Eric Brechner's 3 favorite reads in 2023

AI is all the rage now, but as good as these deep learning and generative algorithms are, they don’t yet produce human levels of general intelligence.

How do human brains work? What is the nature of sentience? Can it be reproduced? Until now, no one has published a testable theory of how our brains produce consciousness. A Thousand Brains provides that theory in a clear and understandable fashion based on insights gained from brain research.

I believe it’s the most important book of this century. I also loved how it helped me better understand how I learn, think, and generate ideas.

This unfortunately titled book reflects my own philosophy and recommendations for managing software engineers. The title is unfortunate because there's nothing radical about the author's recommendations, at least not to me.

The focus is on providing compassionate candor to your staff, caring personally about them while directly challenging them in areas where they should improve. The first part of the book explains why you should take this approach, including its benefits. The second part provides clear and specific guidance on attaining those benefits.

Having been a manager and coach for over 25 years, I'm often asked what management book I recommend. Until now, my choices were too esoteric or too academic. Now, I recommend Radical Candor.

I’m not a gamer, but I adored the characters in Gabrielle Zevin’s novel about game designers, game developers, and the different ways people can love one another.

At its center, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is about two people who connect with each other over games and enter a lifelong collaboration. You rarely see platonic love and partnership portrayed in media, with all its complexity, pain, pettiness, and joy. The Beatles: Get Back documentary did so for John and Paul. This book does it for Sam and Sadie.

It’s ridiculous to say that it made me laugh and cry, but it did. It also made me appreciate the thoughtfulness and effort that goes into creating transcendent art, that also goes into staying connected through triumphs and tragedies.