Best books I have ever read in 2019 (Part 1)
Each month I read about 3–6 books. The 12 books below are the 12 best books I read every month. You can see the entire list at the end of the article!
January — Weapon of Math Destruction — How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy
This book has an impressive cover, and the name is also impressive.
The author raises a good and painful problem, the press is not talked about but the people who do the data know: Bias (bias) of big data systems, based on input data.
For example, due to bias input data, black criminals are more white. After the system learns based on those data, when used, it will judge the possibility of crime of blacks higher => More black people are perceived to commit more crimes => Bias about black people commit crime increased.
Ironically, sometimes these bias … are hard to spot, because many companies don’t publish the algorithms / data they have used.
In general, the book is about Big Data but aimed at the average reader so it is easy to read and understand. Those who work on data should look and read it
February — Billion Dollar Whale
In February and March, I read the series of 54 Animorph books so I didn’t have time to read others. But when I saw this book, It’s 40% sale 😄, buy immediately, right!
The book is not very good. The content tells about the fraudulent journey of young Jho Low, doing all kinds of magic tricks to get investment money (about millions of billion USD) then put in private pockets, bribe the president, burn money at frivolous parties, lavish with A-list stars at Hollywood.
In general, he raked in an impressive sum (almost illegal) but now he is still living on the yacht outside the law, it is admirable.
March — It doesn’t have to be crazy at work
This is the next book after the series Rework, Remote of DHH (the father of Ruby on Rails).
I strongly recommend that any of you who pursue the developer career to read his articles and books. He has thoughts that are completely contrary to the startup’s philosophy:
- Sustainable development is better than pumping money for development
- A good company must make a profit
- You don’t need to be number 1, you have to disrupt the market
- Don’t follow 9–9–6 formula, but respect the work/life balance
The book itself is his experience summary of building a good company, sustainable development, not exploiting employees. Whoever is leader, CEO should read it.
April — Work Rules — Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead
I read another book and were introduced this book, ship from Amazon to read. Books about working culture, review and reward at Google.
The content is pretty good, but personally I find it not very helpful. Probably because my level is not good enough as well as the ability to apply the things in the book.
The good news is that I asked the company’s Product Lead and he knew about it. He says the old company also applies almost everything in the book but it doesn’t work much =))
May — Never Split the Difference
This book I read from the end of March, intended to learn how to negotiate salary. Unexpected that have not finished reading the book already had work, so I went to work, so busy till May to finish reading.
The author of the book is Chris Voss, an expert negotiating and negotiating with terrorists and rescuing hostages. Besides some negotiation experience, he also told some more talks with terrorists were quite good.
If you do not like reading books, you can watch the interview clip of him, which is quite good and rewarding!
June — Everything is Fucked — A Book About Hope
This is the second book by Mark Manson, a pretty funny and famous pen. Last year I reviewed his book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck, this year I saw this book so I reviewed it.
This book is also quite good and interesting, but the content is a bit vague, from religion to politics to AI and the future, etc. So after reading it, you will be a little … confused.
However, if you are a fan of Mark Manson, or have read your previous book, this one is not too bad.
Conclusion
In part 2, I will introduce the remaining 6 books, wait for it.
Bonus: Đây là list các sách mình đã đọc từ tháng 1 tới tháng 6, cuốn nào in đậm là hay nhất tháng, in nghiêng là sách hay — đáng đọc nhé.
January - The Rules of Work - Weapon of Math Destruction — How Big Data Increase Inequality and Threaten Democracy - This is Marketing - Vol 1–6 Animorph
February - Billion Dollar Whale - Vol 7–39 Animorph
March - Nier : Automata — Long Story Short - Vol 40–54 Animorph - It doesn’t have to be crazy at work - The Source - The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up - How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job
April - The Power of Moment - 21 Lessons for the 21st Century - The Rules of Wealth - Work Rules — Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead
May - Never Split the Difference - Interesting philosophy — Picture ethics - First, Break All the Rules - Zhuang Zi and Nanjing - Refactoring UI - Underground law
June - Everything is Fucked — A Book About Hope - The Wisdom of Crowds - This idea is ours - Love photos and another story - Hand for you - The world ended so gently