Ask HN: What Books Do You Recommend Reading for 2022?
Just looking for suggestions from all topics, not just programing. A better question might be what books are you reading this year, I guess you can respond to either.
34 comments
I just finished a Web Serial that's in the process of being edited and published called Mother of Learning by Domagoj Kurmaic. So far, only the first arc has been formally published, [0] but the entire story is available for free online. [1]
It's a fantasy story about a young mage attending an academy to study magic when he finds himself stuck inside a time loop that lasts a month before resetting. The worldbuilding is very well realized, it has a fascinating magic system that rewards ingenuity, and most importantly, has one of the most satisfying endings I've ever read in any medium.
It takes a few chapters to pick up, but there were times where I laughed, cried, and even moments where I thought deeply about the philosophical implications of the narrative.
Overall, it solidified itself as one of my favorite books of all time, and I would recommend it to nearly any fan of fantasy. I can't possibly do it justice, but it's the #1 rated story on Royal Road and the most favorited story on Fiction Press. (at least in it's genre)
[0] https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/59661342-mother-of-le... [1] https://www.fictionpress.com/s/2961893/1/Mother-of-Learning
It's a fantasy story about a young mage attending an academy to study magic when he finds himself stuck inside a time loop that lasts a month before resetting. The worldbuilding is very well realized, it has a fascinating magic system that rewards ingenuity, and most importantly, has one of the most satisfying endings I've ever read in any medium.
It takes a few chapters to pick up, but there were times where I laughed, cried, and even moments where I thought deeply about the philosophical implications of the narrative.
Overall, it solidified itself as one of my favorite books of all time, and I would recommend it to nearly any fan of fantasy. I can't possibly do it justice, but it's the #1 rated story on Royal Road and the most favorited story on Fiction Press. (at least in it's genre)
[0] https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/59661342-mother-of-le... [1] https://www.fictionpress.com/s/2961893/1/Mother-of-Learning
So I kinda just binged this over the last 10 days after seeing this post... as a fan of DnD, this was absolutely fantastic. Thank you for the recommendation.
Thank you, Not just for the book recommendation but for introducing Royal Road and Fiction Press.
I've been wondering occasionally on how people discover web novels, Do you know of any successful blog type web novel authors? i.e. Those who write web series on their own blog, I guess one has to be already well established to create web series on their own blog.
I've been wondering occasionally on how people discover web novels, Do you know of any successful blog type web novel authors? i.e. Those who write web series on their own blog, I guess one has to be already well established to create web series on their own blog.
Thanks for sharing the feedback! Glad my post was helpful :)
A few web serials that are very good and self-hosted via blog that I can think of off the top of my head are:
The Wandering Inn by Pirateaba [0]
This is a story about a college student who randomly gets teleported into a fantasy world one day when going to the restroom. She stumbles upon an inn and takes over as the innkeeper. It's a fun story with great worldbuilding that spans multiple continents. Starts off pretty slow and is hit or miss for a lot of people, but I personally think it's a fantastic series that just takes a while to hit it's stride.
Worm by Wildbow [1]
This story is a rather grimdark take on a realistic world that has superheroes and villans. It follows a high school girl named Taylor who gains the power to control bugs and her attempts to become a hero. Well regarded in rational-adjacent circles because all of the characters make decisions that are both intelligent and in honest pursuit of their goals. Some of the most inventive use of powers I've seen in superpowered fiction and despite the bleak nature of the world, there is a lot of exploration of the human condition. The author has also released a sequel to this named Ward, and has two other on-going stories named Pact and Twig. All are beloved by fans.
Finally, there's A Practical Guide to Evil by ErraticErrata [2]
This is a story that is actually a deconstruction of many fantasy tropes which I really appreciate about it. It follows a young woman who meets a Name—someone who represents the platonic ideal of whatever their name actually is—who is one of the most feared villans of all time. The protagonist, Catherine, realizes the futility of fixing society through good works, and instead chooses to become the Named villan's apprentice. Her goal throughout is to fix society and make it more equitable—just through becoming a powerful Name in her own right.
Hopefully this gives some ideas for other self-hosted blogs for web serials. My list is far from comprehensive—there's a huge world of web serials out there to explore. I just listed some that I've personally enjoyed greatly. Also, as far as I know, none of those authors were known before starting their blogs, but are now some of the most popular web serial authors.
