Irrationally Yours by Dan Ariely
This is a collection of question and answer columns that Ariely originally wrote for the Wall Street Journal. Like pretty much everything else that Ariely has written, I found this book to be interesting and enjoyable. I especially enjoyed how each question and answer were a really quick read, but, on the flip-side, I missed the depth of some of his previous writing. Grade: B+
Rise of the Robots by Martin Ford
A fascinating look at the rise of automation (machines, robots, and computers) in producing all the stuff around us and the impact it will have on our lives. As a parent charged with advising my children, I found the book fascinating, but also scary as seemly no job or industry is completely immune from automation. Maybe we'll all just need a 20 hour work week to keep everyone working. Grade: A-
Micro by Michael Crichton with Richard Preston
Oh how I miss Michael Crichton. Crichton apparently wrote but never published this book. Preston did a good job as it felt like a Crichton book. I found the science in this book to be a little sloppier and far-fetched than other Crichton books and I wonder if Crichton didn't publish it while he was alive because he could get the science realistic enough? I'll never know. Grade: B
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
An extremely interesting book on the role of mindset in being successful at what we pursue. The book discusses the importance of believing that we can learn new things and accomplish more through grit, hard work, and persistence. A must read for students and educators, in my mind. Grade: A
The Short Drop by Matthew Fitzsimmons
The first book by Fitzsimmons is a story of mystery, murder, and power that includes a prolific computer hacker, the vice-president, and former CIA-ers. Pretty good but not great. Grade: B
Saving Capitalism for the Many, Not the Few by Robert B. Reich
An extremely interesting look at the role of rules and regulations (set by government) in maintain a fair, capitalistic economy. Reich looks at the concentration of power in the few -- weathly individuals and corporations, and how this concentration impacts the rules and regulations that are put in place. A must read in 2016. Grade: A
