I love reading, however I tend to forget about the books that I have read.
As time goes by, they distill into a few key concepts that stick with me if I were to resonate with them. Otherwise they are forever lost unless I reread the book... After seeing how bloggers publicise their notes, I have decided to do the same so that I could keep a record of what I have read. Hopefully they are of interest to you as well.
For each book, I have included snippets that should give you an idea of what the book is about and my personal rating. The list is not exhaustive will continue to be updated as I read more.
Non-Fiction
12 Rules of Life (8/10) - This would have been a good life advice book if I were in my twenties. It interweaves history, philosophy, religion and science into a pragmatic book on how to be a better person. Themes that resonate include: 1) one foot in chaos and the other in order is part of everyday's life, so get used to it; 2) sort out your own clutter first, or “what could I do, that I would do, to make life a little better?” 3) parents have a duty to act as merciful and caring proxies for the real world (but proxies nevertheless); 4) we have the disposition, or proclivity, to be evil and there is no limit to it.
21 Lessons for the 21st Century (9/10) - A must-read to understand our present and the pressing issues ahead. It probes into today's most urgent issues, such as work (AI and human cooperation rather than competition); liberty and equity (those who own the data own the future); the environment (global warming), religion, immigration, education, etc. 15 weighty matters to ponder upon.
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant (9/10) - Probably my go-to new year resolution book. Worth a revisit to remind myself of Naval's life advices on wealth creation and happiness. Key takeaway is to be authentic; be you; learn continuously and find your niche. Seek to achieve "freedom from"; strive for peace instead of happiness.
Homo Deus: A History of Tomorrow (9/10) - Another must-read addressing the question 'what is next for the human race?'. My key takeaways include: 1) the rise of techno-humanism and dataism (i.e. humans upgrading themselves biologically through technology); 2) humanism losing its narrative once humans on an individual level are deemed to be unproductive; 3) the notion of the brain and the mind being indivisible - humans being 'dividuals' rather than 'individuals'.
Man's Search for Meaning (9/10) - One of the best books I have encountered on the subject of the meaning of life. Based on his experience of the Nazi death camps, the author provides insight on what makes life worth living. His key idea is that we must recognise what life is asking of us instead of us asking what the meaning of life is. We can only respond to life with our own answers as everyone is different. "Everyone has his own specific vocation or or mission in life to carry out a concrete assignment which demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated."
Reality is Not What It Seems (9/10) - Such a good book on the nature of our reality. Complex concepts explained in simple terms ranging from special relativity; general relativity; blackholes; spacetime; quantum mechanics to loop quantum gravity, as developed by renowned philosophers and / or scientists Aristotle, Albert Einstein, Michael Faraday and Higgs, etc.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (10/10) - Another must-read to understand our past and how we get to where we are as a specie. It got me thinking about how our world is constructed, and the fact that the fundamentals in life, or the things that we take for granted (e.g. capitalism, human rights, democracy), are imagined orders created by humans.
Seven Brief Lessons of Physics (8/10) - Similar to "Reality is Not What It Seems" but structured into seven brief, accessible lessons covering post-Newtonian physics. Short and sweet, but with so much insight about our universe that it would make you appreciate the wonders of our reality.
The Beginning Of infinity (9/10) - On the same wavelength as Sapiens but with the complexity dialed up. Definitely a worthwhile read - I think it has brought to the table a great deal of insight, from philosophy, science, economy to history. My key takeaways: 1) seeking good explanation via criticism and conjecture is how we could achieve rapid expansion of knowledge with increasing reach, i.e. the beginning of infinity; 2) the fact that everything that is not forbidden by laws of nature is achievable, given the right knowledge. 'Problems are soluble'; 3) systems of governments are to be judged not for their prophetic ability to choose and install good leaders and policies, but for their ability to remove bad ones that are already there; 3) the meaning of the word 'parochial' :).
The Rational Optimist (7/10) - The main theme is that life is getting better for everyone without us even realising it: we are living like kings in comparison to our ancestors. The author not only describes how things are getting better, he also attempts to explain the whys. My key takeaways: 1) prosperity is time saved, which is stemmed from us being diverse as consumers and specialised as producers; 2) increasing self-sufficiency is the very signature of a civilisation under stress, the definition of a falling standard of living; 3) were it not for fossil fuels, 99% of people would have to live in slavery for the rest to have a decent standard of living; 4) there are always two sides to the story (e.g. biofuel is not necessarily as green as you may think, renewable energy does not equal to zero damage to the environment).
Fiction
A Gentleman in Moscow (10/10) - The ultimate comfort read. Filled with reminders of the importance of living life with the following in mind: 1) virtues, i.e. integrity, optimism, honours, generosity, etc. 2) of overcoming one's circumstances; 3) of keeping one's curiosity.;4) of love and friendships.
Crime and Punishment (8/10) - This is the book to explore the human conditions in depth. Deep-dive into the inner turmoil of a murderer. Prepare for a ride as the protagonist tries to justifies his desire by arguing that: 1) his act benefits the majority; 2) only great men who want to change the world would have the courage and strength to commit such an act. However, he is evaluating justice from his viewpoint only - Why would HE be correct in deciding what is right for the world? Eventually he is driven nearly insane by his guilt. Such beautiful pessimism: Russian literature at its best.