A great community that I've enjoyed for finding similar works is on Reddit at /r/Rational. There are a lot of great discussions about up-and-coming works that fit within the genre. (rational fiction—I promise it's not as cringe as it sounds lol)
[0] https://wanderinginn.com/ [1] https://parahumans.wordpress.com/ [2] https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/
A few web serials that are very good and self-hosted via blog that I can think of off the top of my head are:
The Wandering Inn by Pirateaba [0]
This is a story about a college student who randomly gets teleported into a fantasy world one day when going to the restroom. She stumbles upon an inn and takes over as the innkeeper. It's a fun story with great worldbuilding that spans multiple continents. Starts off pretty slow and is hit or miss for a lot of people, but I personally think it's a fantastic series that just takes a while to hit it's stride.
Worm by Wildbow [1]
This story is a rather grimdark take on a realistic world that has superheroes and villans. It follows a high school girl named Taylor who gains the power to control bugs and her attempts to become a hero. Well regarded in rational-adjacent circles because all of the characters make decisions that are both intelligent and in honest pursuit of their goals. Some of the most inventive use of powers I've seen in superpowered fiction and despite the bleak nature of the world, there is a lot of exploration of the human condition. The author has also released a sequel to this named Ward, and has two other on-going stories named Pact and Twig. All are beloved by fans.
Finally, there's A Practical Guide to Evil by ErraticErrata [2]
This is a story that is actually a deconstruction of many fantasy tropes which I really appreciate about it. It follows a young woman who meets a Name—someone who represents the platonic ideal of whatever their name actually is—who is one of the most feared villans of all time. The protagonist, Catherine, realizes the futility of fixing society through good works, and instead chooses to become the Named villan's apprentice. Her goal throughout is to fix society and make it more equitable—just through becoming a powerful Name in her own right.
Hopefully this gives some ideas for other self-hosted blogs for web serials. My list is far from comprehensive—there's a huge world of web serials out there to explore. I just listed some that I've personally enjoyed greatly. Also, as far as I know, none of those authors were known before starting their blogs, but are now some of the most popular web serial authors.
A great community that I've enjoyed for finding similar works is on Reddit at /r/Rational. There are a lot of great discussions about up-and-coming works that fit within the genre. (rational fiction—I promise it's not as cringe as it sounds lol)
[0] https://wanderinginn.com/ [1] https://parahumans.wordpress.com/ [2] https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/
Wow,You sure are a 'Reading enthusiast'!
It's going to take a while for me to explore all these, Thanks a lot for the recommendations; Especially for telling how you found it.
It's going to take a while for me to explore all these, Thanks a lot for the recommendations; Especially for telling how you found it.
I'm currently going through a science fiction phase and recently completed reading the Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy [0] by Cixin Liu. It's a page-turning space opera thriller I can highly recommend.
If you are into fantasy crime fiction (think Godfather with some fantasy elements), do check out The Green Bone Saga [1] by Fonda Lee.
[0] https://www.goodreads.com/series/189931-remembrance-of-earth... [1] https://www.goodreads.com/series/216281-the-green-bone-saga
If you are into fantasy crime fiction (think Godfather with some fantasy elements), do check out The Green Bone Saga [1] by Fonda Lee.
[0] https://www.goodreads.com/series/189931-remembrance-of-earth... [1] https://www.goodreads.com/series/216281-the-green-bone-saga
I recommend the Wayfarer series by Becky Chambers. Good stories, great worldbuilding and well worth the time and money. Start with "A long way to a small, angry planet".
https://www.goodreads.com/series/170872-wayfarers
https://www.goodreads.com/series/170872-wayfarers
A nice thing about Remembrance of Earth's Past is that nobody can ruin the ending for you. Years after finishing the last book, I still don't fully understand it. Still an enjoyable series.
I'm preparing to enter a similar phase in ten years too. Should have more time by then~
Personally, this is the best science fiction I've ever read.
Just finished The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow - highly recommended if you're into human history.
You've probably read some variation on this idea: our simple hunter-gatherer ancestors lived an egalitarian life, until we discovered agriculture and started down the path of hierarchy, domination and all the inevitable ills of civilization. This book does an expert job of picking that argument to pieces and presents a tome of empirical evidence to the contrary - the story of our ancestors was far more complex and interesting.
