The skill of problem solving frequently lies in the interpretation and reinterpretation of high-level objectives. In this book John Kay argues that “the best way to achieve any complex or broadly defined goal, from happiness to preventing forest fires, is the indirect way. We can learn how to achieve our objectives only through a … Continue reading Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly
Category: Books
The Art of Learning
Marc Tessier-Lavigne recommended this book in his recent talk given at Stanford University. The Art of Learning details the author Josh Waitzkin’s journey of reaching the top of his first field, chess, followed by his transition into Chinese martial art, Tai Ji Quan, and winning multiple championships. Had the book just stopped there, when you … Continue reading The Art of Learning
A Whole New Mind
If you only have one minute, take the 20-10 test (originally by Jim Collins). It is included in Daniel Pink’s book: A Whole New Mind, paraphrased here: Ask: Would I still do what I am doing now if I had $20 million in the bank and knew I had no more than ten years to … Continue reading A Whole New Mind
Still Me
The first book I read of Jojo Moyes’ novels is her Me Before You, around the Spring of 2013. Perhaps I read it in my conservatory at the time of jasmine blossom. Later on the beautiful scent of jasmine comes to my mind when I recall Me Before You. I read a couple more … Continue reading Still Me
Educated: A Memoir
Traveling between China and California, I read Tara Westover’s Educated: A Memoir during my two long haul flights. In this book, Tara tells the story of her life, born to survivalist parents in the mountains of Idaho, grown up in a household that distrust public education and medical establishment. She was an invaluable … Continue reading Educated: A Memoir
Planck – Driven by Vision, Broken by War
J. C. ignited my (very healthy) obsession in quantum computing about half a year ago. In the past few months, I have read some technical materials, but have been craving for more and more about the origin and the development of quantum physics, and the giants behind it. Sadly Richard Feynman’s books are … Continue reading Planck – Driven by Vision, Broken by War
Do No Harm
The first time I read Henry Marsh’s Do No Harm was in early February 2016, waiting outside an Intensive Care Unit of a no-smoking hospital filled with many “chimney people”, the staircases littered with cigarette ends, bathrooms without soap, hand sanitizer dispensers always empty except for the brief period when officials were touring the … Continue reading Do No Harm
A Room of One’s Own
Virginia Woolf gave a series of lectures in two women’s colleges of Cambridge University in 1928, and subsequently extended the content to its book form: A Room of One’s Own. It focuses on examining women’s roles as writers of and characters in fiction in a male-dominated literary world. I first read this small volume … Continue reading A Room of One’s Own
Women & Power: A Manifesto
I gifted myself Mary Beard’s Women & Power: A Manifesto for my birthday. This book was very visually prominent when I was walking around in Copperfield’s Books in Calistoga. The cover itself powerfully attracted my attention. Mary Beard! That name is enough for me to grab the book off the shelf and run to … Continue reading Women & Power: A Manifesto
The Little Prince
For years, I have liked the following quote attributed to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up men and women to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea. I have seen similar verses from other sources. … Continue reading The Little Prince