5 ms·

Ask HN: What books do you recommend?

19 points by jarbus 6y ago

Can be anything, but would like to especially request books on programming and programming languages.

snicky 6y ago
If you are interested in the computer science in general I highly recommend: 1. Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (available for free, e.g. here http://sarabander.github.io/sicp/html/index.xhtml http://sarabander.github.io/sicp/html/index.xhtml 2. https://computationbook.com/ https://computationbook.com/ Also, I haven't read it yet, but this book has been praised here a lot recently: https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Data-Intensive-Applications-Reliable-Maintainable/dp/1449373321 https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Data-Intensive-Applications...
- djangovm 6y ago
  I can vouch for designing data intensive applications. Having read it before, I highly recommend it for all experience levels.
  - st1x7 6y ago
    Can you share a bit about why it's so good? I found it kind of basic and underwhelming.
enchiridion 6y ago
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Preferably the audio book.
- vld_lzr 6y ago
  Seconding that. Fantastic book!
- jarbus 6y ago
  Started listening a while ago, but never got around to finishing. Picking it up again, thanks!
- m0ck 6y ago
  Interesting, this book got some heat when I asked about books people do not recommend some time ago :) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16785473 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16785473
  - enchiridion 6y ago
    I could see that. Especially if you read it. The premise centers around the idea of a Chautauqua, so I think it does really well as an audio book.
zenincognito 6y ago
Autobiography of a yogi is a surprisingly good read. Also a fave of steve jobs..
jessehorne 6y ago
Some interesting books... 1. What would Machiavelli do 2. The Tao of Pooh 3. The Conquest of Bread On programming or engineering? 1. Pragmatic Programmer 2. Mr. Neighborlys Humble Little Ruby Book 3. Programming in Lua I feel put on the spot. I thought there would be more but I can't think of any at the moment. If you ever make a post asking for YouTube video suggestions, I'll definitely be able to comment on that much better. There's some really helpful videos out there, featuring Alan Watts and George Thompson that have helped me tremendously when dealing with the day to day engineering stress. I find that I'm learning less about programming lately and more about dealing with the anxiety. That has always been the biggest road blocker for me, anyways. It's easy to find the motivation to sit down and read a book or write a piece of code... It's hard to always enjoy doing it.
- digianarchist 6y ago
  Kropotkin being recommended on Hacker News. Nice.
- jarbus 6y ago
  Very big fan of Alan Watts, but never heard of Thompson. Especially a fan of the Tao of Pooh rec. Looking more for programming novels, such as ways to write better, faster, and cleaner code.
josejorgexl 6y ago
I would recommend "Introduction to algorithms" in the case you wanted to learn about data structures and algorithms. If you want to learn a new great programming language while getting valuable insights about software development you should take a look at Paul Graham's books.
whatitdobooboo 6y ago
Leonardo Da Vinci's Biography by Walter Isaacson: https://www.amazon.com/Leonardo-Vinci-Walter-Isaacson/dp/1501139169/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=leonardo+da+vinci&qid=1601131205&sr=8-2 https://www.amazon.com/Leonardo-Vinci-Walter-Isaacson/dp/150...
maynman 6y ago
Code Complete https://www.amazon.com/Code-Complete-Practical-Handbook-Construction/dp/0735619670 https://www.amazon.com/Code-Complete-Practical-Handbook-Cons...
Exuma 6y ago
6 pillars of self esteem is the best non fiction book i’ve ever read. an absolute must read for every living person. every person i recommend this to is understandably unenthusiastic and then is purely blown away.
texteller 6y ago
My Collections of 95 Best Books for Startups & Entrepreneurs: http://casualwalker.com/95-best-books-to-read-in-2019 http://casualwalker.com/95-best-books-to-read-in-2019
the__alchemist 6y ago
The Art of doing Science and Engineering (Richard Hamming) is a nice book that goes into some topics like error correction codes in low detail. Its main focus is on preparing your attitude and mind to see what other are missing.

