Once I Get Started: The Adult ADHD Program for Turning Your Intentions into Actions
by Russell Ramsay Ph.D.
· Non-fiction
As good an ADHD (“executive dysfunction”) book as any I have read, probably the best amongst them if you are looking for CBT strategies. I highly recommend!
Confessions of a Mask
by Yukio Mishima
· Fiction
The story of Kochan as told by Yukio Mishima in Confessions of a Mask is a story of persistently overcoming one’s innermost desire as a form of self-sacrifice to engender societal and familial acceptance. It is a transcendent example of youth exploring sexuality, and later realizing the betrayal of their truest sense of self as the base level of the human condition, but despite that betrayal, soldiering on. What I believe makes Mishima’s book so great is how he provokes his reader with probing courage to face their own masks and those of society. There is a certain steeling required when considering Mishima’s many ideas and concepts, so prepare yourself, perhaps with your favorite caffeinated or cheeky alcoholic beverage.
The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook (Book 3)
by Matt Dinniman
· Fiction
Carl's Doomsday Scenario (Book 2)
by Matt Dinniman
· Fiction
Dungeon Crawler Carl (Book 1)
by Matt Dinniman
· Fiction
This series is enthralling. Highly recommended if you're looking for lighthearted entertainment!
What Really Happened in Wuhan: The Cover-Ups, the Conspiracies and the Classified Research
by Sharri Markson
· Non-fiction
Long but informative.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar Wilde
· Fiction
Poor Basil. Just kidding, he had it coming! Just kidding again. What a great book. In the words of Mr. Wilde, "It is the spectator, and not life, that are really mirrors."
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
by John Berendt
· Non-fiction
Easily one of the most entertaining books I have ever read. It's hard to write a review without spoilers so I'll just say that my eyes had a hard time because I couldn't put the book down. Also, I definitely want a pair of glasses with purple lenses and I can't wait to visit Savannah again. Must read for everyone!
Quantum Computing for Everyone
by Chris Bernhardt
· Non-fiction
Arcane esoterica but all the same important for those looking to learn or better understand quantum informatics, specifically from a computing perspective.
Tip of the ADHD Iceberg: An adult's guide to embracing the hidden layers of your neurodivergence
by Dr Samantha Hiew
· Non-fiction
Eh. Kinda frustrating at parts but on the whole good information.
Hubris Maximus: The Shattering of Elon Musk
by Faiz Siddiqui
· Non-fiction
was not very encompassing and pretty negative. i did appreciate the detailed look but reading it felt like a very long article which makes sense given it was written by a journalist. the isaacson book is better if you are looking for an autobiography.
Hands on Hacking: Become an Expert at Next Gen Penetration Testing and Purple Teaming
by Matthew Hickey , Jennifer Arcuri
· Fiction
this book is a reasonable index of cursory knowledge and provides context around common concepts. there are a few great tools available for free that are described in the book which provide a nice starting point for beginners such as goog-mail.
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
by J.R.R. Tolkien
· Fiction
a classic albeit long and drawn out in parts, not many can match the storytelling power of tolkien!
The Passionate Programmer: Creating a Remarkable Career in Software Development
by Chad Fowler
· Fiction
i grew tired of references to J2EE and COBOL but generally a good book worth reading for developers, especially in the AI-centric world we currently live in.
A Deadly Education
by Naomi Novik
· Fiction
pretty interesting magic system but i wish it was less school-focused.
Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI
by Karen Hao
· Non-fiction
i am someone in the thralls of the uncomfortable, often unfortunate, and very unfair world of ai. i stumbled upon and read empire of ai on a whim while traveling to japan and couldn’t put it down. i was shocked by the details the author (karen hao) uncovered, so much so that i read it numerous times, when back home from vacation, to match it to my lived experience and timeline. in my view, as a researcher and industry builder, karen’s retelling of the events that led up to and currently exemplify the ai industry are sage. everyone anywhere should read this book. i will be buying several copies, handing them out to my friends and family, and am placing my copy front and center so all can see it on my shelf with the hope it will spark questions and conversation. thank you karen hao for your investigative fact-based and incredibly brave reporting of sam, ai, and the broader tech industry. here’s to a hopefully better version of ai as a public good as a result of your words traveling far and wide!
The Atomic Human: Understanding Ourselves in the Age of AI
by Neil D. Lawrence
· Non-fiction
Exceptional book. I enjoyed every second of reading it.
“An artificial plant can fulfill some of the roles of a natural plant; it can decorate your home or office, and from a distance - or even under close inspection - some plastic plants pass for real plants. But the resemblance is superficial. Key aspects of the real plant are absent: the scent of the flower, the flavor of the fruit, the ability to grow and respond to its environment. In this respect, artificial plants resemble artificial intelligence.”
Highly recommended reading for anyone looking into the developments of AI and the difference between human and machine intelligence.
Bird by Bird
by Anne Lamott
· Non-fiction
this was ok. there were a few gems in it that helped me to better understand the writing process and develop my own, but at times it read more like an autobiography. at first, the book feels heavily influenced by religion, but thankfully Anne’s life has been so colorful that it wasn’t too cringe worthy and veered towards entertaining. her advice on publishing was very one-note, and not something i found valuable or cared for, and some of her tools like KFKD were not necessary/could have been omitted. if you are interested in writing or in the process of writing from an autobiographical lens, then this is a worthwhile read and feels accurate.
