I'm an avid reader and usually enjoy these books on the subway, Amtrak trains around New England, or in coffee shops like Caffè Nero or Mr. Crepe in Boston. I try to be fair in my reviews and not deduct stars just because I didn’t enjoy a book.
Ratings explained:
| 5 / 5 | Loved it a lot, would reread |
| 4 / 5 | I liked it, but I probably won't reread it again |
| 3 / 5 | It was fine. It wasn't amazing but it was a fun read and I don't regret reading it |
| 2 / 5 | I didn't like this *at all* and I'll probably say it was badly written |
| 1 / 5 | This book literally pissed me off |
| n / a | I didn't feel comfortable rating this book because it was either about facts, or I didn't finish it (which doesn't necessarily mean I didn't love it; I'm looking at you John Banville.) |
| Title | Author | Read | Rating | Review |
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| Sleep Tight | J.H. Markert | 2024/10/27 | 4.5 / 5 | |
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This book gripped me from start to finish. The atmosphere is dark, chilling, and relentless, making every page feel like a descent into madness. The author skillfully weaves tension with an eerie sense of dread that creeps into every corner of the story. Father Silence is one of the most terrifying villains I’ve come across, and the twists keep coming, making it impossible to put down. The way the author plays with memory and trauma adds so much depth to the characters, especially Tess. Definitely a must-read for horror fans looking for a story that stays with you.
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| The Deep History of Ourselves | Joseph LeDoux | 2023/03/26 | 4.6 / 5 | |
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LeDoux delivers an awe-inspiring journey through four billion years of evolution to explore how consciousness emerged. The book's depth is remarkable, balancing scientific rigor with fascinating storytelling. From the cellular to the cerebral, each chapter brings clarity to complex ideas, connecting ancient survival mechanisms with modern human behavior. LeDoux’s perspective on consciousness as a product of evolution offers profound insights, though the detail-heavy approach may feel dense at times. For anyone curious about the deep roots of human awareness, this is an enlightening and thought-provoking read. I used some of the figures in the book during my PhD defene at Yale University.
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| fMRI | Peter Bandettini | 2023/01/16 | 4 / 5 | |
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Bandettini presents an engaging and accessible account of the history and breakthroughs in fMRI. The book distills complex scientific progress into a concise and approachable narrative, ideal for both newcomers and those with a background in neuroimaging. His personal insights add depth to the technical journey, reflecting on the field's early days to the advances shaping our understanding today. It’s a brief read, but one that resonates, reminding us of the fascinating evolution behind one of neuroscience's most influential tools.
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| Causal Inference | Paul R. Rosenbaum | 2022/12/24 | 4.1 / 5 | |
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Rosenbaum’s Causal Inference is a rigorous and enlightening exploration of causal analysis, blending mathematical precision with practical application. His explanations on topics like matching, instrumental variables, and sensitivity analysis are both comprehensive and accessible, making complex concepts understandable even to non-specialists. The book is dense with valuable insights and provides a strong foundation in causal reasoning, especially for those in social sciences and epidemiology. Highly recommended for anyone delving into the challenges of establishing causation in observational data.
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