Looking for entry-level ergodic fiction? Start here.
An allegorical story about a fictional nation where the citizens venerate a man who came up with tLooking for entry-level ergodic fiction? Start here.
An allegorical story about a fictional nation where the citizens venerate a man who came up with the phrase "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog," a phrase utilizing all 26 letters of the alphabet.
The story is a series of letters that chronicle a island community as the use of the letter "Z" is outlawed, soon followed by others, and all the social, political, and literal chaos that ensues.
The reader will encounter archaic words, strange vernacular, and ultimately train their brain to read a new form of phonetic English writing based on the limited lettericon.
Historical, contemporary, and science fiction are masterfully executed to tell a story beautifully in their exploration of philosophy and physics. AutHistorical, contemporary, and science fiction are masterfully executed to tell a story beautifully in their exploration of philosophy and physics. Auto-biographical influences are clear in the narrative, as are pandemic themes. The plot leaves readers as lost as some characters but that doesn't distract from the storytelling. Ambitious is an understatement for where the author takes the story, each chapter, and each character increases the complexity of the plot with rich flavors of mystery, poignant moments of loss, and welcome assurances of joy.
Mandel may write fiction, but it's really long-form poetry disguised as prose. Highly recommend this book to anyone who reads fiction or is interested in where physics and philosophy intersect with life. It's a book to read, then share. ...more
Physics accurate science fiction that never forgets the human element of storytelling, The Expanse is well worth the journey. At its core, political iPhysics accurate science fiction that never forgets the human element of storytelling, The Expanse is well worth the journey. At its core, political intrigue, space combat strategy, and human destiny are layered on the science fiction plot devices. The series' scope grows, starting with one crew in the solar system, to a diverse and morally ambiguous cast of characters across space. The television series by the same name is an excellent companion to the first 6 books, covering the first two trilogies neatly. The final three books are standalone but essential to complete the whole story.
Nine books is a lot, but sci-fi readers won't think it's enough. Highly recommend watching a few episodes of the show first, then picking up the books.
Random Quotes from the Series: "All beautiful things should have just a little sorrow about them."
"In his opinion, faith was generally for people who were bad at math."
"Whoever screws up last loses. Whoever screws up second to last wins. That’s what war is."
"She understood now why adults lied to children. It wasn’t love. It was exhaustion."
"We’re scientists. We only know things until someone shows us we’re wrong."
"The lone atom of steel at the tip of the tip of the spear." ...more
A heavy, haunting, and beautiful read. Writing sharply divided between poetry and prose, it still catches the reader off guard, lost between both. WriA heavy, haunting, and beautiful read. Writing sharply divided between poetry and prose, it still catches the reader off guard, lost between both. Written in many voices, fonts, styles, and dimensions, the genres of horror, love, academia, poetry, and autobiographical all compete for this book's shelf.
A difficult read, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Unavailable in electronic form, the heavyweight of this book depresses the reader. The dark tones and manic narration further dig the reader deeper. Similar to the author's predicament, the only way out is to finish.
Some readers will find it too much and give up; others will find it too much and continue. This book is not for them. Then there will be those who relish every word, lost in the haze of its pages. This book is not for them. This book is not for you.
I do not recommend this book to anyone, but it is absolutely worth reading....more
An unapologetic and intimate look at the American Caste system. Models of American society tend to highlight how race plays a significant role in relaAn unapologetic and intimate look at the American Caste system. Models of American society tend to highlight how race plays a significant role in relations between people. Wilkerson, argues it's not that simple. Often, focusing on race serves to obfuscate the issues of caste, a far more entrenched and difficult social problem to solve. Caste serves as a system to keep those with power in power, using tools such as race, lineage, or religion to secure the place of those on top.
"Caste is the bones, race the skin".
Wilkerson inspects American society and history using this model, comparing it to other notable caste systems in India and Nazi Germany. Seeing America as a caste system provides new perspectives and further deconstructs some revisionist history.
Throughout her narrative, she interjects anecdotes of her life as a black woman in America and her treatment as a member of the system's lowest caste. Her accounts strengthen the book; empathic readers will feel the sting of caste through her words.