Carrie
by Stephen King
· Fiction
i enjoyed reading Carrie because it is fast-paced and a unique storytelling style. i did not like the lack of chapters; it made it difficult to stop and remember where i left off. the newspaper clippings and secondary accounts were, at first, confusing, but in the end dovetailed nicely.
The Elements of Style
by William Strunk Jr.
· Non-fiction
very informative but also a dry read. if you’re looking for the information in this, but would prefer a little more “life” to the writing, i recommend Stephen King’s “On Writing”—it contains the most important bits and is enthralling.
Hard Drive: Bill Gates and the Making of the Microsoft Empire
by James Wallace
· Non-fiction
definitely a few things in here about Bill that are not common knowledge while being interesting to read. a definitive history of early Microsoft and Gates himself for those curious but not at the level of an Isaacson.
Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction
by Maia Szalavitz
· Non-fiction
interesting tidbit about her life but later chapters were markedly less scintillating to the point i considered not finishing. overall fairly autobiographical (which is what i was looking for) and some helpful science.
The Self Delusion: The New Neuroscience of How We Invent―and Reinvent―Our Identities
by Gregory Berns
· Non-fiction
a helpful reframe of the present, future, and past self. salient points include you can and often are whoever you want to be through the stories you tell and the decisions you make and we are our own hero’s journey.
Trivergence: Accelerating Innovation with AI, Blockchain, and the Internet of Things
by Bob Tapscott
· Non-fiction
everything in this book one can glean by having a reasonable intuition about the current tech scene. i suppose it would be valuable if you do not. in any case, it reads like it was AI generated…
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
by Stephen King
· Non-fiction
really enjoyed this. so much so that i went and bought the first three books Stevie published: Carrie, ‘Salem’s Lot, and The Shining. i am looking forward to reading them next.
How to Navigate Life: The New Science of Finding Your Way in School, Career, and Beyond
by Belle Liang
· Non-fiction
some interview tips are helpful but generally the archetypes mentioned are uninspired. advice about improving one’s life is basic and rather trope-y.
How to Win Friends & Influence People
by Dale Carnegie
· Non-fiction
was ok. lots of the content is out of date historically but the concepts still hold true though not sure how effective they actually are.
Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence
by Anna Lembke
· Non-fiction
an excellent education for those looking to understand addiction at its roots and the effects it has on individuals, groups, and society.
Jewels: A Secret History
by Victoria Finlay
· Non-fiction
interesting read and helpful knowledge but a little dry at times.
Homo Deus: A History of Tomorrow
by Yuval Noah Harari
· Non-fiction
pretty good but not anywhere near sapiens.
The Scaling Era: An Oral History of AI, 2019–2025
by Dwarkesh Patel
· Non-fiction
was an interesting read with a number of helpful topics regarding the latest developments in Al and the infrastructure required to power it. at times, the Q/A-style with lots of references and sub-text was trying but otherwise pleasant and educational. it is approachable for those that are not technical and does a good job of explaining esoterica.
The Last Graduate
by Naomi Novik
· Fiction
Not as good as the first book.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
by Yuval Noah Harari
· Non-fiction
exceptional!
The Guest
by Emma Cline
· Fiction
loved this book.
The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
· Fiction
i read this in high school and it was ok. i read it again recently and it was much better than i remembered. the writing is beautiful and the story is tragic.
Rise of the Evening Star
by Brandon Mull
· Fiction
A Game of Thrones
by George R.R. Martin
· Fiction
a classic. Tyrion is my favorite character before you ask.
Fablehaven
by Brandon Mull
· Fiction
read this series as a preteeen and really enjoyed it. the world-building is fantastic and the characters are well-developed. the plot is engaging and keeps you hooked until the end.
Grip of the Shadow Plague
by Brandon Mull
· Fiction
Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
by Bruce Coville
· Fiction
Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher is close to my heart as the first book i actually completed. i still fantisize about finding my own Mr. Elives' Magic Shop. i highly reccomend it to young readers who are struggling to find their footing in the world of books.
The Magician
by Michael Scott
· Fiction
Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary
by Brandon Mull
· Fiction
The Alchemyst
by Michael Scott
· Fiction
this was the second series i read after Harry Potter that really engaged and intersted me. i especially enjoyed the reference to the real historical figures and events. the story is well-written and the characters are likable. you'll be wishing you got a summer job and ended up an alchemists's apprentice after reading this.
The Sorceress
by Michael Scott
· Fiction
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
by J.K. Rowling
· Fiction
needs no review.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
by J.K. Rowling
· Fiction
Keys to the Demon Prison
by Brandon Mull
· Fiction
The Necromancer
by Michael Scott
· Fiction
Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking
by Daniel C. Dennett
· Non-fiction
great mental and logic hacks to help you think more clearly and effectively. the book is well-written and easy to understand, making it accessible to a wide audience. highly recommend for anyone looking to improve their critical thinking skills.
Clarity & Connection
by Yung Pueblo
· Non-fiction
my first real foray into poetry and i really enjoyed it. the poems are simple but profound, and they really resonated with me. i would recommend this book to anyone looking for a little bit of inspiration and wisdom in their life.
Notes on Shapeshifting
by Gabi Abrão
· Non-fiction
short and sweet.
The Way Forward
by Yung Pueblo
· Non-fiction
Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI
by Ethan Mollick
· Non-fiction
A Little History of Mathematics
by Snezana Lawrence
The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World