My reading list

The book emphasises on the power of genuine curiosity. Brooks argues that truly knowing someone goes beyond small talk and requires a sincere interest in their story. I found his practical tips for asking better questions and actively listening incredibly useful. It's made me realize how often I've missed opportunities to connect more deeply with others simply because I wasn't asking the right questions or giving them my full attention.

In this book, Cal Newport argues that the digital world has become a source of constant distraction and anxiety, leading to a decline in our overall well-being. He introduces the concept of digital minimalism as a way to reclaim our time and attention by focusing on what truly matters in our lives. Newport advocates for a more intentional approach to technology use, emphasizing the importance of cultivating meaningful connections and engaging in activities that bring us joy and fulfillment.

The prominent theme of this book is that you should give up, or try to reduce the time you spend on social media, news, and other digital distractions. The author spends a consider amount of time providing different examples to support this theme. As a result, the book might feel repetitive and can just be condensed to a blog post.

I can passionately say that it is my most favorite book on ML Engineering. The book provides a holistic view of what it takes to build and deploy machine learning systems into production. It is not about the latest machine learning models or algorithms, but about everything else from data engineering, feature engineering, techniques to create good training data, different ways to evaluate ML models, the importance of monitoring data distribution shifts, to a practical review of popular MLOps tooling.

As I've been focusing more on the MLOps side of machine learning engineering over the past year, I have found valuable insights in almost every section of the book. Chip did an excellent job compressing an extensive amount of knowledge in a fast-changing field like MLOps into an easily accessible book.

My favourite chapters of the book are:

5️⃣ Chapter 5 - Feature Engineering: Chip dives deep into different feature engineering techniques, explaining when and how to use them, and the potential pitfalls of each technique if used improperly. As someone who isn't really well-versed in the art of feature engineering for traditional ML models, I've learned a ton from this chapter.

8️⃣ Chapter 8 - Data Distribution Shifts and Monitoring: Chip discusses three major causes of ML-specific failures: data distribution drifts, edge cases, and degenerate feedback loops, explaining how to monitor these causes as well as how to address some of them.

📖 I can recommend this book to anyone who wants to deploy ML systems into production. I believe the knowledge packed in the book is applicable to most ML teams out there, especially those who aren't at big tech (i.e., FAANG-level).

This book had been sitting untouched on my bookshelf for a year. Initially, I dismissed it as just another self-help book, but I’m pleased to admit my mistake. "Chatter" offers a scientific and psychological insight into our inner voice, particularly the spirals of negative thought and their effects.

This book struck a deep chord with me. Having battled depression since 2023, I often found myself spiraling into a chaotic mess of negative thoughts. Kross sheds light on these thoughts, explaining them as manifestations of our inner voice. He illustrates how they impact our emotions, yet also how they enable us to run mental simulations and evaluate progress toward our goals.

Kross then introduces methods to manage our inner voice and its negative spirals. One technique I’ve embraced is journaling. Writing down my thoughts, especially when addressing myself in the second person or by name, helps create distance from negative experiences. This process allows me to construct narratives and view my experiences from a narrator’s perspective. I can attest to its effectiveness in unburdening my mind and reducing the exhaustion caused by incessant thoughts. Since I started journaling last year, I’ve noticed a decrease in the intensity and frequency of my worries.

Ethan Kross concludes the book by providing a suite of tools for dealing with negative internal chatter. Some techniques are self-directed, while others involve our social circles. I highly recommend giving these methods a try; there is a good chance they work for you!

This book by Joseph Henrich shines light on the evolution of human species. The premise of the book is that human are social animals, and cultural evolution, not intelligence, helped us evolve to the dominant species we are now. This perspective challenges the traditional views focused on genetic evolution.

Henrich's book is extremely well researched, referencing hundreds of peer reviewed articles in the areas of anthropology, genetics, economy and evolution. Each of the claims the author is making is backed up by wealth of research, and synthesizes ideas from a variety of disciplines. For a skeptical reader, the range of original research sources referenced in the book should be a valuable resource in reviewing the claims made in the book.

