Freakonomics
Please note: This post was written some time ago (17 years ago). My perspectives, knowledge, and opinions may have evolved significantly since then. While the content might still offer valuable insights, I encourage readers to consider it in the context of its publication date.
Last night, I started and finished Freakonomics. It was awesome and hilarious. I have been reading the freakonomics blog for a year or so - and I decided I finally needed to read the book. I enjoy Stephen Levitt's discussion of things that I never thought about. I especially liked the chapters about Chicago gangs. Sudhir Venkatesh was amazing. I can't imagine what it was like to study and hang out with the Gangster Disciples.
If you have not read Freakonomics, you should. I will lend it to you - but you really should buy it and lend it to your friends.
UPDATE: I forgot to mention how sad/conflicted/happy I was that the name "harper" was predicted as being popular in 2015. I will no longer be "special." heh.