Announcing the December Tag

[Sushicat]

Joanne wrote: "Sushicat wrote: "Idit wrote: "I have three more recs.

Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation - a real fun geeking of grammar

Making History ..."

I’m struggling with this tag as I really like to stick to the straight and narrow definition of the tags (unless life gets in the way and I need an easy way out). I just can’t seem to distinguish between recommendations that adhere to that vs. a more relaxed view...

This book looks to me like a general appeal book, if a tad intellectual. Not geeky. Not labeled as such. So trying to understand why one would consider this a geek read to see whether this works for me for the tag.

Otherwise I intend to look for a science or a science fiction book, or something related to computer science or coding or hacking...
Hmm - this makes me think of reading an installment of P.J. Tracy’s Monkeywrench series...

[annapi]

Sushicat wrote: "Hmm - this makes me think of reading an installment of P.J. Tracy’s Monkeywrench series..."

I'd forgotten about Monkeewrench! That would definitely fit!

[Sushicat]

annapi wrote: "Sushicat wrote: "Hmm - this makes me think of reading an installment of P.J. Tracy’s Monkeywrench series..."

I'd forgotten about Monkeewrench! That would definitely fit!"

It’s got geeky characters, but more of an easy way out than sticking to the straight and narrow...

[LibraryCin]

Idit wrote: "Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation - a real fun geeking of grammar..."

Agreed on this one!

[Idit]

Sushicat wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Sushicat wrote: "Idit wrote: "I have three more recs.

Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation - a real fun geeking of grammar

[book:Making His..."

hey Sushicat - I'm pretty much the opposite of straight and narrow - can't help myself from testing boundaries of any category for fun. So maybe take that recommendation with a grain of salt. From what I remember of the book - I felt he was a bit nerdy in his punchlines and ideas, but maybe it's not a geek read.
I'm trying to find the book so I can skim through and defend / retract my suggestion, but my shelf organizing system is failing me lately and I can't locate it

I stand by the other recommendations though :)

[Elise]

Oh hey, turns out I was wrong and I do have a book for this tag on my shelves! (well, not so much on my shelves as on my fridge, which is probably why I forgot about it in the first place...) My dad's cousin's girlfriend is a doctor in compared literature and, hearing I was a Pottergeek, signed and sent me the book she wrote analyzing Harry Potter compared to children's literature.

If a philosophical analysis of Harry Potter isn't the geekiest of reads, I don't know what is.

[Anne ✨]

Michael wrote: "The books of Cory Doctorow (e.g. book:Little Brother..."

I just looked up Little Brother, and the epub file is free to download - there's a 'download ebook' button, which leads to this page:
https://www.goodreads.com/ebooks/down...

The only thing better than a geek book is a FREE geek book LOL

[Dan]

I can't resist diving in when the topic is "geek read."

I want to read:
Ringworld
To Your Scattered Bodies Go
To Say Nothing of the Dog
Forever Peace

I have read so many geek titles I don't know where to begin. Here's a few recommendations:
The Lives of a Cell: Notes of a Biology Watcher: I can't recommend this slim book enough.
Zone One: The literary zombie novel...
A Deepness in the Sky: An enthralling, beguiling space opera by a computer science professor. One of the best books I read this year.

[Joanne]

Ellie wrote: "Oh hey, turns out I was wrong and I do have a book for this tag on my shelves! (well, not so much on my shelves as on my fridge, which is probably why I forgot about it in the first place...) My da..."

Oh-this is a true Geek-out! Cannot wait to hear the authors thoughts and yours-good discussion will come of this I am sure!

[Joanne]

Anne ✨ wrote: "Michael wrote: "The books of Cory Doctorow (e.g. book:Little Brother..."

I just looked up Little Brother, and the epub file is free to download - there's a 'download ebook' button, ..."

Free is always good!

[Anita]

Dan wrote: "I can't resist diving in when the topic is "geek read."

I want to read:
Ringworld
To Your Scattered Bodies Go
To Say Nothing of the Dog
[book:Forever Peace..."

Welcome, Dan! Thanks for the suggestions. I'm adding The Lives of a Cell to my toppling TBR . . .I like science even though my background in it is next to none.

[Dan]

Anita wrote: "Dan wrote: "I can't resist diving in when the topic is "geek read."

I want to read:
Ringworld
To Your Scattered Bodies Go
To Say Nothing of the Dog
[book:F..."

Lewis Thomas weaves so many disparate threads together. I had zero interest in biology until I read this one. Never thought about the cell the same way again...

I'm looking forward to discovering some great books this month...

[KateNZ]

Thanks Dan - some great suggestions. I’ve added the first Vernor Vinge book in the series (Fire Upon the Deep) to the TBR. Or is ‘A Deepness in the Sky’ effectively a stand-alone?

[Dan]

KateNZ wrote: "Thanks Dan - some great suggestions. I’ve added the first Vernor Vinge book in the series (Fire Upon the Deep) to the TBR. Or is ‘A Deepness in the Sky’ effectively a stand-alone?"