In this book, Mathew Walker explores into vital yet often neglected aspect of our lives: sleep. He reveals how it impacts every aspect of our physical and mental well-being, from our mood and productivity to our immune system and our ability to fight off disease. Walker begins by debunking common misconceptions about sleep, such as the idea that we can get by on less than seven hours per night or that we can catch up on sleep on the weekends, stressing its crucial role in memory, emotion regulation, and cognitive function.He presents intriguing research showing how lack of sleep affects everything from our immune system to our cardiovascular health, and even our life expectancy. Particularly striking are the chapters on dreams and the neuroscience of sleep, where Walker offers fascinating insights into what happens in our brains during different sleep stages.

"Why We Sleep" is more than just a book; it's a wake-up call about the importance of sleep. Walker's passion for the subject is evident in every page, making it a must-read for anyone interested in enhancing their health and well-being through the power of sleep. Additionally, the book is written in a balance between scientific and accessible language.

This memoir by Viet Thanh Nguyen is a unique and bold memoir that intertwines prose and poetry to explore the author's life as a Vietnamese refugee in America. Nguyen, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, presents a fragmentary reflection of the refugee experience, characterized by both lyrical and biting elements. The memoir is highly personal and political, recounting Nguyen's family's escape from Vietnam in 1975 and their life in San José, California, where his parents ran a Vietnamese grocery store. Nguyen's development as a writer, scholar, and citizen in what he refers to as AMERICA™ is a central theme, highlighting the widening gap between him and his immigrant parents.

The memoir is praised for its self-awareness and complex account of Nguyen's coming-of-age in a foreign land. It vividly portrays Nguyen's relationship with his parents, especially his mother, who suffered a mental break from which she never recovered. The narrative expresses Nguyen's desire to honor his mother, while also grappling with the fear of betraying her memory. Nguyen's critique of the model-refugee memoir is noted for its precision and humor, providing a blueprint for aspiring memoir writers that balances old-world hardship with subtle expressions of reconciliation.

Adoption plot: a stranger steps into the house to build it up or burn it down

Challenges that the Larsen parent faced when they went through the process to adopt a boy born in Thailand, after so many years of waiting. Life of the adopted boy in the white community wasn’t normal by its nature, people would question about his origin, or just why he is adopted in a white family

Vivid memories, mostly sound brittle of the sister about the tantrums that her adopted brother often threw during his childhood. Memory of the sister about her struggling brother during high school where fistfights were incarnated into his life. Her memories of her brother’s financial struggles with bad spending habits, something that has swept through their family, and something that their parents seem to have accustomed to.

Bright memories, especially toward the end of the novel, of cheerful moments in their childhood, playing together, of the time her brother missed the graduation ceremony, and instead took his graduation picture in the backyard of their home. About some warm conversations they had before he’s getting married.

Most of the novel is filled with detailed narrations of the various challenging moments in the life of an adopted family, the last few pages feel like a rush and waving expression of love that the sister wants to convey to her brother. Her brother’s life as an adopted child in a white family in America has been challenging, full of troubles, the brother himself has caused a lot of problems to the family, but after all, we can feel the love that his family has had for him, almost sound unconditional from their parents. The sister herself has accepted her brother for who he is, which is a form of giving up. At the same time, she seems to hope that he can change and will change, which guarantees her on-going frustration - a dominated theme in the book. However, we can feel that these feelings are hard to disentangle from the love she has for his brother.

While the book is categorised as a novel, it feels like a personal essay. There is no plot twist, or even plot building, and certainly no shift in perspectives.

This is a moral philosophy, i.e., philosophical self-help, book by Kieran Setiya. In his book, Kieran provides a reflection on how philosophy can help us navigate hardships in life, including pain, loneliness, grief, injustice and absurdity. The author challenges the idea that happiness is the ultimate goal of life that many pursuit. Instead, he argues that we should live well within our limits, acknowledge the difficulites that we have to deal with.

