The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It's a simple book that conveys a powerful idea: the world will help you if you choose to follow your dream. If you ever happen to find yourself feeling that you're not enjoying what you do, I recommend you to read it.
Report
@fmerian I'm yet to read this, but I believe in the law of attraction and have had it on my reading list a long time.
Report
Quite a lot of them! Will just name a couple on top of my mind.
"Shadows of the mind" by Roger Penrose - shows how it's impossible for a computer (anything that passes the Turing test) to truly understand. Awareness is essential for understanding, and Penrose proves that through mathematical logic. He also explores few theories on consciousness.
"The Conquest of Happiness" by Bertrand Russell - few of his thoughts on making a good living. Personally, I think we shouldn't worship, or put on a pedestal a single state of mind (like happiness). However, this book covers quite philosophies on making a balanced life.
Report
@somnathsandeep interesting! And I agree, we mustn’t fixate on one state of mind. Putting these on the list.
Report
For me it was "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein. Read it when I was 5 and the message has stuck with me all my life. I have a copy on my bookshelf right now!
@jenny_kephart can you tell me why? Would love to pick it up!
Report
Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality by Eliezer Yudkowsky.
This is my life-changing desc book. Every re-reading is something new.
I advise it instead of the bible
Report
@dribas Harry Potter I get. Can you tell me a little about Methods of Rationality?
Report
@stuti Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality is an alternate universe Harry Potter fanfiction written by Eliezer Yudkowsky, an AI researcher and decision theorist at the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence.
Harry's aunt Petunia didn't marry Vernon Dursley, but did marry a scientist and professor at Oxford. And Harry grew up in such a family. So what if someone who knows scientific method and has rational thinking gets to magic world?
World ruled by aristocrats, where people are judged by blood and where noone knows what is hypothesis or experiment.
This book is a real guide how we should look at the world, what questions should ask and all these wrapped in a cool story.
Report
Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer. Read it when I was 13 or 14? The fiction was mind-blowing. The story was so masterfully told that I felt the struggles, ego and the victories that the characters experienced. Stuck with me ever since!
The art of thinking clearly of Rolf Dobelli with 99 examples of cognitive bias. Good for a short commute or on airplane.
Report
@emmanguyen don’t know when a plane ride will be, but doing it then!
Report
Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader
This book captures the difference between being a middle manager, and being a true strategic executive.
Report
@quakerwildcat funnily, I never considered myself a leader. So should pick this up to see if it’s true.
Report
The Optimistic Child, by Martin Seligman. This is a vaccine for depression for kids, but as adults, it’s like a handbook for handing situations that can be difficult. Well worth reading.
Though, if you are the child of divorce, The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce is the absolute best.
Report
@davidbressler1 I am so grateful for this suggestion. Comes at an opportune time. Thank you.
The Business of Living by Cesar Pavese. Balancing the pleasure and pains from your personal life (love and struggles) and work (highs and lows) can be absolutely devastating. This is a diary before the author commits suicide.
Report
@bmfteixeira interesting! And also pertinent. Thank you!
Replies
Humans in the Loop
Simply5 CloudLAN