Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011 • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011

#21

Post by ncarroll » Tue, Dec 27, 2011, 8:57 AM UTC

Fiction: The Poisionwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.

Non-Fiction: Improv Wisdom: Don't Prepare, Just Show Up, by Patricia Ryan Madison.

Edited for formatting

Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011

#22

Post by mikecsh » Tue, Dec 27, 2011, 9:02 AM UTC

On Intelligence by Jeff Hawkins

Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011

#23

Post by beagle3 » Tue, Dec 27, 2011, 9:02 AM UTC

"Left in the dark" - a theory about how our mind works. It is either crackpot or one of the most amazing discoveries of the last few decades. Hard to tell which, but it is a very interesting read regardless.

http://leftinthedark.org.uk/

Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011

#24

Post by laironald » Tue, Dec 27, 2011, 9:02 AM UTC

"No Higher Honor" - Condoleeza Rice. An amazingly accomplished person that is humble enough to analyze her own thinking process.

Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011

#25

Post by armandososa » Tue, Dec 27, 2011, 9:05 AM UTC

This year I read again '100 years of solitude' (in spanish, of course) and I enjoyed every bit of it.

Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011

#26

Post by anatoly » Tue, Dec 27, 2011, 9:07 AM UTC

  * Anne Tyler, Dinner At The Homesick Restaurant
  * Gene Wolfe, Peace
  * Vladimir Nabokov, Pale Fire

Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011

#27

Post by zachwill » Tue, Dec 27, 2011, 9:08 AM UTC

I thought Designers Don't Read was great (don't let the name fool you). It's basically an art director's take on advertising and design with bits of history and insights thrown in: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1581156650

Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011

#28

Post by train_robber » Tue, Dec 27, 2011, 9:09 AM UTC

In Cold Blood - Truman Capote

Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011

#29

Post by iambot » Tue, Dec 27, 2011, 9:13 AM UTC

bambax wrote: post #14

I'd like to mention two books because I can't decide which is greatest (they're very different): - The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande (often quoted here, and rightly so; it's short and really really great) - How to Live, or A life of Montaigne by Sarah Bakewell (a fantastic take on Montaigne's essays by a contemporary scholar with a refreshing take on everything).

Yes! I've read "How to Live, or A life of Montaigne" and it _is_ brilliant, partly due to Montaigne being brilliant I'd recommend Penguins Great Ideas Book "On Friendship" by Montaigne. And seeing as you mention on of my favorites to, I'll be sure to check out The Checklist Manifesto, thanks.

Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011

#30

Post by chad_oliver » Tue, Dec 27, 2011, 9:13 AM UTC

I just finished reading "The Origin of Political Order", which was recommended by Venkatesh Rao. It's refreshing to read an overview of world history that doesn't focus on kings and kingdoms, but rather on the underlying causes. This book covers some dense material, but remains readable at all times. Highly recommended.