Welcome to our July selection! This month, we dive into creativity, scientific history, and the mathematics behind modern technology. Discover how to overcome creative blocks and reignite your passion for writing, explore the rich and often overlooked global history of mathematics, and learn practical strategies to turn your fleeting ideas into finished works. You’ll also learn about the mathematical foundations of AI and how to redefine what it means to be truly wealthy. We hope this selection inspires your personal growth journey this summer. Happy reading!
Writing on Empty
Celebrated author and teacher Natalie Goldberg reveals her deeply personal and inspiring journey from creative stagnation to a deep reconnection to the art of writing. Confronted with an unprecedented writer’s block at the onset of the pandemic, Goldberg’s usual practices failed her, prompting a transformative road trip across the western United States. Through visits to literary landmarks and introspective reflection, particularly at Hemingway’s grave, she rekindled her creative spark. Goldberg’s narrative weaves through her struggles with personal relationships and unresolved grief, ultimately finding a path back to writing and healing. Her story is a compassionate and practical guide for anyone seeking to reconnect with their sense of creativity, offering hope and clarity in the face of the inevitable creative and personal challenges we all face in life.
The Secret Lives of Numbers
Kate Kitagawa and Timothy Revell offer a refreshing and inclusive take on the history of mathematics, spotlighting the often overlooked contributors from diverse cultures and eras. Contrary to traditional Eurocentric narratives, this book reveals how mathematics was shaped by brilliant minds from six continents over thousands of years. From Hypatia, whose groundbreaking work in geometry was met with fatal opposition, to Karen Uhlenbeck, the first woman to win the Abel Prize, the authors paint a vivid picture of mathematicians whose contributions have been pivotal yet underappreciated. The book also explores the mathematical advances made by Arabic scholars at the House of Wisdom, the early calculus discoveries by Indian mathematician Madhava, and the influential work of Black mathematicians during the Civil Rights era. By weaving these stories together, The Secret Lives of Numbers not only broadens our understanding of math’s history but also celebrates the rich, multifaceted heritage of the discipline. This will encourage you to rethink what you know about mathematics and appreciate its global and diverse roots.
A System for Writing
This book offers a lifeline for creatives who often find themselves stuck in a cycle of ideas that never quite make it to the page. It’s perfect for those who struggle with writer’s block, abandon projects halfway through, or fear they have nothing worthwhile to say. Doto offers practical strategies to capture fleeting ideas, extract valuable insights from what you read, and connect information in innovative ways. By teaching readers how to transform scattered notes into cohesive manuscripts and start writing sessions with a running start, he inspires a more productive and creative writing process. Drawing from his extensive experience across various writing formats and editorial roles, his advice is both actionable and inspiring, making this book an essential guide for anyone ready to conquer their writing fears and unlock their creative potential.
Why Machines Learn
From approving mortgage loans to influencing breakthroughs in chemistry and physics, machine learning systems are increasingly making critical decisions. Anil Ananthaswamy presents a captivating exposé of the mathematical principles powering the revolutionary advancements in artificial intelligence, tracing the roots of this technology to fundamental mathematical concepts such as linear algebra and calculus dating back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. He highlights how the rise of computer science and the development of 1990s video game chips sparked the AI explosion we witness today. The book not only explains the essential math behind machine learning but also explores the intriguing possibility that the same mathematical frameworks might underlie both artificial and natural intelligence. Ananthaswamy concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding both the capabilities and limitations of AI to ensure its safe and effective use. If you want to understand the mathematical foundation of the AI technologies shaping our world, this book is for you.
The 5 Types of Wealth
In his debut book, Sahil Bloom, acclaimed writer of The Curiosity Chronicle newsletter and entrepreneur, dismantles the conventional belief that wealth is solely defined by financial success. Instead, he introduces a framework that emphasizes time, social, mental, physical, and financial wealth. The 5 Types of Wealth is a call to reject societal norms and design a fulfilling life centered on these five pillars for long-lasting happiness and success. Through engaging storytelling and actionable insights, the author encourages readers of all ages to take control of their time, deepen their relationships, find clarity of purpose, enhance their health, and achieve financial independence. This is a must-read for anyone seeking to build a balanced and joyful life while pursuing their ambitions.
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