Ask HN: What books do you keep on your desk? • Hacker News Board

It's one of the most informative books I've ever read with a really valuable perspective to view information through. I find myself applying it more frequently the more recently I've re-read it.

Re: Ask HN: What books do you keep on your desk?

#15

Post by colonelxc » Wed, Apr 04, 2018, 4:59 PM UTC

I use CLRS and the 2600 book as monitor risers.

More seriously, I generally don't re-read books. One exception is The Cuckoo's Egg, which I reread every ~5 years.

Re: Ask HN: What books do you keep on your desk?

#16

Post by Finnucane » Wed, Apr 04, 2018, 5:00 PM UTC

There's a copy of The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien on the floor next to my bed. Does that count?

Re: Ask HN: What books do you keep on your desk?

#17

Post by ambrosite » Wed, Apr 04, 2018, 5:01 PM UTC

It has been a really long time (years) since I had to use any printed book as reference material. For any question I have concerning a random factual matter, I am always able to find an adequate answer online in less time than it would take to reach for a book, look up the topic in the index, and then turn to the appropriate page.

Where I still find books useful is in learning a new subject from scratch. Reading an entire book from cover to cover gives me a broad mental overview of the whole subject, and that is extremely helpful when trying to put the random bits of knowledge I find online into context.

Re: Ask HN: What books do you keep on your desk?

#18

Post by tta » Wed, Apr 04, 2018, 5:02 PM UTC

Designing Data-Intensive Applications by Martin Kleppmann.

Re: Ask HN: What books do you keep on your desk?

#19

Post by dominotw » Wed, Apr 04, 2018, 5:04 PM UTC

alehul wrote: post #14

Gödel Escher Bach, or GEB. It's one of the most informative books I've ever read with a really valuable perspective to view information through. I find myself applying it more frequently the more recently I've re-read it.

>I find myself applying it more frequently

thats really intersting. curious if you have any examples tht come to your mind.

Re: Ask HN: What books do you keep on your desk?

#20

Post by meifun » Wed, Apr 04, 2018, 5:04 PM UTC

A few Stroustrup books.

A few Chinese language books (to help communicate with co-workers)

A few Algorithmic Trading related books as well as a few math books.

And, laugh if you wish, a few Buddhism books to help remind myself patience, no negative energy, etc. If I am feeling frustrated I can read a few quick thoughts.