Eternals
I liked this as a casual read. It was a nice take on the classic Eternals. Kirby would be proud.
Sag Harbor
I spent all summer on this book. I enjoyed my time in Sag Harbor so much that I couldn't bring myself to finish the book, even as I waited anxiously between reading spurts. The characters are so richly and lovingly drawn, the community is vivid. I just can't say enough good things about this book. When I finished, I wanted to start it again. Right then. I'm not sure if I've ever had that feeling about a book.I've been a fan of Colson Whitehead since his first novel, The Intuitionist. I read Apex Hides the Hurt, too. I liked each of these, and liked them a lot even, but it's Sag Harbor that really has won my heart. This is a beautiful story about growing up in the 1980s that I could really identify with. And I could go on, on, on. It's really just that good.
Beautiful Code
There are some great essays here and some long and winding, less interesting, essays here. I read them out of order and sporadically and enjoyed the book, but there was a part of me that was disappointed. Perhaps there's no way to avoid too high of expectations with a title like this. But overall, certainly worth a read.
Foundations of Python Network Programming
This was a solid book. It's very much a "foundations" book in that's it's more for beginners to using Python for network applications. Also, it focuses on building network servers and clients using the standard library more than the more commonly used popular third-party libs, though certain libs are mentioned in sidebars. Generally, it's a nice introduction and overview, and useful for refreshing one's mind about network protocols, sockets, multitasking, etc. in Python.
The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society Series #1)
I had to give up on this one, which I tried with the kids at night. Zoe found it boring, so we gave up on it. It's a well written book, but yes, a little boring as children's lit goes. I've struck out twice now with books and Zoe, so maybe I need to go to younger reader books. But she loved _Coraline_ so much... who knows.
The City of Ember (Books of Ember Series #1)
The kids and I couldn't finish this one. My kids just didn't engage with or care about the kids in the story. I found myself uninterested, too, so we put this book down after a chapter and a half.
Saturday
Ian McEwan never disappoints, and this novel is no exception. While I found the build up to the final third of the book carefully constructed, if sometimes seemingly a bit slow moving, all of this was to lend greater wait to the final moments of conflict in the novel. I took my time reading this and enjoyed every moment. I finished this on my plane to Barcelona, Spain for Canonical AllHands, and the book really caused me to think on conflict and generosity among various peoples on the planet. I would highly recommend this book.
Coraline
Reading this each night with my daughter, Zoe, before we go to bed. She finds it frightening and yet cannot wait to start each night. And I'm enjoying reading it as much as she is.Update after finishing it:I found the book really delightful. The ending few paragraphs were just beautiful, and my daughter enjoyed it very much, too. Being the father of a child who is just finishing here first year at kindergarten, I love the point about Coraline no longer being afraid of the new school year. I would recommend this for kids and adults who love an exciting adventure story, with smart writing.
Taking Journalism Seriously: News and the Academy
A solid book. I was curious about the academic question of defining journalism, and this book suited that need.
The Emperor's New Mind: Concerning Computers, Minds, and the Laws of Physics
Tabling this one for now... doesn't come in Kindle edition, and that's where I'm reading from lately.
"Synedoche, New York" (The Shooting Script)
No one does the surreal in film like Charlie Kaufman. And yet, the story is so human and moving at the same time.
Content: Selected Essays on Technology, Creativity, Copyright and the Future of the Future
This is probably my favorite book by Cory Doctorow so far. His fiction is good to me, but I just don't feel compelled to keep reading. His ideas about copyright, DRM, ebooks, and how writers and writing fit in the information economy are significant and important. I would highly recommend this to anyone dealing in digital "content."
New Moon (Twilight Saga, Book 2)
Yes, I'm reading this. My wife got me into the series. Despite the terrible prose, I feel myself interested in what happens to Bella and Edward. I feel shame at reading but can't wait to get done. :)Update: I'm quitting this one. I made it to chapter 10 and life is just to precious to me to waste hoping this gets better. The prose is horrid and the sequel feels contrived and unimaginative. I'll probably see the film sequel if one gets made, but for now, I'm done with New Moon.
Watchmen
Just finished this again over the weekend in preparation and excitement for the upcoming movie. A true work of art. There's no way the movie can match the book, being as literary a comic as this is, but I'm still excited to see what the movie makes of it.
The Polysyllabic Spree: A Hilarious and True Account of One Man's Struggle with the Monthly Tide of the Books He's Bought and the Books He's Been Meaning to Read
I loved this book, mainly because like Hornby, I buy way more books then I ever read. This one I did read and found comfort in the fact that there might be some value to all the books even if I know I can never finish them all. Part of the fun is just trying, and at least I finish more than I would had I not bought them all. And then, I love this sentence in the last paragraph of the book:"But with each passing year, and with each whimsical purchase, our libraries become more and more able to articulate who we are, whether we read the books or not."