[This Week's Books] "People of the Blue House" and More

People of the Blue House

This book is a seven-year record of an art major who worked at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art before joining the Blue House. It shares stories such as eating with the president in the cafeteria, replenishing the pond with carp each day after counting how many wild animals had taken, and managing various plants in the greenhouse, offering a glimpse into the inner workings of the Blue House. The events that unfold in this rarely accessible space add intrigue. Although there are inconveniences, such as having to use a 2G work phone without internet or a camera, the book also introduces unique aspects of daily life, like receiving a letter in the president's name on birthdays or at the end of the year. (Written by Kang Seungji | Page2Books)

The Neuroscience of Addiction

The United States is struggling with a growing number of fentanyl addicts. Once addicted, the brain’s ability to process dopamine?the pleasure hormone?is damaged, leading to compulsive drug use. The author, an American cognitive neuroscientist, explains the process by which drugs "hijack the brain" in a way that is accessible to general readers. The book describes, with easy-to-understand illustrations and examples, how addiction is defined and diagnosed from a neuroscience perspective, how drug effects are observed, and the steps involved in treatment. (Written by Francesca Mapua Filbey | EcoLivre)

How CEO Kim Succeeded in Attracting Investment in the First Year of Startup

This book offers helpful content for those seeking investment. The author has experience in law, investment, and entrepreneurship, having worked at Kim & Chang, Skylake Investment, and Air Premia. The book recreates key moments in investment negotiations through fictional stories. It carefully examines the hidden risks of seemingly straightforward terms like 'put option' and 'call option', providing knowledge to prevent significant losses from minor mistakes. "Even in an investment market dominated by terms unfavorable to founders, negotiations can be led if one has solid data and confidence." (Written by Lee Eungjin | Bookie)

Sam Altman: Living the Future

This book, written by a Wall Street Journal reporter, is about Sam Altman, who stands at the forefront of the global AI revolution. Based on over 250 interviews with Altman, his family, friends, teachers, mentors, co-founders, and colleagues, the book introduces the man behind the name. According to the author, Altman is a clever problem-solver who values speed and enjoys risk. He believes in technological progress within a framework of religious conviction, but sometimes moves too quickly to keep pace with those around him, and his aversion to confrontation can ironically lead to greater conflicts. The book depicts the fierce competition in the AI industry. (Written by Kitch Hagey | Open Books)

10 Equations That Move the World

The author, a professor of applied mathematics at Uppsala University in Sweden, argues that all problems in the world can be solved mathematically. According to him, people with a mathematical perspective "state their assumptions and collect data" to provide answers. They also "present a list of rational alternatives and the probability of success for each, and think about the next steps to find more information." The book is filled with cases of individuals who uncover patterns or trends hidden behind numbers or data to bring about meaningful change in the real world. (Written by David Sumpter | Flow Publishing)

The Law of Love in a Guilty and Innocent World

This is the latest book by prosecutor Jung Myungwon, who wrote "Dear My Petitioner," which gained attention in 2021 when writer Yoo Si-min recommended it to then-presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol. Once again, the author focuses on the idea that while criminal verdicts are divided into guilty or not guilty, real human life is far more complex and multifaceted. The book vividly portrays the stories behind rigid indictments, such as the case of a factory manager who, after decades of hard labor and losing finger joints in a tofu factory, was ultimately prosecuted for embezzlement. (Written by Jung Myungwon | Hankyoreh Publishing)