Listmania!
Books read in 2008 (work in progress)
Power: A New Social Analysis (Routledge Classics)Power: A New Social Analysis (Routledge Classics) by Bertrand Russell
Buy new: £5.92 / Used from: £4.95
Not my favourite Russell book, but as always it is superbly written and with good humor. It is not a comprehensive philosophy, more an anaylsis of power, but a pretty good analysis nevertheless.
Slaughterhouse 5, or The Children's Crusade - A Duty-dance with DeathSlaughterhouse 5, or The Children's Crusade - A Duty-dance with Death by Kurt Vonnegut
Buy new: £4.79 / Used from: £2.50
This book baffled me a little, the pace of it was my main issue, very slow and dry. However, the technique of time travelling with the main character was interesting. Not bad. So it goes.
The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly ImprobableThe Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Buy used from: £14.95
Very interesting. At times I do not agree with Taleb, but his admiration for the erudite and skeptical individual makes me favour this author a lot. A really great book.
Confessions of an Economic Hit ManConfessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins
Buy used from: £0.33
Truely enlightening. Some nice historical perspectives that I found interesting too. It runs along like a thriller, yet the tragedy is so real and so very relevant to us today.
Open InnovationOpen Innovation by Henry W Chesbrough
Buy used from: £6.17
A little dated now, but still quite fascinating, particularly the IBM and Intel case studies. It mainly relates to large organisations and their R&D process. Well written and interesting.
Despair (Penguin Modern Classics)Despair (Penguin Modern Classics) by Vladimir Nabokov
Buy new: £7.14 / Used from: £4.30
Nabokov is indeed a fine fine writer. I lack his ability, so I can only say simple things - go read him.
The Second Plane: September 11, 2001-2007The Second Plane: September 11, 2001-2007 by Martin Amis
Buy new: £9.99 / Used from: £10.27
This is a nice short collection of writings from Amis, all packaged under the Sept 11th genre. I prefer the journalism ones to the fictional ones, but all are pretty good and insightful.
Pnin (Penguin Modern Classics)Pnin (Penguin Modern Classics) by Vladimir Nabokov
Buy new: £3.62 / Used from: £3.50
Nabokov is just sweet as pie, his writing is delicious and conspicuous consumption is highly recommended. Pnin is not as good as Despair, but still great.
Linked: How Everything Is Connected to Everything Else and What It Means for Business, Science, and Everyday LifeLinked: How Everything Is Connected to Everything Else and What It Means for Business, Science, and Everyday Life by Albert-Laszlo Barabasi
Buy used from: £4.78
A very pleasurable read. It might feel a little dated because social networking has taken off a lot since its release, but it is a fascinating base overview of network theory, really well put together
The Wisdom of Crowds: Why the Many Are Smarter Than the FewThe Wisdom of Crowds: Why the Many Are Smarter Than the Few by James Surowiecki
Buy new: £3.00 / Used from: £3.50
Excellent read, and one of the original classics in this mass collaboration area. Although it gets a little dull nearer the end.
The Yiddish Policemen's UnionThe Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon
Buy new: £4.39 / Used from: £2.50
Chabon is an outstanding writer, but I found this book very slow to get into. For me, it finally started at chapter 33, but it was a slog to get there. Admirable and clever, but often hard work.
Israel and the Clash of Civilisations: Iraq, Iran and the Plan to Remake the Middle EastIsrael and the Clash of Civilisations: Iraq, Iran and the Plan to Remake the Middle East by Jonathan Cook
Buy new: £8.00 / Used from: £7.32
A really interesting read about middle eastern events in recent times. A nice short length as well. Energetic opinions, packs a good punch, and is highly readable.
Marching Toward Hell: America and Islam After IraqMarching Toward Hell: America and Islam After Iraq by Michael Scheuer
Buy new: £12.59 / Used from: £8.18
Lively and engaging, and some really excellent points throughout the book. Sometimes a bit repetitive, and even childish, but generally an exceptionally timely read.
Peopleware: Productive Projects and TeamsPeopleware: Productive Projects and Teams by Tom DeMarco
Buy new: £15.79 / Used from: £13.69
Brilliant, superb, fantastic. One of the best books I've read about software development, despite being pre-Web2.0 and agile programming, it is spot on throughout.
Smart and Gets Things Done: Joel Spolsky's Concise Guide to Finding the Best Technical Talent, Hardback: Joel Spolsky's Concise Guide to Finding the Best Technical TalentSmart and Gets Things Done: Joel Spolsky's Concise Guide to Finding the Best Technical Talent, Hardback: Joel Spolsky's Concise Guide to Finding the Best Technical Talent by Joel Spolsky
Buy new: £5.08 / Used from: £5.12
Short and sweet. I disagree with so much of Spolsky's writings, but it is testament to his lucid style that I would read anything by him.
The Mythical Man Month and Other Essays on Software EngineeringThe Mythical Man Month and Other Essays on Software Engineering by Frederick P. Brooks
Buy new: £14.94 / Used from: £14.00
Obviously very dated now, but it has some real gems in. It is superbly written, offering a great overview of project managaing software development, from a real insider.
The Last EmpireThe Last Empire by Gore Vidal
Buy new: £7.69 / Used from: £2.23
Gore Vidal is a quality essay writer, he forms his thoughts perfectly. This collection starts off ok, but really picks up about mid way through. Totally enjoyed it!
Cloud AtlasCloud Atlas by David Mitchell
Buy new: £5.59 / Used from: £0.01
Pretty good, but not amazing. The middle chapter was a real slog to read, but the rest was decent, with Luisa Rey and Timothy Cavendish the best of the lot. It's interesting, if not slightly too long.
On WritingOn Writing by Stephen King
Buy new: £6.99 / Used from: £4.52
Infinitely satisfying. I enjoyed this a great deal, and I don't even read King's novels (but I will do now). A great insight into the writers world.
RelentlessRelentless by Simon Kernick
Buy new: £3.99 / Used from: £0.01
A seriously fast paced thriller, with enough intrigue to keep you going. Enjoyable, no question. But not outstanding.
The Big Sleep (Penguin fiction)The Big Sleep (Penguin fiction) by Raymond Chandler
Buy new: £3.11 / Used from: £2.92
Brilliant. One of the most enjoyable reads of the year. Every bit as good as they say Chandler is. Will be reading more of him.
No Country for Old MenNo Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
Buy new: £3.95 / Used from: £0.01
'I think sometimes people would rather have a bad answer about things than no answer at all.' A brilliant book, and a brilliant film. Totally absorbing.
Farewell, My Lovely (Penguin Fiction)Farewell, My Lovely (Penguin Fiction) by Raymond Chandler
Buy new: £2.97 / Used from: £1.02
Couldn't hold out too long before another Chandler novel. This is just perfect, loved every second of it.