads them on a search for a valuable coin collection. But what happened to the journal's owner, and what is she trying to tell them?
What started as a single story aboutthe Alden Childrenhas delighted readers for generations and sold more than 80 million books worldwide. Featuring timeless adventures, mystery, and suspense, The Boxcar Children® series continues to inspire children to learn, question, imagine, and grow.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.93
book published: 1973
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.91
book published: 1960
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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Throughout their journey, the Boxcar Children have the feeling they're being watched. Little do they know, someone is looking for something on their houseboat - and he'll stop at nothing until he gets it.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.93
book published: 1967
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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A family moves into the house next door! The Boxcar Children decide to make friends with their new neighbors by building a tree house with them. In the process, they notice a window in their neighbor's house that nobody knows about. Does the old home have a secret?
What started as a single story aboutthe Alden Childrenhas delighted readers for generations and sold more than 80 million books worldwide. Featuring timeless adventures, mystery, and suspense, The Boxcar Children® series continues to inspire children to learn, question, imagine, and grow.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.94
book published: 1969
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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The Boxcar Children go on an overnight bicycle trip to Aunt Jane's! But when a rainstorm hits, they are forced to take shelter in an abandoned farmhouse. As the children wait out the storm, a most unusual mystery finds them!
What started as a single story aboutthe Alden Childrenhas delighted readers for generations and sold more than 80 million books worldwide. Featuring timeless adventures, mystery, and suspense, The Boxcar Children® series continues to inspire children to learn, question, imagine, and grow.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.88
book published: 1970
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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Marooned on a mountain, the Aldens survive a landslide and find a Native American secret.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.85
book published: 1964
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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A sudden snowstorm traps the Aldens in a mountain cabin! The cabin is cozy, but the children hear strange noises at night and find a coded message carved into the closet door. Can the children crack the code and solve their snowbound mystery?
What started as a single story aboutthe Alden Childrenhas delighted readers for generations and sold more than 80 million books worldwide. Featuring timeless adventures, mystery, and suspense, The Boxcar Children® series continues to inspire children to learn, question, imagine, and grow.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.90
book published: 1968
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.87
book published: 1966
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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The Boxcar Children are on a trip with Grandfather to a beautiful island in the South Seas! The island is supposed to be deserted, but as the Aldens explore, they start to find signs that suggest they are not alone. Is there a castaway living somewhere on the island?
What started as a single story aboutthe Alden Childrenhas delighted readers for generations and sold more than 80 million books worldwide. Featuring timeless adventures, mystery, and suspense, The Boxcar Children® series continues to inspire children to learn, question, imagine, and grow.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.95
book published: 1961
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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The Aldens' friend Max says nothing interesting happens in Port Elizabeth. But when the children visit the small fishing village and come across a man snooping around the local library, they prove that every town has its mysteries.
What started as a single story aboutthe Alden Childrenhas delighted readers for generations and sold more than 80 million books worldwide. Featuring timeless adventures, mystery, and suspense, The Boxcar Children® series continues to inspire children to learn, question, imagine, and grow.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.94
book published: 1965
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.92
book published: 1962
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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The Aldens spend the summer on their Aunt's ranch! The ranch is a beautiful place, but it's also the source of trouble between Aunt Jane and Grandfather. As the Boxcar Children explore the land, they make an amazing discovery. Will it help mend Aunt's Jane's and Grandfather's relationship?
What started as a single story aboutthe Alden Childrenhas delighted readers for generations and sold more than 80 million books worldwide. Featuring timeless adventures, mystery, and suspense, The Boxcar Children® series continues to inspire children to learn, question, imagine, and grow.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.90
book published: 1957
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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This boxed set includes the following
#1 The Boxcar Children : When four orphaned children find an abandoned boxcar in the woods, they decide to call it home—and become the Boxcar Children!
#2 Surprise Island : As the Alden children explore their summer home, they realize there is more to the island—and to a new friend—than meets the eye.
#3 The Yellow House Mystery : A long-lost clue leads the Alden children to a mysterious old house while on summer vacation.
#4 Mystery Ranch :
The Alden children make a discovery that leads them to investigate a mystery involving their family ranch.
What started as a single story aboutthe Alden Childrenhas delighted readers for generations and sold more than 80 million books worldwide. Featuring timeless adventures, mystery, and classic illustrations, The Boxcar Children® series continues to inspire children to learn, question, imagine, and grow.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.23
book published: 1942
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
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A mystery surrounds the old yellow house on Surprise Island! Years ago, a man vanished from the house, and no one knows how or why. Now a long-lost clue leads the Aldens to investigate the mystery—and to a new adventure!
What started as a single story aboutthe Alden Childrenhas delighted readers for generations and sold more than 80 million books worldwide. Featuring timeless adventures, mystery, and suspense, The Boxcar Children® series continues to inspire children to learn, question, imagine, and grow.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.01
book published: 1952
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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The Aldens spend the summer on Grandfather's island! Joe, the island's friendly handyman, helps them with anything they need, but as the children continue to explore their summer home, they realize there is more to the island—and to their new friend—than meets the eye.
What started as a single story aboutthe Alden Childrenhas delighted readers for generations and sold more than 80 million books worldwide. Featuring timeless adventures, mystery, and suspense, The Boxcar Children® series continues to inspire children to learn, question, imagine, and grow.]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.93
book published: 1949
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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After becoming orphans, four siblings run away to live in an abandoned boxcar but find their adventure halted by the possibility of being caught in this classic tale! “A compelling story� (Publishers Weekly) with over 63,000 five-star ratings, read by an Earphones Award–winning narrator.
Four orphaned siblings, determined to stay together as a family, decide to inhabit an abandoned boxcar and turn it into their new home in the woods. When one of the siblings falls ill, the others go out to seek a doctor to save their sister. Meanwhile, their wealthy grandfather has offered a sizable reward to anyone who has information about his grandchildren, hoping that they can all be reunited once more. As the children continue to evade being found out, will they ever know peace?]]>
author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.13
book published: 1924
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/02
shelves: as-a-child
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This beautiful and eloquent story tells of a simple peasant woman in a primitive village in India whose whole life is a gallant and persistent battle to care for those she loves—an unforgettable novel that "will wring your heart out" (The Associated Press).
Named Notable Book of 1955 by the American Library Association.]]>
author: Kamala Markandaya
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.68
book published: 1954
rating: 4
read at: 2016/01/01
date added: 2023/07/02
shelves:
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The Glass Castle is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant. When sober, Jeannette's brilliant and charismatic father captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and how to embrace life fearlessly. But when he drank, he was dishonest and destructive. Her mother was a free spirit who abhorred the idea of domesticity and didn't want the responsibility of raising a family.
The Walls children learned to take care of themselves. They fed, clothed, and protected one another, and eventually found their way to New York. Their parents followed them, choosing to be homeless even as their children prospered.
The Glass Castle is truly astonishing--a memoir permeated by the intense love of a peculiar but loyal family.]]>
author: Jeannette Walls
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 2022/01/01
date added: 2023/07/02
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author: Geronimo Stilton
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2005
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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author: Geronimo Stilton
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2004
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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author: Geronimo Stilton
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.04
book published: 1997
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/01
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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I was lost in a dark, spooky forest! Until I stumbled upon Curlypaw Cannycat's Castle. The castle was completely empty, or so I thought. But I quickly discovered that it was haunted - by cats! Let me tell you, this was one case where curiosity almost killed the mouse!]]>
author: Geronimo Stilton
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2000
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves: as-a-child
review:
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That's me! I run a newspaper, but my true passion is writing adventure stories. Here in New Mouse City, the capital of Mouse Island, my books are all bestsellers! My stories are funny, fa-mouse-ly funny. They are whisker-licking-good tales, and that's a promise!
