Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach.. I've bought around 20 copies and given as a gift to all my close {friends, cousins, co-workers} two years back.
Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
321–330 of 529 posts
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#322I read a lot of Science Fiction for fun. These are a few of my favorites that I've given to other people: 1. Vacuum Diagrams by Stephen Baxter. When I think of epic hard science fiction, the Xeelee Sequence books spring to mind. With a story line that spans millions of years (and a few dozen books), this collection of short stories is a good introduction to one of the best and most underrated sci-fi series out there.…
I, robot would probably be easier to get into than foundation :)
also "stranger in a strange land" by Heinlein makes for a great gift
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#323> Meanwhile there's plenty of stuff happening in the world straight from the Nazi playbook of the 30s. Can you elaborate?
in my eyes it seems like most of the political rallying done in the U.S today falls in line with Hitler's method of saying very little other than screaming "make Germany great" to repeated coordinated applause.
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#324"Strategic Selling" by Miller Heiman. It was the first book that really opened up my eyes to the fact that sales is (mostly) a science and its an awesome methodology. I got it as a gift and I've given it as a gift too.
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#325Earlier quoted context omitted.
With Strunk & White I think you should ignore their advice which is often confused or nonsensical and just imitate their prose which is delightful. This review explains it better than I could: http://chronicle.com/article/50-Years-of-Stupid-Grammar/2549...
I tend to think of Strunk and White like training wheels: eventually you should take them off and break the rules (as George Orwell said in his similarly-maligned "Politics and the English Language", "Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous") in pursuit of clear, beautiful prose, but for a beginner the rules can be a lifeline. If nothing else, their constraints provide a new writer a fram…
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Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#326The Count of Monte Cristo , by Alexander Dumas. I'd read thousands of books, novels, and other literature and never had an answer to "your favorite book?" and thought I just wasn't meant to ever have one... Until I read it. Since then, I've bought copies solely to have on hand to gift to people I actually care about. To drive home the point of just how much I loved this book, I went on to learn French just so I could…
That's fascinating. Could you explain what made you love the book so much?
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#327One book I've given is Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis. It is deeply philosophical, beginning with astute observations about human nature, continuing with an evaluation of possible worldviews and their consistency with logic and evidence, and concluding with an enlightening discussion of Christian theology. Regardless of a person's beliefs or lack thereof, it provides interesting ideas to consider and challenge.
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#328The Count of Monte Cristo , by Alexander Dumas. I'd read thousands of books, novels, and other literature and never had an answer to "your favorite book?" and thought I just wasn't meant to ever have one... Until I read it. Since then, I've bought copies solely to have on hand to gift to people I actually care about. To drive home the point of just how much I loved this book, I went on to learn French just so I could…
> I went on to learn French just so I could read it in the original print.
That is one of my mom's favorite books! Can you please elaborate about the process of getting there/how much practice it took to get you towards the point where you could enjoy The Count of Monte Cristo in its native French?
Right now, I am studying Spanish and my reading comprehension in Spanish is low. It is not enough to understand something like 'The Little Prince' (in Spanish) to enjoy it.
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#329Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy.
This book got its hooks into me. Also fantastic writing craft if you get a kick out of that.
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#330The Swiss Family Robinson. A children's book, about a family that has no other option but to become makers.
I read this book in grade school and loved it!