Books
Ten books picked from my shelves!
Blood and Gold (Vampire Chronicles) Blood and Gold (Vampire Chronicles)
Anne Rice
Rating: 4
I’ve read all the Vampire Chronicles novels and really love Rice’s style. This is Marius’s story, told entirely in flashback. There’s not as much action as in some of the earlier stories, but it’s well worth listening to (or reading if you must).
Audible version
The Commodore (Aubrey-Maturin Series) The Commodore (Aubrey-Maturin Series)
Patrick O\’Brian
Rating: 5
The 17th in Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin series, it’s the tale of 19th century British naval captain (now Commodore) Jack Aubrey and his particular friend (and spy) Dr. Maturin. Read them in order starting with Master and Commander, and if you listen to them make sure to get the Patrick Tull versions. You’ll practically smell the sea air and feel the grapeshot whizzing by you.
Audible version
Confessions of an Economic Hitman (Unabridged) Confessions of an Economic Hitman (Unabridged)
John Perkins
Rating: 0
Dvorak says this blows the lid of the US’s interference with other nations. It’s my next read.
Audible version
Earth Abides Earth Abides
George R. Stewart
Rating: 5
Considered one of the all-time great science fiction books. A disease of unparalleled destructive force has sprung up almost simultaneously in every corner of the globe, all but destroying the human race. One survivor, strangely immune to the effects of the epidemic, ventures forward to experience a world without man. Beautiful, powerful, and inspiring.
Fallen Dragon Fallen Dragon
Peter F. Hamilton
Rating: 5
Steve Gibson turned me on to Peter Hamilton’s work - it’s classic hard sci-fi with excellent writing, strong characterizations, and detailed and imaginative worlds. We both agree this is his best work, but they’re all worth reading.
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency
Douglas Adams
Rating: 5
A TWiT recommendation by Andy Ihnatko. The Audible version is the BBC dramatization. Andy says this is a must listen, even before Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Audible version
Manifold: Time Manifold: Time
Stephen Baxter
Rating: 4
I love Stephen Baxter’s hard sci-fi books. The Manifold Trilogy addresses the Fermi Paradox in three different ways, each starring entrepreneur adventurer Reid Malenfant. Fermi’s Paradox, in short, is that given the size of the galaxy there must be other sentient beings, lots of ‘em, but WHERE ARE THEY?? In Manifold: Space we learn they’re everywhere, if you just know where to look. In Manifold: Time Malenfant sends a gen-enged squid to investigate a near-Earth object with surprising results. I can’t wait to read Manifold: Origin. Baxter’s Evolution, Coalescent, and Ring are also great reads. Big ideas and big science.
On Intelligence On Intelligence
Jeff Hawkins
Rating: 5
A must read introduction to a new theory of artificial intelligence, but don’t read it for that. Hawkins description of how the mind works is mind blowing. You’ll never think about thinking the same way again.
Audible version
Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up
James Hollis
Rating: 4
What happens when you no longer need to win the approval of parents, spouses, family, and friends? You can begin to live life for yourself. Hollis is a Jungian analyst who writes with insight and clarity. It’s thought-provoking stuff that needs time to digest but it’s well worth the effort for those of us over 40.
Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II
Robert Kurson
Rating: 5
The amazing true story of a pair deep sea divers and a hitherto unknown sunken German U-Boat they discover. Lot’s of interesting information about this crazy hobby. Dramatic, hair-raising, and moving. You won’t be able to stop listening to the audio version.
Audible version