GERONIMO STILTON, SECRET AGENT
My sister, Thea, is the mystery-loving rodent, not me! But somehow I found myself going underground to find an important missing document. Slimy Swiss cheese I hardly knew where to start! Geronimo Stilton, Secret Agent Mouse? Maybe I could get used to that....
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author: Geronimo Stilton
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2007
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/01
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author: Geronimo Stilton
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2006
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/01
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author: Geronimo Stilton
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2000
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/01
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author: Geronimo Stilton
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2000
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/01
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author: Geronimo Stilton
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2002
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/01
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While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it's up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time.
In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy's sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.]]>
author: Rick Riordan
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.59
book published: 2009
rating: 0
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Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse - Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena - Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.]]>
author: Rick Riordan
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2005
rating: 0
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But when you're the son of a Greek god, it happens. And now my friend Annabeth is missing, a goddess is in chains and only five half-blood heroes can join the quest to defeat the doomsday monster.
Oh, and guess what? The Oracle has predicted that not all of us will survive...]]>
author: Rick Riordan
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2007
rating: 0
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In this fourth installment of the blockbuster series, time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Even the safe haven of Camp Half-Blood grows more vulnerable by the minute as Kronos's army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop the invasion, Percy and his demigod friends must set out on a quest through the Labyrinth - a sprawling underground world with stunning surprises at every turn.]]>
author: Rick Riordan
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.41
book published: 2008
rating: 0
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In this episode, The Sea of Monsters, Percy sets out to retrieve the Golden Fleece before his summer camp is destroyed, surpassing the first book's drama and setting the stage for more thrills to come.]]>
author: Rick Riordan
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2006
rating: 0
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author: Anthony Horowitz
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2004
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/01
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author: Anthony Horowitz
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2007
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/01
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Often imitated, never equaled, the series that triggered a reading phenomenon is back, exhilarating and addictive as ever.
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author: Anthony Horowitz
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2009
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/01
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Alex Rider is an orphan turned teen superspy who's saving the world one mission at a time—from #1 New York Times bestselling author!
Alex Rider has been through a lot for his fourteen years. He's been shot at by international terrorists, chased down a mountainside on a makeshift snowboard, and has stood face-to-face with pure evil. Twice, young Alex has managed to save the world. And twice, he has almost been killed doing it. But now Alex faces something even more dangerous. The desperation of a man who has lost everything he cared his country and his only son. A man who just happens to have a nuclear weapon and a serious grudge against the free world. To see his beloved Russia once again be a dominant power, he will stop at nothing. Unless Alex can stop him first... Uniting forces with America's own CIA for the first time, teen spy Alex Rider battles terror from the sun-baked beaches of Miami all the way to the barren ice fields of northernmost Russia.
From the author of Magpie Murders and Moriarty .]]>
author: Anthony Horowitz
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2002
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/01
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author: Anthony Horowitz
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2003
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/01
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Fourteen-year-old Alex is back at school trying to adapt to his new double life... and double homework. But MI6 have other plans for him.
Armed with a false ID and a new collection of brilliantly disguised gadgets, Alex must infiltrate the mysterious Point Blanc Academy and establish the truth about what is really happening there. Can he alert the world to what he finds before it is too late?]]>
author: Anthony Horowitz
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2001
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/01
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The sniper’s bullet nearly killed him. But Alex Rider managed to survive . . . just in time for more trouble to come his way. When kidnappers attempt to snatch a fellow patient from the exclusive hospital where Alex is recovering, he knows he has to stop him. But the boy he saves is no ordinary He is the son of Nikolai Drevin, one of the richest men in the world. The eccentric billionaire has been targeted by Force Three, a group of eco-terrorists who claim his project Ark Angel—the first luxury hotel in outer space—is a danger to the environment. Soon Alex discovers that Force Three will stop at nothing to destroy Ark Angel, even if it means sending four hundred tons of molten glass and steel hurtling down to Earth and killing millions . . . unless Alex can stop them.
From the author of Magpie Murders and Moriarty .]]>
author: Anthony Horowitz
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2005
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/01
shelves: as-a-child
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author: Anthony Horowitz
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2000
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/01
shelves: as-a-child
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That's me! I run a newspaper, but my true passion is writing tales of adventure. Here on Mouse Island, my books are all bestsellers! What's that? You've never read one? Well, my books are full of fun. They are whisker-licking good stories, and that's a promise!
It all started when my sister, Thea, discovered a mysterious map. It showed a secret treasure on a faraway island. And before I could let out a squeak of protest, Thea dragged me into her treasure hunt! In no time at all, we'd set sail for the island. It was an adventure I'd never forget....]]>
author: Geronimo Stilton
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.10
book published: 1997
rating: 0
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driven time and again off course, once he had plundered
the hallowed heights of Troy.
So begins Robert Fagles' magnificent translation of the Odyssey.
If the Iliad is the world's greatest war epic, then the Odyssey is literature's grandest evocation of everyman's journey though life. Odysseus' reliance on his wit and wiliness for survival in his encounters with divine and natural forces, during his ten-year voyage home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, is at once a timeless human story and an individual test of moral endurance.
In the myths and legends that are retold here, Fagles has captured the energy and poetry of Homer's original in a bold, contemporary idiom, and given us an Odyssey to read aloud, to savor, and to treasure for its sheer lyrical mastery.
Renowned classicist Bernard Knox's superb Introduction and textual commentary provide new insights and background information for the general reader and scholar alike, intensifying the strength of Fagles' translation.
This is an Odyssey to delight both the classicist and the public at large, and to captivate a new generation of Homer's students.
--
Robert Fagles, winner of the PEN/Ralph Manheim Medal for Translation and a 1996 Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, presents us with Homer's best-loved and most accessible poem in a stunning new modern-verse translation.]]>
author: Homer
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.80
book published: -700
rating: 4
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At the centre of this novel is the passionate love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff - recounted with such emotional intensity that a plain tale of the Yorkshire moors acquires the depth and simplicity of ancient tragedy.
This best-selling Norton Critical Edition is based on the 1847 first edition of the novel. For the Fourth Edition, the editor has collated the 1847 text with several modern editions and has corrected a number of variants, including accidentals. The text is accompanied by entirely new explanatory annotations.
New to the fourth Edition are twelve of Emily Bronte's letters regarding the publication of the 1847 edition of Wuthering Heights as well as the evolution of the 1850 edition, prose and poetry selections by the author, four reviews of the novel, and poetry selections by the author, four reviews of the novel, and Edward Chitham's insightful and informative chronology of the creative process behind the beloved work.
Five major critical interpretations of Wuthering Heights are included, three of them new to the Fourth Edition. A Stuart Daley considers the importance of chronology in the novel. J. Hillis Miller examines Wuthering Heights's problems of genre and critical reputation. Sandra M. Gilbert assesses the role of Victorian Christianity plays in the novel, while Martha Nussbaum traces the novel's romanticism. Finally, Lin Haire-Sargeant scrutinizes the role of Heathcliff in film adaptations of Wuthering Heights.
