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Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

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Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#191

Post by AndrewStephens »

Lots of disposable scifi in this thread. And there is nothing wrong with that so let me chime in with the hard stuff: The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin is one of the best scifi/fantasy (it is hard the classify) novels I have read in recent years. Fair warning, it gets pretty grim.

I also enjoyed reading Ignition! by John D Clark. It is a dated (written in the 70s) but fascinating look at all the different chemicals tried to make rockets during the space race. Very interesting even if, like me, you only have a simple understanding of chemistry. There are some hair-raising (or hair razing) anecdotes.

I keep a list of books I've liked to answer questions like this: https://sheep.horse/tagcloud.html#book

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#192

Post by playing_colours »

I decided to try reading the classic literature this year. The books that stood the test of time. I started with

  Brothers Karamazov by F.Dostoyevsky
  Middlemarch by G.Eliot
After that I plan to continue with

  East of Eden by J.Steinbeck
  Ulysses by J.Joyce
They all have incredible characters, deep thoughts, delicious language. Sure, not an easy read after contemporary fiction, but I noticed that the more classic literature I read the better I understand and enjoy it. Also, I own Folio Society's copies of last three titles, and it's an an additional pleasure to hold, touch, and read physical books.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#193

Post by lelima »

bemmu wrote: post #38

"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman" and "The Pleasure of Finding Things Out", also by Richard Feynman. He worked on the Manhattan Project among other things, writes in a very engaging way and shares a huge number of funny anecdotes. Yet he is also thought-provoking, for example introducing the idea of nanotechnology, explains why he is against pompous titles and posing, and how he struggled with staying creative. Bes…

"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman" is really good, almost every week I remember some adventure, and I look locks a different way :)

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#194

Post by lelima »

jor-el wrote: post #34

Thinking, fast and slow - by Daniel Kahneman It is a great book and talks about two systems in which we can divide the working of our brain. Kahneman also talks exposes the extraordinary capabilities—and also the faults and biases—of fast thinking, and reveals the pervasive influence of intuitive impressions on our thoughts and behavior. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11468377-thinking-fast-a...

Is not in Audible and that's killing me!

Living in Ireland you have to use .uk and they don't have many books.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#195

Post by lelima »

charleshan wrote: post #68

A few people already recommended this already but I'll add some of my thoughts. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight. It's a memoir by the founder of Nike. The book goes deep into his emotional rollercoaster, starting from nothing to eventually going IPO.

I read it this year, one of my favorites for sure.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#196

Post by deneb150 »

rdeboo wrote: post #146
jefim wrote: post #13

My to-go favorite for relaxed summer evenings is "The Master and Margarita" by Bulgakov. It is a literature masterpiece that magically adjusts to my current inner state. It can be both easy reading when I'm tired and just want to unwind, and thought provoking when I'm ready to be thoughtful. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/117833.The_Master_and_Ma...

I started reading "The Master and Margarita" this year after seeing this title pop up on HN so often. I could not finish it, I found it rather boring. I'm curious, am I the only one? What does everyone find so great about this book?

I read it earlier this year and also can't understand why it's so highly recommended. If I were living in the Soviet Union during the time it was written it would probably be the greatest book I had ever read, but as someone just looking for something to read nowadays, I mean, so, so many other better choices.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#197

Post by justaguyhere »

teekert wrote: post #3

In the wake of China's expansion into Africa, I'd recommend "Confessions of an economic hitman" by John Perkins.

I read this long time ago, it was unbelievable and crazy to my naive brain. I don't know how much of it is true and how much of it is made up, it is definitely worth a read. I remember reading it in one sitting, shaking my head along the way multiple times

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#198

Post by mlevental »

playing_colours wrote: post #192

I decided to try reading the classic literature this year. The books that stood the test of time. I started with Brothers Karamazov by F.Dostoyevsky Middlemarch by G.Eliot After that I plan to continue with East of Eden by J.Steinbeck Ulysses by J.Joyce They all have incredible characters, deep thoughts, delicious language. Sure, not an easy read after contemporary fiction, but I noticed that the more classic literat…

>Ulysses by J.Joyce

you will never be able to read that. i have a friend that did read it and it took him 10 years just to finish (not even understand!)

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#199

Post by lelima »

ozim wrote: post #179
jonwinstanley wrote: post #5

I found “Sapiens” absolutely fascinating and incredibly dense in information.

I found it 50% of things I already knew. I got dissapointed with author lack of knowledge how farming works. He just keeps going on how those hunter gatherers had it all good and farming started to break people backs and stuff. When farming you work hard 2 times a year, rest of the year you just check out on stuff and myabe round up some animals. But it is not 365 days a year back breaking labor. I was dissapointed w…

The hype is ruining me some movies and books as well..

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#200

Post by cannonedhamster »

dash2 wrote: post #112
cannonedhamster wrote: post #31

Books on interacting with people. How to Win Friends and Influence People. - Dale Carnegie Influence - Robert Cialdini Books on understanding how to push through adversity The Obstacle Is The Way - Ryan Holiday Man's Search For Meaning - Victor Frankly Books on process improvement The Phoenix Project The Four Hour Work Week - Tim Ferriss (ignore the outsourcing bit, listen to his podcast) Books on breaking out of you…

I'll disagree with Viktor Frankl, not because I've read the book - but it is worth knowing the man was a questionable person and his ideas have some questions over them too: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl#Controversy

There's valid criticisms that can be made of any book and any author. The question isn't whether the reader gets benefit or not in my eyes. We read books from Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, Marcus Aurelius, and all sorts of historical people who have advocated or committed actual atrocities. Many of our heroes are warriors with imperfect lives that history has white washed. General Patton for example was a brilliant general who knew what it took to win a war, but was harsh on his troops often to the point of cruel. General Sherman burned civilian cities to the ground and let slaves drown in his mission to end the civil war. Rev. Martin Luther King was a womanizer. To take the important lessons one can learn from a person who has failed in one way but succeeded to find the positive aspects of life and shared them is what allows for all human advancement. We don't succeed because we are without fault, but because we overcome that fault.
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