Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#41

Post by wreath » Thu, Dec 24, 2020, 9:32 PM UTC

uchman wrote: post #37

danielsokil wrote: post #21

12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson

how did you make it through all the lobster metaphors. Does it get better as you progress ?

not OP but I do wish that the lobster metaphor was the worst part of the book. I think Petereson is a great speaker and he makes interesting points but his writing drags on and on. I could hardly finish the 12 rules of life, although I thoroughly enjoyed his lectures and interviews.

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#42

Post by muzster » Thu, Dec 24, 2020, 9:32 PM UTC

Getting Started with Color Basic - TRS-80 Color Computer

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#43

Post by zonovar » Thu, Dec 24, 2020, 9:33 PM UTC

Journey to the End of the Night by Louis-Ferdinand Céline

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#44

Post by badhabit » Thu, Dec 24, 2020, 9:33 PM UTC

Ecology of the Planted Aquarium: A Practical Manual and Scientific Treatise for the Home Aquarist

by Diana Walstad

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#45

Post by i_don_t_know » Thu, Dec 24, 2020, 9:34 PM UTC

dpeck wrote: post #24

Mort, by Pratchett. It is a great introduction to the Discworld and one of my favorite books ever. It is a good read over the holidays and you’ll be thinking about some of the lines in it for years to come. “ History isn't like that. History unravels gently, like an old sweater. It has been patched and darned many times, reknitted to suit different people, shoved in a box under the sink of censorship to be cut up for…

„Small Gods“ is another good one, probably my favorite Discworld novel.

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#46

Post by hkrgl » Thu, Dec 24, 2020, 9:34 PM UTC

Surely you're joking Mr. Feynman! I first read it as a college student and have read it many times since. Feynman was a fascinating character. Reading about him taught me to appreciate the value of curiosity.

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#47

Post by codr7 » Thu, Dec 24, 2020, 9:34 PM UTC

The Pragmatic Programmer

https://pragprog.com/titles/tpp20/the-pragmatic-programmer-2...

It's been a long, long time since I had access to the book; and much of it is internalized by now; but back then it changed everything for me.

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#48

Post by hprotagonist » Thu, Dec 24, 2020, 9:37 PM UTC

Over christmas break? Lord of the Rings.

More than enough wisdom packed in there to last a lifetime.

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#49

Post by scop » Thu, Dec 24, 2020, 9:37 PM UTC

1. New Testament (I was not raised in a religious household) 2. The Imitation of Christ 3. The Lord of the Rings 4. The Iliad

Re: Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life?

#50

Post by KboPAacDA3 » Thu, Dec 24, 2020, 9:38 PM UTC

Influence: Science and Practice, by Robert Cialdini. Stores have no power over me anymore.