A Chronology and updated Selected Bibliography are also included.]]>
author: Emily Brontë
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.89
book published: 1847
rating: 3
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Thrown in prison for a crime he has not committed, Edmond Dantès is confined to the grim fortress of If. There he learns of a great hoard of treasure hidden on the Isle of Monte Cristo and he becomes determined not only to escape, but also to use the treasure to plot the destruction of the three men responsible for his incarceration. Dumas� epic tale of suffering and retribution, inspired by a real-life case of wrongful imprisonment, was a huge popular success when it was first serialized in the 1840s.
Translated with an Introduction by Robin Buss
An alternative cover edition for this ISBN can be found here]]>
author: Alexandre Dumas
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.29
book published: 1846
rating: 4
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author: Elie Wiesel
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.38
book published: 1956
rating: 4
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presented complete and unabridged, in large print. Every book is well illustrated, and starts with a commentary and character summary. Scene synopses and character summaries clarify confusing plots, while incisive essays explore the historical context and Shakespeare's sources. Each book ends with a complete list of Shakespeare's plays and a brief chronology of the Bard's life. The detailed explanatory notes are written clearly and positioned right next to the text--no more squinting at microscopic footnotes or flipping pages back and forth in search of endnotes!
The new edition of the series features new covers and new illustrations, including both new drawings and photos from recent productions of Shakespeare's plays around the globe. In addition, the notes and the introductory material have been completely revised in line with new research and in order to
make them clearer and more accessible. Finally, the entire text has been redesigned and reset to enhance readability. The new edition achieves the feat of unprecedented clarity of presentation without any cuts to the original text or the detailed explanations.]]>
author: William Shakespeare
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.69
book published: 1599
rating: 4
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author: Annie Dillard
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.08
book published: 1974
rating: 2
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author: Charles Dickens
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.86
book published: 1859
rating: 3
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It was obvious from the get-go this book was written 100 years ago. The dialogue between characters was like something out of an old black-and-white movie, but while the vocabulary was difficult to understand at first, I became accustomed after a few chapters and was able to read more easily. I believe the unique value of this book is in how the narrator approached his commentary on the psychological nuances of trading in the stock market. While many texts preach the reader to stay the course of their strategy, warning the slightest emotion will set off a chain reaction that ultimately ends in the explosion of their life savings, this narrator voiced his thought process in real time and bluntly took responsibility for failures and successes alike. The narrator was very honest in his assessments, openly acknowledging where he may have been emotional or overly speculative or when he had a little help from lady luck. He asked rhetorical questions and wondered out loud, which gave the analyses an almost conversational feel. Seeing the narrator so comfortably confront himself inspired me to reflect more honestly on my experiences in the stock market where I myself have had similar results.
The biggest disconnect for me was in the nature of the examples. Many of the scenarios the narrator described involve shorting stocks, which usually requires a lot of collateral and thus is not a typical investment strategy for most novice and even intermediate traders. He then spun off into analyzing the implications of trading massive volumes of equity as a result of these short positions, the buying or selling of which can directly impact the stock price. To make matters more unrelatable, the narrator then reflected on how he was able to successfully manipulate the stock market on numerous occasions to create demand for a stock such that his selling wouldn't drive down the price. He defended his actions by arguing that the term "manipulation" has acquired a negative connotation and isn't inherently wrong because it is the responsibility of the general public to simply not be manipulated. On a positive note, the narrator then explained how to spot when large firms try to pull these tricks and advocates for stricter stock exchange rules, but the strategies he employed in these examples seem to me inherently useless for the average investor. Despite these shortcomings, the honest and conversational self-analysis of the narrator is refreshing, and I can see why this book is touted as a relevant read even a century after its initial publication. I'd recommend this book to investors with some experience under their belt as a vehicle to self-criticizing their psychological tendencies in the stock market.]]>
author: Edwin Lefèvre
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.16
book published: 1923
rating: 4
read at: 2023/02/12
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves:
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"Reminiscences of a Stock Operator" provides a first-hand detail of a renowned investor's career, from the very first trade all the way to its peak. The narrator uses examples from his life to articulate the importance of trading without emotion, focusing on long-term bull and bear trends, and considering how the actions of various stakeholders may impact a given stock/commodity to achieve material success in the market.
It was obvious from the get-go this book was written 100 years ago. The dialogue between characters was like something out of an old black-and-white movie, but while the vocabulary was difficult to understand at first, I became accustomed after a few chapters and was able to read more easily. I believe the unique value of this book is in how the narrator approached his commentary on the psychological nuances of trading in the stock market. While many texts preach the reader to stay the course of their strategy, warning the slightest emotion will set off a chain reaction that ultimately ends in the explosion of their life savings, this narrator voiced his thought process in real time and bluntly took responsibility for failures and successes alike. The narrator was very honest in his assessments, openly acknowledging where he may have been emotional or overly speculative or when he had a little help from lady luck. He asked rhetorical questions and wondered out loud, which gave the analyses an almost conversational feel. Seeing the narrator so comfortably confront himself inspired me to reflect more honestly on my experiences in the stock market where I myself have had similar results.
The biggest disconnect for me was in the nature of the examples. Many of the scenarios the narrator described involve shorting stocks, which usually requires a lot of collateral and thus is not a typical investment strategy for most novice and even intermediate traders. He then spun off into analyzing the implications of trading massive volumes of equity as a result of these short positions, the buying or selling of which can directly impact the stock price. To make matters more unrelatable, the narrator then reflected on how he was able to successfully manipulate the stock market on numerous occasions to create demand for a stock such that his selling wouldn't drive down the price. He defended his actions by arguing that the term "manipulation" has acquired a negative connotation and isn't inherently wrong because it is the responsibility of the general public to simply not be manipulated. On a positive note, the narrator then explained how to spot when large firms try to pull these tricks and advocates for stricter stock exchange rules, but the strategies he employed in these examples seem to me inherently useless for the average investor. Despite these shortcomings, the honest and conversational self-analysis of the narrator is refreshing, and I can see why this book is touted as a relevant read even a century after its initial publication. I'd recommend this book to investors with some experience under their belt as a vehicle to self-criticizing their psychological tendencies in the stock market.
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The good news is, it doesn’t have to be this way because if you start on the right track, forex trading can be understood easily without having to wade through a lot of confusing technical jargon—and that’s what this book is all about.
So, in Forex A Beginner’s Guide, you’ll basics of forex trading explained in a step-by-step manner (one that’s easy to understand even if you have no trading experience)Strategies for managing your risk like a pro so you don’t blow up your trading accountUseful trading strategies and techniques you can use to profit from the forex marketA ton of trading examples so you can quickly master the concepts and strategiesAdvice on how to choose the right forex broker so you can avoid getting scammedAn explanation of the 7 common forex trading mistakes that almost all new traders make and how to avoid themAnd much more�
It doesn’t matter if you know nothing about the forex market because this book is written in a layman, step-by-step manner.
You’ll master the basics first, then gradually progress onto the advanced trading strategies and techniques—so you’ll be crystal clear every step of the way.
Sounds good?
Then get your copy of Forex A Beginner's Guide now.
(Scroll up and click the orange button, “Buy Now�)]]>
I'm honestly very impressed with this book. Teo's writing is completely colloquial; reading his writing feels like listening to a podcast! He begins his book with very simple explanations of how the foreign exchange markets work, and each chapter builds naturally on the contents of the prior section. He frequently referenced examples from his own career and shared personal stories of failures and successes alike. I especially appreciated the explicit calculations (to convert currencies and calculate pip values) and images of trading charts (to show real examples of hammer and engulfing candlestick patterns). This made his logic so much easier for me to follow.
