Over the last decade or so, I've come across Siddhartha on many people's lists of favorite books. Despite its short length, it sat unread on my shelf for many years. I even carried it around in my bag for a while, but never seemed to be in the right place to pick it up. Last …
Tag: Book Review
Book Review – Free Will by Sam Harris
After being recommended to me by several different friends in different circles of my life, I finally picked up Free Will by Sam Harris at the end of last year. At only 66 pages, it was a short read that helped me finish my reading goal of 25 books for the year, though honestly it …
How I Reached My Reading Goal in 2021
I have set a goal on Goodreads to read 25 books in a year four times now: 2014, 2018, 2020, and 2021. In 2014 and 2018, I only "read" two books and one book, respectively, though it was long enough ago that I suspect I just stopped using the website. However, I can't imagine I …
Book Review – Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey
Sometimes I'll pick up a book, can't put it down, and finish it in a few days. Other times I'll keep trying to read it before bed, but my mind will inevitably wander, such that I'm less and less likely to pick it up each night. Months may go by before I finally buckle down …
Book Review – The Kingdom of Fungi by Jens H. Petersen
Ever since I learned about koji from The Noma Guide to Fermentation, I have developed a deeper fascination for all things fungi. So I picked this book up after seeing it recommended during several internet searches. Each page has stunning pictures of the wide variety of fungi that are known. Additionally, though the text is …
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Book Review – Snow Crash by Neil Stephenson
I have taken to listening to books in bed before going to sleep. I can put on an eye mask with built-in bluetooth headphones (with the extra benefit that I don't need to close any shutters to keep the room from getting light super early), set the Sleep Time on Audible to 30 minutes, and …
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Book Review – Zero to One by Peter Thiel
I wasn't sure how to approach this book in the beginning. On one hand, Peter Thiel is an icon in Silicon Valley and has been integral in creating and fostering many world-changing companies (in addition to having a rockstar first name). On the other hand, the little I know about his politics has led me …
Book Review – How To Change Your Mind
I first heard about Michael Pollan’s new book about six months ago, but it wasn't until I was reading it that I remembered this wasn't the first time I had read his writings on the subject. A few years ago in a New Yorker article entitled ‘The Trip Treatment’, he talked about the beginnings of …
Book Review – Man’s Search for Meaning
Viktor Frankl's timeless book 'Man's Search for Meaning' is a perennial classic. It has been recommended in twelve different episodes of Tim Ferriss' podcast where he tries to learn the things that have helped world-class performers in a variety of disciplines. I first read the book two and a half years ago while on the beach in Hawaii for …
#2: Reading more
While not officially one of my twelve challenges this year, I would like to focus more on reading. It is still a form of consumption more than production, but it requires more engagement. Additionally, I want to highlight, scribble in the margins, and make baby 'book reports' afterwards to help me retain what I read, …
Chortles and Harrumphs 