February 8, 2018 at 9:14 pm
Comments posted to this topic are about the item What to Read in 2018
February 9, 2018 at 2:38 am
Non fiction, Presuasion by Robert Cialdini. I'm fascinated by psychology and as technical staff we should try and develop skills beyond the technical. This shows you how to set a scene to achieve your aims. Sadly I'm still rubbish at being a Machiavelli and just try and work hard and effectively and hope that gets me where I want to be. Well, at least I kind of understand there ARE other undercurrents.
Fiction, Hyperion (four book series) by Dan Simmons. Science fiction rooted in literature. I won't lie, it's tough going in places, but worth persevering if you want a bit more than the standard fantasy tropes. Interesting ideas that overreach sometimes, but are always fascinating, especially the stuff on AI.
February 9, 2018 at 3:08 am
Fiction: I am a fan of Robert Goddard but he has not published a book for a couple of years now. However, there should be a new one this year but not until the autumn so will not wish my life away.
Non-fiction: I need to understand NoSQL more fully as a move to it now seems unstoppable. The last thing I read online seemed to be creating an SQL database in NoSQL! Otherwise I like books on any kind of transport and geography/history of coutries.
February 9, 2018 at 3:38 am
Glad to see Arcanum Unbound is there; Brandon Sanderson is a fantastic author and I couldn't have asked for a better author to finish the Wheel of Time series. He released the 3rd book of the Stormlight "Trilogy" (because book 3 doesn't finish the story, clearly Sanderson has forgotten what the definition of a Trilogy is) at the start of this year, which is really good. if you haven't started the series, and enjoy his work, it's a must read. The books are incredibly long (the latest is printed on what I refer to as "Bible Paper" and is very thick) but they are well worth the time to read them.
Thom~
Excuse my typos and sometimes awful grammar. My fingers work faster than my brain does.
Larnu.uk
February 9, 2018 at 5:35 am
Thom A - Friday, February 9, 2018 3:38 AMHe released the 3rd book of the Stormlight "Trilogy" (because book 3 doesn't finish the story, clearly Sanderson has forgotten what the definition of a Trilogy is)
It's not a trilogy, he never intended it as a trilogy. His plans for it are 10 books, in two 5-book arcs.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/brandon-sanderson-discusses-past-future-stormlight-archive/
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability
February 9, 2018 at 5:39 am
My plans for the year include the rest of the Expanse series, to try and make a dent in the unread Data and Machine Learning books I've bought, to read or re-read as many of Ursula Le Guin's books as I can find.
And try and reduce the unread books to a point where the dining room table isn't tilting under the load.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability
February 9, 2018 at 6:01 am
GilaMonster - Friday, February 9, 2018 5:35 AMThom A - Friday, February 9, 2018 3:38 AMHe released the 3rd book of the Stormlight "Trilogy" (because book 3 doesn't finish the story, clearly Sanderson has forgotten what the definition of a Trilogy is)It's not a trilogy, he never intended it as a trilogy. His plans for it are 10 books, in two 5-book arcs.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/brandon-sanderson-discusses-past-future-stormlight-archive/
I'm sure I recall the synopsis on the first book stating it to be a trilogy. I'll have to have a look when I get home. I didn't a chance to start it till after a couple of friends had finished it and they both told me the same thing "I thought this was meant to be a trilogy? It's clearly not, as he didn't finish it."
Perhaps we all imagined it, but I've got to check for my own sanity. 🙂
Thom~
Excuse my typos and sometimes awful grammar. My fingers work faster than my brain does.
Larnu.uk
February 9, 2018 at 6:08 am
Thom A - Friday, February 9, 2018 6:01 AMI'm sure I recall the synopsis on the first book stating it to be a trilogy.
Mine didn't, but I've got the UK publication which split both Way of Kings and Words of Radiance into 2 parts (I have 5 Stormlight books on my shelf)
Would be weird if it did, as Sanderson never intended it as 3 books. If you read his blog, while he was writing the first he had an idea for the 10 books
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability
February 9, 2018 at 7:08 am
The Will Robie series are definitely a good read. You mentioned books 1-4, however book 5 was just published the end of 17 (End Game). I just finished reading it last week and wasn't disappointed. 🙂
February 9, 2018 at 9:01 am
For classic fiction, I'd recommend "It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis.
For fantasy / scifi, I'd recommend "The Liveship Traders Trilogy" by Robin Hobb.
For self improvement, I'd recommend "Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time" by Brian Tracy.
For a new technology to read up on, I'd suggest Microsoft Cosmos DB.
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
February 9, 2018 at 9:31 am
My fiction reading pleasure is mysteries, especially those from the so called Golden Age of Mystery. And I prefer reading the Queens of Crime, Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, Dorothy Sayers and Ngaio Marsh. Of these 4 my favorite is Christie. Her mysteries are clever. And I really love her Belgium detective Hercule Poirot. Sayers may be the most sophisticated of the 4. Just read The Nine Tailors and you'll be amazed at the depth of research Sayers would go into when writing a story. Allingham's sleuth Albert Campion is a delight to read. What I really love about Allingham is both the characters she created and her mastery of writing. In my opinion no one in the Queens of Crime can beat Allingham in the use of metaphor, which sometimes is just beautiful. I will admit that her mysteries aren't as clever as Christie's nor Sayers, but they are still good. I'm going through my favorite now, named Sweet Danger, which I've read before and am totally enjoying again. I've read some of Marsh's Roderick Alleyn mysteries, but not at this point that many.
I always read one of these at bedtime. Get away from any TV, computer, smartphone and just turn on a small light, open up one of these ladies novels and read for a bit. Great fun.
Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.
February 9, 2018 at 11:22 am
I'm constantly learning out of necessity, but unless I'm stuck in a waiting room or airplane, I do practically no technology related reading outside work; it's part of my day job. I don't even touch my computer off hours except for personal stuff. How about you guys?
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
February 9, 2018 at 2:57 pm
call.copse - Friday, February 9, 2018 2:38 AMFiction, Hyperion (four book series) by Dan Simmons. Science fiction rooted in literature. I won't lie, it's tough going in places, but worth persevering if you want a bit more than the standard fantasy tropes. Interesting ideas that overreach sometimes, but are always fascinating, especially the stuff on AI.
Really enjoyed that series. Is tough in places, but good.
February 9, 2018 at 2:58 pm
dave_wendt - Friday, February 9, 2018 7:08 AMThe Will Robie series are definitely a good read. You mentioned books 1-4, however book 5 was just published the end of 17 (End Game). I just finished reading it last week and wasn't disappointed. 🙂
Have a hold on it. Writing is a little basic and simple for me, but it's a good escape.
February 9, 2018 at 3:00 pm
I should try some of these. I really enjoyed going back and reading the Bond series from Fleming. Should try Christie sometime.
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