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Nick Taylor
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Non-tech Reading Recommendations?

Like the Tweet and toots say, I'm looking for some reading recommendations. What's a great book you've read in the past year that isn't tech or career related?

Nick Taylor: "I've been reading tech related/career stuff for t…" - Toot Café

I've been reading tech related/career stuff for the past couple of years which I do enjoy, but I'm looking to get back into some fiction. I grabbed some Stephen King short stories as I've always loved his writing, but if you have some good Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Thriller suggestions I'm all ears. Trying to get some books ready for the beach. Honestly any great book you've read in the past year even if it's not in those categories.

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Top comments (30)

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alvaromontoro profile image
Alvaro Montoro • Edited

Depends on what you like, Some books from 2022 that I enjoyed:

  • "Sea of Tranquility": a novel mixing mystery and science-fiction.
  • "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow": I haven't finished it yet, but so far, it's really good...
  • "Something is Killing the Children": a horror comic book/graphic novel with a catchy back-story.
  • "Revolución": a Spanish novel about a young man that gets involved in the Mexican revolution.
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s_aitchison profile image
Suzanne Aitchison

Big plus one to Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow - it's one of those books that's reads really easily but still feels thoughtful and well considered - probably my favourite last year!

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Nick Taylor

Thanks for the plus one Suzanne!

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Nick Taylor

Thanks Alvaro! Going to check these out.

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alvaromontoro profile image
Alvaro Montoro

Those are the books I read this year published this year. Not from 2022, I really enjoyed reading/listening to:

  • "Canada": Mike Myers' autobiography and love letter to his country
  • "Project Hail Mary": a science-fiction novel about Earth's last chance of survival
  • "Six of Crows" + "Crooked Kingdom": a YA story about a band of thieves about to pull the heist of a century
  • "Pluto": a mystery manga prequel to Astro Boy
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nickytonline profile image
Nick Taylor

Awesome! Thanks for sharing Alvaro!

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bcostaaa01 profile image
Bruno

As @alvaromontoro said, it depends on your preferences.

One book I am currently reading is “The Unforgiving Minute”, by Craig M. Mullaney - circa 2003. It is a great book if you are looking for a true story about resilience and motivation, but also shows that something that is said and looks to be daunting, is possible to do.

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Nick Taylor

Thanks Bruno!

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bcostaaa01 profile image
Bruno

Of course! I got mine for 1€ in Lisbon, at a local used book store at the time. I was mind blown with the current price of the book in other stores! (Not to take away the value of the book, of course! It is very much worth the price)

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Etienne Burdet

Not tech but still computer science: propably approximatively correct, Lesly Valliant. It's on a AI… but it's also on why nature is "intelligent".

Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Windwarders, A. Damasio (La Horde du Contrevent). Very unique book.

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Pandita

My top recommendation would be anything written by Oscar de Muriel. I loved the "A Fever of the Blood", it's the second book in his series and I'm such a big fan hahaha the author is a violinist and a chemist so he uses that knowledge in his stories. If you know spanish, his books of Sor Juana as a detective are great as well!

I recently read "The Truth about Harry Quebert" and I found it enjoyable and the gossip is nice but, if you're from the USA you might have mixed or even negative feelings 😂

Also, anything Agatha Christie is great UwU

I've tried fantasy stories but, they're just not for me. I start the stories and feel like the characters are idiots and drop it... maybe I'm picking out some really bad books DX

Sci-fi? I was reading Neuromancer, which is the main inspiration for Cyberpunk. I need to finish it but I was caught off guard by a NSFW scene that I felt came out of nowhere hahaha besides that, it's good overall :3

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Nick Taylor

Thanks Pandita!

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derlin profile image
Lucy Linder • Edited

Project Hail Mary: a riveting story with amazingly accurate physics. Something is killing the sun, a guy goes to space, I will let you read the rest. From the author of The Martian. Got to my top ten this year!

Some of my all times favorites:

  • 1984
  • house of leaves (Google it and look at images, seriously)
  • flatland - a romance in many dimensions

If you want more inspiration, I am an avid reader (see my stats here: derlin.github.io/reading-stats/) so just tell me what kind you like ;)

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Nick Taylor

Thanks for the share Lucy!

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wiseai profile image
Mahmoud Harmouch

As you may know from my previous articles, I have been reading books about happiness, psychology and such.


The title, lmao ;-)

I have found Amy Morin's book, 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do, to be an interesting read.

Morin's book is an insightful look into the mindsets of mentally strong people, and how they think differently from those who struggle with emotional or psychological issues. She outlines the 13 things that mentally strong individuals do not do and provides readers with practical advice on how to overcome negative thought patterns or behaviors.

The stories shared in this book are inspiring and provide you with insight into the mindsets of successful people. Additionally, Morin has filled her book with actionable advice on how to become mentally stronger. Whether you’re working towards overcoming an emotional obstacle or simply want to strengthen your mental fortitude, this book will help you take those first steps.

I would highly recommend this book that could inspire and motivate anyone towards positive change. With its simple yet effective strategies and insights, this book can be a powerful tool in your journey to personal growth and development.

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Nick Taylor

Thanks Mahmoud!

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P.S. Napier • Edited

For sci-fi 'Rendevous With Rama' by Arthur C. Clarke and 'The Salvage Crew' by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne. Thought 'Sea Of Tranquility' was meh, fine but not worth reading IMO.

For fantasy 'Kraken' by China Miéville.

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Nick Taylor

Thanks for the recommendations!

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Alex Lohr

If you haven't read it yet, "Walkaway" from Cory Doctorow is definitely worth reading.

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Nick Taylor

Thanks Alex!

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Julia 👩🏻‍💻 GDE

Haven‘t read it yet but already bought bc I heard over and over again that it is sooo good: tomorrow & tommorow & tomorrow.

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rounakcodes

The Lies of Locke Lamora
By Scott Lynch