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Ask HN: What are your favorite books of all time, and why?

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Re: Ask HN: What are your favorite books of all time, and why?

#91

Post by DrScump »

roryisok wrote: post #68
canadian_voter wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> That bad guy student (Ambrose?) has no motivation beyond just being a deliberate antagonist Ambrose is a bully. You've never met a bully? "The researchers found that children who bullied were often motivated by a desire to increase their popularity and that they chose generally unpopular victims to avoid losing social status... Bullies tend to be aware of the social hierarchy within the class and are seeking the ad…

Every bully has a back story. Or should have.

The lead character of the TV series "Doc Martin" is totally unsympathetic as the series unfolds.

Then, a few episodes in, you meet his parents.

Re: Ask HN: What are your favorite books of all time, and why?

#92

Post by DrScump »

borroka wrote: post #82

Shibumi - yes, it is partly a parody, but I have found many good, inspiring lessons from the characterization of Nicholai Hel. For instance, this paragraph made me deeply reflect on the "convenient rationalization" of bad behavior. Basically, there is always a good excuse that is up for grabs. Don't be that guy. "Politeness is more reliable than the moist virtues of compassion, charity, and sincerity; just as fair pl…

  Shibumi
"Northrop bombers. American bombers."

Re: Ask HN: What are your favorite books of all time, and why?

#93

Post by DrScump »

rwnspace wrote: post #38

Out of the Silent Planet, by C.S. Lewis. Wonderfully written, though not as completely fleshed-out as a modern sci-fi reader may be used to. Still stands on its own two feet, worth a try. My first sci-fi. The Golden Bough, Frazer. Sublime, frustrating and intriguing. Changes your dreams, whether you immediately realise it or not. How Things Work: The Universal Encyclopedia of Machines. My grandfather gave me this whe…

Yes. I couldn't muddle through the other two of the series, though.

Re: Ask HN: What are your favorite books of all time, and why?

#95

Post by egonschiele »

I read ~ a book every other day last year, here are the ones I liked best http://adit.io/posts/2016-12-10-The-Best-Books-I-Read-In-201...

I'm interested to know the motivation behind this question. Two of my favorite books of all time: "Notes From Underground", "A House For Mr. Biswas". They are very specific to me, an immigrant coming to the US at a young age. I doubt they have universal appeal.

On the other hand, "Evicted" is a book I think everyone should read. It gives great examples of how hard it can be to climb out of poverty. I think we all see "poverty" talked about as generic label, and it can be really hard to find good specific examples to discuss -- "Evicted" has tons of them.

Re: Ask HN: What are your favorite books of all time, and why?

#96

Post by bobcat9 »

BatFastard wrote: post #12

Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss I am not a fantasy fan in general, but this is my favorite story of all time. The story within a story within a story, characters, world just about perfect. Daemon - Daniel Suarez So little of the SciFi I read is memorable. This book explores SO many topics in memorable ways that I am blown away.

The sequel to Daemon was even better imo... Freedom TM

Re: Ask HN: What are your favorite books of all time, and why?

#99

Post by roryisok »

DrScump wrote: post #91
roryisok wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Every bully has a back story. Or should have.

The lead character of the TV series "Doc Martin" is totally unsympathetic as the series unfolds. Then, a few episodes in, you meet his parents.

Never seen it, worth a watch? I do like Martin Clunes
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