I want to share a short story…

When I was younger, I constantly read books—late into the night, during classes, or on road trips. As I got older and busier, those whimsical fantasy worlds faded away. For years, I didn’t read any fiction outside of school requirements. At the start of my graduate studies, I wondered, “Why not read again?” I yearned for the simplicity of childhood. I had stopped reading because I became obsessed with my studies and career, which made life less fun. Though I don’t regret my choices, I wouldn’t make them again. So, I gave it a shot: I picked up a few fiction novels and read through them. After a few years, I can say it was a good choice. Fantasy and science fiction authors inspire, scare, and provoke thought. Their creativity is similar to the core skill of a scientist: turning nothing into something. To reconnect with my child-like imagination, I decided to keep reading.

However, resuming an old hobby during graduate school isn’t easy. Finding time to read for fun is challenging when there’s so much to read for school. Fortunately, Ann Arbor has a good public transportation system and many great coffee shops. I use my commute to read and visit coffee shops on free weekends. I also read during flights, vacations, and evenings when I have insomnia. (Reading under a book light takes me back to my childhood.)

I’m keeping a list of what I read here. It’s mostly for myself, but if you’re curious or have recommendations, reach out! It’s an easy way to get to know me.

Currently Reading

  • The Once and Future King By: T. H. White

On Hold

  • A Man Called Ove
  • Dune
  • Thinking, Fast and Slow

Plan to Read

  • The Priory of the Orange Tree By: Samantha Shannon
  • The Final Empire (Mistborn: Book 1) By: Brandon Sanderson
  • Seven Surrenders (Terra Ignota: Book 2) By: Ada Palmer
  • Ship of Magic (Liveship Trilogy: Book 1) By: Robin Hobb
  • The Mad Ship (Liveship Trilogy: Book 2) By: Robin Hobb
  • Ship of Destiny (Liveship Trilogy: Book 3) By: Robin Hobb
  • Seven Surrenders (Terra Ignota: Book 2) By: Ada Palmer
  • A Psalm for the Wild Built By: Becky Chambers
  • She Who Became the Sun (The Radiant Emperor Duology: Book 1) By: Shelley Parker-Chan
  • He Who Drowned the World (The Radiant Emperor Duology: Book 2) By: Shelley Parker-Chan
  • Tress of the Emerald Sea By: Brandon Sanderson
  • The Three-Body Problem By: Cinxin Liu
  • The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi By: Shannon Chakraborty
  • The Burning God (Poppy War Trilogy: Book 3) By: R. F. Kuang
  • Babel By: R. F. Kuang

Finished Reading (top is most recently completed)

2024

  • The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive: Book 1) By: Brandon Sanderson
  • Good Omens By: Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
  • Assassin's Quest (Farseer Trilogy: Book 3) By: Robin Hobb
  • The Dragon Republic (Poppy War Trilogy: Book 2) By: R. F. Kuang

2023

  • The Poppy War (Poppy War Trilogy: Book 1) By: R. F. Kuang
  • The Narrow Road Between Desires (The Kingkiller Chronicle: Novella) By: Patrick Rothfuss
  • The Wise Man's Fear (The Kingkiller Chronicle: Book 2) By: Patrick Rothfuss
  • Royal Assassin (Farseer Trilogy: Book 2) By: Robin Hobb
  • Too Like the Lightening (Terra Ignota: Book 1) By: Ada Palmer
  • The Slow Regard of Silent Things (The Kingkiller Chronicle: Novella) By: Patrick Rothfuss
  • Stardust By: Neil Gaiman
  • Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy: Book 1) By: Robin Hobb
  • The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle: Book 1) By: Patrick Rothfuss
  • Season of Storm (The Witcher Short Story Collection) By: Andrzej Sapkowski
  • The Lady of the Lake (The Witcher: Book 6) By: Andrzej Sapkowski
  • The Tower of Swallow (The Witcher: Book 5) By: Andrzej Sapkowski
  • Baptism of Fire (The Witcher: Book 4) By: Andrzej Sapkowski
  • Time of Contempt (The Witcher: Book 3) By: Andrzej Sapkowski
  • Blood of the Elves (The Witcher: Book 2) By: Andrzej Sapkowski
  • The Last Wish (The Witcher: Book 1) By: Andrzej Sapkowski

2022

  • Sword of Destiny (The Witcher Short Story Collection) By: Andrzej Sapkowski
  • Pet Sematary By: Stephen King
  • Salem's Lot By: Stephen King
  • The Sun Collective By: Charles Baxter

2021

  • The Girl on the Train By: Paula Hawkins
  • Misery: A Novel By: Stephen King
  • Life After Google: The Fall of Big Data and the Rise of the Blockchain Economy By: George Gilder
  • Where the Crawdads Sing By: Delia Owens
  • Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy By: Cathy O'Neil
  • The Hobbit By: J. R. R. Tolkien
  • Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants By: Robin Wall Kimmerer
  • Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism By: Safiya Umoja Noble
  • Burn-In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution By: P. W. Singer and August Cole

2020

  • Mindset: The New Psychology of Success By: Carol S. Dweck