Highly recommend to all readers striving to understand the world we live in and those who want to equip themselves with more ideas on how to better it. Fans of examining history from a new perspective will also enjoy it. The stories about Martin Luther King's time in India or Albert Einstein's advocation for Black people's rights are fascinating.
Each reader will likely get something different from the book, but they will be better for it.
Quotes:
"Caste is insidious and therefore powerful because it is not hatred, it is not necessarily personal. It is the worn grooves of comforting routines and unthinking expectations, patterns of a social order that have been in place for so long that it looks like the natural order of things."
"In debating 'how to institutionalize racism in the Third Reich,' wrote the Yale legal historian James Q. Whitman, 'they began by asking how the Americans did it.'"
"The hierarchy of caste is not about feelings or morality. It is about power"
"Slavery in this land was not merely an unfortunate thing that happened to black people. It was an American innovation, an American institution created by and for the benefit of the elites of the dominant caste and enforced by poorer members of the dominant caste who tied their lot to the caste system rather than to their consciences."
"What’s most disturbing about the Nazi phenomenon is not that the Nazis were madmen or monsters. It’s that they were ordinary human beings.”
A beautiful example of rethinking old ideas to form a story that feels both original and authentic. What emerges is a fictional biography with a themeA beautiful example of rethinking old ideas to form a story that feels both original and authentic. What emerges is a fictional biography with a theme of "be careful what you wish for". The story spans centuries; French historical fiction intertwined with a contemporary New York narrative, all following one life's events.
Addie has promised her soul to gain freedom from her peasant life, a life where she has no say in who she is to marry, where she is to live, or what she is to do. In doing so, she has unwittingly become free of the world. Losing the ability to leave any marks or be remembered, except by the Devil...
What follows is a lonely 300 year-long journey of her struggle to keep finding a reason to live. In a life without her name, anyone to love, or anything to leave behind, she turns to art as her refuge, becoming a muse. But the Devil wants her soul, and the story cannot be so simple.
A haunting book. Superficial in concept but deep in execution. Examining themes of loneliness, mental health, and philosophical ideas on living. Written in a poignant, poetic, but beautiful demeanor, highly recommend. ...more
"There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide."
Camus answers this statement in this essay and gets awarded the Nobel Pri"There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide."
Camus answers this statement in this essay and gets awarded the Nobel Prize for it. He takes the philosophy of French Existentialism to its extreme and arrives at Absurdism. Serious thought is put into the dilemma of continued existence, and this thought is difficult to follow. However, its conclusion is plain enough to understand: even without purpose, meaning, hope, god, a future... man should keep living.
Where this essay will likely fail for most contemporary readers is its constant reference to outside texts. Citations of works by other philosophers, religious books, or classical literature strengthen his arguments. The references obfuscate the way to the conclusion. Nevertheless, when distilled, the philosophy of this essay is profound.
Recommended to readers who enjoy philosophical essays, recommend looking at the Wikipedia entirely for others.
There are many, many interesting quotes in this essay. Here are some that do not require much context:
"We get into the habit of living before acquiring the habit of thinking."
"there is no truth, but merely truths."
"All things are not explained by one thing but by all things."
"There, too, there are several ways of committing suicide, one of which is the total gift and forgetfulness of self."
"A fate is not a punishment."
"I leave Sisyphus at the foot of the mountain! One always finds one's burden again. But Sisyphus teaches the higher fidelity that negates the gods and raises rocks. He too concludes that all is well. This universe henceforth without a master seems to him neither sterile nor futile."
George Washington is not lacking biographies, but he is lacking diversity in the perspective of those biographies. Coe's perspective is different, maiGeorge Washington is not lacking biographies, but he is lacking diversity in the perspective of those biographies. Coe's perspective is different, mainly because she is different from the average historian apt to write about the first president.
Her account of Washington's life is intentionally incomplete; she chooses not to detail aspects well covered in other biographies. Her focus is on the forgotten parts of his life the make him more of a person and less a historical figure. This includes the joyful details about his favorite snacks, many pets, and early love life. However, darker aspects are not spared, including accounts of his anger getting the better of him, and some physical abuses to the slaves he owned (sometimes by his hand).
