piabo's reviews
287 reviews

I am reading too many books on the same topic right now, I might pick this one up later again

I am back in my 12-year-old boy reading era. It was great to calm down during a busy academic time as I was desperately looking for a Harry Potter alternative. This is not it, but that is okay. Also felt just like another "Percy Jackson" and wasn't really worth it. I don't want to read the rest of the series (but let's see lol).

Did I ever mention that I am obsessed with complexity science? Ever since I got introduced to it in first year of uni, I wanted to learn more. It is just such a neat way to dissect the world and look at it. One that makes much more sense than reductionist approaches (trying to explain things through rigid formulas or breaking it down in ways that do not make sense).
This book is a great introduction to the major concepts of complexity and systems thinking (basically the same thing). Highly recommend it to anyone who lacks words for the complicated ideas they have about this world. I am sure much of this is intuitive, but reading about it, will be much cooler.

Very good essay on growing up Black in the US, on being a father, and just life generally. I enjoy the writing style; the author captures emotions and complex topics effortlessly. 
I did read it quite quickly and ended up discussing it with a book club with retired white US people. It was actually so interesting to hear their perspectives! 

I was looking for more neuroscience background and this book was not really it. But it was still very great for learning strategies and explaining what actually works. While I am already familiar with the field, my biggest takeaway was the power of applying knowledge and how it is much more effective than just taking in things. The sweet spot is apparently to take 40% of the time you have to study something, and then take 60% of the time to apply this to practice questions or other applied areas. We all know this, but it was just especially well-illustrated here, and I felt called out for passively reading books this whole time and not using my knowledge much. I am now actively thinking about ways to make it happen more.

I am so amazed at how I understood these concepts a few years ago already, but I did not really understand them at the same time. Now, when I read this socialist revolutionary book, I can relate so much and properly understand what the concepts and ideas of the class struggle mean, also for our world today.
I do not share the whole analysis of Kwame Nkrumah, but I appreciate it in its historical context. I think the ideas are revolutionary and great. I just wish he would have been more clear about certain concepts and provided actionable plans. The book has also been lacking sources and deeper analysis. I sometimes felt like he was just making claims without explaining why his ideas are good.

I have learned about fixed and growth mindsets so often, so I knew it was important already. But I have never read one book only about this topic, and I am so glad I did.
It might exaggerate on some points, but I think that is normal for books like this. Yet it brings the point across great. Your life can seriously improve and just be lived happier with a growth mindset over a fixed mindset. Go consider, please, and read this book!

The book was recommended by a coach I know and it makes so much sense. Everyone who works with humans should know about this concept. Be it a coach, a teacher, a parent, or everyone who wants to help people succeed.

It started a bit slow but got better! This book does not really introduce any new concepts, but it puts everything together in such a nice and readable way. I am already inspired to go back and re-read a topic when I encounter a social situation and need a refresher on a certain topic. Highly recommend it to anyone who talks to people.

Was an easy read, and interesting at first, but got long at some point and the end was underwhelming. I guess that is what happens in romance novels. Not bad!
I also read this to understand rich people and the ridiculous inequality better, and it definitely helped. Plus lots of Singapore slang and knowledge in here!

I did not find this too interesting, to be honest. Had to read it for my computational neuroscience uni class and my professor hyped it up a lot. It is just a bunch of vehicles that are somehow wired to create seemingly complex things. It was not useless to read, but I think a summary would have been alright. For example, the podcast episode from my professors: https://unpopularneuroscience.podbean.com/e/weird-little-guys-vehicles-by-valentino-braitenberg/