You've probably read some variation on this idea: our simple hunter-gatherer ancestors lived an egalitarian life, until we discovered agriculture and started down the path of hierarchy, domination and all the inevitable ills of civilization. This book does an expert job of picking that argument to pieces and presents a tome of empirical evidence to the contrary - the story of our ancestors was far more complex and interesting.
Seconded. I’m 300 pages in, and find that it is, like Debt The First 5000 Years, a properly mind expanding book.
Vaclav Smil, "Growth, From Microorganisms to Megacities"
It's a fascinating subject, of great and current import, treated in an astonishingly informed and clear manner. It's hard to describe the refreshing feeling of being exposed to such a mind. It's like reading a book written by Spock.
- - - -
Bill Mollison, "Permaculture Designer's Manual"
Pretty much the best book on design (of all kinds, not just farms) that I've ever run across. It's also a manual for creating ecologically harmonious, profitable farms that improve the environment and biodiversity and all that good stuff.
- - - -
Christopher Alexander, "A Pattern Language" et. al.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Pattern_Language
It's a fascinating subject, of great and current import, treated in an astonishingly informed and clear manner. It's hard to describe the refreshing feeling of being exposed to such a mind. It's like reading a book written by Spock.
- - - -
Bill Mollison, "Permaculture Designer's Manual"
Pretty much the best book on design (of all kinds, not just farms) that I've ever run across. It's also a manual for creating ecologically harmonious, profitable farms that improve the environment and biodiversity and all that good stuff.
- - - -
Christopher Alexander, "A Pattern Language" et. al.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Pattern_Language
Disillusioned toward novel modernity, I prefer reading more deeply the remnants of our intellectual lineage. We have lost so much.
I found this on HN yesterday, a curated list of scattered esoteric topics:
https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/index.html
I found this on HN yesterday, a curated list of scattered esoteric topics:
https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/index.html
Great! I share your feeling: sometimes we just got to get out of this contemporary age and take refuge in some kind of classics. Refreshing :)
While I was reading "How to read" by Mortimer Adler I discovered this list called "Great Books of the Western World":
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Books_of_the_Western_Wor...
It sounds like something you would like to try.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Books_of_the_Western_Wor...
It sounds like something you would like to try.
It does not seem that curated, seems it is sorted by most downloads.
I have had better luck looking up reading lists of people from the past like of Gandhi, Tolstoy, Anthony Burgess etc.
I have had better luck looking up reading lists of people from the past like of Gandhi, Tolstoy, Anthony Burgess etc.
You can check my 2022 to-read list: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/22253621?shelf=2022
I'm in the middle of The Ministry For the Future[1] by Kim Stanley Robinson. I keep conflating what I read in the news and what I read in the book. It gets in your head that well.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ministry_for_the_Future
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ministry_for_the_Future
Loved the sci fi aspect of this book - especially the economic solutions presented.
Found the writing style mediocre at best.
Found the writing style mediocre at best.
This has been my opinion of Kim Stanley Robinson as well. His niche is one that I'm fascinated by but his narratives aren't exactly page turners. I would rather read a textbook at that rate.
I'm currently reading "No More Mr. Nice Guy" by Robert Glover. I'm most of the way through, and it has been a real paradigm shift in the way I view myself and my interactions with other people. I've actually owned it for years, but kept putting off reading it because the title convinced me it was some pro-"alpha bro" mentality. But it has been nothing of the sort. So far I haven't done any of the exercises, I've just been reading it and processing it. I'll probably reread it after the first read through and do the exercises.
I’m reading The Critique of Pure Reason right now. If anyone else
is interested we can start a book club, it’s slow going.
I recently got into the "Revelation Space" series having missed it earlier. I was always a big fan of "the culture" novels by Iain M Banks, and this to me feels very similar (though darker).
I read Galactic North, Beyond the Aquila Rift, and House of Suns - all by Alaistair Raynolds and loved all of them.
I'm planning to read a mixture of classic 20th century novels, sci-fi (which has some intersection with 20th century classics..) and historical non-fiction. So far I've read one from each of those categories: A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, The Doomed City by the Strugatsky Brothers and October by China Mievelle.
I like to roughly alternate between fiction and non-fiction. It keeps things refreshing. I also find reading fiction after reading non-fiction makes it easier to glean the ideas the fiction book is trying to convey as you're still in the information processing mindset of reading a non-fiction book. This adds an extra layer of appreciation beyond enjoying the story.