When she does discuss topics that are common to most of his biographies, she does so with a critical eye. She examines his legendary military victories, but notes he has more defeats than wins. She summarizes his abilities, and elaborates on his not-so-well-known skills, such as his prowesses in espionage, which may have been his most critical military strength.
Most avid readers of founding-father biographies may not like this biography. It illuminates unsavory parts of his life, discusses seemingly trivial topics like his sense of fashion, and is not afraid to call him out for his mistakes. But that's what makes this an excellent read for somebody looking to have a complete picture of the man. But be warned, you should never meet your heroes. ...more
Part history book, part owner's manual- Bryson writes a fantastically entertaining and informative narrative. From head to toe, he discusses how the mPart history book, part owner's manual- Bryson writes a fantastically entertaining and informative narrative. From head to toe, he discusses how the machinery in each of us is set up, operates, and malfunctions. The stories behind the doctors that unlocked its secrets are wildly more scandalous and full of intrigue than one would assume. He makes sure to weave them into his account of each subject discussed. Written in a style that doesn't require the reader to recall past chapters or continuity, it's an easy read that will stay engaging. Highly recommend....more
Well written, entertaining, and informative. The author has an excellent way of navigating through medical jargon and explaining concepts simply. He tWell written, entertaining, and informative. The author has an excellent way of navigating through medical jargon and explaining concepts simply. He takes pains to weave in historical significance and tangents that make the narrative engaging. This includes significant pharmaceutical contributions made by minorities and women, often ignored. Additionally, the narrator is slightly unreliable, which is usually a plot device in fictional stories. In this case, it is the author discovering and reforming ideas as he learns more about drugs and the industry. Highly recommend to all readers, except medical professionals; the cognitive dissonance caused by reading this would be too much for them....more
This book is a poignant exploration of all the darker shades of gray that emerge in wartime, told through the stories of two sisters. The author's wriThis book is a poignant exploration of all the darker shades of gray that emerge in wartime, told through the stories of two sisters. The author's writing is beautiful, poetically describing their bleak life from war-ravaged Paris to the occupied French countryside. Small, sorrowful details complete the immersion of the reader into this regrettable world, slowly unwrapping a mystery introduced in the first chapter. Their experiences with casual brutality, painful indifference, and so much suffering are difficult to read, but hard to stop, the writing too compelling. Highly recommend to all, especially readers of historical fiction. Excellent audiobook too....more
A sobering read, likely to spark introspection in most readers. The central premise being:
"He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how.
A sobering read, likely to spark introspection in most readers. The central premise being:
"He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how."
A quote Frankl attributes to the philosopher Nietzsche, who is often associated with the philosophy of nihilism. Nihilism is the antithesis of Frankl's school of thought that finding meaning in one's life, even if that meaning is suffering, is the purpose of one's existence. Not power or pleasure as others argue.
There is no power or pleasure in the first two-thirds of the narrative, it's Frankl's auto-biographical account of his years spent in a concentration camp. Stripped of everything, he found a way to endure, a way to find meaning in his suffering, and a reason to live. His intimate knowledge of suffering is almost zen-like in its dispensation. A lot of his ideas on psychology stem from his time as a prisoner.
The last part of the book is a discussion of "logotherapy." This is Frankl's school of psychotherapy, rooted in finding meaning in one's existence. He discusses its principles more formally and cites examples of his patients recovering from its use.
Overall, it's a disjointed book; medical text, philosophy, and biography. Subjective science, if you will, not to discredit it or discourage its reading. For all it's flaws (and what seem to be contradictions), it's a book that will leave most critical readers changed.
Some quotes:
Life is not primarily a quest for pleasure, as Freud believed, or a quest for power, as Alfred Adler taught, but a quest for meaning.
I think it was Lessing who once said, “There are things which must cause you to lose your reason or you have none to lose.”
If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death human life cannot be complete.
In some way, suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.
