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Analyzing Hacker News book suggestions in Python

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Re: Analyzing Hacker News book suggestions in Python

#31

Post by gallerdude »

faceplanted wrote: post #29
gallerdude wrote: post #16

Rediscovering nonfiction a few years ago was really cool, but unfortunately I think I’m out of books. I’ve noticed nowadays that most non-fiction books are basically “pop non-fiction,” is high basically entail a giant collection of studies and anecdotal stories all around a central theme, in easy to read language. There’s nothing wrong with this, just they don’t do a lot of synthesis of their own. The problem is, the…

I wouldn't call 12 Rules particularly "deep" in content, it's mostly anecdotal stories, bible quotes, and Christian Conservatism.

Not sure I agree. Peterson is definitely controversial, and his political side is worth ignoring. But foundationally, the book is about the foundations of living a meaningful life and self improvement. And not that shallow sort of self improvement, it’s the real hero’s journey stuff.

Re: Analyzing Hacker News book suggestions in Python

#32

Post by catacombs »

Ibethewalrus wrote: post #24
therobot24 wrote: post #2

- Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon by Valley John Carreyrou - Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep by Matthew Walker - The Magicians by Lev Grossman - Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE by Phil Knight - How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan - Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World by Hans Rosling - Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl - Deep Work by Cal Newport - Homo De…

by Cormac Mccarthy, check the road or no country

Or Blood Meridian.

Re: Analyzing Hacker News book suggestions in Python

#33

Post by chubot »

gallerdude wrote: post #16

Rediscovering nonfiction a few years ago was really cool, but unfortunately I think I’m out of books. I’ve noticed nowadays that most non-fiction books are basically “pop non-fiction,” is high basically entail a giant collection of studies and anecdotal stories all around a central theme, in easy to read language. There’s nothing wrong with this, just they don’t do a lot of synthesis of their own. The problem is, the…

I agree with your characterization of "pop" and "giant collections of studies" -- there are a lot of books like that turn out to not be very good. I honestly felt that way about Dan Ariely's books, which are heavily recommended. I found it hard to get through them.

For writers with a pleasing style and are deep on content, I would recommend Michael Pollan's books and Jared Diamond's books. Those are two of the authors that I've read 4+ books from. They are really synthesizing information and not just describing a list of studies.

I've also read 4+ books from Jon Krakauer and Anthony Bourdain. Although they're not about "synthesis", I think books that are "narrative" are better than a lot of the pop non-fiction books you're talking about. It's concrete and lets you draw the conclusions, rather than trying to force some canned conclusions upon you.

Re: Analyzing Hacker News book suggestions in Python

#34

Post by MadSudaca »

faceplanted wrote: post #29
gallerdude wrote: post #16

Rediscovering nonfiction a few years ago was really cool, but unfortunately I think I’m out of books. I’ve noticed nowadays that most non-fiction books are basically “pop non-fiction,” is high basically entail a giant collection of studies and anecdotal stories all around a central theme, in easy to read language. There’s nothing wrong with this, just they don’t do a lot of synthesis of their own. The problem is, the…

I wouldn't call 12 Rules particularly "deep" in content, it's mostly anecdotal stories, bible quotes, and Christian Conservatism.

While sometimes the bible quotes went too far for my taste, I wouldn't say it's not deep. One thing it did for me is help me see religion in a new light. Religion is a constant in most (all?) human societies, this book helped me understand why.

Re: Analyzing Hacker News book suggestions in Python

#36

Post by howard941 »

therobot24 wrote: post #2

- Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon by Valley John Carreyrou - Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep by Matthew Walker - The Magicians by Lev Grossman - Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE by Phil Knight - How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan - Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World by Hans Rosling - Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl - Deep Work by Cal Newport - Homo De…

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

The Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons. I read the trilogy but my sister did the audiobook and enjoyed it.

Re: Analyzing Hacker News book suggestions in Python

#37

Post by sotojuan »

gallerdude wrote: post #16

Rediscovering nonfiction a few years ago was really cool, but unfortunately I think I’m out of books. I’ve noticed nowadays that most non-fiction books are basically “pop non-fiction,” is high basically entail a giant collection of studies and anecdotal stories all around a central theme, in easy to read language. There’s nothing wrong with this, just they don’t do a lot of synthesis of their own. The problem is, the…

Read history, art, music, etc. books - books on topics you're interested in? I read tons of nonfiction and I never have this problem.

Re: Analyzing Hacker News book suggestions in Python

#38

Post by jimhefferon »

ramblerman wrote: post #35

Hmm, Linear Algebra - Jim Hefferon does not seem to be mentioned at all in that thread.

Yes, I thought the original thread was interesting and so I was reading the article (which I thought is also interesting). Suddenly, there is my name---that's a bit of a start. However, I don't find that I come up when I search the discussion, although there are three instances of "Linear". A glitch, I guess.

Re: Analyzing Hacker News book suggestions in Python

#39

Post by pure_ambition »

gallerdude wrote: post #16

Rediscovering nonfiction a few years ago was really cool, but unfortunately I think I’m out of books. I’ve noticed nowadays that most non-fiction books are basically “pop non-fiction,” is high basically entail a giant collection of studies and anecdotal stories all around a central theme, in easy to read language. There’s nothing wrong with this, just they don’t do a lot of synthesis of their own. The problem is, the…

True. I love Cal Newport but he’s a great example of this. Best thing is that if you read a lot of books you get a quick easy feel for whether a book will be in the first or second grouping. Just by reading the description or look through a few pages. Table of contents is usually the best way to tell.

Re: Analyzing Hacker News book suggestions in Python

#40

Post by levesque »

hour_glass wrote: post #21
therobot24 wrote: post #2

- Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon by Valley John Carreyrou - Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep by Matthew Walker - The Magicians by Lev Grossman - Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE by Phil Knight - How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan - Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World by Hans Rosling - Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl - Deep Work by Cal Newport - Homo De…

The third book is completely different from his results. In the article the third most recommend book is actually "Magi: Uncovering the Secret Society That Read the Birth of Jesus in the Stars Paperback – September 1, 2002 by Adrian Gilbert"

Sometimes it helps to read the article ;)
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