A Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett is usually for me a good way to step back from everyday life and work. It's funny, there are many references to scientific and nerd culture and it helps to reconsider some "serious" things...
Ask HN: What is the best fiction book you've ever read?
51–52 of 52 posts
Re: Ask HN: What is the best fiction book you've ever read?
#52Earlier quoted context omitted.
All of Neal Stephenson's books have a breezy sense of wonder and adventure with a dash of science-y cleverness.
If the OP is looking for a page turner, then Stephenson's Snow Crash is another great recommendation. Anathem was slower to me, and Reamde was good. But if I was to pick up Stephenson's stuff again I go to Snow Crash, then Cryptonomicon as my one, two.
The Baroque cycle: Quicksilver, The Confusion and System of the World is awesome as well.
Who doesn't want to read fiction about The Royal Society, Isaac Newton and Liebniz mixed in with phrases in the line with "In memory of Englands greatest swordsman, beaten to death with a club by an Irishman". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Baroque_Cycle