At any given time, I am probably reading one book in paper form, another as an audio book, and another on an e-reader. I also keep an anthology or collection in my car, for those long waits. My average rating is between 3 and 4, because I try to seek out good books and authors. One goal is to read all the SF award winners and SF Masterworks. See my profile at Worlds Without End.
Finally, the "social media" info - I am a long-time reader, proud to have completed several summer reading programs as a kid. I recall reading more than 50 books one summer. When I'm not reading, you might find me gaming (board and role play) or working, either as a baseball umpire or with software.
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States, quite correctly, that we have a severe economic literacy problem. Then in chapter 2, dives deep into unfamiliar jargon and technical terms, both proving the statement and alienating the reader. I would like to come back to this series of essays when I have improved my economics skills to match.
I added this collection to my reading list for Ted Chiang's "Story of Your Life", and it was just as much fun to read the fourth time. The collection also starts off with a good one, Robert Charles Wilson's "Divided by Infinity". Another favorite is Geoffrey Landis' "Snow".
"In The indisputable existence of Santa Claus, mathematicians Hannah Fry and Thomas Oléron Evans take …
Probably not meant to be read through in one sitting, the humor can become forced at times. That said, there is humor, intelligent footnotes, and the math is well explained. The worst thing are the references to various youtube channels and demonstrations - this felt like a paper copy of a video.
Depending on her veteran brother's benefits in a city where jobs outside the drug trade …
The first time I picked this up, I was struck by two things. It feels like Gibson, and, what the hell is going on? I set it down 100 pages in with no clarity, and ended up rereading it from the start a few months later. This second start resulted in the momentum to finish, but now I feel like I've read a 600 page book. At least it is a standalone novel... whoops, now there's a sequel.
Chapters alternate between two different points of view, and later you find out those alternate between two different universes. There are some fantastic scene descriptions, and cool tech makes appearances. "Cyberspace" doesn't show up in this future, but a pocket universe does, and the tech behind that is completely unexplained. Nanobots also show up, in the form of "assemblers", but always under control somehow. And the plot? A very drawn out murder …
The first time I picked this up, I was struck by two things. It feels like Gibson, and, what the hell is going on? I set it down 100 pages in with no clarity, and ended up rereading it from the start a few months later. This second start resulted in the momentum to finish, but now I feel like I've read a 600 page book. At least it is a standalone novel... whoops, now there's a sequel.
Chapters alternate between two different points of view, and later you find out those alternate between two different universes. There are some fantastic scene descriptions, and cool tech makes appearances. "Cyberspace" doesn't show up in this future, but a pocket universe does, and the tech behind that is completely unexplained. Nanobots also show up, in the form of "assemblers", but always under control somehow. And the plot? A very drawn out murder mystery (of sorts) and also a struggle for power between two factions. Neither is particularly satisfying. 2½ stars.
This thoroughly researched book delivers a complete narrative of the political and military life of this oft-forgotten general of the Continental Army. Most importantly, it examines his deeds (and misdeeds) in context of what was known at the time, and solidly makes the case that Lee was his own worst enemy.
Chapters follow a historical timeline, and delve deep into his greatest triumph (the defense of Charleston) and his worst blunder (the battle of Monmouth). Perhaps his greatest role in the revolution came as essayist, though his writings against the monarchy were driven more by his personal antagonism than patriotism. He was known among Mohawks as "Boiling Water", and most biographers agree that it’s an excellent metaphor for Lee’s roiling personality.
The author does come to some conclusions, but much is left as speculation. Little of his personal life is examined. I found the book interesting, but not compelling.
Glasshouse is a science fiction novel by British author Charles Stross, first published in 2006. …
With mind uploading, matter duplication, and computer worms that infect the human brain, this is mostly space opera, right up to the convenient ending. The writing is rough and characterizations of women even worse, and it took far too long to read.
