A dreamy adventure through fairy tales and old books, exploring grief, rage, and forgiveness. World-building here is more like world-gathering - lotsA dreamy adventure through fairy tales and old books, exploring grief, rage, and forgiveness. World-building here is more like world-gathering - lots of familiar heroes and villains inside this one. Beware - the Crooked Man watches, always. ...more
A must-read for anyone who’s ever had a glimmer of nostalgia for a computer from their childhood, no matter if an IBM PC-clone, an Apple II, aA must-read for anyone who’s ever had a glimmer of nostalgia for a computer from their childhood, no matter if an IBM PC-clone, an Apple II, a Commodore VIC-20, or an Altair kit, and wondered where those magical devices came from. Is the computer a means of freedom or control? You’ll explore this theme throughout the book, beginning with modern computing’s punch-card origins in WW2 through IBM’s dominance in mainframes to the mini-computer and personal computer eras - leaving off just as the Internet and WWW begin to mature in the early 2000s (I anxiously await a volume three that will cover the last two decades - smartphones and cloud computing demand to be covered here) - and ultimately leaving that question as unanswered but hopeful. ...more
A dreamy, vintage creature compendium for Cape Cod, Long Island, and all the East Coast islands in-between. Perfect companion for a tide pool orA dreamy, vintage creature compendium for Cape Cod, Long Island, and all the East Coast islands in-between. Perfect companion for a tide pool or kettle pond exploration, with sketches of all the critters and plants you’ll discover. This is the book you’ll return to every summer vacation. ...more
OK Google - what’s the most terrifying near-term outcome of our mono-consumer-corporate culture? Hey Siri - give me a gripping, page-turner of aOK Google - what’s the most terrifying near-term outcome of our mono-consumer-corporate culture? Hey Siri - give me a gripping, page-turner of a thriller that I literally can’t put down without putting my Black Mirror star rating at risk. Alexa, remind me to order this book for my friends - and yes, I’ll add in that BBQ grill you know I’ve been eyeing, as long as you throw in Same-Day shipping (I don’t know about you, but mmm, burgers just sound yummy right now)....more
I utterly devoured the tale of Nettie Lonesome becoming ... whatever it is she damn well pleases, while also, you know, fulfilling her monster-huntingI utterly devoured the tale of Nettie Lonesome becoming ... whatever it is she damn well pleases, while also, you know, fulfilling her monster-hunting destiny. Hilarious and heart-wrenching, with every chapter packing an punch to the gut and brain and heart and eyeball holes. I’m also glad to finally learn what to do when your coworkers turn into chupacabras: hint, they’re not going to like it. ...more
Back into the woods we go with Prue and Curtis (and, of course, Septimius the Rat). The world of Wildwood expands, unwinds, and goes deeper than weBack into the woods we go with Prue and Curtis (and, of course, Septimius the Rat). The world of Wildwood expands, unwinds, and goes deeper than we ever knew in this delightfully long book, and looks to be setting up for an epic last battle in book three. OH, HOW COULD I FORGET TO MENTION HOW MUCH I LOVED THE CITY OF MOLES?...more
A tiny sliver of a book that brings all the kids together for the first time - the Finders and the last of the Old Ones, all under the perfectlyA tiny sliver of a book that brings all the kids together for the first time - the Finders and the last of the Old Ones, all under the perfectly absentee watch of their Great Uncle Merry yet again. The Greenwitch fuses Welsh and Celtic folklore with the broader magic of the Dark is Rising series, and I’ll be heading to Wikipedia immediately after finishing them all to sort it out as best I can. This is another excellent book for a hazy summer day sitting directly next to a whirring box fan. ...more
What do unicycles, flaming trumpets, and a robotic, labyrinth-solving mouse named Theseus have to do with computers? Everything (if you’re luckyWhat do unicycles, flaming trumpets, and a robotic, labyrinth-solving mouse named Theseus have to do with computers? Everything (if you’re lucky enough to have discovered the utter joy and delightful weirdness of Bell Labs’ favorite prodigal son, Claude Shannon). This fast-paced dive into Shannon’s life and career will have you exploring the mind of one of humanity’s greatest thinkers, puzzlers, tinkerers, and oddball geniuses and hopefully spark your next big weekend project idea. ...more
Delicious, charming, and uplifting story of an aristocrat under house arrest in the Metropol Hotel of Moscow during the Russian Revolution through theDelicious, charming, and uplifting story of an aristocrat under house arrest in the Metropol Hotel of Moscow during the Russian Revolution through the Cold War. You’ll love the Count for his misadventures, cleverness, positivity, erudition, and constantly eroding stubbornness in favor of an open heart towards those who surround him in his hotel. I hope to be as good of a friend and person as the Count - and I know I’ll be thinking of him and Sophia and Nina and the rest of his gang for a long time to come. ...more
