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Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

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Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#51

Post by chrisdirkis »

jor-el wrote: post #34

Thinking, fast and slow - by Daniel Kahneman It is a great book and talks about two systems in which we can divide the working of our brain. Kahneman also talks exposes the extraordinary capabilities—and also the faults and biases—of fast thinking, and reveals the pervasive influence of intuitive impressions on our thoughts and behavior. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11468377-thinking-fast-a...

It is worth noting that a lot of the psychological studies that this book references have failed to reproduce. I don't have a list on me (and haven't read the book!), but I know that there was more than one.

Likely still worth reading, for at least forcing the reader to introspect on processes that will help them think better, and solve problems better.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#52

Post by smsm42 »

jor-el wrote: post #34

Thinking, fast and slow - by Daniel Kahneman It is a great book and talks about two systems in which we can divide the working of our brain. Kahneman also talks exposes the extraordinary capabilities—and also the faults and biases—of fast thinking, and reveals the pervasive influence of intuitive impressions on our thoughts and behavior. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11468377-thinking-fast-a...

Note however: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thinking,_Fast_and_Slow#Replic...

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#53

Post by bshimmin »

War and Peace by Tolstoy (I like the Volokhonsky and Pevear translation, though I first read a different one that I also liked and now can't remember). If you read it casually, it'll take you most of the summer; if you race through it, you might be done in a few weeks. It's funny, it's tragic, it's moving, it's educational.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#54

Post by spectaclepiece »

jefim wrote: post #13

My to-go favorite for relaxed summer evenings is "The Master and Margarita" by Bulgakov. It is a literature masterpiece that magically adjusts to my current inner state. It can be both easy reading when I'm tired and just want to unwind, and thought provoking when I'm ready to be thoughtful. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/117833.The_Master_and_Ma...

Laying at the side of the pool during my vacation in Turkey with a fresh smell of sunflower oil and the sound of an approaching tram.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#56

Post by KaiserPro »

I personally hate self improvement books/management, so here are some narrative books that I loved and got lost in

1) The tiger's wife - To me it has a brilliant full universe. Its comprised of a overarching narrative broken up with lots of short stories.

2) night watch/ making money / going postal - terry pratchett Fun stories with full characters.

3) THe pigeon tunnels - john le carre, Again composed of short stories, not overly spy-y just fascinating character studies, with a bit of history.

4) differently morphous - Yahtzee croshaw this one is a scifi comedy, 100% worth getting in audiobook form

5) rivers of london - ben aaronovich, policeman who was all set for a life of being a desk clerk accidentally becomes a wizard policemen.

6) harry potter, obviously :)

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#57

Post by sho »

I mainly read SF to relax (biased towards hard space opera) and have accumulated a "best of the best" list of my own:

Leviathan Wakes - James S. A. Corey (TV show The Expanse is loosely based on this, but IMO doesn't even come close)

Revelation Space - Alastair Reynolds

Three Body Problem (all 3 books) - Liu Cixin

Consider Phlebas - Iain M. Banks (your gateway drug into the Culture universe)

Genuinely wish I could experience all the above for the first time again. And looking forward to checking out some of the others mentioned here.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#58

Post by kreetx »

I've really enjoyed Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and Lila by Robert M. Pirsig.

EDIT: Also, The Phoenix Project is very very good if you are into IT management: funny, and although a novel then the content will make you want to fix your company and perhaps even think bigger about your carrer. But this one won't last you a summer since if you read it that slow you'll forget what was going on. :)

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#59

Post by Brajeshwar »

I recently decided to do all my presentations (work related) by drawing/sketching (No slides). People love the clarity and interactions.

A really good friend and business partner suggested me Dan Roam and his books. I'm loving it. Check out his books https://www.danroam.com

Re: Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?

#60

Post by smsm42 »

Blindsight by Peter Watts Very strong hard sci-fi with mind-bending approach to the question of conscience. And vampires (not the Twilight kind, the scary kind).

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48484.Blindsight

Fair warning: it's kinda pessimistic on the future of humankind.

If you like it, proceed to Echopraxia. More hard sci-fi, more vampires, even worse news for humankind.

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