Really enjoyable read. I loved how Maria built the book around Sherlock Holmes to make her points. While at times she infers a little much about a fic...moreReally enjoyable read. I loved how Maria built the book around Sherlock Holmes to make her points. While at times she infers a little much about a fictional character, it does make for a really good read. I highly recommend it. (less)
I've been trying to read the Sherlock Holmes book in chronological order (I did jump ahead and read Hound of the Baskervilles) and it's been interesti...moreI've been trying to read the Sherlock Holmes book in chronological order (I did jump ahead and read Hound of the Baskervilles) and it's been interesting to watch Doyle's writing evolve ever so slightly. Sherlock becomes more and more clinical and more a flawed character in his inability to relate to people. I wonder if this was conscious or subconscious because at the end of nearly every collection Watson writes something about this being the end (or Doyle just plain kills him off). But I think that's what makes Sherlock such an endearing character; his flaws.
I love these stories, and I'm never disappointed. they just keep getting better. (less)
I love these quarterly books. They are such a provocative juxtaposition of science and speculative science fiction that it can't help but to make your...moreI love these quarterly books. They are such a provocative juxtaposition of science and speculative science fiction that it can't help but to make your head spin with crazy, realistic and absurd ideas about the future. 1.4 Forever Alone Drone doesn't disappoint.
Great book. Alternative history where Genghis Kahn took over all of Asia and after he died his children started moving in on Europe. with lots of swor...moreGreat book. Alternative history where Genghis Kahn took over all of Asia and after he died his children started moving in on Europe. with lots of sword play and great writing. If you're into historical fiction or fantasy you'll love this book. (less)
I'm not an author and I still really enjoyed this book. It was very informative and enjoyable read. Not only are there tons of useful tips in here for...moreI'm not an author and I still really enjoyed this book. It was very informative and enjoyable read. Not only are there tons of useful tips in here for authors but William's story is an interesting one.
Being an avid reader of his blog (http://www.williamhertling.com/) for years it has been interesting to watch William go through the whole process of self publishing his two previous fiction books Avogadro Corp and A.I. Apocalypse I know that He's learned these lessons the hard way.
If you are an interested in the publishing industry and the changes it's going through you will enjoy this book as it's the roadmap for how millions of self-published authors will make a living.
If you're an author at any level, this would be an interesting read. Having talked to several of my writer friends who have agents and publishers, I know that publishers aren't doing as much as they used to do and more authors are going to have to start being more involved in their marketing.
Lastly, if you are an independent author or publish through a small press or are even thinking about writing a book, you need to read this book. (less)
I'd give this book 3.5 stars if I could. It was very enjoyable. Unlike a lot of paranormal romance (I'm looking at you Twilight) this book is actually...moreI'd give this book 3.5 stars if I could. It was very enjoyable. Unlike a lot of paranormal romance (I'm looking at you Twilight) this book is actually well written. It's not long and it's an easy read. If it didn't have so much pointless swearing, and some borderline adult content, in it, I'd call it teen fiction.
I do wish that the humor from the first half of the book would have persisted throughout the whole book. But full points for originality. The story is very entertaining for it's originality alone. Even if you're not into zombie books (Feed, World War Z, etc.) but you like scifi, you'll probably enjoy this book. (less)
This is an important book. Maker's is basically a sequel to The Longtail. It's a deep look at what happens to the manufacturing (mostly in America) wh...moreThis is an important book. Maker's is basically a sequel to The Longtail. It's a deep look at what happens to the manufacturing (mostly in America) when physical manufacturing behaves like the digital world. If this book doesn't make you want to go out and buy a 3D printer or start putting together OpenHardware robots, I don't know what will. (less)
Reading a Cory Doctorow book is always interesting because even if you know what the book is about, you really don't know what to expect. Doctorow alw...moreReading a Cory Doctorow book is always interesting because even if you know what the book is about, you really don't know what to expect. Doctorow always goes off on so many twists and turns, so fast that you're left moving from one scene to another without having fully digested what you just read, but you don't dare slow down.
This book could have been a trilogy and I probably would have enjoyed it much more. There's just so much packed in there and he glosses over so much, I would have loved more detail or development on.
This was a good read. Even with all the near future tech and even genetic hacking, I wouldn't call it cyberpunk but it's like pre-cyberpunk.
Doctorow's characters are enjoyable but sometimes very painful to follow. They live in a "real" world where real things happen to them, both good and bad. Sometimes they make smart choices and good things happen and sometimes bad. Sometimes they make bad choices and bad things happen and sometimes good. Good guys lose and sometimes bad guys win.
But I think this is an important read because while some of the tech (especially the bio-tech) is seriously doubtful, there's a lot of the tech that is already very real and some of the models he proposes are totally possible. Read this book and you'll start seeing the immediate world around you in a new light. (less)
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