book review

Josh Starmer has done it again. The StatQuest Illustrated Guide to Neural Networks and AI is the perfect and much-needed follow-up to his foundational machine learning guide. This book retains the beloved, intuitive, and highly visual style that made the first one a runaway success, but takes a crucial step forward by integrating hands-on PyTorch coding examples. It masterfully demystifies the “magic” behind modern AI—from basic neural networks to the complex Transformer architecture—by pairing clear conceptual explanations with practical implementation.

Chip Huyen’s AI Engineering is a landmark text that perfectly captures the current zeitgeist of AI development. This is not another book about training models from scratch; it is the essential, pragmatic handbook for the new discipline of building robust, valuable applications on top of existing foundation models.

Hands-On Large Language Models is a brilliantly executed guide that delivers exactly what its title promises. Authored by two highly respected figures in the NLP community, this book masterfully blends Jay Alammar’s signature, crystal-clear visualizations with Maarten Grootendorst’s practical, hands-on expertise.

“Beyond Vibe Coding: From Coder to Ai-era Developer” is a timely and essential guide for any software professional navigating the seismic shift brought by AI-powered coding assistants.

John Ousterhout’s “A Philosophy of Software Design” presents a compelling argument for simplicity as the cornerstone of effective software engineering. At just 170 pages, this concise volume mirrors its own philosophy: minimize complexity, maximize clarity. The book offers a systematic approach to software design centered around the fundamental principle that complexity is the enemy of good software.

P.L. Deshpande’s “Vyakti ani Valli” is a masterclass in character sketching, a book so riveting it exemplifies how literature can breathe life into words. Celebrated in Maharashtra for his sharp wit and layered humor, Deshpande crafts a collection of portraits that are both deeply individual and universally relatable. The result is an awe-inspiring and effortlessly entertaining read that remains a timeless classic.

A masterpiece by Pu La Deshpande, Marathi Vangmayacha Galiv Itihas is a witty and delightful satire on ancient Marathi literature. It’s a humorous yet insightful journey through eight centuries of Marathi’s literary evolution, narrated in Pu La’s signature parody style. This book is an absolute must-read for anyone who appreciates literature, humor, and the genius of Pu La.

“Bravehearts of Bharat: Vignettes from Indian History” by Vikram Sampath is a captivating anthology of 15 lesser-known but impactful historical figures from India’s rich tapestry. The book offers a well-researched glimpse into their lives, challenges, and contributions, with a commendable focus on women leaders. While not without its minor flaws, it is a must-read for history enthusiasts and a great addition to any bookshelf.

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant is a thought-provoking guide to rethinking wealth, happiness, and life itself. Based on Naval Ravikant’s famous tweets and commentary, this book is packed with actionable ideas and timeless wisdom. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking both financial and personal growth, but it’s best absorbed over multiple readings.

We live in a world full of taboos, and death is one of them. Through this book, the deeper meaning of death is searched that regards it as lesser than we thought it be.

Beyond the Last Blue Mountain: A Life of J.R.D. Tata by R.M Lala is a biography of J.R.D Tata about his life and background and talks about his journey from his childhood till death.

There are different learning areas, and Consilience is a book that helps all of these areas. Human evolution and the book believe in unifying the theory of science and knowledge.

Antifragility books a house that is entirely full of practical topics that will help one to thrive through uncertainty, and volatility.

The Question Book by Krogerus and Tschäppeler helps one to understand themselves and open up to someone without judgment.

The Test Book is a combination of humor along with excellent insights. To evaluate your life and happiness, the book offers plenty of methodologies.

The Change Book is about how you make your way in the world that is prone to a constant change. The book is about change, and how change is happening everywhere around us.

Time management and personal productivity are what make “Eat that Frog” unique. The actionable steps in the book help you get started as soon as possible. Ideal for Procrastinators.

Shape Up is a book that generalizes the idea of first shaping a project and then betting on getting it done within six weeks by a self-nurtured team.

Through the core ideas of “SUCCEs”, an idea can be sticky. The book talks about combining the 6 characteristics for the same purpose.

Written by Geoffrey A. Moore, the book diligently serves the purpose of bridging the Chasm, which is a very likely scenario in today’s approach to the Tech Adoption Lifecycle. Through the book, two main chasms are clearly illustrated.