"How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk" - by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
This book has been life-changing with regards to my relationship with my 3-year-old.
It also changed the way I communicate with adults.
Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
151–160 of 294 posts
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#152The War of Art by Steven Pressfield It's written for writers but is relevant broadly. The message is pretty simple and you don't really need to read the whole book to get it. It's one of those keep-driving-the-message self help-ish books. Basically the point is to name and shame "resistance," a catch all term for procrastination, fear and everything else that prevents a writer from writing a book. It also applies to…
I love that book. I read it all the time, especially on those weeks when I feel burnt out. It pairs well with one of his other books called The Warrior Ethos.
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#153I was a voracious reader of programming books prior to reading Stewart Brand's "How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They're Built." However, it was this book that made me (finally) realize that some of the best programming books are not about programming at all. As a result I've cut back drastically on my "language-specific" programming books[1] and have sought programming-relevant books instead. [1]: And I've ma…
This looks very interesting, and the applicability to software maintenance seems obvious. Just ordered a used copy with Amazon prime shipping; so thanks for the recommendation.
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#154The Book - Alan Watts
http://www.amazon.com/The-Book-Taboo-Against-Knowing/dp/0679...
I sometimes get stuck in a loop of existential questions, and even though I still do, that book taught me how to deal with them better.
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#155Starting Strength - because this time I actually started lifting instead of just reading it :) The Pragmatic Programmer - It has been recommended to me by a good developer that is self-taught like me. So far so good. Some things are a bit dated though.
Pragmatic Programmer is pretty good, but even better are Steve McConnell's books from the late 90's, "Rapid Development" and "Code Complete". They're both big and both published by Microsoft. Two strikes, yes, but don't be fooled. These books have so many nuggets that I've gone back to again and again as a programmer. "Code Complete", in particular. Neither book is a cover-to-cover read. They're both books you dip in…
I think I started Code Complete some time ago, I need to get back to it.
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#156Starting Strength - because this time I actually started lifting instead of just reading it :) The Pragmatic Programmer - It has been recommended to me by a good developer that is self-taught like me. So far so good. Some things are a bit dated though.
Yup, me too on SS. Started in Jan, changed my life.
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#157Earlier quoted context omitted.
Also read Starting Strength. I'd been lifting before I read it but my technique was very poor. The most I got out of the book was cues (such as actively push legs out when squatting to avoid cave in). Would definitely recommend!
Getting a trainer is going to be better than trying to DIY from a book, at least to 'show you the ropes'. It's not like following a recipe or something where it's obvious if you have the right amount of ingredients; you might think you are doing it right when you are doing it wrong and have no way to tell.
The problem is getting a good trainer. Sure if you can get Rippetoe .. :) The one at my gym is not great.
I think I would prefer a gym buddy who has read the book, watched the dvd or is a good lifter, because filming myself to check my form gets old quickly.
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#158Looks like it's my turn to provide the cliche hipster answer: The Wind Up Bird Chronicle , by Haruku Murakami: http://www.amazon.com/The-Wind-Up-Bird-Chronicle-Novel/dp/06... If you're familiar with Murakami, it's par for the course and considered one of his pivotal novels. If you're not: surrealist, dreamlike modern fiction often centering around ideas of masculinity, post-war fallout, and urban ennui. Incredibly st…
Doesn't seem hipsterish at all to me.
FWIW, I wouldn't really say that any book in 2014 changed my life, but... if I had to name my favorite book of 2014 there's a good chance that I'd pick After Dark by Murakami. It was my first Murakami and I thought it was very good.
Murakami rocks.
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#159The Road to Reality, by Roger Penrose: http://www.amazon.com/Road-Reality-Complete-Guide-Universe/d... This has been a really refreshing book for me to read. I studied mathematics in college but haven't really exercised that part of my brain since graduating and working as a programmer. Although this book is probably inaccessible to someone without some formal mathematical training, it's still one-of-a-kind. Nobody e…
Did you get through the book? I've tried twice so far in my life, I've stalled out each time. Any tricks?
Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?
#160"Impro" by Keith Johnstone.
It may seem like a book on improvisational theater, but is more a collection of notes on interaction between people. Quite eye-opening and empowering.
Would recommend to anyone.
http://www.amazon.com/Impro-Improvisation-Theatre-Keith-John...