That is why I recommend that the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast.
With skillful enough authors, the black and white on the paper can mix into color. This book, a correspondence of letters between enemies on the frontWith skillful enough authors, the black and white on the paper can mix into color. This book, a correspondence of letters between enemies on the frontline of a time war, is best described as experimental fiction. Unfocused, confusing, and challenging to read, the experience is still rewarding and satisfying. The letters blur the lines between poetry, prose, and insanity. Wartime romance tropes are present, but only as incidental symbolism, barely noticeable. Seldom giving hints about the world the protagonists live in, the narrative focuses more on the purple thread that connects the main character Red and Blue.
Experimental, Romanic, Hard Science Fiction; not for casual reading, but can be read casually.
Highly recommend for readers looking for original, provocative, cerebral literature. Highly discourage others. ...more
American history, as told from the perspective of the entire domain of power and population. This book recalibrates traditional US history through theAmerican history, as told from the perspective of the entire domain of power and population. This book recalibrates traditional US history through the eyes of non-white, non-mainland, and non-powerful Americans. The book is separated into three sections; initial westward expansion, territorial gains through war, and World War 2 and modern globalism.
The first section of the book discusses the plight of the Native Americans and the pioneers settling the frontier. It makes the mistreatment of the indigenous people a point of fact and introduces some not so well known episodes of how badly they were treated. However, it does not dwell on this. Instead the author states this section of the book is to explain how America developed its imperial policies in its treatment of new lands and people.
The second section explores imperial America in its heyday. This is when the empire expanded to include Alaska, Guam, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, parts of Cuba, Philippines, and other territories — making all these lands and people American. It discusses the seldom talked about concentration camps in Alaska, where 10% of the natives died. The targeted sterilization, experimentation, and murder of Puerto Ricans by mainland doctors to help the "population problem". It explains how the US allied with Philippine's independence army to win the Spanish-American war then turned on this very allies.
The final section discusses how the idea of empire has changed since World War 2. How, with the advent of airpower, vast territories are no longer required for the reach of empire. The author focuses on military power projection and the "pointillist empire" the US now is. How the US treated Japan and other counties it occupied after the war, especially its territories.
Highly recommend this book to anybody interested in expanding their views of American history. It is a sobering account that is an essential perspective to help both complete the picture of America and understand how history is presented.
Regardless of how history is written, it is always revisionist. This book seeks to revise it with the account of the American people that were forgotten. ...more
Sinek adeptly explains how organizations that play to win aren't playing the game right. You cannot win business. You cannot win life. There is no winSinek adeptly explains how organizations that play to win aren't playing the game right. You cannot win business. You cannot win life. There is no winning in an infinite game.
Many leaders choose not to understand this. They run their businesses like they are in a finite game, as if winning is the goal. They do this by focusing on short term earnings, "moonshots", or some other purpose which they surround with impressive meaningless platitudes. With the rise of Milton Friedman's almost religious fervor to please shareholders, this myopic point of view has become the standard (and justification for ethical lapses).
Sinek proposes leaders should have a "just cause" that motivates them, not metrics of growth, profit, or dominance. This just cause is not an end goal...in fact, it's an unachievable goal. Achievable end goals are for those who are playing a finite game.
His discussions about the dangers of ethical fading in finite minded organizations gave me pause to reconsider my organization. As soon as I did, I saw cracks in a foundation I thought reliable. But seeing the cracks and being honest about them is the first step to fixing them.
Books by Simon Sinek always give me hope for the world, not because they have the answers to the world's problems, but because they argue there are answers to the world's questions. We just have to work together to find them.
I highly recommend this book to everybody, because everybody is a leader, and can become a better one. ...more
Pan's Labyrinth, known as El laberinto del fauno in its native Spanish, is a mysterious, dark, and spellbinding fairytale played out in an enchanting Pan's Labyrinth, known as El laberinto del fauno in its native Spanish, is a mysterious, dark, and spellbinding fairytale played out in an enchanting movie directed by Guillermo del Toro. It takes place in fascist ruled Spain in the deep forest after world war two. It follows the life of a young girl, anti-government guerrillas, and the Captian charged to exterminate the rebellion. The movie is a masterpiece, and the book is too.
