1. Ethnic America -Thomas Sowell 95%
This is a book written in 1980 describing how different ethnics including Irish, Italian, German, Jews, Chinese, Japanese, Mexicans, Blacks and South Americans immigrated and developed in America. I love this book for two reasons: a. it did not only explain what happened but also offer deep analysis on how their social, educational and economic values and status quo shaped different ethnics’ development. So much can be learned. b. The wording and description are highly vivid and I can easily picture the information and situation the book was trying to deliver.
Since this book was written almost 35 years ago, while reading, I was trying to figure out what would best summarize the development of all ethnics in American in the past 35 years. Maybe the technology would play a key role in different ethnics’ immigration pattern? Meanwhile I visited the author’s website and became his fan. He is an outstanding and productive writer. I borrowed a bunch of his other books. Hopefully I have time to read them all.
2. David and Gliach -Malcolm Gladwell 85%
The author of this book was the one of Outlier and Blink. This book was written of the same style of the authors’ other books. It was trying to deliver a message that to be a big fish in a small pond can be a better idea and underdogs can beat the favorites in some situations with many inspiring opinions and stories, even though some points made remained vulnerable for arguments from my point of view. It’s a book worthwhile reading anyway.
3. 100 new health discoveries -Time Magazine ??%
I have been super interested in health related topics, not only because I have been paying tons of attention about my health, diet, physical exercise and psychology, but also because I am doing research in biomedical and trying to make a dent in health industry. An interesting book to get a big picture of current status quo about human health research, but not sure about the accuracy of the information delivered by a magazine special issue but not research papers. Anyway, it’s fun to read.
4. Pitching Hacks -Venture Hacks 70%
It’s a book talking about how entrepreneurs should pitch for investment from investors. There is some probably trivially useful information, but the skill of pitching itself means nothing for a successful business in my opinion. The key is to have a good idea and powerful execution. The funding will take care of itself afterwards.
5. King of Hearts -G. Wayne Miller 85%
I read this book because I am doing research in cardiovascular signal processing and hope to get some background in clinics. This book is somehow a biography of Dr. C. Walton Lillehe, a legendary surgeon and pioneer in cardiac surgery, complemented by some development history of cardiac surgeries. I learned a lot about the history, terminology and cardiac pathology.
Fun in My Life 