I found Teo's messaging on risk management to be very authentic and realistic He always preached sound investing strategy and warned of the pitfalls of risking too much on any given trade, which could lead to a total account wipeout after a small series of consecutive losses. He frequently reminded the reader to use stop losses and technical signals to enter and exit trades with confidence. I love how he allocated an entire section of the book to creating a trading plan, which brought all of his prior chapter's teachings together in one comprehensive, easy to implement strategy that minimizes losses and drastically improves the chances of success in trading. My only criticism of this book is that on 2 occasions, I found small writing and calculation mistakes. Fortunately they weren't significant enough to derail my understanding of the material, and overall this book is much better written than most of the other forex trading books I've skimmed through (one by Alan Folley is riddled with grammar and math errors). It was the perfect introduction to forex markets, and I'd strongly recommend this book for aspiring traders looking for sound advice on building a resilient and sustainable trading career.]]>
author: Rayner Teo
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.38
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2023/06/08
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves:
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In "Forex Trading: A Beginner's Guide", Rayner Teo offers a step-by-step introduction to the world of trading on the foreign exchange market. His explanation includes a description of various currency pairs, the basics of technical analysis, and commentary on building a resilient trading plan.
I'm honestly very impressed with this book. Teo's writing is completely colloquial; reading his writing feels like listening to a podcast! He begins his book with very simple explanations of how the foreign exchange markets work, and each chapter builds naturally on the contents of the prior section. He frequently referenced examples from his own career and shared personal stories of failures and successes alike. I especially appreciated the explicit calculations (to convert currencies and calculate pip values) and images of trading charts (to show real examples of hammer and engulfing candlestick patterns). This made his logic so much easier for me to follow.
I found Teo's messaging on risk management to be very authentic and realistic He always preached sound investing strategy and warned of the pitfalls of risking too much on any given trade, which could lead to a total account wipeout after a small series of consecutive losses. He frequently reminded the reader to use stop losses and technical signals to enter and exit trades with confidence. I love how he allocated an entire section of the book to creating a trading plan, which brought all of his prior chapter's teachings together in one comprehensive, easy to implement strategy that minimizes losses and drastically improves the chances of success in trading. My only criticism of this book is that on 2 occasions, I found small writing and calculation mistakes. Fortunately they weren't significant enough to derail my understanding of the material, and overall this book is much better written than most of the other forex trading books I've skimmed through (one by Alan Folley is riddled with grammar and math errors). It was the perfect introduction to forex markets, and I'd strongly recommend this book for aspiring traders looking for sound advice on building a resilient and sustainable trading career.
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author: Jeremy Silman
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.03
book published: 1998
rating: 4
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Sophocles' Oedipus Rex has never been surpassed for the raw and terrible power with which its hero struggles to answer the eternal question, "Who am I?" The play, a story of a king who acting entirely in ignorance kills his father and marries his mother, unfolds with shattering power; we are helplessly carried along with Oedipus towards the final, horrific truth.
To make Oedipus more accessible for the modern reader, our Prestwick House Literary Touchstone Classics includes a glossary of the more difficult words, as well as convenient sidebar notes to enlighten the reader on aspects that may be confusing or overlooked. We hope that the reader may, through this edition, more fully enjoy the beauty of the verse, the wisdom of the insights, and the impact of the drama.]]>
author: Sophocles
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.73
book published: -429
rating: 2
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Antigone raises issues of law and morality that are just as relevant today as they were more than two thousand years ago. Whether this is your first reading or your twentieth, Antigone will move you as few pieces of literature can.
To make this quintessential Greek drama more accessible to the modern reader, this Prestwick House Literary Touchstone Edition includes a glossary of difficult terms, a list of vocabulary words, and convenient sidebar notes. By providing these, it is our intention that readers will more fully enjoy the beauty, wisdom, and intent of the play.]]>
author: Sophocles
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.69
book published: -441
rating: 3
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date added: 2023/07/01
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Spark is an unconventional business book. It has been built on the idea that coming from a perspective of 'getting' something is a severely self-limiting position. Instead, a career should be seen as an opportunity to give - to your funders, your team, your customers and the world at large. Doing so, the authors argue, can lead to expansive possibilities. At the same time, however, people should be averse to bloat, bureaucracy, and everything that comes with achieving a certain level of inert mass. So, how can these two positions be reconciled? How can we complain about companies getting too big while presenting a book to help entrepreneurs and leaders think and act more effectively? This is why, unlike most business books, Spark doesn't use the authors' business backgrounds or personal stories as a launchpad for their views on best practices. It's not a step-by-step guide to building an empire, and it doesn't pretend to have all the answers to creating the world's best businesses.
Instead, Spark aims to deliver an unhurried, thought-provoking experience about what drives individuals, teams and organizations to thrive. The 24 concepts in the book are commonplace inside venture capital firms and high-performing private equity firms, but they haven't yet made their way to the broader marketplace. The authors believe that these ideas should be more accessible to professionals in all industries, at all stages of their careers. And instead of giving overly-prescriptive advice, readers will be encouraged to think about broader concepts in the context of their own experiences, careers and goals.
The book is organized into three sections, each containing eight
- Tier Ideas you work on within yourself (individual)
- Tier Ideas you work on with someone else (interpersonal)
- Tier Ideas you work on within groups (organizational).
Each chapter introduces a term; gives a specialized definition that challenges the reader to think differently about the term; and offers thoughts and guidance on how to put the idea into practice.
Part manifesto, part self-help guide, Spark is for anyone who has to be resilient and tap into the fire (or inferno!) inside of them to overcome a challenge. It's for those who simply aren't finding purpose in bloated organizations, who don't like to hold meetings for meetings' sake, and who want to live each day as their last, instead of just getting through. The goal of this book is to help you overcome whatever obstacles stand between you and the life you want to live.]]>
I was struck by the authors' authenticity. They began the book with a genuine call to action, asking the reader to keep an open mind and actively engage with each chapter. They challenged conventional definitions and offered a new perspective on key concepts like leadership, co-creation, and scalability. I also really liked how the authors organized this book. They split the concepts into 3 categories (concepts you work on 1. within yourself 2. with someone else 3. within groups) and allocated a 4th category to discuss how the concepts inform one another. The book naturally builds up to the final section, similar in order to how one might approach mastering the concepts and applying them to a start-up or other business venture. Each chapter is concisely written, with just enough detail to support the authors' assertions. I'll definitely reference these ideas in the future and highly recommend this book as a resource for individuals looking to streamline their approach to entrepreneurial endeavors.]]>
author: Chris Mettler
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.13
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2023/06/19
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves:
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In "Spark", Chris Mettler and Jon Yarian outline 24 concepts relevant to managing individual, small group, and large group dynamics prevalent in the world of business. They discuss the nuances of each concept, what it means to truly abide by them, and how practicing them with dedication can lead to higher levels of success both in one's personal and professional life.
