Live data from Hacker News

Books I Recommend

blog.jessfraz.com

1–10 of 157 posts

Re: Books I Recommend

#3

Is there a HN Goodreads collection, or similar? Lots of lists like this (inc. my own: https://www.productgems.io/library/ ) but would love to see something centralised when in search of a new book to read (that's not a generic top 10).

This website has a list of books talked about on HN: https://hackernewsbooks.com

Re: Books I Recommend

#4
post #3

Is there a HN Goodreads collection, or similar? Lots of lists like this (inc. my own: https://www.productgems.io/library/ ) but would love to see something centralised when in search of a new book to read (that's not a generic top 10).

This website has a list of books talked about on HN: https://hackernewsbooks.com

I really like theirs newsletter, helps me to notice interesting topics I have missed and over the time highlights books that appear as recommended. That's how I finally started reading "Why we sleep", which I thought will be boring but is very entertaining.

Re: Books I Recommend

#6
I don’t understand why people recommend books like “a programmers introduction to mathematics”.

They’re advertised as books for “programmers” or people that know little math, yet they hide solutions from the reader.

The reader that doesn’t know proper proofs or deep mathematics likely isn’t the same ones that know if their solutions are correct.

Programmers like to write code with test cases. We don’t like to write code once and trust there are no bugs. So, why would we want to write mathematics any differently? How is a beginner math student even going to know if their answers are correct? I’m sure someone reading this will say “you’re robbing the reader” if you provide solutions. I don’t agree with that. That’s a bit of gatekeeping because not everyone has access to a TA or professor and we’d really like to learn this stuff and know if we’re on the right track.

Are there any actual math text with solutions that are better than the one advertised in this list?

Re: Books I Recommend

#7

Is there a HN Goodreads collection, or similar? Lots of lists like this (inc. my own: https://www.productgems.io/library/ ) but would love to see something centralised when in search of a new book to read (that's not a generic top 10).

I once found this, but it's quite dead.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/94469-hackernews

Maybe if enough people like it, it'll get some activity. :)

Re: Books I Recommend

#8
post #6

I don’t understand why people recommend books like “a programmers introduction to mathematics”. They’re advertised as books for “programmers” or people that know little math, yet they hide solutions from the reader. The reader that doesn’t know proper proofs or deep mathematics likely isn’t the same ones that know if their solutions are correct. Programmers like to write code with test cases. We don’t like to write c…

I've seen book authors talking about solutions to their book. And the two most talked about reasons are 1. Morale Stuff 2. If they provide their solutions online then the Book will not get adapted by professors.

Re: Books I Recommend

#9

Is there a HN Goodreads collection, or similar? Lots of lists like this (inc. my own: https://www.productgems.io/library/ ) but would love to see something centralised when in search of a new book to read (that's not a generic top 10).

Please test your site on mobile. The divs containing individual books are too narrow to read on my iPhone 6.

Re: Books I Recommend

#10
post #6

I don’t understand why people recommend books like “a programmers introduction to mathematics”. They’re advertised as books for “programmers” or people that know little math, yet they hide solutions from the reader. The reader that doesn’t know proper proofs or deep mathematics likely isn’t the same ones that know if their solutions are correct. Programmers like to write code with test cases. We don’t like to write c…

I've seen book authors talking about solutions to their book. And the two most talked about reasons are 1. Morale Stuff 2. If they provide their solutions online then the Book will not get adapted by professors.

I understand but sometimes there are books targeted for the “self-learner” that provide 0 solutions and are the type of books that save off major theorems to be proven in the exercises.

That’s completely fine. Don’t advertise the books for self-learners or “programmers”.

I would like to see actual books targeted at these demographics that provide solutions and aren’t concerned about being adapted in a classroom.

There is a market for those that graduated university a long time ago and would like to learn math outside of a classroom.

These sort of people don’t want to see solutions because they have to turn their work in for a grade, but because they want to check their work and get feedback. Outside of having to consult with TAs or professors they don’t have access to.

Post reply on HN