19 points by jarbus 6y ago

Can be anything, but would like to especially request books on programming and programming languages.

If you are interested in the computer science in general I highly recommend: 1. Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (available for free, e.g. here http://sarabander.github.io/sicp/html/index.xhtml http://sarabander.github.io/sicp/html/index.xhtml 2. https://computationbook.com/ https://computationbook.com/ Also, I haven't read it yet, but this book has been praised here a lot recently: https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Data-Intensive-Applications-Reliable-Maintainable/dp/1449373321 https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Data-Intensive-Applications...

djangovm 6y ago
I can vouch for designing data intensive applications. Having read it before, I highly recommend it for all experience levels.
- st1x7 6y ago
  Can you share a bit about why it's so good? I found it kind of basic and underwhelming.

enchiridion 6y ago

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Preferably the audio book.

vld_lzr 6y ago
Seconding that. Fantastic book!
jarbus 6y ago
Started listening a while ago, but never got around to finishing. Picking it up again, thanks!
m0ck 6y ago
Interesting, this book got some heat when I asked about books people do not recommend some time ago :) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16785473 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16785473
- enchiridion 6y ago
  I could see that. Especially if you read it. The premise centers around the idea of a Chautauqua, so I think it does really well as an audio book.

zenincognito 6y ago

Autobiography of a yogi is a surprisingly good read. Also a fave of steve jobs..

jessehorne 6y ago

Some interesting books... 1. What would Machiavelli do 2. The Tao of Pooh 3. The Conquest of Bread On programming or engineering? 1. Pragmatic Programmer 2. Mr. Neighborlys Humble Little Ruby Book 3. Programming in Lua I feel put on the spot. I thought there would be more but I can't think of any at the moment. If you ever make a post asking for YouTube video suggestions, I'll definitely be able to comment on that much better. There's some really helpful videos out there, featuring Alan Watts and George Thompson that have helped me tremendously when dealing with the day to day engineering stress. I find that I'm learning less about programming lately and more about dealing with the anxiety. That has always been the biggest road blocker for me, anyways. It's easy to find the motivation to sit down and read a book or write a piece of code... It's hard to always enjoy doing it.

digianarchist 6y ago
Kropotkin being recommended on Hacker News. Nice.
jarbus 6y ago
Very big fan of Alan Watts, but never heard of Thompson. Especially a fan of the Tao of Pooh rec. Looking more for programming novels, such as ways to write better, faster, and cleaner code.

josejorgexl 6y ago

I would recommend "Introduction to algorithms" in the case you wanted to learn about data structures and algorithms. If you want to learn a new great programming language while getting valuable insights about software development you should take a look at Paul Graham's books.

whatitdobooboo 6y ago

Leonardo Da Vinci's Biography by Walter Isaacson: https://www.amazon.com/Leonardo-Vinci-Walter-Isaacson/dp/1501139169/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=leonardo+da+vinci&qid=1601131205&sr=8-2 https://www.amazon.com/Leonardo-Vinci-Walter-Isaacson/dp/150...

maynman 6y ago

Code Complete https://www.amazon.com/Code-Complete-Practical-Handbook-Construction/dp/0735619670 https://www.amazon.com/Code-Complete-Practical-Handbook-Cons...

Exuma 6y ago

6 pillars of self esteem is the best non fiction book i’ve ever read. an absolute must read for every living person. every person i recommend this to is understandably unenthusiastic and then is purely blown away.

texteller 6y ago

My Collections of 95 Best Books for Startups & Entrepreneurs: http://casualwalker.com/95-best-books-to-read-in-2019 http://casualwalker.com/95-best-books-to-read-in-2019

the__alchemist 6y ago

The Art of doing Science and Engineering (Richard Hamming) is a nice book that goes into some topics like error correction codes in low detail. Its main focus is on preparing your attitude and mind to see what other are missing.