This contemporary queer romance novel revolves around the enemies-to-lovers story of Alex Claremont-Diaz, the First Son of the United States, and Prince Henry of Walves as they navigate the complex world of politics, family traditions, their feelings for each other, and their queer identities. Alex is sharp, passionate, and eager to jumpstart his own political career. Henry (full name: Henry Goerge Edward James Fox-Moutchristen-Windsor) is much more private and guarded - a prince with a smile "made to be printed on money." The two young men first appeared in the novel as hating each other, however, after Henry kissed Alex in a snowy garden on New Year's Eve, their love swiftly developed.

McQuiston paints an alternative reality in the US political landscape in 2020: the first female President of the United States is running for reelection. That landscape is background to the development of the relationship between Alex and Henry. They were trying to keep their love in secret away from the public. Eventually, their relationship was leaked, and the two characters faced with the challenges to come to term with the fallout. The political backdrop adds depth to the narrative, making the characters' growth and self-discovery all the more impactful.

Personally, I don't take this novel as a work of serious fiction, and I believe it isn't the intention of McQuiston for it to be that way. While the writing is engaging and filled with witty banter, it can be overly empathic. The rivalry between Alex and Henry at the beginning of the novel seems exaggerated, and the "happy ending" feels like it didn't require much effort, and somehow not so important. And although the sex is fun, it is cliche and lack of depth into real 'sex' as often depicted in gay novels. However, I still enjoy reading this book. In McQuiston's world, we can be fun and enjoy ourselves. We can have heartbreaks, crushes, and ridiculous confrontations in the rain. Sometimes the plot feels silly and calorie-free. But who cares! Equality means having access to every type of narrative, from the weighty to the frivolous.

"On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous" by Ocean Vuong is a stunning and poetic debut novel that explores the complexities of identity, love, and family. The book is a letter from a son to his illiterate mother, filled with raw emotions and hauntingly beautiful prose. Vuong's writing is both lyrical and evocative, painting vivid pictures of his characters' struggles and triumphs. The narrative delves into the immigrant experience and the challenges of growing up in a multicultural society, making it a profoundly relevant and timely read. Throughout the book, Vuong's exploration of queerness and the nuances of human relationships adds depth and authenticity to the story, leaving readers with a lasting impact. This book is a profound and unforgettable tale that leaves an indelible mark on the reader's heart.

The book is a thought-provoking and insightful guide that challenges our perception of time and offers a fresh perspective on how to make the most of our limited time on this planet. In this book, Burkeman delves into the concept of time as a finite resource, emphasizing the urgency to reassess our priorities and make intentional choices to live a fulfilling life.

Burkeman skillfully weaves together philosophical insights, scientific research, and practical tips to address the modern-day struggle with time management. By examining the psychological barriers that hinder our productivity and the societal pressures that drive us to constantly chase more, he encourages readers to reevaluate their relationship with time and find contentment in the present moment.

One of the key takeaways from 'Four Thousand Weeks' is the notion of embracing imperfection and recognizing that time management is not about squeezing more tasks into our days but rather making meaningful choices about how we spend our time. Burkeman advocates for focusing on what truly matters, fostering deeper connections with others, and fostering self-compassion to build a life that aligns with our authentic values.

The book also offers practical strategies to avoid distractions, overcome procrastination, and cultivate a mindful approach to time. Burkeman's engaging storytelling and witty prose make the journey through the pages an enjoyable and enlightening experience.

Ego is always part of us, no matter what you do. It's one of the forces that push us forward, achieving what we want to achieve. At the same time, it is also the biggest enemy that prevents you from getting success. Whenever you have some failures, setbacks, it's our ego that consumes us in anger, resentment, and revenge.

One way to win over our ego is to keep a student mindset as in always learning new things or when learning things, start as if you're a totally new student. Another way is to think and act according to a bigger purpose. When you achieve something at work, try not to think as if it's your own success, but it's a success achieved by you and your team. Similarly, think about the impacts you've made through your works, not jut about yourself.

This was an relaxing read for me. The ideas presented in the book are easy to comprehend. The author illustrates his points with a host of examples from historical figures, politicians, businessmen, athletes, etc. Though I have read books with similar messages, I find it's beneficial to grasp over this book as a reflection about ego avoidance. One small minus of this book for me is that it seems to be in a chaotic organization of ideas, opinions, reflections.