I read ''East of Eden'' by John Steinbeck again after 20 years and it had the same fascinating atmosphere when I read it the first time. It's a 'must' read, esp. for Americans
Stoner! Great novel. I had never heard of John Williams before. Next I read Augustus. Also fantastic. I discovered both this year. I know this will be unpopular, but John Williams is such a good writer that when I started The Mandibles right after the two Williams novels, her writing just paled in comparison. I obviously enjoyed the story, as any bitcoiner would. I just wish it was a better written novel. I'm assuming most people on SN will disagree.
I'm also a big fan of Notes From Underground. In fact, I mentioned it in my music territory post today.
Immoderate Greatness: Why Civilizations Fail by William Ophuls -- probably a lot of people here have read or come across the Fourth Turning, it's in a similar vein. Cycles of rise and fall, and a pretty strong argument that we're in the falling part now, but this time it's global.
Short but amazing - I'd say one of the better books I've read in a few years not just 2024
The three body problem by Liu Cixin. Especially relevant with the advancements of AI this year. So far the second one has not been as good. Still good, just not as gripping and thought provoking.
I count myself lucky to have read Matt Haig’s “Reasons to Stay Alive” previously. Knowing how he suffered from depression and eventually prevailed through it made “The Midnight Library” a more powerful read. There were some insightful introspective thoughts on the human condition. About how one might not feel lonely if he is alone in the wilderness because he feels an acute sense of connection with the world. Whereas urban dwellers feel lonely in a busy city because they will then crave for connection with others. I also marveled at the way he explained the difference between fear and despair by using an everyday, yet powerful analogy. I feel that only someone who has hit rock bottom emotionally before can pen such empathetic descriptions of the depressed mind. Matt Haig doesn’t shun away from introducing complex material. I felt that my threshold as a reader was being tested. Not only did he include quotes from philosophers like David Thoreau, but he also wrote about the many-worlds interpretation of quantum physics, thus bringing to mind movies like “Sliding Doors”. So I followed Nora’s journey as she ‘slided’ from one alternative life to another. She soon discovered that the lives she had always regretted not living might not be all that glamorous or blissful after all. That, upon reflection, those lives she had desperately yearned for were a result of not wanting to disappoint her family members. I thought it was satisfying to uncover how she discovered the role of agency in her life. No points for guessing that she eventually chose her original life - the one that drove her to commit suicide. Here, Matt Haig glosses over the triggers, making things fall into place in Nora’s life so as to give us a saccharine sweet ending. But since I’m not a cynic, I don’t mind an ending brimming with possibilities rather than one stunted by the harsh realities of life. Lastly, these two lines might have changed my outlook on parenting: “it added a bit of challenge to what was otherwise a rather frictionless existence. No relationship stress, no work stress, no money stress.” The mere idea of accepting the pain points that parenting brings made me raise my eyebrows!
Beyond Growth: The Economics of Sustainable Development by Herman Daly
This one I can only recommend half heartedly because the guy's clearly a Malthusian depopulationist. However, he also brings up some really good critiques of modern economic practice, which has changed my thinking, and thus it's still one of the top books I read this year.
"The Creature from Jekyll Island" by G. Edward Griffin, a real eye-opener for me. The longer you live, the more you learn the scarier it gets...lol Ignorance is bliss I say... the things we don't want to know sometimes.... That cabin in the woods looks better and better by the day...
I read ''East of Eden'' by John Steinbeck again after 20 years and it had the same fascinating atmosphere when I read it the first time. It's a 'must' read, esp. for Americans
In a bunch of ways that book marked a fork in the road for me, many years ago. One of the greatest novels ever written, IMO.
And so, I've been inspired to read the copy of "East of Eden" I was gifted a few years.
https://m.stacker.news/9800
It features a beautiful cover illustration by William Low.
#massmarketpaperbackmaxiDid you read it, in the end? What did you think, if so?
I was quoting it in the saloon every now and again. "Impossibly beautiful" was how I described it to @Scoresby.
I lost my marbles doing this wallet stuff and haven't read anything new in months, but Grapes of Wrath is on deck.
Enjoy. A time without central banks...
East of Eden gets me every time
I only had that deep understanding of the atmosphere of a distant epoch once when I read ''The Buddenbrooks'' by T. Mann
I know I'm not alone or original here, but Broken Money, by Lyn Alden.