It's rare to see a direct adaption of a film into a novel, the reverse being the norm. In this case, it's masterfully done. Whereas the movie is in Spanish, this book is brilliantly translated into English, stylistic integrity and essence preserved.
This book is not a prequel, sequel, or variation of the movie, but the same story intensified. Everything that occurs in the film happens in the book with more detail; characters are given backstories, reminiscent of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. Key objects have their origins explained, their enchantments and curses. And the main story is elevated upon a foundation of dark fairytales only hinted of in the movie.
Highly recommend the book and movie; Recommend watching the movie first, building the cast of character in your imagination, and letting the story linger on your mind for a bit. Then after some time has passed, read the book. The audiobook is enchantingly performed if you choose to listen to the book. ...more
For a person so young, the quantity of experience in the memoir is staggering. Tara's life is interesting, her writing captivating, and storytelling bFor a person so young, the quantity of experience in the memoir is staggering. Tara's life is interesting, her writing captivating, and storytelling beautiful. It's a worthwhile story. Vivid experiences with her family detailing mental disorder, domestic abuse, and spending days working in a junkyard are a lot of the narrative. Never being formally educated, her transformation into an academic is fascinating. The schism this creates between her and family is central to her story. She makes it a point not to confound the questionable actions done in the name of religion (latter-day saints in this case) with the problematic people responsible. Highly recommend to all. ...more
An extremely solid, well researched, and eye-opening analysis of bias in data collection with respect to women. Highly recommend to all readers, especAn extremely solid, well researched, and eye-opening analysis of bias in data collection with respect to women. Highly recommend to all readers, especially men, and even more so to leaders in any field (regardless of their sex). Criado-Pérez presents an onslaught of data clearly demonstrating inherent inequities in many spheres of life, all of which can easily be overcome by including women in the design and data collection process.
She highlights the issues with data that is currently available, as a lot of it is not gender-disaggregated or disregards female data points altogether. This is especially alarming in certain areas, such as drug trials, where subjects are almost exclusively male, leading to many issues with proper dosage and side-effects. Similarly, most automobile crash test dummies are only required to model the male body, disregarding both the average difference in size and seating posture for female drivers.
Attempts to fix inequality problems are also discussed, as some leaders will blindly "make thing equal" in a noble effort to make things better. This might seem like a perfect solution, but often the bias against women is actually increased by doing this; as men and women have different bodies and needs. Her example of how an organization trying to make things more equal by making all their bathrooms gender-neutral, only ended up significantly increasing average female wait times and slightly decreasing male wait times is an excellent illustration of this. Similarly, she explains how this "equalization" has happened in other fields, such as university tenure, job promotions, and paid maternity/paternity leave.
Finally, she addresses the technique of having women try to emulate the male standard to get ahead, "lean in" if you will. She explains how this is both futile for women in the long run, and detrimental to both the woman and the organization she is part of. Women should not be trying to emulate male behaviors to get ahead in a flawed system; the system is what needs to be fixed, not the women.
Definitely a worthwhile read or audiobook, and certainly epiphany invoking for at least 50% the population, including this male reader....more
One beautifully written and poignant story about a lonely little girl, trying to survive in the marsh wilderness. One starkly contrasting, but enthralOne beautifully written and poignant story about a lonely little girl, trying to survive in the marsh wilderness. One starkly contrasting, but enthralling story about a murder investigation over a body found in the marsh.
These stories together, tell an engrossing tale about the ecosystem of marshlands, the tragic lives of those abandon, and learning to trust in one's self and others.
The author, Chris Voss, is a former FBI hostage negotiation expert and builds his negotiation techniques using both experience and theory. It's a short and well-organized read, plus it's fun. Anecdotes about Voss' experiences are both educational, entertaining, and reinforce lessons.
Applying the principles in this book will likely make you a better negotiator; more importantly, reading this book may help you realize what a good negotiation is. Highly recommend to all readers. ...more
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