false 11 18 15 true 6080692 read 1 true 1347312 currently-reading 2 true 1347311 to-read 1 false 1347313 need-to-finish http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/12164325 to: The Grapes of Wrath (Paperback) by John Steinbeck
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/11437993 to: Grave Peril (The Dresden Files, #3) by Jim Butcher
The Dresden Files series is a fun read to fill your need for contemporary fantasy. One reviewer compared it to an adult Harry Potter. I disagree, it's not as well written as the Potter series and there isn't a coherent epic plot spanning from book to book. That is by no means a reason not to read this series, if you're interested in the genre it is apart of.

Dresden tends to make a lot of impulsive decisions. The sort that usually annoy people. Also, it is rare that Dresden spends more than 3-4 chapters unharmed. The pace of the book is fairly quick, something that makes for a fast read (and is well suited to air travel, if you ask me). Also there is a 30 pound cat and spirit named Bob who works for romance novels. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/10098474 to: The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer (Paperback) by Neal Stephenson
I learned that cookie cutters are awesome. ;) ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/10098439 to: Snow Crash (Paperback) by Neal Stephenson
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/10081107 to: The Protocols (TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1) by W. Richard Stevens
This book is essential for anyone who needs to understand TCP/IP and related protocols. This includes network engineers. Yes, you. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that you know all about routing protocols and what else is there to running routers besides that and ACLs? Well, you're wrong and you should feel bad for thinking that. Lots of stuff goes across routers, this post, my last Amazon order. All of it uses fundamentals covered in this book, and understanding how the transport layer works gives you a leg up when designing networks. Pick this up (or the Douglas E. Comer book) and love it. The worst case scenario is that you hate it. Since it's hardcover you can use it to hit people who tell you that something is broken and it's a network problem. ;) ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/10080794 to: GURPS In Nomine (Paperback) by Steve Jackson
Aside from the original french version of the game, there are two US versions: In Nomine and GURPS In Nomine. The ideal way for the game system to work would be to have a thought out and well written mechanics system that is simple and straight forward. The game system requires smart roleplaying, not tweaking and min-maxing. This isn't a hack and slash, it is very much a story driven game. The issue with GURPS In Nomine is, uh, the GURPS system. If you're already accustomed to it, you'll do fine. There are conversion rules for most of the mechanics listed in the additional supplements. But if you're looking at these two books, wondering which you should pick up, go and look for the non-GURPS In Nomine book. It's better to deal with a mildly broken, inconsistent mechanics ruleset than an overly complicated one, and all of the interesting supplements are written with the original system in mind. Hell, SJGames is still publishing supplements in the In Nomine system (on E23). ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/10080744 to: In Nomine (Steve Jackson Games) by Derek Pearcy
Biblical allegory in role-playing game form. If you don't fear eventually burning in hell this game might be for you. The story pieces are well conceived but the mechanics of the system are often at odds with one another, and wildly inconsistent. Expect to have a list of house rules, depending on the type of game you're planning. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/10080731 to: Amber Diceless Role-Playing: Diceless Role-Playing System (Paperback) by Erick Wujcik
If you've gone full defensive in a fight, and you're still taking hits, something is very wrong in the universe. ]]>