I was struck by the authors' authenticity. They began the book with a genuine call to action, asking the reader to keep an open mind and actively engage with each chapter. They challenged conventional definitions and offered a new perspective on key concepts like leadership, co-creation, and scalability. I also really liked how the authors organized this book. They split the concepts into 3 categories (concepts you work on 1. within yourself 2. with someone else 3. within groups) and allocated a 4th category to discuss how the concepts inform one another. The book naturally builds up to the final section, similar in order to how one might approach mastering the concepts and applying them to a start-up or other business venture. Each chapter is concisely written, with just enough detail to support the authors' assertions. I'll definitely reference these ideas in the future and highly recommend this book as a resource for individuals looking to streamline their approach to entrepreneurial endeavors.
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Are you often busy but not productive?
Do you feel like your time is constantly being hijacked by other people’s agendas?
If you answered yes to any of these, the way out is the Way of the EssentialistThe Way of the Essentialist isn’t about getting more done in less time. It’s about getting only the right things done. It is nota time management strategy, or a productivity technique. It is a systematic discipline for discerning what is absolutely essential, then eliminating everything that is not, so we can make the highest possible contribution towards the things that really matter.
By forcing us to apply a more selective criteria for what is Essential, the disciplined pursuit of less empowers us to reclaim control of our own choices about where to spend our precious time and energy � instead of giving others the implicit permission to choose for us.
Essentialism is not one more thing � it’s a whole new way of doing everything. A must-read for any leader, manager, or individual who wants to learn how to do less, but better, in every area of their lives, Essentialism is a movement whose time has come.]]>
I thought the advice McKeown provided was really actionable. Most of the strategies require some form of criteria-based decisioning that allows the user to quickly determine whether or not something is truly essential. These strategies were also memorable, often succinctly summarized by a short phrase ("the power of a graceful 'no' " and "protect the asset" come to mind). McKeown did a good job bolstering his arguments with data. But as is frequently the case with many of these self-help books, the studies and anecdotes supporting the claim were sometimes barely relevant or randomly sprinkled into the writing. However the chapters were fairly concise, unlike other books which drag on with excessive examples. I most appreciated the simple drawings/charts that illustrated the content, which helped me better visualize the words on the page. For anyone feeling overwhelmed with their daily stresses and looking to declutter their schedule, this book is for you.]]>
author: Greg McKeown
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at: 2023/05/21
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves:
review:
In "Essentialism", Greg McKeown asserts that we must eliminate trivialities and concentrate our energies on the few critical activities in our lives to achieve lasting happiness and success. He outlines a path to becoming an essentialist, which includes identifying the vital tasks, eliminating the non-vital ones, and executing a plan that makes doing the vital tasks feel effortless.
I thought the advice McKeown provided was really actionable. Most of the strategies require some form of criteria-based decisioning that allows the user to quickly determine whether or not something is truly essential. These strategies were also memorable, often succinctly summarized by a short phrase ("the power of a graceful 'no' " and "protect the asset" come to mind). McKeown did a good job bolstering his arguments with data. But as is frequently the case with many of these self-help books, the studies and anecdotes supporting the claim were sometimes barely relevant or randomly sprinkled into the writing. However the chapters were fairly concise, unlike other books which drag on with excessive examples. I most appreciated the simple drawings/charts that illustrated the content, which helped me better visualize the words on the page. For anyone feeling overwhelmed with their daily stresses and looking to declutter their schedule, this book is for you.
]]>
Ray McMillian loves playing the violin more than anything, and nothing will stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a professional musician. Not his mother, who thinks he should get a real job, not the fact that he can't afford a high-caliber violin, not the racism inherent in the classical music world. And when he makes the startling discovery that his great-grandfather's fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius, his star begins to rise. Then with the international Tchaikovsky Competition—the Olympics of classical music—fast approaching, his prized family heirloom is stolen. Ray is determined to get it back. But now his family and the descendants of the man who once enslaved Ray's great-grandfather are each claiming that the violin belongs to them. With the odds stacked against him and the pressure mounting, will Ray ever see his beloved violin again?]]>
I couldn't help but reminisce on my viola days while reading this book! Slocumb managed to capture in vivid detail so many aspects of high school orchestra, from the tedious practice schedules to the dynamics of auditioning for solos and regionals. He also acknowledged some of the more grim subtleties of playing in a school orchestra, such as borrowing rosin from friends and being unable to afford expensive private lessons. Ray's orchestra experience served as a microcosm for the Black person's struggle in American society; racial prejudice and unequal access to goods and services. Ray often faces blatant racism throughout the novel in the form of slurs, bigoted remarks, and even racial profiling by the police. But despite these frequent and frustrating situations, Ray manages to persevere and achieve stardom, making him an easy-to-cheer-for protagonist. Slocumb even mentions in his epilogue that many of these instances are inspired by true events in his life, a heart-wrenching fact that makes Ray's ability to handle these issues with respect, class, and even humor all the more endearing.
The most enjoyable quality of this book is the portrayal of Ray's musicianship. Slocumb's prose frequently compared Ray's musical embellishments (staccatos, pizzicatos, glissandos, etc) to sounds and experiences of nature; I could almost hear the music in my head. Ray's passion for the arts is inspirational and so evident through Slocumb's writing that it made me want to go pick up my viola and play all over again! While I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Ray's musical journey, I didn't care as much for the mysterious disappearance of the instrument. Sure it was intriguing, but the plot felt rushed and even somewhat predictable. Nevertheless, this book is a must read for music-lovers and anyone looking for social commentary on America's musical education system.]]>
author: Brendan Slocumb
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2023/05/06
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves:
review:
"The Violin Conspiracy" features Rayquan McMillian, an aspiring black violinist from North Carolina, who faces pressure and prejudice from society whilst in pursuit of a music career. He inherits a seemingly worthless instrument from his grandmother which is later confirmed to be a rare Stradivarius violin, propelling him into national stardom and controversy. When the violin goes missing just weeks before an international competition, Ray and the FBI must race against the clock to find out who has the means and motive to steal the multimillion dollar instrument.
I couldn't help but reminisce on my viola days while reading this book! Slocumb managed to capture in vivid detail so many aspects of high school orchestra, from the tedious practice schedules to the dynamics of auditioning for solos and regionals. He also acknowledged some of the more grim subtleties of playing in a school orchestra, such as borrowing rosin from friends and being unable to afford expensive private lessons. Ray's orchestra experience served as a microcosm for the Black person's struggle in American society; racial prejudice and unequal access to goods and services. Ray often faces blatant racism throughout the novel in the form of slurs, bigoted remarks, and even racial profiling by the police. But despite these frequent and frustrating situations, Ray manages to persevere and achieve stardom, making him an easy-to-cheer-for protagonist. Slocumb even mentions in his epilogue that many of these instances are inspired by true events in his life, a heart-wrenching fact that makes Ray's ability to handle these issues with respect, class, and even humor all the more endearing.
The most enjoyable quality of this book is the portrayal of Ray's musicianship. Slocumb's prose frequently compared Ray's musical embellishments (staccatos, pizzicatos, glissandos, etc) to sounds and experiences of nature; I could almost hear the music in my head. Ray's passion for the arts is inspirational and so evident through Slocumb's writing that it made me want to go pick up my viola and play all over again! While I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Ray's musical journey, I didn't care as much for the mysterious disappearance of the instrument. Sure it was intriguing, but the plot felt rushed and even somewhat predictable. Nevertheless, this book is a must read for music-lovers and anyone looking for social commentary on America's musical education system.