The universe of this stand alone novel seems to be familiar to the author, though I haven't read anything from it. As a standalone novel, it is rough going at times, and I had to reread sections to understand the bits of history provided under the assumption that they were relevant. The writing is uneven, and the main character uses the majority of opportunities letting us know she doesn't like being female. This is set in a future with new time units, but the author slips back into archaic units often. Perhaps an editor could help?
The novel had bits of humor, and references to popular culture, from …
With mind uploading, matter duplication, and computer worms that infect the human brain, this is mostly space opera, right up to the convenient ending. The writing is rough and characterizations of women even worse, and it took far too long to read.
The universe of this stand alone novel seems to be familiar to the author, though I haven't read anything from it. As a standalone novel, it is rough going at times, and I had to reread sections to understand the bits of history provided under the assumption that they were relevant. The writing is uneven, and the main character uses the majority of opportunities letting us know she doesn't like being female. This is set in a future with new time units, but the author slips back into archaic units often. Perhaps an editor could help?
The novel had bits of humor, and references to popular culture, from Zimbardo and Milgram to Leonard Cohen to the Prisoner. These references aren't subtle, striking the reader like a hammer at inconvenient times. Be seeing you, indeed. 2 stars (out of 5).
In Mars Rover Curiosity: An Inside Account from Curiosity's Chief Engineer, Rob Manning, the project's …
More about the engineering than the science, this book covers Rob Manning's very stressful job as the chief engineer for the Mars Science Laboratory. From the start, this is about discovering and solving problems with engineering, and for me it wasn't too jargon heavy.
After a brief bio (high school in Burlington WA!) he dives into earlier Mars missions, including Mars Pathfinder and the Sojourner rover. He also discusses some of the failed missions and why they failed (Newtons mistaken for pounds - ouch!). The primary focus of the book is Curiosity, and while he touches on budget and schedule challenges, engineering is the star here. Each problem is explained, the methods to narrow down described and the solution detailed.
The writing is not always smooth, but the ideas are clear. It also felt short - I started and finished it on a long flight between Seattle and Iceland. There …
More about the engineering than the science, this book covers Rob Manning's very stressful job as the chief engineer for the Mars Science Laboratory. From the start, this is about discovering and solving problems with engineering, and for me it wasn't too jargon heavy.
After a brief bio (high school in Burlington WA!) he dives into earlier Mars missions, including Mars Pathfinder and the Sojourner rover. He also discusses some of the failed missions and why they failed (Newtons mistaken for pounds - ouch!). The primary focus of the book is Curiosity, and while he touches on budget and schedule challenges, engineering is the star here. Each problem is explained, the methods to narrow down described and the solution detailed.
The writing is not always smooth, but the ideas are clear. It also felt short - I started and finished it on a long flight between Seattle and Iceland. There are quite a few photos and diagrams, though none are in color. Then again, nasa.gov has plenty of color images, and the book even references some design videos available. In summary, a solid 4½ stars out of 5.
Probably a better coming-of-age story than Huckleberry Finn, with a broader cast of characters and similar language. That said, baseball figures heavily, and those without an appreciation for the art are likely to be left behind in the dense descriptions of day-to-day struggles.
Baseball of this era has an inherent angle for character growth - the gradual acceptance of a rookie on a team. Here, this is coupled with other trials to form a satisfying Bildungsroman. Other characters are a bit more than 2D, and it is easy to see how three sequels flowed naturally. The most famous of these is the next book, [b:Bang the Drum Slowly|487233|Bang the Drum Slowly|Mark Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328819477l/487233.SY75.jpg|1961039]. The Southpaw also has elements of a road trip, and is often compared to [b:On the Road|70401|On the Road|Jack Kerouac|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1413588576l/70401.SX50.jpg|1701188], written a few years later.
My rating is 3½ stars, but I am rounding …
Probably a better coming-of-age story than Huckleberry Finn, with a broader cast of characters and similar language. That said, baseball figures heavily, and those without an appreciation for the art are likely to be left behind in the dense descriptions of day-to-day struggles.
