[This Week's Books] "How to Use AI Like Sherlock Holmes" and More

How to Use AI Like Sherlock Holmes: I Am Holmes, AI Is Watson

This is a practical guide to artificial intelligence (AI) for office workers. The author, a former IT journalist, treats AI as more than just a tool-as a collaborative partner-and recommends the "Holmes-style thinking method." The key is to maximize AI's potential by deducing problems, forming hypotheses, and crafting precise questions to achieve the desired outcomes. The book presents real-world strategies, including cases of using personalized AI as a secretary, tutor, researcher, or development mentor, and details how to refine the output to erase any "AI traces" in the final stage. (Written by Woo Byunghyun | Human Cube)

The Old Clothes Tracker

This is a reportage essay in which three journalists track the fate of clothes discarded in collection bins. They attached 153 trackers to garments and placed them in clothing collection bins across the country, following their journeys for four months. The shocking results, including tracking items donated by celebrities such as actors and singers, revealed that clothing labeled as "recycled" often ended up in illegal incineration sites in India, trash mountains in Thailand, and wastelands in Bolivia. The book questions and highlights how overconsumption in developed countries destroys the environment in developing nations, and asks whether we are free from responsibility. (Written by Park Junyong and two others | Hankyoreh Publishing)

The History of Human Intelligence

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, some are concerned that human uniqueness may be replaced by AI. These worries stem from the perception that AI now surpasses humans in rational judgment, pattern recognition, learning, and creativity. However, the author asserts that deep contextual understanding, the ability to synthesize disparate elements, nuanced ethical discernment, and the power to find meaning in life are uniquely human domains. The book offers a balanced perspective on the "human qualities" that must be preserved in a future shaped by AI. (Written by Lee Eunsu | Munhakdongne)

Pivot or Die

The majority of successful companies share one trait: they succeeded in "pivoting" (changing direction). Nintendo, once a maker of playing cards, became a gaming giant. Panasonic, which started as a bicycle company, grew into a leading electronics manufacturer. Sony shifted from audio to image sensor businesses. The author offers advice on four types of pivots: ▲ Startup Pivot (maximizing the advantage of profit ideas right after founding), ▲ Forced Pivot (adapting to and overcoming unpredictable situations), ▲ Failure Pivot (applying lessons from failure and not repeating mistakes), and ▲ Success Pivot (not settling for success and striving to move ahead). (Written by Gary Shapiro | Sigongsa)

Shadow Virus

In 1912, psychologist Carl Jung described "unrecognized desires" and "repressed aspects of personality" as the "shadow of the psyche." Unlike Freud, Jung saw the shadow not always as immoral, but as a part of the personality with the potential for the highest moral values. This book delves into shadow theory, exploring the unconscious beyond the human mind. It explains the relationships between individuals, society, culture, and politics as they become antagonistic, and goes beyond superficial theory by providing various examples for easy understanding. (Written by Connie Zweig and one other | Brave Magpie)

For the Provinces to Live, the Provinces Must Die

The concentration of population and industry in the Seoul metropolitan area is a challenge that Korean society must address. The author argues that decades of policies aimed at revitalizing the provinces have been mere "dilution policies," inadvertently drawing more people and industries to the capital region. He insists on acknowledging the reality that not all regions can be saved and advocates for selective investment and focus on key hub and small strong cities. The proposal is to nurture small hub cities with concentrated culture and infrastructure, emphasizing that jobs follow intangible assets. (Written by An Ikjun | A1 Books)

People Who Became Brands

Hilton, Baskin Robbins, Dow Jones... What they have in common is that the founders' names became the brand names. The author tells the fascinating stories of the founders behind famous brands. The book introduces the secrets of long-lasting brands, such as Haribo, which survived even after the founder's death and the threat of closure during war, and Stanley, which created the world's first stainless steel vacuum bottle to overcome the shortcomings of glass containers. (Written by Chu Donghun | Hans Media)

Minimal Investment Study

This is an introductory guide to investing that explains the basic structures of the economy and finance in a simple and clear manner, covering the essential concepts that beginner investors need to know. It uses analogies and real-life examples to explain how changes in interest rates, exchange rates, and inflation affect stock prices and daily life. By comparing company analysis, macroeconomic trends, and market psychology to the perspectives of "insects, birds, and fish," the book helps readers develop news interpretation skills and economic literacy. It has sold over 100,000 copies in Japan and received high praise. (Written by Goto Tatsuya | RH Korea)

Leader's Practice of Speech

How should a leader respond when a subordinate says, "I'll take care of it myself"? This practical leadership communication book presents "38 emergency conversation techniques" for novice leaders who find themselves at a loss for words in workplace or social conflicts. Dr. Moon Seonghoo, who served as a leader for 24 years at the Financial Supervisory Service, Doosan, and POSCO, emphasizes that a single word can change the team's pace and atmosphere. He provides language strategies that enable leaders to remain steady and take control of situations using immediately applicable sentence structures and conversation formulas. (Written by Moon Seonghoo | Oasis)

The Courage to Live Differently on a Burning Planet

The author diagnoses the climate, ecological, and social crises not as mere environmental issues but as problems of civilization itself, calling for a "civilizational transition" beyond the growth paradigm centered on capitalism. The book emphasizes the need for green democratic citizenship and fundamental changes in worldview, production, and consumption structures, integrating various transition narratives such as eco-socialism, degrowth, and ecofeminism to suggest new directions for life. It stresses the "courage to live differently" as a way to break away from capitalist civilization. (Written by Cho Hyoje | Changbi)

A Leader's Mindset Must Be Different

The author, who has coached top leaders at Microsoft, Amazon, and Google in Silicon Valley for 25 years, argues that leaders falter not due to lack of ability but because of psychological distortions. These distortions, arising from pressure and power, can shake emotions. The book introduces practical methods such as finding emotional triggers to correct distortions, the delegation dial, and the time portfolio. It guides leaders on how to escape common traps like perfectionism, superhero syndrome, and burnout, and how to save themselves and their organizations. (Written by Sabina Nawaz | Leaders Book)

Mileage Hour

Attorney Choi Yuna, who is a law firm CEO, drama and essay writer, and a working mother of two sons, is often asked, "How is such a life possible?" She describes herself as an ordinary person who has managed her busy life through the "Mileage Hour" system-accumulating and saving time like mileage points to produce results. The book presents practical strategies such as changing your perspective on time, building execution-focused routines, developing a proactive mindset, and managing solitude and the courage to say no. The core idea is to consistently accumulate small amounts of time and convert them into future rewards, enabling readers to design a life with agency and achieve the growth they desire. (Written by Choi Yuna | Book Romance)