Deepness in the Sky is a stand-alone novel. I enjoyed both but believe Deepness in the Sky more engaging. Let's put it this way: If you kind of lean towards the warm/fuzzy (and with these Vinge books, that's loosely), then go with Fire Upon the Deep. It has kids, amazing puppy-esque hive aliens, rescues, etc. If you lean towards darkness, an overwhelming sense that everything is transitory and slowly dying, and don't mind rooting for alien spiders to repel a human invasion, then A Deepness in the Sky is more your cup of tea.

[KateNZ]

Excellent. Deepness it is. You had me at the spiders...

[Critterbee❇]

Dan wrote: "KateNZ wrote: "Thanks Dan - some great suggestions. I’ve added the first Vernor Vinge book in the series (Fire Upon the Deep) to the TBR. Or is ‘A Deepness in the Sky’ effectively a stand-alone?"

..."

You sold me on that one, too Dan!

[Book Concierge]

Amy wrote: "Theresa, Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is in for me at the library, and I think six of us might try to read it. I don't think its long. I really can't entice you?"

I would join you, Amy, as I want to read this book. BUT .... with my travel schedule I can't get the book and finish it in the few days I'm in town during December. I can't take it out before the trip because it would be due two weeks before I get back, and with the current holds on it, I won't be able to renew it. C'est la vie.

[Book Concierge]

Idit wrote: "I have three more recs.

Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation - a real fun geeking of grammar
..."


YES !!!!! My local library has it and I can check it out for six weeks! Doing the happy dance .....

[Book Concierge]

Dan wrote: "Here's a few recommendations:
The Lives of a Cell: Notes of a Biology Watcher: I can't recommend this slim book enough.

I LOVE this book. For me, it fits "philosophy" better than "geek-read." First read it in college (or shortly thereafter), and have a hardcover edition on my book case.

[Book Concierge]

Okay ... had to go look it up ... favorite quote from The Lives of a Cell: Notes of a Biology Watcher

Statistically, the probability of any one of us being here is so small that you'd think the mere fact of existing would keep us all in a contented dazzlement of surprise.
(Opening sentence of chapter: On Probability and Possibility)

[Dan]

Book Concierge: I agree. I labeled Lives of a Cell as a “geek read” because I became so fixated on mitochondria and other organelles after reading it. But how Thomas riffs of these cellular matters to produce these profound insights is, as you say, philosophy.

[NancyJ]

Is anyone planning a Buddy read for December?

I'm trying to finally read the first Narnia book and the first LOTR book (which I started but didn't finish).

And I'm reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

[Joanne]

NancyJ wrote: "Is anyone planning a Buddy read for December?

I'm trying to finally read the first Narnia book and the first LOTR book (which I started but didn't finish).

And I'm reading Eleanor Oliphant is Co..."

We have a group reading The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great do join if you can(I am still waiting on my copy to come in at the Library...grrrrrrrrrr)

[Amy]

Just posted a buddy thread for Winter Palace with a lovely explanation of the etiology of the buddy read for new members - lol.. Hope you will join us, Nancy....

[Jgrace]

I found it!! My ultimate geek read/listen :

William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope

Even better, overdrive had it for immediate download.

Huzzah!

[KateNZ]

JGrace, you are a total star!!

[Anita]

Dan wrote: "Book Concierge: I agree. I labeled Lives of a Cell as a “geek read” because I became so fixated on mitochondria and other organelles after reading it. But how Thomas riffs of these cellular matters..."

I think we can safely say that if one reads a philosophy book about cell biology that calling said book a "geek read" is not a big stretch.

Based on your descriptions, I am very intrigued.

[LibraryCin]

Anita wrote: "I think we can safely say that if one reads a philosophy book about cell biology that calling said book a "geek read" is not a big stretch..."

Hahaha! I was thinking the same thing!

[NancyJ]

Do re-reads count? I'm rereading a book with my local book club and it happens to fit this months tag. (This is a thorough re-read not a skim.) Does this count?

[Anita]

NancyJ wrote: "Do re-reads count? I'm rereading a book with my local book club and it happens to fit this months tag. (This is a thorough re-read not a skim.) Does this count?"

So long as you review it and post the review in the proper location, it definitely is acceptable to us!

[Kim]

Theresa wrote: "Amy wrote: "Theresa, Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is in for me at the library, and I think six of us might try to read it. I don't think its long. I really can't entice you?"

It's available ..."

Is it thru Overdrive? You can dowmload the sample.

[annapi]

Jgrace wrote: "I found it!! My ultimate geek read/listen :

William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope..."

OMG, it's a series!

[Jgrace]

annapi wrote: "Jgrace wrote: "I found it!! My ultimate geek read/listen :

William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope..."

OMG, it's a series!"

LUKE —But O, what now? What light through yonder flashing sensor breaks?
HAN - It marks the loss of yon deflector shield.


Seriously, this is priceless.

[KateNZ]

My Overdrive had it too - all three books!

[Kim]

Heres more.

The Bookshop on the Corner
The Other Einstein

[Karin]

This one definitely fits--I read it for a book discussion, Rosewater by Tade Thompson. Scifi, dark, well written, set mostly in Nigeria if someone needs that for a challenge. Nigerian-British author.

[NancyJ]

William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope..."

