Summertime is perfect for bookworms. So much opportunities to catch up with! Thatâs why weâre asking you to take the Bookworm Challenge and share your favorite books, either all-time classics or your recent discoveries.
As always, donât worry about any specitic type of your favorite books - it can by any! Fiction or non-fiction, worldwide hit or locally-oriented, sky is the limit. And now, letâs build Community Bookshelf with the best titles!
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Every participant receives a unique âBookworm Badgeâ
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So many come to mind! Iâll have to say that in the past I was reading real books, but since Iâm on the Internet since 1992, have shifted to online reading decades ago
Anyway, a great list comes to mind:
More from less https://www.andrewmcafee.org/books/more-from-less
Read this some years ago, in the days before my first Perform in Vegas. Was in transit from another conference, where this book was offered to me. Couldnât believe how it related to me so much, both personally & professionally. Nothing to do with Observability, but for a person like me that values Sustainability (I have a blog about it too), it was a much interesting read. Highly recommend it for all Community members!
All books from Dan Brown
I especially remember the first one I read, Angels & Demons: I started reading it one afternoon, and couldnât stop until I had read it all. My favorite author!
The Guinness Book of World Records https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/
I cannot get enough from it! Completely fascinated by the incredible achievements that we are capable of!
Why Nations Fail Amazon.com
I love History, and this book is a compelling exploration of the fundamental reasons that explain the prosperity or poverty of nations. It reasoned particularly to me, for a country like Portugal that was great some hundreds of years ago, but then evolved exactly like the book predicts any Country will evolve given for instance the existing institutional structuresâŚ
Java enterprise performance eBook: Java enterprise performance
Had to have an ebook here, and this is one is a heck of an eBook from Dynatrace, that is not that well known. Learned so many things from it some time ago. If you havenât read it, donât miss it!
From the EP/writer of âThe Good Placeâ (also the Office, Parks and Recreation) , a humorous take on moral philosophy and how his journey shaped his outlook on life. Not a text book or in-depth view, but it sparked a desire for me to dig deeper into learning about what we owe each other as human beings.
The Iliad / Odyssey - Homer
Who doesnât love epics from times forgotten? I revisit these every few years, though I want someday to read them in the original Greek, they inspire me to remember what is important in life, reject vanity and always sacrifice a goat before I embark on an epic journey Those looking for lighter reads but still ancient Greek mythology related, I also enjoyed âMythosâ, âTroyâ and âHeroesâ by Stephen Fry⌠yes, that Stephen Fry. All entertaining overviews of Greek mythology but by no means a comprehensive, study-level dive.
The Stand - Stephen King
This book freaked me out as a teenager and I still love it to this day. Post pandemic this story hits different though and might be a bit too real for those looking for a light read. About a biological weapons lab leak that turns into the immuneâs battle over Good and Evil.
Ready Player One - Ernest Cline
Spielberg made this into a film in 2018 but in my opinion, the book was better. If you like 80âs pop culture references, this book is for you. I loved geeking out on some of the deep video game references and the overall story of friendship through adversity. Even got my kid to be my player 2 on the Atari after she finished it. Highly recommended.
I read books in the Heroic Fantasy/SF category.
And my favourites are probably the following:
- The Lord of the Rings
- Royal Assassin saga by Robin Hobb
- Books by David Gemmell
- The Wheel of Time
And many more ^^
Um, Iâm not much of a reader because Iâm boring when it comes to the topics I like. But I have a top 3 of the best Iâve ever read, here they are: 1st Chernobyl 01:23:40 (PT-BR)
As the Title says, itâs about the story of the disaster but told from the point of view of a visitor returning to the day of the disaster, it takes your breath away. 2nd The Power of Habit (Charles Duhigg (Author))
This book literally changed my habits, with ADHD, I say habits make the difference. 3rd Journey to the Center of the Earth (Jules Verne (Author))
My favorite, even if I donât believe in a hollow earth, because this specimen developed ingenuity from the past.
I even have other books that I liked about history, most of them are about historical moments, but thatâs a conversation for another day.
âLes Miserablesâ, by Victor Hugo
Read its summarized version in school then watched the Musical (and, after that, the Movie).
Loved the musical so much, had to read the book to get its full intensity!
But I am also a short-story fan!
My favorite one is:
Finally, couldnât finish this post without the book that lead me here:
âDistributed Systems Observabilityâ, by Cindy Sridharan
First book I read on my Master Thesis investigation phase, couldnât start off better.
Highly recommend as it is both complete and straight to the point: small in size, but huge in content!
- Why we sleep. Great Information about an activity we do at least 8 hours a day!!!
- A column of fire and I, Cesar under Historical Fiction Ken Follet and Santiago Posteguillo are great narrators. If your love this genre, they are a must.
