We have "download of the day" but lets try this for books. Unlike music, I tend to believe that books are more universal in appeal. Where I'm sure many people do not find my "download of the day" helpful, I too find little benefit simply because others do not share my tastes (Sidenote: Pandora.com is amazing). But I believe books, on the other hand, are appealing so long as they are quality. Post a suggested book, whether you are currently reading it or have finished it, and a brief summary. If people have read the book and enjoyed it, please say so... the poster may have other books which are related.
To start this off, I recommend the book
Moneyball by Michael Lewis.
I am currently about 1/3 of the way through this book in very few days. It is about the 2002+ Oakland A's, their rejection of classical scouting techniques in favor of more rigourous and academic statistical models.
As it turns out (no surprizes here) Baseball players are unfairly judged by how they look. Some have a look that scouts find appealing. But scouts can become "blinded" by a players physical appearance, and athleticism, and overlook players who actually perform.
Teams were also employing strategies that a micro-economist would have a hay-day over. Teams aren't playing to win, they are playing to not look bad.
Prime example: when you analyze Baseball statistically, sacrificing a hitter to advance a runner is bad policy. It wastes one of your precious 27 outs, and lessens your chances of scoring runs. But managers bunt and sacrifice all the time so as to avoid criticism.
Also: the best indicator of how a minor league/college player will do in the pros? Not batting average, not slugging average... it's a combination of walks and on base percentage.
There are plenty of great facts to come out of this book, thanks to the courage of the Oakland A's to throw out conventional wisdom and analyze baseball statistically. If you are a sports fan
or a fan of statistics and numbers, you will most likely enjoy this book.