This is my digital bookshelf. If this can help me better remember what I’ve read, and increase motivation to read more: Mission accomplished.
Title: Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
Author: J.D Vance
Start: Dec 2024
Status:Completed
Review: First of all, I am neither a fan nor a hater of the guy. I just wanted to see if all the criticism he received was backed by reality. I seem to remember during the campaign that his opponents claimed he was trashing his own kin. I did not recall this. I read a story of a broken childhood with many hurdles. The main savior (as in many stories) was that there were a few 'beacon' adults who managed to guide him in the right direction. He certainly impresses by climbing the social ladder. The big question remains: will he be able to channel his anger (if any) and childhood trauma in the right direction to understand and help society at large?
Review: I often judge a fantasy book by how many ideas I want to share with friends. Usually, I’ll say something like, “This book has a cool magic system called 'bla bla bla.'” That didn’t happen with this one—except maybe for the Luggage and the world resting on a turtle and elephants.
Review: Was looking for a summer vacation book, and asked ChatGPT: I need something with a good travel vibe, maybe mediteranian ocean, restaurants etc. A quick read, probably better to watch the movie.
Review: I believe it's important to read and understand Elon Musk, as he has a significant impact on our daily lives, whether we like it or not. Although he tends to create drama, he also has a unique set of psychological traits that contribute to his success. His system of achieving goals is effective and can be implemented by small businesses. For instance, in a stripping process, if you don't add back ten percent, it means you haven't stripped enough in the first place.
Review: A lot to talk about for this book. An epic adventure in the vast mystic and medieval world by Patrick Rothfuss. Follow Kvothe through his years at the University, the realm of Fea, The Lethani, the hunt for Denna and much more. This book is intriguing in a way that makes it difficult to pinpoint what specifically draws you in, yet it is equally challenging to put down.
Review: I think Ben H. wrote an amazing book for entrepreneurs. Even though he's one of the ultimate big boys of Sand Hill road in Palo Alto, he's some how managed to keep things low key and grounded. He does so especially through his definition of 'The Struggle', the hard things that every CEO or founder need to handle. He also has some really good points in defining peace-time CEOs and wartime CEOs. A lot of this material resonated as well as inspired me. Great work is hard and should be hard. Learn to love it.
Review: What an incredible finish! I almost set it aside, but I'm glad I persisted. Though it began somewhat slowly, it concluded with a powerful ending, complete with significant plot twists and thrilling battles. It has opened up a new world for me, and I'm eager to continue with the next books in the series.
Title: 'Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!': Adventures of a Curious Character
Author: Richard P. Feynman
Start: Aug 2023
Status:Completed
Review: As much as I admire Mr. Feynman for his perspective on science, his work, and his humor, I believe this book falls short. It feels a bit disorganized, with stories that vary too widely in subject matter. I was hoping to gain insight into everyday science, but instead, there were too many uninteresting stories about girls and drums. On a positive note, the book did not dampen my ongoing enthusiasm for physics.