- The Tiger, a short story by Joel Dicker, takes place in a cold Tsarist Russia, with a tiger threatening people and a ransom to catch him. Iâll say no more.
- Also I recommend Samanta Schweblin short stories under fiction and the master Carlos Ruiz Zafon in the Shadow of the Wind.
- and to close Atomic Habits was a great surprise of how to modify small habits to improve in general. Recommended
Sci-fi is my favorite genre. Thereâs something about exploring the unknown, imagining future possibilities, and diving into complex worlds that captivates me. Here are my top picks in the genre:
The Three-Body Problem Trilogy by Cixin Liu
This series tops my list. It combines hard science fiction with rich, imaginative storytelling. The way Liu blends astrophysics, history, and philosophy into an epic narrative is truly remarkable.
The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells
The Murderbot series is a unique take on AI and humanity. The protagonist, a security robot with a penchant for watching TV dramas, is both relatable and intriguing. Wellsâ humor and insight make this series a must-read.
The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
Jemisinâs trilogy is a masterclass in world-building and social commentary. The way she weaves together themes of oppression, resilience, and environmental catastrophe is both powerful and thought-provoking.
Non-Fiction Favorites
When it comes to non-fiction, these books have made a significant impact on me:
The Qualified Sales Leader by John McMahon
This book offers invaluable insights into the world of sales leadership. McMahonâs experience and practical advice are beneficial for anyone looking to excel in sales.
The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama
This book provides profound wisdom on achieving happiness and maintaining inner peace. The Dalai Lamaâs teachings are both comforting and enlightening.
Influence by Robert Cialdini
Cialdiniâs exploration of the psychology of persuasion is a fascinating read. Understanding the principles of influence is useful not only in business but in everyday interactions as well.
Writers from the Arab World
The rich literary traditions of the Arab world have produced some of my favorite writers:
Amin Maalouf
Known for his profound narratives that explore themes of identity and cultural coexistence, Maaloufâs work is always thought-provoking.
Tahar Ben Jelloun
His writing, often addressing issues of immigration and social justice, is both powerful and lyrical.
Mohammed Choukri
Choukriâs raw and honest portrayal of life in Morocco offers a compelling look at poverty and resilience.
Top 3 All-Time Classics
Finally, here are my top three all-time classics:
The Prophet by Khalil Gibran
This timeless piece of literature offers poetic wisdom on various aspects of life. Gibranâs lyrical prose and philosophical insights are deeply moving.
Dom Casmurro by Machado de Assis
A masterpiece of Brazilian literature, this novel explores themes of jealousy, love, and betrayal with remarkable psychological depth.
The Trial by Franz Kafka
Kafkaâs exploration of existential dread and the absurdity of bureaucratic systems remains as relevant today as ever. This novel is both disturbing and captivating.
These books have shaped my understanding of the world and continue to inspire me. Whether delving into the mysteries of the universe, exploring the intricacies of human behavior, or savoring the beauty of literary classics, each of these works holds a special place in my heart.
There are a lot of good books that I can share. The most beautiful book I recently read is âUna historia compartidaâ or âShared Historyâ by Julia Navarro. It is a very personal and beautiful book that lets you learn about the lives of some of the most relevant women from ancient times to the present.
It was very eye-opening for me. If you like history, youâll enjoy it! đ
Hitchhikerâs Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
âIn the beginning the Universe was created. This had made many people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.â
This book is just so wild, and funny. It tackles a bunch of really deep questions regarding humankind with a hilariously absurd approach that canât both make you laugh and think at the same time, likeâŚ
âYou know,â said Arthur, âitâs at times like this, when Iâm trapped in a Vogon airlock with a man from Betelgeuse, and about to die of asphyxiation in deep space that I really wish Iâd listened to what my mother told me when I was young.â
âWhy, what did she tell you?â
"I donât know, I didnât listen.â
The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-ExupĂŠry
âWhat makes the desert beautiful,â said the little prince, 'is that somewhere it hides a wellâŚâ
The Little Prince is a strong candidate for my all time favorite book. Itâs short, bittersweet, and powerful. Iâve read it many times before, at different ages, and always get different lessons from this little man. I really do think everyone should read it, at least once, in their lifetime.
I pretty much gobble up all that Stephen King writes, although I discovered I like his books only in my 20âs so I havenât caught up. A few of my favorites are:
Welcome to Joyland
It
Awakening
Pet Sematery
Fairy Tale
All Harry Potter books, a childhood classic.
Iâm sure there are more, but this post would become too long. Anna Karenina, the Karamazov Brothers, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet⌠There are just too many great books out there!
Every participant receives a unique âBookworm Badgeâ
