Into the impossible: Think Like a Nobel Prize Winner by Brian Keating (2021)

I rarely make time for long-form podcasts, but I often watch Brian Keating's short YouTube videos. They condense physics and astronomy insights into compact, accessible commentary. Keating's strength lies in his engagement with unconventional thinkers—Avi Loeb, Eric Weinstein, Sabine Hossenfelder—and in his defense of rational inquiry: curiosity, the scientific method, collaboration, Humanist Enlightenment values, and ethical responsibility in research.

The book distills conversations with Nobel laureates into a framework for creative thought and scientific curiosity. Keating extends his interest in physics toward a broader philosophy of how discovery unfolds. Into the Impossible blends scientific reflection with the rhetoric of self-improvement, urging readers to test assumptions, question orthodoxy, and cultivate purposeful collaboration.

The result is engaging and coherent, though familiar. The book reiterates themes Keating has already articulated across his public work. For readers accustomed to his "snackable" videos, the content will feel like a polished synthesis rather than new terrain. Still, its clarity and intellectual warmth make the repetition worthwhile. 4/5 stars

Hidden Potential by Adam Grant (2023)

This book offers a compelling dive into the sociology and cognitive psychology behind unlocking personal strengths. Grant outlines practical methods for cultivating patience, grit, and perseverance to achieve fulfilling outcomes in life and work. The science is robust, drawing on sociological insights to guide readers toward their potential. However, the book's relentless focus on "rags to riches" stories feels repetitive and overly simplistic, undermining the otherwise strong self-help framework. Compared to Robert Greene's Mastery, which covers similar themes with greater depth and nuance, Hidden Potential falls short. The heavy-handed adversity trope often overshadows the actionable advice, making parts of the read feel tedious. Still, its insights are valuable for those seeking career and personal growth.

3/5 Stars – Worth a read for its science, but the narrow narrative disappoints.

Nobody's Fool by Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris (2023)

This book was lingering on my shelf, repeatedly overshadowed by my preference for space opera, historical fiction, and political reads. When I finally dove into this pop-science gem on cognitive psychology, I found it both enlightening and slightly over-the-top. The science is rock-solid, unpacking phenomena like Truth Bias, Familiarity, Overconfidence, and Confirmation Bias, with a focus on why we fall for scams, frauds, and misinformation. Notably, it debunks "social priming," a concept from Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow that Kahneman later retracted. While the sensational tone and writing style aren't my favorite, the fresh insights into cognitive pitfalls make it a worthwhile read.

4/5 Stars – Recommended for those curious about the psychology of deception.

Hope for the best; plan for the rest by Hsien Seow and Sammy Winemaker (2023)

Similar, but not as good as Atul Gawande's Being Mortal, this book explains how and why most of us should prepare for our inevitable end-of-life and also for being a good team member of care-givers for loved-ones who approach end-of-life.  Gawande's book approaches the choices and tradeoffs, while this book provides a framework for navigating the system assuming you (or loved-one) has a clear understanding of the choices and tradeoffs. 3/5 Stars.

Thrive by Arianna Huffington (2014)

I did not particularly like this shallow survey of self-help topics but I did appreciate the feminist context.  It is a gentle reminder about why I no longer read self-help books and a good reminder to prioritize aligning my own pursuits towards what I want people to say at my funeral. 3/5 Stars.

Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte

Tiago's book is a nice manifesto about why you should take notes and organize them for yourself in the future, especially if you have no external process and structure.  I especially appreciate Tiago's technology-independent library of tools and approaches to each element of his system. 3/5 Stars. The book is a good edition to your "self help" library if you read in the genre.