Love of Learning & Personal Development
Growing up my Mom made sure that we visited the library often, and later, had our own little personal library of various books. I didn’t realize at the time, but she tricked us into loving reading by putting my brother and I down for bed, but leaving the hall light on, leaving us a blessed 6 inch strip of light we could read with from the cracked door. As such I developed a love of reading from an early age, and have since started my own personal library: an odd but happy family of books ranging from philosophy, fantasy, and business. As to be expected from a mathematician, I also have a healthy collection of books of calculus, pure math, statistics, numerical PDE’s, and machine learning.
I feel like we all follow our own personal gradient in life, and books help me find mine. These books, and many more, have helped me change my perspective, gain a greater worldview, and of course, taught me a lot of math.
Enjoy my small recommendation list – I’d love to connect on anyones thoughts about these books or others!
As a Man Thinketh
I read this on an annual basis, and have had one of his poems memorized since I was 14. A short but powerful work on the power of the mind, and I would argue, mental toughness.
The Art of War
A classic, this work has survived throughout the ages and helped me realize how I approach conflict, both internally and externally.
Rich Dad Poor Dad
What truly is an asset? How can I be aware of the opportunities around me? This book helped open my mind to ways I could push myself to grow and look at the world differently.
Mans Search For Meaning
A powerful work, truly humbled me to read about Viktor Frankl’s experience in a Nazi concentration camp, and how he found spiritual survival.
Think & Grow Rich
Another great book on the power of thought and purpose. Being conscious and purposeful with your goals and aspirations can yield powerful results.
The Lean Startup
One of my favorite entrepreneurship books, completely changed how I viewed projects and development. The “Build Measure Learn” framework has been burned into my brain, and was an integral part of my first startup.
How to Win Friends & Influence People
Another classic book, I remember reading this in middle school at the recommendation of my Grandfather and trying to put its principles to the test. Working my on my Eagle project as just a 13 year old, these principles helped me feel comfortable working with those I didn’t know.
The 100 Page Machine Learning Book
Andriy Burkov left no questions with this title. A classic in the machine learning world, I’m a big fan of how he doesn’t shy away from the math, and how it makes the model. A great reference I come back to frequently if I ever have a question on a model.
Machine Learning, a Probabilistic Perspective
Not for the faint of heart, this book has become my “Bible” of machine learning. While the notation is a bit hard to follow for me at times, I’ve often come to this book to learn a new method, or as a resource.
The Institute
I’m a Stephen King fan in general, but this is one of my favorite books from him. I felt the story was very compelling, and kept me in suspense throughout the book.
The Compound Effect
A great book about the power of habit, which made me rethink how I approached setting my goals and priorities. Darren Hardy also sends out a daily video available for 3 days, with various life coaching, called the Darren Daily. Would highly recommend.
The Omnivores Dilemma
Michael Pollan does an amazing job at telling a captivating story on the many choices of food we face as omnivores, and more importantly, its implications. Made me rethink my relationship with the food I ate, and quite literally changed my perspective on sustainable and healthy food.