What are you reading?
June 7th, 2008 | by emontero |A good friend of mine recently asked me via instant messaging:
What books are you reading? What books have you read lately? Do you have any recommendations?
I quickly gave him a few titles and impressions of some books I’ve perused in the past couple of years. I then started thinking about sharing this list with more people. I said to myself: there should be a way for me to post what I’m currently reading, books I have on my shelf or publications I intend to read. In that way, others can share facts, opinions and ideas. Thus, we would all benefit!
A few minutes of heavy Googling and I stumbled upon LibraryThing. The service allows you to create your own virtual library (here’s mine). Furthermore, LibraryThing lets you extract a random sample of your books so that you can exhibit them in your blog (check out a set from my collection at the rightmost column on your screen) — notice that if you refresh the page, you’d get a different set every time. You can also see who is reading what you’re reading, tag your books and search an enormous database with more than 680 different sources (including Amazon and the Library of Congress).
What about you, dear reader? What books do you think are worthwhile? What are your impressions? Admit it. Chances are you’re yet another bookworm if you’re reading this (just like me). And there’s nothing wrong with that!
“Ah, and the plot thickens…”
Source: All Cute Cats
8 Responses to “What are you reading?”
By xmonk on Jun 8, 2008 | Reply
Books about Computing that I own and have read more than once or use as reference.
Mythical Manmoth
Paradigms of Artificial Intelligence
Art of Computer Programming (Vol. 1-3 + fascicle)
ANSI Common Lisp
C deep Secrets.
The C Programming Language (K&R)
Advanced Programming in the Unix Environment (1st ed)
TCP/IP Illustrated (vol. 1-3)
Unix Network Programming (vol. 1-2)
Paradigms of Artificial Intelligence Programming: Case Studies in Common Lisp
On Lisp
Little Schemer
Hacker’s Delight (nothing to do with crackerz)
Operating Systems Design and Implementation
Distributed Operating Systems
Introduction to Algorithms
Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools
Lisp in Small Pieces
And many more, in fact too many….
Non Computing
Godel Escher Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid
Mythologies Roland Barthes
Kant and the Platypus: Essays on Language and Cognition
Travels in Hyperreality
Semiotics and the Philosophy of Language
Oh crap I’m tired, there a lot, but aside of the above of which I recommend all, I like the following Sci Fi writers and have read most if not all of their works:
Neal Stephenson
Neil Gaiman
Charles Stross
John Scalzi
Naomi Novik
Cherie Priest
As well as the classic authors, and a lot of books about music composition, orchestration, counterpoint, analysis etc… As well of books on Veterinary Medicine, Philosophy and Theology.
Just to much to list! I have a lot of books, and have read most of them, I know it sounds like BS but I don’t care. Enjoy.
By Forzaken on Jun 8, 2008 | Reply
Found very strange being an Science Fiction guy like you don’t have: “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” under your belt, unless I’m wrong
By emontero on Jun 9, 2008 | Reply
@xmonk,
Thanks for the comprehensive list! It seems we have very similar tastes, my friend.
It does not come as a surprise to me that you didn’t list Peopleware. Do you really hate anything management related that much?
@Forzaken,
I’ve tried reading the guide a few times (I forgot the book in DR). Please, tell me the book is decidedly better than the movie… I beg you!
By Rafael George on Jun 9, 2008 | Reply
Great post Elvis, i think of myself as a bookworm too, i will begin to use LibraryThing
By forzaken on Jun 9, 2008 | Reply
The movie is just a piece of crap, i found myself the book much better.
By xmonk on Jun 9, 2008 | Reply
The Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy (books) are a lot better than the movies! Douglas Adams writing style is in my opinion quite entertaining, and he keeps you on your toes with small snippets of wisdom, sarcasm or just plain funny.
I don’t hate all things management. It’s just something I’m really not interested in. I know most developers aspire to become managers, but in my very humble opinion, that’s like aspiring to be a vogon!
I’ve heard about Peopleware haven’t read it, but plan too, I’m also a bit interested in Scrum have read a few articles about it.
By emontero on Jun 9, 2008 | Reply
@Rafael George,
I’m glad you liked it!
@forzaken,
Fair enough. I shall read the book pretending the movie did not exist then.
By emontero on Jun 9, 2008 | Reply
@xmonk,
I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy Demarco’s and Lister’s tone (Peopleware). The book was a breeze (very easy to read and understand).