Reading
Books I've read and recommend—or not.
Technical Books
Python Crash Course
A wonderful, clear explanation of the basics of Python.
Understanding Algorithms
An excellent book on the fundamentals of algorithms. Clear explanations and illustrations.
Python: Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Cloud Computing
The book isn’t useless, but its target audience is unclear. It’s a bit too difficult for beginners and uninteresting for experienced readers. Plus, the translation and layout are poor.
Algebra, Topology, Differential Calculus, and Optimization Theory for Computer Science and Machine Learning
Over two thousand pages of mathematics for machine learning. I haven’t read it cover to cover; I’ve just skimmed certain sections.
Open the book →Fiction
The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect
A rather intense, though intriguing, book about an omnipotent AI that, through its “benevolent deeds,” turned life on Earth into a living hell.
Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Endless Garland
A mind-bending journey through mathematics, music, and painting.
Profession
An excellent novella about the essence of human knowledge and education.
The Road
This book really moved me.
Hyperion + The Fall of Hyperion
An interesting plot, a pleasant writing style. The excessive admiration for Keats gets a little tiresome.
Math with Silly Pictures
The book is wonderful, but the translation is awful: it has a very machine-like style with minimal editing.
The Book of the New Sun
A blend of fantasy, science fiction, and Christological reflections. Unusual and interesting.
Anathema
Science fiction set in the distant future, exploring segregation among people, contact with aliens, and the nature of knowledge. Very interesting and quite long.
The Lord of Wrath
A hallucinatory reflection on the theme of the creator and creation.
The Chronicles of Amber
A ten-book series about the Amber Kingdom. Family feuds, fantasy, parallel realities. A real blast.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
A cyberpunk classic about the nature of humanity and advanced robots.
Laurel
A biographical novel about a medieval healer. An intriguing blend of postmodern complexity, vibrant Russian spirituality, and academic rigor.
Hamlet
A tragic play about revenge. Shakespeare can be difficult to read at first, but his style eventually draws you in.
The Blood Meridian
A ruthless Western about a 14-year-old boy in the company of outright outcasts and murderers. There are no good characters here, and some are downright terrifying.
The Hidden Man
If you like Platonov’s style, no further recommendation is needed.
The Enchanted Wanderer
A tale about the life journey of a monk who never intended to become one in the first place.