Thursday, January 11, 2018

Market Mojo: A Beginner's Guide to the Stock Market by Kathy G. Mills

Market Mojo: A Beginner's Guide to the Stock MarketMarket Mojo: A Beginner's Guide to the Stock Market by Kathy G. Mills
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Market Mojo: A Beginner's Guide to the Stock Market by Kathy G. Mills is a new way to look at the stock market, and makes investing understandable and approachable. Practical advice for the novice investor is humorously dispensed in this book, making you laugh while you learn something about the stock market. At the end of each chapter is a vocabulary which is helpful to learn the terminology of investing and is easy to breeze through and refresh your memory. If you have ever felt intimidated about investing or the stock market, this book is what you need to dip your toes into the investing game and get your feet wet. A fun guide to finance, Mills offers up a delightful book for the amateur investor that informs with a touch of humor. Highly recommend for anyone interested in figuring out the complicated and sometimes scary investment landscape.

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Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Bayes' Theorem Examples: A Visual Introduction For Beginners by Dan Morris

Bayes' Theorem Examples: A Visual Introduction For BeginnersBayes' Theorem Examples: A Visual Introduction For Beginners by Dan Morris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bayes' Theorem Examples: A Visual Introduction for Beginners by Dan Morris makes this seemingly complex theorem more understandable. From the beginning of the book, the language of the book is such that the novice can begin to understand and comprehend the subject matter. Morris lays it out thus : 4 Ways that the Theorem is explained, 'Bayes' Theorem helps us update a belief based on new evidence by creating a new belief, it helps us revise a probability when presented with new evidence, it helps us change our beliefs about a probability based on new evidence, and helps update a hypothesis based on new evidence'. With visual examples, such as Venn Diagrams, Decision trees, Letters(coin flips) and physical objects, the theorem can be more readily explained. Morris lays out the structure of the book to further facilitate understanding, breaking it down even more, finally with a list of recommended readings that delve even more into the theorem. Ultimately the theorem is about statistics and probabilities, and how these work within structures like Google and other business models. Highly recommend for beginners to understand this theorem.

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Decision Trees and Random Forests: A Visual Introduction For Beginners: A Simple Guide to Machine Learning with Decision Trees

Decision Trees and Random Forests: A Visual Introduction For Beginners: A Simple Guide to Machine Learning with Decision TreesDecision Trees and Random Forests: A Visual Introduction For Beginners: A Simple Guide to Machine Learning with Decision Trees by Chris Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the book, Decision Trees and Random Forests: A Visual Introduction For Beginners: A Simple Guide to Machine Learning with Decision Trees, the author Chris Smith makes the complicated, simple. Decision tree and random forest algorithms are often used throughout business to more quickly assimilate information and make it more accessible. These algorithms work seamlessly behind the scenes in industries from credit scoring to product development. With the use of easy to understand drawings, Chris Smith puts together a comprehensive look at how to use these applications to your advantage whether in business or even in your personal life. His example of the ice cream shop, and whether or not the shop should move to a different location is a great tutorial that explains in layman's terms how decision trees work at a very fundamental level. A great visual guide with clear illustrations, this book is strongly recommended for the beginner in machine learning algorithms in Python.

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Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Less Is Best: Declutter, Organize, & Simplify to Reach Minimalism; Get More Time, Money, & Energy

Less Is Best: Declutter, Organize, & Simplify to Reach Minimalism; Get More Time, Money, & EnergyLess Is Best: Declutter, Organize, & Simplify to Reach Minimalism; Get More Time, Money, & Energy by Sage Wilcox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Less Is Best: Declutter, Organize, & Simplify to Reach Minimalism; Get More Time, Money, & Energy by Sage Wilcox makes the case that less is more when it comes to possessions and that simply reducing the amount of stuff you have can be very freeing. The author lays out an example in the beginning of the book describing the replacement of a mattress. She had slept on a mattress for years, and when it faded with wear and tear, as they do, she replaced it with a more expensive one. However, it was not better, in fact it gave her a backache. This experience alone, and combined with others, defines the book's premise and the need to look at what we have, what we want, and what we truly need. Wilcox lays out her recommendations for reducing the stuff in your life, and by doing so, opens the door to more freedom. Plenty of inspirational quotes are sprinkled throughout the book, these, along with the author's perspective, may in fact help you to be happy with less. Highly recommend.

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