Your memory of reading this book will be a blur - no, your memories of everything else in your life will be a blur. Wait, what was I just doing? WeYour memory of reading this book will be a blur - no, your memories of everything else in your life will be a blur. Wait, what was I just doing? We may not be quite ready for traveling the fourth dimension, but my goodness my life sure is better now after Recursion. ...more
A salt-water hymn to New Jersey, rock and roll, and the Promised Land beyond. Above all else, it becomes clear that Bruce has been saved by therapy,A salt-water hymn to New Jersey, rock and roll, and the Promised Land beyond. Above all else, it becomes clear that Bruce has been saved by therapy, medication, and his loving marriage and children, and I’m even more grateful that he can still bring us his music and now his story. This lyrical sea shanty of a book dips and dives through Bruce’s roots, struggles, successes, continued struggles, and continued successes as a musician, friend, son, husband, father, and capital-H human, and he delivers, every step of the way....more
A book of books about books. You’ll be ensnared before you know what’s happening, and then you never will, because something else, something here, isA book of books about books. You’ll be ensnared before you know what’s happening, and then you never will, because something else, something here, is now happening and were you ever really there, before now? I don’t know, I’m just as confused, but I feel like I Get It Now. ...more
Stroll through the Zachtronics memory palace, where no idea or fever dream for a game is left behind or forgotten. I’ve heard that learning byStroll through the Zachtronics memory palace, where no idea or fever dream for a game is left behind or forgotten. I’ve heard that learning by teaching is the mark of understanding, but learning by making a game may be the greater insight. You’ll leave this book inspired - and possibly calling your parents to unearth your old notebooks for long lost video game doodles. ...more
A travelogue to another world - part diary, part folklore, part political thriller - by a lone emissary from an intergalactic civilization of humans,A travelogue to another world - part diary, part folklore, part political thriller - by a lone emissary from an intergalactic civilization of humans, where Earth is only one of hundreds of human colonies, to encourage the people of Winter to join their union. But unlike the rest of the humans in this civilization, the people of Winter are genetically ambisexual, and this book catalogues our flawed narrator’s path - both literal and figurative - towards understanding of the culture and people that emerged on a world without fixed sex or gender. His mistakes and mishaps and foibles, along with those of his strongest ally amongst the people of Winter, carry you through this book and drop you off again, ready to start it over immediately, to discover more of this planet and its people. ...more
The computer manual I wish I had when I was kid for the computer I wish I had when I was a kid. Actually, not true - I’ve been scouring eBay for aThe computer manual I wish I had when I was kid for the computer I wish I had when I was a kid. Actually, not true - I’ve been scouring eBay for a good deal, cause this is the computer I need in my life, right now. This guide is a fantastic, friendly tour of your very own personal computer - and it’s everything that’s missing from our gadgets and phones today. ...more
I laughed - and cried - my way through this manual and mediation on the writing life. Perfect combination of little practical tactics with biggerI laughed - and cried - my way through this manual and mediation on the writing life. Perfect combination of little practical tactics with bigger mindset-shifting frameworks. The chapter on “Giving” knocked my socks off - excuse me, I now have to go get more socks. ...more
Who is Miles Vorkosigan? I still have no idea. But this against the odds love story continues the skillfully indirect world-building - no,Who is Miles Vorkosigan? I still have no idea. But this against the odds love story continues the skillfully indirect world-building - no, galaxy-building - of the wormhole-jumping human colonies of the somewhat distant future. ...more
Adventure calls - how will you answer? And what will you give up, to join the quest, to be the hero? This nonstop, magic-fueled sequel is moreAdventure calls - how will you answer? And what will you give up, to join the quest, to be the hero? This nonstop, magic-fueled sequel is more meditative than its predecessor - yet delivers all the same happy-sad nostalgia feels of your favorite childhood books. ...more