In terms of choosing a book to read - just think of things you've always been interested in and then ask for recommendations for books (fiction or non-fiction) that discuss the topic, or use that topic as a major plot point. A good general rule of thumb I've found is not to bother with books with less than a rating of 4 on Goodreads unless it's a subject you really think is going to interest you, or an author you know you like already.
I like to roughly alternate between fiction and non-fiction. It keeps things refreshing. I also find reading fiction after reading non-fiction makes it easier to glean the ideas the fiction book is trying to convey as you're still in the information processing mindset of reading a non-fiction book. This adds an extra layer of appreciation beyond enjoying the story.
In terms of choosing a book to read - just think of things you've always been interested in and then ask for recommendations for books (fiction or non-fiction) that discuss the topic, or use that topic as a major plot point. A good general rule of thumb I've found is not to bother with books with less than a rating of 4 on Goodreads unless it's a subject you really think is going to interest you, or an author you know you like already.
One title that I really look forward to reading is John Markoff’s new book: Whole Earth: The Many Lives of Stewart Brand.
Due for release in 02022-03-22. (See what I did there?)
It ought to be an interesting read.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/554161/whole-earth-...
Due for release in 02022-03-22. (See what I did there?)
It ought to be an interesting read.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/554161/whole-earth-...
Addendum: If anyone is looking for book inspiration, just grab a copy of The Economist at the nearest news stand. They have reviews of new interesting books every week.
Just finished (audiobook) Projections by Karl Deisseroth. Each chapter a personal story about a distinct mental disease, using narrative and neuroscience to span the gulf between patient and caregiver. Deisseroth worked on innovative diagnostic techniques like optogenetics. A brilliant, deeply empathic writer. Left me both melancholic and weirdly optimistic.
https://www.amazon.com/Projections-Story-Emotions-Karl-Deiss...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optogenetics
After David Graeber's Debt: The 5000 Years reprogrammed my brain, I've been binging on anarchistic-libertarian and adjacent ideas. Such as The Dawn of Everything by Graeber and Wengrow, everything by Jill Lepore such as If Then and These Truths. Next up is Mine! by Heller and Salzman.
I'm slowly chewing thru the podcast The History of Philosophy without Any Gaps. Penance for ignoring this stuff in my youth.
Highest recommendation for the podcasts Know Your Enemy, Volts (David Roberts), 5-4 (fivefourpod.com), You're Wrong About, Capitalisn't, Corecursive. Really, there are so many worthy podcasts. These are most notable to me for how much they've influenced and changed my thinking.
https://www.amazon.com/Projections-Story-Emotions-Karl-Deiss...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optogenetics
After David Graeber's Debt: The 5000 Years reprogrammed my brain, I've been binging on anarchistic-libertarian and adjacent ideas. Such as The Dawn of Everything by Graeber and Wengrow, everything by Jill Lepore such as If Then and These Truths. Next up is Mine! by Heller and Salzman.
I'm slowly chewing thru the podcast The History of Philosophy without Any Gaps. Penance for ignoring this stuff in my youth.
Highest recommendation for the podcasts Know Your Enemy, Volts (David Roberts), 5-4 (fivefourpod.com), You're Wrong About, Capitalisn't, Corecursive. Really, there are so many worthy podcasts. These are most notable to me for how much they've influenced and changed my thinking.
I really enjoyed Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir
I've recently read some old sci-fi "classics" and can recommend them all highly:
* A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge
* A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge
* Hyperion by Dan Simmons
* The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons
* Endymion by Dan Simmons
* The Rise of Endymion by Dan Simmons
* Exhalation by Ted Chiang
* A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge
* A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge
* Hyperion by Dan Simmons
* The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons
* Endymion by Dan Simmons
* The Rise of Endymion by Dan Simmons
* Exhalation by Ted Chiang
- Herodotus: The Histories (Landmark Series version highly recommended).
- Any book by Nassim Taleb (I'd recommend starting with Antifragile).
- The Count of Monte Cristo (Most fun novel I have ever read).
- Moby Dick or The Whale (One of the top two novels I've ever read).
- Blood Meridian or The Evening Redness in the West (Tied with Moby Dick for best novel I've ever read).
- The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Epic reading... worth the commitment).
- Any book by Nassim Taleb (I'd recommend starting with Antifragile).
