Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?

#1

Post by gozzoo » Thu, Jul 12, 2018, 11:34 AM UTC

It become somewhat a tradition for YC to publish a reading list for the vacations months. This hasn't happen for a while. I have discovered some very intersting books there apreciate suggestions from similarly minded people.

I recently stumbuled upon this list [1] and the selection seems quite good. I read _The Oracle Year_ which I liked a lot.

My question for the community here is: Have you read somthing interesting recently?

[1] https://geekdad.com/2018/06/5-reasons-to-read-5-great-books-june-2018-edition/

Re: Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?

#2

Post by ArtWomb » Thu, Jul 12, 2018, 11:56 AM UTC

Taleb's Technical Incerto. Imminently readable and accessible probability theory. His postulates concerning fat tail vs normal distributions can readily be translated into quick and dirty computer simulations. Thereby demonstrating such hidden insights as "black swans are not more frequent in fat tails, but merely more consequential"!

Other than recent technical papers, I am pretty much trying to eschew anything published in the last century until it passes the test of time. I get more out of a casual perusal of Aeschylus' Persians via Wikisource on my phone while sitting under a tree. Than I do from all the Ray Dalio Principles and Yuval Harari Homo Deus style tomes that are currently in vogue right now ;)

Re: Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?

#3

Post by ghostmaree » Thu, Jul 12, 2018, 12:05 PM UTC

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Re: Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?

#4

Post by timwaagh » Thu, Jul 12, 2018, 1:53 PM UTC

War and Peace by Tolstoy. it is far from 'recent' but i read it only this year. it is particularly interesting because it is not overly intellectual in nature yet still written around the time it portrays.

Robin Hobbs latest Fitz and the Fool trilogy are also great books i read this year. as are all her works really.

Re: Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?

#5

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Jul 13, 2018, 1:58 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?

#6

Post by mjfl » Fri, Jul 13, 2018, 2:04 AM UTC

ArtWomb wrote: post #2

Taleb's Technical Incerto. Imminently readable and accessible probability theory. His postulates concerning fat tail vs normal distributions can readily be translated into quick and dirty computer simulations. Thereby demonstrating such hidden insights as "black swans are not more frequent in fat tails, but merely more consequential"! Other than recent technical papers, I am pretty much trying to eschew anything publ…

By technical incerto you mean Silent Risk right?

Re: Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?

#7

Post by galeforcewinds » Fri, Jul 13, 2018, 2:08 AM UTC

William Gibson's Neuromancer continues to hold up well both for adults and teens. Worth a read or re-read.

Travel books can be a good fit for the summer, and Keri Smith's Wander Society is a fun pick.

I also like to make a random pick or two that I'd never normally choose for myself. My next random pick may be off this thread...

Z

Re: Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?

#8

Post by modzu » Fri, Jul 13, 2018, 2:12 AM UTC

the divine comedy by dante. some regard it as the greatest work of literature of all time.

Re: Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?

#9

Post by jackthetab » Fri, Jul 13, 2018, 2:19 AM UTC

"Tailspin" by Steven Brill. It talks about how the recruiters for the Ivy League decided to admit people based on merit instead of connections, creating a de facto meritocracy and how this meritocracy has changed the USA in the past 50 years.

A friend gave me the book. I was skeptical of the premise. By the third chapter (the 70's, basically) I was like "I remember that!" "Yes, he was in all the newspapers!" "Yes, that was 'the greatest financial disaster since the Great Depression'!" (I've lived through three of those, btw.)

Interesting premise, good scholarship (he traces Citizen's United back to the college paper written to impress a college prof by a fellow who ended up clerking for SCOTUS judge who was the swing vote for Citizen's United (Kennedy?)).

Interesting read. I know it sounds like a grandiose conspiracy theory but he has actual facts (that I experienced growing up) to back him up.

Re: Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?

#10

Post by zachruss92 » Fri, Jul 13, 2018, 2:20 AM UTC

For a nonfiction book, The Millionaire Next Door was a game changer for how I though about wealth accumulation. It's the findings of a statistical analysis of the life and habits of millionaires.

Deep Work had the similar effects on my work habits as the former did on my finances.

If you're looking for a fun fantasy read, Elantris by Brandon Sanderson is one of my all-time favorite standalone novels.