Category: Book

How To Find Your Next Book To Read?

Christmas is around the corner and it’s about time to create my 2026 reading list.

I used to rely on the “Customers who bought this also bought that” feature. While efficient, it has a significant downside: homogenization.

Algorithms tend to feed us more of what we already know. If we all rely on the same suggestion engine, we end up reading the same books and thinking the same thoughts.

That’s not discovery; that’s reinforcement.

To find truly fresh ideas, I go offline. Before I download anything to my Kindle, I tour physical bookstores – specifically the Translated Books section.

The Logic:

If a local publisher is willing to acquire rights, pay for translation, and print physical copies, that book has passed a rigorous vetting process. It implies the content is valuable enough to justify significant financial risk outside its home market.

I browse the shelves to find these gems, then head home and buy the original English versions for my eReader.

It’s a powerful strategy that hasn’t failed me yet. How do you prepare your reading list?

ReadingList #BookLovers #Kindle #ContinuousLearning

AI vs Human Creation

We often describe AI as cold or synthetic. But that’s a misconception.

AI isn’t “creating” in a vacuum; it is remixing everything we have ever written, drawn, or coded. Its training data is, in fact, a mirror of us.

Because of this, I believe authentic human creation is more valuable now than ever before.

To celebrate that human touch, I am proud to share my sixth photo book. I’ve been embracing on-demand printing since 2008 to bring my digital work to life, but this volume feels special. It marks the finale of my three-part photo story:

👁️ Eyes like a shutter
🧠 Mind like a lens
❤️ Heart like a film

To me, there is something irreplaceable about the smell of ink and the weight of paper. While I use digital tools every day, seeing these three books side-by-side reminds me that some stories just need to be held in your hands.

I’d love to hear what you are working on. What is your latest creation?

HumanCreativity #AI #GenerativeAI #Creativity #Storytelling

The “Two-Minute Rule” just got a massive upgrade

I’ve been a loyal fan of David Allen’s Getting Things Done (GTD) for years. In fact, I make it a ritual to re-read the book every few years to reset my productivity baseline.

The most sticky habit I picked up? The Two-Minute Rule. The concept is simple: If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. Don’t file it. Don’t schedule it. Just do it.

It’s the secret behind my responsiveness. I clear the small stuff instantly to keep my mental deck clear.

But GenAI has redefined what is possible in “Two Minutes.” We’ve moved from simple maintenance to strategic output:

  • Then: Sending a quick “Yes/No” reply or forwarding a file.
  • Now: Drafting a comprehensive email, summarizing a 20-page report, or brainstorming strategic angles for a deck.

The rule remains, but the ROI has skyrocketed. We aren’t just clearing administrative clutter anymore; we are clearing strategic hurdles in the time it takes to brew a coffee.

How are you using AI to expand your two-minute window?

#Productivity #GTD #GenerativeAI #FutureOfWork #Efficiency

16 Years of e-Reading

Sixteen years, six Kindles, and countless books and stories later, my love for e-reading remains unwavering. From the original black and white to the latest color display, each iteration has been a portal to a different world.

In a world saturated with digital distractions, it’s important to have dedicated e-reader instead of an all-purpose tablet. No notifications, no emails, no social media scrolling but just the pure joy of reading. The convenience of a portable library, coupled with the focused experience, is irreplaceable.

It’s remarkable how much more I absorb when I’m not constantly pulled in different directions. If you’re seeking to reclaim your focus and rediscover the pleasure of uninterrupted reading, consider the simple magic of an e-reader. It’s a small investment for a significant return in peace of mind.

One Book At A Time – 2024

In 2024, information overload was a constant companion. AI tools could now summarize anything from websites to audiobooks, but it lacked the depth and nuance of truly engaging with a story. Still, finding a good reason for long-from reading felt like a big challenge nowadays.

Yet, I carved out precious moments for some reading escapes. Here are a few of my favorite books from this year:

  • 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗜 𝗦𝗲𝗲: 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘄𝗻 of AI by Fei-Fei Li (Kindle link: https://amzn.to/3PcxNVI) explores the exciting intersection of AI and human understanding.
  • 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗢𝘄𝗻: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗘𝗿𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘁 by Chris Dixon (Kindle Link: https://amzn.to/3VZHrPj) dives into the future of the internet, shaped by Web3 technologies.
  • 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘀, 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 by Nick Bostrom (Kindle link: https://amzn.to/3BKBTBq) examines the potential risks and rewards of superintelligent AI.
  • 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱: 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻 by Adrian Niculescu (Kindle Link: https://amzn.to/3ZYd9O2) explores the world of tokenized assets and blockchain investing.

Reading in the age of AI comes with its own set of challenges, so here are some tips to help you squeeze in reading time:

  • 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲: I carry my Kindle Colorsoft (my 6th Kindle! – https://amzn.to/4gVnNvT) with me everywhere. Unlike tablets, e-readers minimize distractions from emails, notifications, and social media.
  • 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝟭𝟱 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀: Even short bursts of dedicated reading can make a big difference. Utilize commutes, waiting times, or short breaks for focused reading. In my case, I also enjoy a dedicated reading session after lunch.
  • 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆: Designate a quiet, comfortable space in your home and office to signal to your brain that it’s time to focus on reading.
  • 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: Discuss books with friends, join a book club, or connect with online reading communities to enrich your reading experience.

Ultimately, reading remains a source of deep satisfaction and intellectual growth. It allows us to escape the noise, explore new ideas, and connect with the power of human imagination.

What were your reading highlights of 2024? 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀!