Recent Reading - Fall 2022

Some notes on recent reading. Recommendations always welcome.

Fiction

• The Boys -  I loved this book.  First book I read that includes the pandemic as a central character.   Enjoyable, and thought provoking about the role of a parent and spouse.
• Ministry of the Future  - finally read and even with all the hype, still a great read.  Inspirational in a dystopian way, with characters you want to stay with.
• Native Air -  I knew nothing of this book other than a small leaflet hung in my son's climbing gym. Lovely portrait of friendship, regret and Sierra Nevada mountains.
• Fates & Furies -  Recommended, if just for beautiful writing.

Non-Fiction

• The Bogle Effect -  well done account of the immense impact Vanguard has had on investment management industry. I read with an eye towards what the 'digital first' Vanguard would look if started today.  What would it take to build a low-cost, long term oriented business with unwavering focus on helping investors to better in crypto and other alternative asset investments?    From this book, it seems more like a business model / financing question, rather than a technical one.
• Miracle & Wonder - delightful listen for all Paul Simon and Malcolm Gladwell fans.   Strong recommendation.
• In Other Words - loved listening to this book about language, travel and how to orient oneself in a new setting.
• Inspired - a study of creativity.  I wanted to love this one because of my interest in creativity, but it fell short for me in the central claim of sharing 'how we can maximize our creative potential.'  I would have loved to see more of Teresa Amabile's work relating to how everyone, not just exceptional 'creatives' can improve conditions for novel and meaningful work in their lives.
• How the World Really Works -  didn't get through this, despite it being recommended by many people I admire. It is a good grounding in why mitigating climate change will be so difficult, but I found myself plodding through so many facts and figures without enjoying the narrative.
• Wild Problems -  I love Russ Roberts' long interviews on EconTalk, and enjoyed this book if just as a reminder on the limits of the rationalist toolkit.  Hearing these arguments from Russ, a University of Chicago trained economist, is freeing.
• Ways of Being -  loved the first four chapters, about other forms of intelligence we find in nature, and adopting a more humble view of nature and the world around us.  The author brings together other books and research in a compelling story.  The back half of the book didn't connect as well to me, I would have taken well the message of opening our eyes to the wider world and the implications of our narrow assumptions on thinking and intelligence without detour through machines and AI.  
• Happier Hour -  great, researched based study of how to improve happiness.  I did the exercises as I read, and provided me some good reminders and tips to change my schedule on the margin....including ending this post now and going for a walk outside this afternoon.