]]>
While some of the content was informative, the book overall was poorly written. There were grammar mistakes (missing words, spaces between letters, etc) that made reading difficult. I also spotted a handful of math mistakes. On page 47, a cash-on-cash return calculation states "$5,160 / $20,000 = 23.45%", which is clearly wrong. Frankly, these commonplace errors reduced her credibility and forced me to question the authenticity and reliability of her writing. Data quality issues aside, much of her writing was extremely anecdotal and self-congratulatory in nature. Brantley offers up some definitions of key terms and simply follows up with hackneyed tips or broad commentary (often footnoted with a phrase along the lines of "this is specific to Florida; check your local listings"). I would have benefited from more numeric examples that show exactly how each line item informs the final profitability calculations. Though some of her information is accurate and helpful, I'd recommend looking elsewhere for sound real estate investment strategies.]]>
author: Pam Brantley
name: Siddharth
average rating: 1.00
book published:
rating: 1
read at: 2023/04/29
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves:
review:
In "The Real Estate Rulebook", Pam Brantley recounts how her real estate investments allowed her to achieve financial success. She provides examples from her career to explain how to spot good deals, obtain funding, and find favorable tenants to maximize chances of success in the real estate industry.
While some of the content was informative, the book overall was poorly written. There were grammar mistakes (missing words, spaces between letters, etc) that made reading difficult. I also spotted a handful of math mistakes. On page 47, a cash-on-cash return calculation states "$5,160 / $20,000 = 23.45%", which is clearly wrong. Frankly, these commonplace errors reduced her credibility and forced me to question the authenticity and reliability of her writing. Data quality issues aside, much of her writing was extremely anecdotal and self-congratulatory in nature. Brantley offers up some definitions of key terms and simply follows up with hackneyed tips or broad commentary (often footnoted with a phrase along the lines of "this is specific to Florida; check your local listings"). I would have benefited from more numeric examples that show exactly how each line item informs the final profitability calculations. Though some of her information is accurate and helpful, I'd recommend looking elsewhere for sound real estate investment strategies.
]]>
Even the best decision doesn't yield the best outcome every time. There's always an element of luck that you can't control, and there is always information that is hidden from view. So the key to long-term success (and avoiding worrying yourself to death) is to think in bets: How sure am I? What are the possible ways things could turn out? What decision has the highest odds of success? Did I land in the unlucky 10% on the strategy that works 90% of the time? Or is my success attributable to dumb luck rather than great decision making?
Annie Duke, a former World Series of Poker champion turned business consultant, draws on examples from business, sports, politics, and (of course) poker to share tools anyone can use to embrace uncertainty and make better decisions. For most people, it's difficult to say "I'm not sure" in a world that values and, even, rewards the appearance of certainty. But professional poker players are comfortable with the fact that great decisions don't always lead to great outcomes and bad decisions don't always lead to bad outcomes.
By shifting your thinking from a need for certainty to a goal of accurately assessing what you know and what you don't, you'll be less vulnerable to reactive emotions, knee-jerk biases, and destructive habits in your decision making. You'll become more confident, calm, compassionate and successful in the long run.]]>
I found Duke's real-life examples to be really fun and relevant, which made her already intuitive arguments all the more relatable. For example, in her commentary on our psychological tendencies in decision-making, she references the Seahawk's Superbowl fumble at the 1 yd line to explain how humans are quick to label an otherwise well-intentioned decision as bad just because an improbably bad outcome occurred. She expands on this idea by asserting that we tend to take credit for favorable outcomes and assign the blame for unfavorable outcomes to bad luck, but often do the opposite when the decisions are made by others due to our innately competitive egos. She then rationalizes that we must remove our emotional bias and recognize that sometimes good decisions can have bad outcomes and vice versa in order to make better decisions. This idea of separating the decisioning from the results struck a chord, an idea familiar to me both as an analyst and as an investor.
Though I learned a thing or two from this book, a lot of the content was similar to that of Philip Tetlock's "Superforecasting" (in fact, Duke references Tetlock by name in this book). I naturally didn't find a lot of her arguments to be novel and, as a result, felt the book was too long. Despite my predisposition, I believe there were still many instances where "Thinking in Bets" fell victim to over-explaining and using too many examples to convey a rather simple message (similar to "Range" and "Superforecasting", to name a few). Duke nonetheless provides sound logic and real-life examples of the human condition in action as it relates to decisioning, and I'd recommend this book for readers looking for actionable strategies to make better decisions.]]>
author: Annie Duke
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2023/04/11
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves:
review:
In her book "Thinking in Bets", Annie Duke references her career as a professional poker player to discuss the importance of sound psychology when making new decisions and assessing the results of prior decisions. She outlines various strategies to improve decision-making skills such as assigning probabilities to outcomes and working backwards from a vision of a goal to hold the reader accountable for successes and failures alike.
I found Duke's real-life examples to be really fun and relevant, which made her already intuitive arguments all the more relatable. For example, in her commentary on our psychological tendencies in decision-making, she references the Seahawk's Superbowl fumble at the 1 yd line to explain how humans are quick to label an otherwise well-intentioned decision as bad just because an improbably bad outcome occurred. She expands on this idea by asserting that we tend to take credit for favorable outcomes and assign the blame for unfavorable outcomes to bad luck, but often do the opposite when the decisions are made by others due to our innately competitive egos. She then rationalizes that we must remove our emotional bias and recognize that sometimes good decisions can have bad outcomes and vice versa in order to make better decisions. This idea of separating the decisioning from the results struck a chord, an idea familiar to me both as an analyst and as an investor.
Though I learned a thing or two from this book, a lot of the content was similar to that of Philip Tetlock's "Superforecasting" (in fact, Duke references Tetlock by name in this book). I naturally didn't find a lot of her arguments to be novel and, as a result, felt the book was too long. Despite my predisposition, I believe there were still many instances where "Thinking in Bets" fell victim to over-explaining and using too many examples to convey a rather simple message (similar to "Range" and "Superforecasting", to name a few). Duke nonetheless provides sound logic and real-life examples of the human condition in action as it relates to decisioning, and I'd recommend this book for readers looking for actionable strategies to make better decisions.
]]>
In Superforecasting, Tetlock and coauthor Dan Gardner offer a masterwork on prediction, drawing on decades of research and the results of a massive, government-funded forecasting tournament. The Good Judgment Project involves tens of thousands of ordinary people—including a Brooklyn filmmaker, a retired pipe installer, and a former ballroom dancer—who set out to forecast global events. Some of the volunteers have turned out to be astonishingly good. They’ve beaten other benchmarks, competitors, and prediction markets. They’ve even beaten the collective judgment of intelligence analysts with access to classified information. They are "superforecasters."
In this groundbreaking and accessible book, Tetlock and Gardner show us how we can learn from this elite group. Weaving together stories of forecasting successes (the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound) and failures (the Bay of Pigs) and interviews with a range of high-level decision makers, from David Petraeus to Robert Rubin, they show that good forecasting doesn’t require powerful computers or arcane methods. It involves gathering evidence from a variety of sources, thinking probabilistically, working in teams, keeping score, and being willing to admit error and change course. Superforecasting offers the first demonstrably effective way to improve our ability to predict the future—whether in business, finance, politics, international affairs, or daily life—and is destined to become a modern classic.]]>
I really appreciated the analytical soundness of Tetlock's commentary. He took a really complex white-space problem and obtained the necessary data through testing to come to a pretty rational conclusion. Tetlock constantly challenged his findings by identifying gaps or edge cases where his logic didn't apply, and then reconciled those scenarios with additional testing or related thought experiments. He also managed to quantify seemingly unquantifiable metrics using Brier scores and other statistical methods which rooted the key takeaways in data and inspired additional confidence in the results.
