Books I have read

This book has taught me to never stop learning, to know my audience, how to estimate, to remove dead code regularly and to finish what I start.

I've learned a lot about writing clean code from this book, namely that simpler is always better, to follow the boy scout rule and to always look for the root cause. I also found out about code smells and rules for declaring names and managing comments.

I've learned why Netflix is so good at delivering content - their CDN, moving to AWS. I explored concepts of scalable computing, cloud service, it was an easy read.

I became familiar with various algorithms and their application to real-life problems, namely Optimal stopping - 37% rule, Explore/exploit, Sorting theory, Caching theory, Scheduling theory and Game theory.

This book inspired me to make reading a habit, which I accomplished using habit stacking. Key takeaway for me was to build identity-based habits, because your habits are a reflection of your current identity.

Positive Discipline is a marvelous approach to raising children - be kind but be firm. I learned a lot about common behavior in children: anger tantrums, power struggles etc.

The Lord of The Rings is a timeless gem of fantasy genre. The series was among the first advanced books which I read in English.

“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

Read 3-times over, this 7-book now 8-book series captivated me during my teenage years. In combination with the games, the world of Geralt of Rivia consumed me... for quite a few months.

This journey through the depths of the ocean told, told in a thrilling way was fascinating. I was fully immersed in the story, discovering unknown animals and long-forgotten ruins.

“We may brave human laws, but we cannot resist natural ones.”

Animal Farm helped me to better understand how people felt about socialistic regime (my country was ruled by socialists until the end of the 20th century).

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

I enjoy fantasy, so reading about vampires, even in old english was fun. It was a different experience from modern vampires and that's what made it exciting.

“There are bad dreams for those who sleep unwisely.”

Aboard the steamer I ventured into the heart of Africa and was exposed to the evils of imperialism.

“We live as we dream - alone. While the dream disappears, the life continues painfully.”

Working on yourself to impress others is not worth it - do it for yourself, that was my takeaway. Also dinosaurs are cool.

“Life is wonderful. It's a gift to be alive, to see the sun and breathe the air. And there isn't really anything else.”

Depicting the western front during the Great War, this book has displayed the horrors of war from a completely new perspective, first-person.

“Bombardment, barrage, curtain-fire, mines, gas, tanks, machine-guns, hand-grenades - words, words, but they hold the horror of the world.”

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a classic sci-fi book with elements of horror. Good read overall.

“You start a question, and it's like starting a stone. You sit quietly on the top of a hill; and away the stone goes, starting others...”

Exploring the future of degenerated human race was a fun read.

“We should strive to welcome change and challenges, because they are what help us grow. With out them we grow weak like the Eloi in comfort and security. We need to constantly be challenging ourselves in order to strengthen our character and increase our intelligence.”

Dystopian society where women are treated merely as servants to help around the house and to reproduce. This story, while set in future, draws similarities between the past and the present. I liked this story from a woman's perspective.

“Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. Don't let the bastards grind you down.”