Baseball of this era has an inherent angle for character growth - the gradual acceptance of a rookie on a team. Here, this is coupled with other trials to form a satisfying Bildungsroman. Other characters are a bit more than 2D, and it is easy to see how three sequels flowed naturally. The most famous of these is the next book, [b:Bang the Drum Slowly|487233|Bang the Drum Slowly|Mark Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328819477l/487233.SY75.jpg|1961039]. The Southpaw also has elements of a road trip, and is often compared to [b:On the Road|70401|On the Road|Jack Kerouac|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1413588576l/70401.SX50.jpg|1701188], written a few years later.
My rating is 3½ stars, but I am rounding down on goodreads due to the density of baseball. There were a few points where my lids began to droop, and I absolutely love the game. Unlike [b:Ball Four|762563|Ball Four|Jim Bouton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1391414699l/762563.SY75.jpg|81719], the majority of these are important to the story. A chapter or two from the main character dealing with the minutiae (for example, a letter to his girlfriend) would help the more casual reader. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Sarek is a novel by A. C. Crispin, set in the fictional Star Trek universe. …
This Star Trek series book tells the story of Sarek in the time not long after the events of the movie Star Trek VI. In addition to the main plot, his life with Amanda is told through flashbacks and journal entries. The main cast also make appearances, at times unlikely but well written all the same.
Also unlikely is Peter Kirk, whose middle name might well be MacGuffin. This is a minor quibble, though, and Sarek shines through negotiation, strategy, and action. This stand-alone book was fun to read, and I understand an (abridged?) audio book is read by the actor who played Sarek, the late Mark Lenard. Look forward to finding that for a future re-read.
The authors break out various facets of games, giving us a terminology to describe them thoroughly. These facets are examined in detail, and one can see how this was a textbook for a course. Could have used a bit more about classification of the game players, connecting them to to the characteristics that they enjoy.
The subtitle is key, because this isn't a book about software engineering. It does not examine the code of algorithms or any complex math. What it does do is discuss how humans and algorithms interact, and it does this beautifully. Interesting, and at times humorous - recommended!
In Hello World, author Hannah Fry examines some algorithms, from chess to criminal justice to art, both successes and failures. As she says in the introduction, this is primarily a book about humans - who we are, where we are going, and how that is changing through technology. Her most important point is that we shouldn't think of algorithms as an authority. The best world is one where humans work with transparent algorithms, assisted but not overruled, and very much held accountable.
The world's most entertaining and useless self-help guide, from the brilliant mind behind the wildly …
Usually I write a review which notes where the book has succeeded and/or failed, compares the salient points, and gives my overall impression. Not this time. Essentially, the author uses physics in several interesting, humorous, and yet quite accurate ways. 5 stars.
Bethany C. Morrow: Mem (2018)
"Set in the glittering art deco world of a century ago, MEM makes one slight …
The author takes an interesting concept and doesn't examine, explain, or exploit it. The setting could have been used for contrast, but instead was mostly scenery. This novella, though short on pages, felt long - a short story may have been a better venue.
This is the 19th book in a challenge to read new science fiction, fantasy and horror authors; this is the first book or story I have read by Ms. Morrow. I did enjoy some of the description, and the core of this is an interesting idea - a memory can be removed from your head, though it will live on externally for a time (as a "Mem"). Our main character uses this to question whether memories should be removed, how that affects us - good stuff there.
The setting is early 1900s Montreal - why? The main character has dark skin, and this could have been …
The author takes an interesting concept and doesn't examine, explain, or exploit it. The setting could have been used for contrast, but instead was mostly scenery. This novella, though short on pages, felt long - a short story may have been a better venue.
This is the 19th book in a challenge to read new science fiction, fantasy and horror authors; this is the first book or story I have read by Ms. Morrow. I did enjoy some of the description, and the core of this is an interesting idea - a memory can be removed from your head, though it will live on externally for a time (as a "Mem"). Our main character uses this to question whether memories should be removed, how that affects us - good stuff there.