I love it!

It reminds me of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. The magic comes from hearing the original dialogue and plot tweaked just enough to fit the new genre. I saw the film and loved it! I plan to read or see the other Jane Austen horror adaptations.

[Karin]

NancyJ wrote: "William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope..."

I love it!

It reminds me of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. The magic comes from hearing the original dialogue and plot t..."

This is on my tbr. Have you read it? Is it any good?

[NancyJ]

Anita wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Do re-reads count? I'm rereading a book with my local book club and it happens to fit this months tag. (This is a thorough re-read not a skim.) Does this count?"

So long as you revi..."

awesome!

[Karin]

Jgrace wrote: "I found it!! My ultimate geek read/listen :

William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope

Even better, overdrive had it for immediate download.

Huzzah!"

This is on my tbr, if you like it perhaps I'll finally read it.

[Joanne]

Jgrace wrote: "annapi wrote: "Jgrace wrote: "I found it!! My ultimate geek read/listen :

William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope..."

OMG, it's a series!"

LUKE —But O, what now? What..."

LOL
🤣🤣🤣

[Amy]

I enjoyed the Other Einstein. I think it was the first book I read of 2018. Read Freud’s Mistress within the month. Both would probably fit.

[AsimovsZeroth]

You guys are great. Philosophical Harry Potter, Grammar books, scientific philosophy and Shakespeare's Star Wars. I love it.

It's taken me until today to finalize the book list I'm going to try to work off of, but I'm going to try to go crazy this month, as I technically need to read 21 books to reach my goal. I got waaaaaay behind schedule this year. Luckily, I'm not working at the moment and since I'm fairly bed-bound in the winter, I just might catch up.

How to Cool the Planet - Jeff Goodell
The Water Will Come - Jeff Goodell
Welcome to the Universe - Neil DeGrasse Tyson; J. Richard Gott; Michael A. Strauss
Space Chronicles - Neil Degrasse Tyson
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry - Neil Degrasse Tyson
The Innovators - Walter Isaacson
Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson
A Crack in Creation - Jennifer A. Doudna & Samuel H. Sternberg
Eats, Shoots and Leaves - Lynne Truss
The Story of Philosophy - Will Durant
Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes - Edith Hamilton
The World's Most Dangerous Geek - David Kushner
Wishful Drinking - Carrie Fisher
Back Story - David Mitchell

And to diverge from my mostly nonfiction rule, I decided to read a romance (waaaaay out of my wheelhouse) since it looks like it might be comedy gold, called Talk Nerdy to Me by Vicki Lewis Thompson which is apparently part of a series of nerd based romances.

Though I may give one or two of them up if it interferes with reading A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, since I've been waiting for a year and a half at least to finish reading it and it was finally my turn - this thing has had literally hundreds of holds spread out over the dozen or so copies my library had.

[Theresa]

Kim wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Amy wrote: "Theresa, Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is in for me at the library, and I think six of us might try to read it. I don't think its long. I really can't entice you?"
..."

Kim yes J got it through Overdrive.

[NancyJ]

Karin wrote: "Did you read it....."

No I didn't want to spend the time to read it in case it was trash, but I watched the movie when it came up on cable tv. It was loads of fun for me because of the Jane Austen quotes and plot twists, and seeing LIzzie as a kick@$$ zombie hunter. She was quite impressive. Darcy and all the Bennett girls are trained zombie hunters. Warning: It's gory. I don't usually read/watch scary horror or gore, but I learned to laugh at zombies and fake blood. (The men and boys in my family used to watch Walking Dead.) There is a great plot twist with the Wickham character. It was all very clever if you're an Austen fan.

[NancyJ]

Amy wrote: "I enjoyed the Other Einstein. I think it was the first book I read of 2018. Read Freud’s Mistress within the month. Both would probably fit."

Oh, great idea! I started it for a book club, but couldn't finish before it was due. I liked the beginning.

Boy, I'm realizing how many DNFs I have that I wouldn't mind finishing.

[Book Concierge]

NancyJ wrote: "Karin wrote: "Did you read it....."

No I didn't want to spend the time to read it in case it was trash, but I watched the movie when it came up on cable tv. It was loads of fun for me because of t..."

You can read My review HERE I gave it 3.5***. I wasn't expecting to like it but it's mostly Jane Austen's words ... with the obvious twist.

[NancyJ]

Book Concierge wrote: " review..."

That's a great review. I think this book would fit this month's tag, It's a great geek out for Austen fans, aka Janeites.

[Hebah]

NancyJ wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: " review..."

That's a great review. I think this book would fit this month's tag, It's a great geek out for Austen fans, aka Janeites."

Definitely! I remember thinking it would actually appeal much more to Austen fans with a sense of humor than for readers really looking for a zombie story. It's fun to see how the author tweaked iconic turns of phrases to include zombie references and to see how the events of the story could be manipulated to include the undead.

[Critterbee❇]

Read Blameless by Gail Carriger, and I would say it slots exactly into Geek Reads, being a paranormal steampunk mystery adventure with inventors and scientists. I enjoyed it - 4 stars - as a quick, fluffy read.

Review