The biggest source of learning for me was in Tetlock's description of how the alleged superforecasters approached assigning probabilities for their predictions. He used example problems that are extremely vague by design (ex: how many piano tuners are in Chicago?) and then provided a step-by-step breakdown of his thought process. I liked how he explained the importance of establishing a baseline probability (outside vs inside perspective) and then fine-tuning the prediction to account for nuances in the specific problem statement (Bayes equation). It's a really important concept that I use without realizing as an analyst, and I feel many would benefit from his easily understandable explanation. Tetlock incorporated real-world examples frequently, but as the book progressed I felt many of his arguments became redundant and drawn out. Yes, his analysis is very comprehensive, but on some occasions I felt there were too many examples that simply rehashed the assertion he'd made 10 pages prior. Despite the extraneous details, I'd recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their ability to think ahead and learn how to root their assertions in data and logic.]]>
author: Philip E. Tetlock
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2023/04/02
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves:
review:
In "Superforecasting", Philip Tetlock explains the scientific process behind The Good Judgment Project, a study he founded to determine how some individuals are able to predict future events with high accuracy. Tetlock cites the key findings from his research to assert that superforecasters appear to share some commonalities, which include being number-oriented, open-minded, and quick to update predictions with new and relevant information.
I really appreciated the analytical soundness of Tetlock's commentary. He took a really complex white-space problem and obtained the necessary data through testing to come to a pretty rational conclusion. Tetlock constantly challenged his findings by identifying gaps or edge cases where his logic didn't apply, and then reconciled those scenarios with additional testing or related thought experiments. He also managed to quantify seemingly unquantifiable metrics using Brier scores and other statistical methods which rooted the key takeaways in data and inspired additional confidence in the results.
The biggest source of learning for me was in Tetlock's description of how the alleged superforecasters approached assigning probabilities for their predictions. He used example problems that are extremely vague by design (ex: how many piano tuners are in Chicago?) and then provided a step-by-step breakdown of his thought process. I liked how he explained the importance of establishing a baseline probability (outside vs inside perspective) and then fine-tuning the prediction to account for nuances in the specific problem statement (Bayes equation). It's a really important concept that I use without realizing as an analyst, and I feel many would benefit from his easily understandable explanation. Tetlock incorporated real-world examples frequently, but as the book progressed I felt many of his arguments became redundant and drawn out. Yes, his analysis is very comprehensive, but on some occasions I felt there were too many examples that simply rehashed the assertion he'd made 10 pages prior. Despite the extraneous details, I'd recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their ability to think ahead and learn how to root their assertions in data and logic.
]]>
Even through the roar and effervescence of the 1920s, everyone in New York has heard of Benjamin and Helen Rask. He is a legendary Wall Street tycoon; she is the daughter of eccentric aristocrats. Together, they have risen to the very top of a world of seemingly boundless wealth—all as a decade of excess and speculation draws to an end. But at what cost have they acquired their immense fortune? This is the mystery at the center of Bonds, a successful 1937 novel that all of New York seems to have read. Yet there are other versions of this tale of privilege and deceit.
Hernan Diaz's TRUST elegantly puts these competing narratives into conversation with one another—and in tension with the perspective of one woman bent on disentangling fact from fiction. The result is a novel that spans over a century and becomes more exhilarating with each new revelation.
At once an immersive story and a brilliant literary puzzle, TRUST engages the reader in a quest for the truth while confronting the deceptions that often live at the heart of personal relationships, the reality-warping force of capital, and the ease with which power can manipulate facts.]]>
The concept of this book is really fascinating! Each version of the story is so uniquely told (a best-selling novel, an unfinished memoir, etc) and has its own gravitas. I wanted to buy into the narrator's perspective in each story, but as the book progressed I became increasingly suspicious of them all. I think it was really easy to believe each story as I was reading them because of the level of detail provided. Diaz does an incredible job of injecting imagery into seemingly every line of this book. There were so many specific references to the early 20th century, which paints a very vivid picture of the life led by the protagonists in each story. The plot and characters are deeply compelling, but it's Diaz's writing that constructed a mental image of the stories and made this read all the more pleasurable. I recommend this book for those looking for a new kind of fiction with some of the most elegant prose I've read to date.]]>
author: Hernan Diaz
name: Siddharth
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2023/03/20
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves:
review:
"Trust"" by Hernan Diaz tells the tale of a famed investor's journey to success and eventual downfall from four different perspectives. Each rendition of the story is recounted with conflicting details and motives, ultimately leaving it up to the reader to determine what to believe and what to cast aside as fiction.
The concept of this book is really fascinating! Each version of the story is so uniquely told (a best-selling novel, an unfinished memoir, etc) and has its own gravitas. I wanted to buy into the narrator's perspective in each story, but as the book progressed I became increasingly suspicious of them all. I think it was really easy to believe each story as I was reading them because of the level of detail provided. Diaz does an incredible job of injecting imagery into seemingly every line of this book. There were so many specific references to the early 20th century, which paints a very vivid picture of the life led by the protagonists in each story. The plot and characters are deeply compelling, but it's Diaz's writing that constructed a mental image of the stories and made this read all the more pleasurable. I recommend this book for those looking for a new kind of fiction with some of the most elegant prose I've read to date.
]]>
This book was super quick and easy to read (I finished it in maybe 2 hours). All of Ravikant's advice was very practical and bluntly to-the-point. There was no fluff or excessive explanation of obvious concepts, just the important takeaways worth caring about. I appreciated that all of his advice was rooted in personal experiences or some form of sound logic (he did an especially good job of this with the commentary on using leverage to maximize wealth). But perhaps the best quality of this book is in the nature of Ravikant's advice. He didn't lay out a step-by-step plan to achieve an arbitrary goal; rather, he describes a mindset that is conducive to attracting happiness and wealth. In doing so, he challenges the reader to confront the parts of their mindset that are counterproductive to a good life and work towards removing those obstacles.
My only real gripe with this book is that some of the content is reductive. On occasion, Ravikant takes a heavily self-serving attitude by making statements like ""it doesn't matter if others are upset. Do what makes you happy, and cut out everything else."" While I understand the message Ravikant is trying to deliver, I find it difficult to resonate with this guidance as easily as with some of his sound but simultaneously compassionate advice. Nonetheless, this book is full of practical wisdom and I'd strongly recommend it for individuals looking to better spend their time and improve their mindset for a more fruitful and successful life.]]>
author: Eric Jorgenson
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.39
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2023/03/12
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves:
review:
"The Almanack of Naval Ravikant"" is a collection of the most important insights from the life of Naval Ravikant, a successful entrepreneur, investor, and philosopher. In this book, Ravikant distills his wisdom down to a series of short aphorisms and key concepts which serve as a guide to creating wealth, health, and happiness.
This book was super quick and easy to read (I finished it in maybe 2 hours). All of Ravikant's advice was very practical and bluntly to-the-point. There was no fluff or excessive explanation of obvious concepts, just the important takeaways worth caring about. I appreciated that all of his advice was rooted in personal experiences or some form of sound logic (he did an especially good job of this with the commentary on using leverage to maximize wealth). But perhaps the best quality of this book is in the nature of Ravikant's advice. He didn't lay out a step-by-step plan to achieve an arbitrary goal; rather, he describes a mindset that is conducive to attracting happiness and wealth. In doing so, he challenges the reader to confront the parts of their mindset that are counterproductive to a good life and work towards removing those obstacles.
