Date Like a Scientist

The book tells the story of the Oakland Athletics' 2002 season, where General Manager Billy Beane and his assistant Paul DePodesta used advanced statistical analysis, known as sabermetrics, to assemble a competitive team despite a limited budget. The approach, pioneered by Bill James, focused on metrics such as on-base percentage and slugging percentage rather than traditional measures like batting average and runs batted in. This data-driven strategy allowed the Athletics to compete with teams having much larger payrolls, like the New York Yankees, and achieve significant success, including a 20-game winning streak and a playoff appearance[2][3][5].

Liar's Poker is a non-fiction, semi-autobiographical book that details Michael Lewis's three-year tenure at Salomon Brothers, one of Wall Street's premier investment firms in the 1980s. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the culture of bond traders, highlighting the frat-boy camaraderie, killer instincts, and high-stakes games of bluffing and deception. Lewis describes the creation and use of mortgage bonds, the excessive bonuses, and the ruthless competition among traders. The narrative also touches on the author's disillusionment with the industry, leading to his resignation and transition into financial journalism.

The Big Short tells the story of the 2007-08 financial crisis through the lens of several key players who predicted and profited from the collapse of the housing market. The book focuses on characters such as Steve Eisman, Mike Burry, Greg Lippmann, and the founders of Cornwall Capital, who saw the impending disaster and made significant gains by shorting the market. Lewis explains the complex financial instruments and the systemic failures that led to the crisis, making the narrative both accessible and engaging.

In *How Not to Die*, Dr. Michael Greger examines the top 15 causes of premature death in America, including heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, Parkinson's, and high blood pressure. He explains how nutritional and lifestyle interventions can often be more effective than pharmaceutical and surgical approaches in preventing and reversing these diseases. The book includes Dr. Greger's Daily Dozen, a checklist of foods to consume daily for maximum health benefits, and is backed by extensive scientific research and evidence.

Welcome to the Grandest Game, an annual competition designed to give anyone a shot at fame and fortune. Run by billionaire Avery Grambs and the four infamous Hawthorne brothers, whose family fortune she inherited, this year’s game requires one of seven golden tickets to enter. With millions on the line, the seven players will do whatever it takes to win. Each player has their own secrets and motivations, and as tensions rise and the mind-bending challenges push them to their limits—physically, mentally, and emotionally—it becomes clear that not everyone is playing by the rules. The game involves puzzles, danger, romance, and riches, set a year after the events of the Inheritance Games saga.

Avery Grambs, an orphan with a plan to survive high school and win a scholarship, has her life turned upside down when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne leaves her his entire fortune. To receive the inheritance, Avery must move into the sprawling Hawthorne House, filled with secret passages, puzzles, and codes. She must navigate the distrust and hostility of the Hawthorne grandsons, who were disinherited, and uncover the reasons behind Tobias Hawthorne's unexpected will. The story is filled with thrilling twists, high-stakes puzzles, and romantic elements as Avery works to uncover the truth and survive in a world of wealth and privilege[1][3][4].