Recommendations you can check.
Software engineer and essayist who writes about programming, philosophy and literature at thoughts.wyounas.com.
10 things
Philosophy as a Way of LifeBook Pierre Hadot
I came across this book accidentally, but I'm so glad I did. Pierre Hadot was a French philosopher who could not only philosophize but also write simply—an ability not common among top-tier philosophers, if I may say so with respect.
His year-end post on the books he most enjoyed reading in 2024, with a long note on each.
2024-12-30·thoughts.wyounas.com ↗
OresteiaBook Aeschylus
His thoughts on human psychology and the way he crafted his stories are why I liked this book. I have to admit, there is a lot in it that I need to absorb. I'll surely be re-reading this one sometime soon. It's one of those books that one ought to read multiple times in life because I'm certain that every time we read it, it will offer something new.
His year-end post on the books he most enjoyed reading in 2024, with a long note on each.
2024-12-30·thoughts.wyounas.com ↗
The Strangest ManBook Graham Farmelo
I found this an engaging biography and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
His year-end post on the books he most enjoyed reading in 2024, with a long note on each.
2024-12-30·thoughts.wyounas.com ↗
Human, All Too HumanBook Friedrich Nietzsche
I have never read a philosopher who had more penetrating thoughts in a book. Some of his ideas hit you like a thunderbolt.
His year-end post on the books he most enjoyed reading in 2024, with a long note on each.
2024-12-30·thoughts.wyounas.com ↗
Principles of the SPIN Model CheckerBook Mordechai Ben-Ari
This book gave me both insight and a deeper curiosity about the subject. This book introduces the SPIN model checker and exposes the reader to the nuances of verifying programs using SPIN. A nice feature of the book is how it explains concepts using thoughtfully developed, freely available tools (such as jSpin) that the author created for pedagogical purposes. It's a demanding book, but the content was interesting. The book presents details about concurrency, temporal logic, non-determinism, advanced SPIN topics, and even case studies. I've already written a few blog posts about the topics I explored while reading this book, and I plan to write more. Overall, it's a good book. I'm sure I'll revisit the latter half again.
His year-end post on the books he most enjoyed reading in 2024, with a long note on each.
2024-12-30·thoughts.wyounas.com ↗
Born Standing UpBook Steve Martin
It's a nice, short, and moving memoir by the comedian and actor Steve Martin. The book details his early working days at shops and clubs, his relationships, and eventually his rise to fame. He shared his struggles, his failures, long hours of practice, his reflections to refine his craft, and his efforts to find his own unique voice as a comedian. Any memoir that only talks about successes and never discusses struggles, rejections, or weaknesses is suspect. This one is not. What I like about his writing is that it feels candid and, at times, funny.
His year-end post on the books he most enjoyed reading in 2024, with a long note on each.
2024-12-30·thoughts.wyounas.com ↗
Less Than OneBook Joseph Brodsky
This book is a collection of essays, and some of them are quite profound. One of his essays on Dostoevsky is particularly insightful; it left such an impression on me that I reflected on it and wrote an essay of my own.
His year-end post on the books he most enjoyed reading in 2024, with a long note on each.
2024-12-30·thoughts.wyounas.com ↗
A Wizard of EarthseaBook Ursula K. Le Guin
I picked this book up, and I liked it. On the surface, it's about wizards and magic, but there's more to it. Every now and then, Ursula Le Guin sprinkles in some wisdom.
His year-end post on the books he most enjoyed reading in 2024, with a long note on each.
2024-12-30·thoughts.wyounas.com ↗
The Best of TagoreBook Rabindranath Tagore
Some of his essays are thought-provoking. His reflections on education, nationalism, and other topics are not only stirring but also showcase literary brilliance. The man could write.
His year-end post on the books he most enjoyed reading in 2024, with a long note on each.
2024-12-30·thoughts.wyounas.com ↗
The argumentative IndianBook Amartya Sen
It's stimulating work as well as easy to read. Although parts of South Asia are not commonly known to have an argumentative gene, Amartya Sen convincingly shows that Indian history is deeply rooted in an argumentative tradition. He masterfully weaves evidence and tales to make his point.
His year-end post on the books he most enjoyed reading in 2024, with a long note on each.
2024-12-30·thoughts.wyounas.com ↗
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