My only real gripe with this book is that some of the content is reductive. On occasion, Ravikant takes a heavily self-serving attitude by making statements like ""it doesn't matter if others are upset. Do what makes you happy, and cut out everything else."" While I understand the message Ravikant is trying to deliver, I find it difficult to resonate with this guidance as easily as with some of his sound but simultaneously compassionate advice. Nonetheless, this book is full of practical wisdom and I'd strongly recommend it for individuals looking to better spend their time and improve their mindset for a more fruitful and successful life.
]]>
"A beautifully accessible guide.…One of the best books yet written on data and algorithms." � Times (UK) When it comes to artificial intelligence, we either hear of a paradise on earth or of our imminent extinction. It’s time we stand face-to-digital-face with the true powers and limitations of the algorithms that already automate important decisions in healthcare, transportation, crime, and commerce. Hello World is indispensable preparation for the moral quandaries of a world run by code, and with the unfailingly entertaining Hannah Fry as our guide, we’ll be discussing these issues long after the last page is turned.]]>
Even as an analyst (who frequently interacts with models), I found myself learning something new from Fry's explanations of algorithms, machine learning, and neural networks. She described the power of these tools in laymen terms, highlighting opportunities to leverage their capabilities in the modern world and creating a sense of familiarity with AI. Simultaneously, she continuously introduced hypotheticals where AI may overreach, presenting ethical dilemmas that are difficult to solve. I felt she did this especially well in her explanation of false positives and false negatives in ML decisioning, which was one of my favorite parts of the book. She used math and simple logic to explain why, even with strong predicting power, a model may disproportionately misidentify one population over another. She gracefully connects this phenomenon to the existence of real-world bias and repeatedly identifies situations in her examples where a lack of understanding of false positives resulted in extreme consequences. This is an incredibly important perspective to keep in mind when working with models, and I felt Fry addressed this topic perfectly.
One of the best qualities of this book is Fry's storytelling of real-world examples, specifically focusing on AI's impacts to the average Joe. I particularly appreciated Fry's use of unique and niche scenarios, none of which were too similar to one another. I enjoyed being exposed to how AI is utilized in other industries, and that drove home just how prevalent algorithmic decisioning has become in today's world. Some stories were easily relatable (online merchants using our data to more effectively market products), and others completely unheard of to me (judge's determining bail based on model outputs) but equally interesting. In reading these stories I found myself constantly fluctuating between loving and fearing the applications of AI, but her practical (and often comedic) commentary helped manage emotions and provided reassurance. I agree with Fry's final message that human judgment holds an even greater importance in today's model-driven world, and that we should use AI as a tool to augment our decision-making rather than hand over the reins entirely. I strongly recommend this book for anyone that works regularly with data or is curious to learn more about what goes on under the digital hood.]]>
author: Hannah Fry
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2023/02/22
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves:
review:
In her book "Hello World", Hannah Fry discusses the implications of the increasing participation of artificial intelligence in today's society. She uses examples from the past to highlight the benefits and pitfalls of AI tools. She advises that AI can provide new and unique insights, but that humans must always feel empowered to question the models' judgment and work in tandem with these tools to arrive at the best outcome.
Even as an analyst (who frequently interacts with models), I found myself learning something new from Fry's explanations of algorithms, machine learning, and neural networks. She described the power of these tools in laymen terms, highlighting opportunities to leverage their capabilities in the modern world and creating a sense of familiarity with AI. Simultaneously, she continuously introduced hypotheticals where AI may overreach, presenting ethical dilemmas that are difficult to solve. I felt she did this especially well in her explanation of false positives and false negatives in ML decisioning, which was one of my favorite parts of the book. She used math and simple logic to explain why, even with strong predicting power, a model may disproportionately misidentify one population over another. She gracefully connects this phenomenon to the existence of real-world bias and repeatedly identifies situations in her examples where a lack of understanding of false positives resulted in extreme consequences. This is an incredibly important perspective to keep in mind when working with models, and I felt Fry addressed this topic perfectly.
One of the best qualities of this book is Fry's storytelling of real-world examples, specifically focusing on AI's impacts to the average Joe. I particularly appreciated Fry's use of unique and niche scenarios, none of which were too similar to one another. I enjoyed being exposed to how AI is utilized in other industries, and that drove home just how prevalent algorithmic decisioning has become in today's world. Some stories were easily relatable (online merchants using our data to more effectively market products), and others completely unheard of to me (judge's determining bail based on model outputs) but equally interesting. In reading these stories I found myself constantly fluctuating between loving and fearing the applications of AI, but her practical (and often comedic) commentary helped manage emotions and provided reassurance. I agree with Fry's final message that human judgment holds an even greater importance in today's model-driven world, and that we should use AI as a tool to augment our decision-making rather than hand over the reins entirely. I strongly recommend this book for anyone that works regularly with data or is curious to learn more about what goes on under the digital hood.
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After a stint policing the rough streets of Kansas City, Missouri, Chris Voss joined the FBI, where his career as a kidnapping negotiator brought him face-to-face with bank robbers, gang leaders, and terrorists. Never Split the Difference takes you inside his world of high-stakes negotiations, revealing the nine key principles that helped Voss and his colleagues succeed when it mattered the most � when people’s lives were at stake.
Rooted in the real-life experiences of an intelligence professional at the top of his game, Never Split the Difference will give you the competitive edge in any discussion.]]>
The author spends a great deal of time discussing the importance of listening to and observing the person across the table, which wasn't particularly novel or interesting to me. Rather, it was the author's advice to achieve the result of understanding that most resonated. Voss distilled the complexity of negotiation down to key nuances and memorable rules, like "Mirroring" and "Labeling", really well. The strategy of asking "how" and "why" questions to avoid a yes/no answer and elicit truly useful insights was especially helpful. The power of these concepts really hit home when the author recounted riveting instances from his FBI career, which he does frequently throughout the book. Overall, I'd recommend this book for individuals looking to more effectively communicate their needs without sacrificing authenticity and friendliness.]]>
author: Chris Voss
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2023/01/20
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves:
review:
"Never Split the Difference" provides a set of field-tested tips and tricks that can be applied to everyday situations. Voss argues that too often, individuals settle for less by compromising to avoid an uncomfortable back and forth. Actively listening, mastering the art of "no", and identifying the crux of the opposition's position can result in a more optimal outcome.
The author spends a great deal of time discussing the importance of listening to and observing the person across the table, which wasn't particularly novel or interesting to me. Rather, it was the author's advice to achieve the result of understanding that most resonated. Voss distilled the complexity of negotiation down to key nuances and memorable rules, like "Mirroring" and "Labeling", really well. The strategy of asking "how" and "why" questions to avoid a yes/no answer and elicit truly useful insights was especially helpful. The power of these concepts really hit home when the author recounted riveting instances from his FBI career, which he does frequently throughout the book. Overall, I'd recommend this book for individuals looking to more effectively communicate their needs without sacrificing authenticity and friendliness.
]]>
author: Jan Carlzon
name: Siddharth
average rating: 4.10
book published: 1985
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2023/07/01
shelves:
review:
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