The setting is early 1900s Montreal - why? The main character has dark skin, and this could have been used to contrast "ownership" of the memories - if alive, they are akin to slaves, and can be mistreated or even killed by their owners. Other topics not explored include the effect on the host of having too many memories removed, whether memories can be returned, and the reuse of mems as targets for new memories. Later, the main character falls into a romance of sorts, but the results of that aren't explored either.
Perhaps your experience will be different than mine, but I can't recommend this book.
Interface is a 1994 novel by Neal Stephenson and J. Frederick George (a pseudonym of …
Written 25 years ago, this political thriller also predicted some of the future pretty well. Locations are beautifully described, and ideas are usually introduced with characters (though perhaps one too many). For me, it is a book which was tough to put down, and as fun to read as it was in the 90s.
The book is a collaboration between Neal Stephenson and his uncle, which wasn't well known when first published. Having read a lot of the former, I think I can identify some passages, but overall it flows in a smooth narrative. On this reread, it is also fun to look at some of those future predictions. GODS is quite similar to Amazon, for instance. It is also interesting to read between the lines, interpreting what the candidate says and connecting to the source - and from there back to the author (pro or con). The Strong character …
Written 25 years ago, this political thriller also predicted some of the future pretty well. Locations are beautifully described, and ideas are usually introduced with characters (though perhaps one too many). For me, it is a book which was tough to put down, and as fun to read as it was in the 90s.
The book is a collaboration between Neal Stephenson and his uncle, which wasn't well known when first published. Having read a lot of the former, I think I can identify some passages, but overall it flows in a smooth narrative. On this reread, it is also fun to look at some of those future predictions. GODS is quite similar to Amazon, for instance. It is also interesting to read between the lines, interpreting what the candidate says and connecting to the source - and from there back to the author (pro or con). The Strong character quite resembles our current president.
I could have done without the last character introduced (on page 526). His purpose is to show the aspect of negative campaigns, and a score of pages later he is mostly out of the story - which would have been fine without him. The appearance of all the other characters is perfect, making this anomaly that much more glaring. For me, this costs the novel half a star, but it is still highly recommended. 4½ out of 5 stars.
"All that Democrat/Republican stuff is bullshit," he said. "And as far as liberal versus conservative, well, people are very promiscuous in the way the use those words. They don't really mean anything. Within those two camps there are very wide divisions. And between those two camps, there is a lot more overlap than you think. None of that bullshit really matters. The only thing that matters is values."
Very in-depth breakdown of the Famicom and Nintento Entertainment System (NES), covering hardware, software, and the development process. Chapters on the music chip (2A03) and emulation were particularly interesting. This book feels more like a series of essays than one narrative.
Chapters focus on particular topics, and often dig into a particular game to go along with the discussion. The back history and design differences between Famicom and NES were a welcome addition, as most of the Nintendo things I have read focus on the US. The other thing to know is that this book can get dry at times; it could be overly technical for some readers. It took me a month to read. While it definitely fits into the Platform Studies series of books, it is not as well written as the first that I read, [b:Racing the Beam: The Atari Video Computer System|5435210|Racing the Beam The Atari …
Very in-depth breakdown of the Famicom and Nintento Entertainment System (NES), covering hardware, software, and the development process. Chapters on the music chip (2A03) and emulation were particularly interesting. This book feels more like a series of essays than one narrative.
Chapters focus on particular topics, and often dig into a particular game to go along with the discussion. The back history and design differences between Famicom and NES were a welcome addition, as most of the Nintendo things I have read focus on the US. The other thing to know is that this book can get dry at times; it could be overly technical for some readers. It took me a month to read. While it definitely fits into the Platform Studies series of books, it is not as well written as the first that I read, [b:Racing the Beam: The Atari Video Computer System|5435210|Racing the Beam The Atari Video Computer System|Nick Montfort|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347751808l/5435210.SX50.jpg|5502796]. I would suggest that anyone interested in the topic read a single chapter first. 3½ stars.