- The Count of Monte Cristo (Most fun novel I have ever read).
- Moby Dick or The Whale (One of the top two novels I've ever read).
- Blood Meridian or The Evening Redness in the West (Tied with Moby Dick for best novel I've ever read).
- The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Epic reading... worth the commitment).
Thanks for these, sounds like good suggestions! :)
BTW I loved Moby Dick. Read one summer when I was 15 on the Gold Coast. Body boarding every morning and reading Moby Dick every afternoon. So much salt water, great days.
BTW I loved Moby Dick. Read one summer when I was 15 on the Gold Coast. Body boarding every morning and reading Moby Dick every afternoon. So much salt water, great days.
Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan books are up to date again with the current political situation between NATO and Russia.
On the other hand, H.P. Lovecraft is always a good read.
On the other hand, H.P. Lovecraft is always a good read.
> Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan books are up to date again
In that vein, there's now also
https://ken-follett.com/books/never/
(though it's US vs China, not Russia).
In that vein, there's now also
https://ken-follett.com/books/never/
(though it's US vs China, not Russia).
All books from Robert Anton Wilson, but especially the Cosmic Trigger series and Quantum Psychology.
Also: The Goal.
If you're intellectually capable, they're life changing.
If you're more for leasure, consider reading the longest running science fiction series in history: Perry Rhodan.
It's been running for ... 60? ... years now. A new 60 page booklet every week.
There's the silver books, as well, instead of having to buy them all separately.
Also: The Goal.
If you're intellectually capable, they're life changing.
If you're more for leasure, consider reading the longest running science fiction series in history: Perry Rhodan.
It's been running for ... 60? ... years now. A new 60 page booklet every week.
There's the silver books, as well, instead of having to buy them all separately.
By The Goal you mean "The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement"? Just asking because I though it was a surprising mix with Robert Anton Wilson.
Yes! Next time I will be more accurate. Thanks for making me aware.
Curious! Why do you consider it surprising? I consider it as well-rounded, actually.
Curious! Why do you consider it surprising? I consider it as well-rounded, actually.
Snow Crash which has been the inspiration for the name Metaverse. Just ordered it, while not using it I might at least stay a bit up-to-date
Anything by Wodehouse. Only started reading him a couple of years back. Some of the funniest stuff I have ever read.
Out on the wire: the storytelling secrets of the new masters of radio by Jessica Abel.
It is a book-long conversation on storytelling with some of the best storytellers alive, in comic book format.
Can’t recommend it enough.
It is a book-long conversation on storytelling with some of the best storytellers alive, in comic book format.
Can’t recommend it enough.
Superforecasting by Philip E. Tetlock
Completely changed how I look at political and financial pundits.
Completely changed how I look at political and financial pundits.
I recently finished Rosewater by Tade Thompson and am about 20% of the way through Neal Stephenson's latest, Termination Shock.
I recommend both. They are super fun and irreverent but with character depth and interesting sci-fi / future elements.
I recommend both. They are super fun and irreverent but with character depth and interesting sci-fi / future elements.
I read “Man’s Search for Meaning” after someone recommended on another thread and it felt like a great time to read it as the pandemic comes to an end.
This book had a great impact on me as well. I come to back to reread it each couple of years.
I would suggest A Confederacy of Dunces in any year.
Atomic Habits if you haven't read it. I re-read it at the beginning of the year.
Any reason to read the book if I’ve heard an interview with the author summarizing the mechanics of creating atomic habits?
I do like the concepts in pop psychology but dislike writing that is 80% filler.
I do like the concepts in pop psychology but dislike writing that is 80% filler.
you'll be fine with this summary -> https://www.chrisbehan.ca/posts/atomic-habits
I’m reading A Few Short Sentences About Writing and am loving it.
Less is More by Jason Hickel and The Day the World Stops Shopping by JB MacKinnon to explain the true state of capitalism and why we never can work less despite being more productive, why wages have stagnated, and why companies and choose profits over sustainability. The history of capitalism at start of Less Is More is eyeopening to say the least.
Nassim Taleb’s ones
A Life of One's Own by Marion Milner.
• Friedrich Hayek - Law, Legislation and Liberty (1973)
• Gerhard Buchwald - Vaccination - A Business Based on Fear (1994)
• Gerhard Buchwald - Vaccination - A Business Based on Fear (1994)
Gulag Archipelago Abridged version