Magic is wasted on the magicians. Quentin’s wildest childhood dreams come true (and mine) - but he’s stuck as his own worst enemy. I found myselfMagic is wasted on the magicians. Quentin’s wildest childhood dreams come true (and mine) - but he’s stuck as his own worst enemy. I found myself magically unable to put this book down once I discovered Brakebills, and I’ll be diving right back into Fillory posthaste. ...more
If you've ever seen those YouTube videos of people who created entire computers in Minecraft or Super Mario Maker - and want to be more like them -If you've ever seen those YouTube videos of people who created entire computers in Minecraft or Super Mario Maker - and want to be more like them - then look no further. This book demonstrates how computers are built from absolute first principles, along with excellent diagrams, examples, and historical references to put everything in context. This is a book that demands re-reading and will likely reward you handsomely for it. ...more
A bite-sized (byte-sized?) dive into the world of physical computing with Arduino - written by its creator. Approachable for all coding skill levels,A bite-sized (byte-sized?) dive into the world of physical computing with Arduino - written by its creator. Approachable for all coding skill levels, the book provides a few simple projects along the way to get you up and running with some nice blinking LEDs - and inspires you to dream of even more. I would have liked to see more detailed diagrams for the placement of items on the breadboard, which was a bit hard to interpret, but the book encourages trial and error, so I guess it’s all part of the master plan. ...more
Robinson Crusoe as a 12 year old girl on a small island off the coast of Southern California. Dream-like tone throughout, but with flashing moments ofRobinson Crusoe as a 12 year old girl on a small island off the coast of Southern California. Dream-like tone throughout, but with flashing moments of adventure, discovery, conflict, defeat, and friendship. Beware the devil-fish. ...more
Stoic philosophy veiled in religious themes hidden in a simple parable about learning sales. This book was given to me by my eighth grade homeroomStoic philosophy veiled in religious themes hidden in a simple parable about learning sales. This book was given to me by my eighth grade homeroom teacher - Mrs. Laffey - and I’ve treasured it ever since. I recently rediscovered this small book - and the wisdom of the ancient scrolls inside - at just the right time. ...more
Tightly-packed, engineering-heavy, self-contained escape escapade with glimmers of a larger galactic military-industrial complex beyond. FrighteningTightly-packed, engineering-heavy, self-contained escape escapade with glimmers of a larger galactic military-industrial complex beyond. Frightening look at a potential bioengineering solution to the problems of prolonged zero-G - but luckily our humanity prevails. I have no idea right now how the quaddies will fit into the larger tale of the Miles Vorkosigan saga, but I’m sure excited to find out. ...more
A history of early days of Apple Computer, originally published in 1984. The time-jumping segments between the origin tale and the Macintosh team wereA history of early days of Apple Computer, originally published in 1984. The time-jumping segments between the origin tale and the Macintosh team were an interesting device - but I was left wanting for a convergence of these two stories that never happened. I’ll never get sick of this story, though - that’s the predominant feeling here, I just want more....more
This is my bookReview of Darrow’s simultaneous revenge, coming of age, and love stories. If you like greekMythology, schoolRivalries,This is my bookReview of Darrow’s simultaneous revenge, coming of age, and love stories. If you like greekMythology, schoolRivalries, medievalWeaponry, and camelCase, then this is book for you. Slow burner in the beginning, but great pacing and plot surprises barreled me through the second half, much like a runaway Helldiver losing control beneath the surface of the red planet....more
The adventure continues right where we left off in ‘Lirael’ - and doesn’t let up for a single moment. All your best friends are back in this one, fromThe adventure continues right where we left off in ‘Lirael’ - and doesn’t let up for a single moment. All your best friends are back in this one, from the Disreputable Dog to Sabriel to the Mogget, and I’m still left wanting more - of everything and everyone in the Old Kingdom. Even the tinkling call of Ranna couldn’t stop me from staying up late to finish this book, well past my bedtime, as this book should be read. ...more
Another book that I wished I’d read long before, because I know I’ll be thinking about Lirael and the Disreputable Dog for an even longer time. If youAnother book that I wished I’d read long before, because I know I’ll be thinking about Lirael and the Disreputable Dog for an even longer time. If you love books with giant libraries filled with hidden, locked, and forbidden doorways, then this is the book for you. I’ve heard the bells, and now I’m spellbound. ...more
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