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Ask HN: What literature do you read?

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Re: Ask HN: What literature do you read?

#21

Post by neilbowers »

wsc981 wrote: post #13

I recently started Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. From what I understand, in the US the book is viewed as a must-read for students, but it's much less known here in Europe.

One of the few titles on my list of books that I tell people not to read (http://neilbowers.wordpress.com/2012/06/23/book-review-atlas...)

Re: Ask HN: What literature do you read?

#22

Post by enra »

After reading Game of Thrones I wanted to read more book series, so went with science fiction ones:

  Started with: Dune, by Frank Herbert (+ 5 books in the series)
  Continued to: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (+ 3 sequels)
  Now reading: Foundation by Isaac Asimov (+ 5 books)
All those are pretty great in sense of that they take set in span of thousands of years, and touch bit different ideas around society, myths, religion, morals, physical and mental technologies.

Other than that, been been enjoying some classic literature, Zen and Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, James Clavell, Haruki Murakami and books about Richard Feynman.

Re: Ask HN: What literature do you read?

#23

Post by lcedp »

deletes wrote: post #15
lars512 wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you haven't read "Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality", you're in for a treat: http://hpmor.com/

I have set my mind years ago to completely ignore Potter fan-fiction, regards of its quality.

You're missing out. I'd liked HPMOR much more then original story. Thought it's quite geeky which not everyone likes.

Re: Ask HN: What literature do you read?

#26

Post by jgg »

wsc981 wrote: post #13

I recently started Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. From what I understand, in the US the book is viewed as a must-read for students, but it's much less known here in Europe.

You are horribly misinformed. Opinions or merits of the book aside, Ayn Rand is viewed as a crackpot and is generally (I'm sure there are exceptions) not taken seriously in academia, and I have never heard of any public highschool that views Atlas Shrugged as critical reading.

Re: Ask HN: What literature do you read?

#27

Post by bsenftner »

Herman Hesse "The Glass Bead Game" is incredible. For great mind fucks, check out the crime fiction of Jim Thompson: 1st person, you're a petty crook, dumb & scared, people trying to kill you are right behind you, and most the books end with you being caught and killed in the last sentence. It takes a day or two to shake off his books' reality.
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