Also love the book club initiated by @elvismercury
Yes. Me too. It's great.
I've read a bunch this year, some of my favs are
FictionFiction
Non-fiction:Non-fiction:
Stoner! Great novel. I had never heard of John Williams before. Next I read Augustus. Also fantastic. I discovered both this year. I know this will be unpopular, but John Williams is such a good writer that when I started The Mandibles right after the two Williams novels, her writing just paled in comparison. I obviously enjoyed the story, as any bitcoiner would. I just wish it was a better written novel. I'm assuming most people on SN will disagree.
I'm also a big fan of Notes From Underground. In fact, I mentioned it in my music territory post today.
The only way to disagree is to not have read John Williams. I've read them both and you're 100% right.
I'm both surprised and heartened, though, because literally zero people in my normie life have ever heard of this book :)
Impressive list.
Great recommendations thank you. Man these book threads have me one-click buying a little too much! Just got 2 of these.
Anyone know a site where one could buy books with sats? Serious question.
I started the Wheel of Time series, which is over a dozen books. The only one I will have finished by the end of 2023 is book 1: The Eye of the World.
So far, it's a very compelling fantasy adventure: great detailed world building, multiple distinct perspectives, nice pace of exposition.
Immoderate Greatness: Why Civilizations Fail by William Ophuls -- probably a lot of people here have read or come across the Fourth Turning, it's in a similar vein. Cycles of rise and fall, and a pretty strong argument that we're in the falling part now, but this time it's global.
Short but amazing - I'd say one of the better books I've read in a few years not just 2024
The three body problem by Liu Cixin. Especially relevant with the advancements of AI this year. So far the second one has not been as good. Still good, just not as gripping and thought provoking.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
——
Don’t mind if I post my book review here:
I count myself lucky to have read Matt Haig’s “Reasons to Stay Alive” previously. Knowing how he suffered from depression and eventually prevailed through it made “The Midnight Library” a more powerful read. There were some insightful introspective thoughts on the human condition. About how one might not feel lonely if he is alone in the wilderness because he feels an acute sense of connection with the world. Whereas urban dwellers feel lonely in a busy city because they will then crave for connection with others. I also marveled at the way he explained the difference between fear and despair by using an everyday, yet powerful analogy. I feel that only someone who has hit rock bottom emotionally before can pen such empathetic descriptions of the depressed mind.
Matt Haig doesn’t shun away from introducing complex material. I felt that my threshold as a reader was being tested. Not only did he include quotes from philosophers like David Thoreau, but he also wrote about the many-worlds interpretation of quantum physics, thus bringing to mind movies like “Sliding Doors”.
So I followed Nora’s journey as she ‘slided’ from one alternative life to another. She soon discovered that the lives she had always regretted not living might not be all that glamorous or blissful after all. That, upon reflection, those lives she had desperately yearned for were a result of not wanting to disappoint her family members. I thought it was satisfying to uncover how she discovered the role of agency in her life.
No points for guessing that she eventually chose her original life - the one that drove her to commit suicide. Here, Matt Haig glosses over the triggers, making things fall into place in Nora’s life so as to give us a saccharine sweet ending. But since I’m not a cynic, I don’t mind an ending brimming with possibilities rather than one stunted by the harsh realities of life.
Lastly, these two lines might have changed my outlook on parenting: “it added a bit of challenge to what was otherwise a rather frictionless existence. No relationship stress, no work stress, no money stress.” The mere idea of accepting the pain points that parenting brings made me raise my eyebrows!
Peter Zeihan did a good one. DYOR. He’s not right about everything, but he does get a lot right.
Haven’t read a bitcoin book this year tbh.
I didnt read a book in 2023
appreciate the honesty!
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I liked a lot Twilight of Democracy by Anne Applebaum, quite educational, ordered few more books from her but haven’t read them yet.
Money, Free and Unfree by George Selgin
Beyond Growth: The Economics of Sustainable Development by Herman Daly
Principles of Economics by Saifedean Ammous.
It is a seminal book that will be relevant for many years.
https://m.stacker.news/10389
Not known to many, but "Bitcoin Royalty: The Rise of King-P"
Sure! What specific topic are you interested in discussing?
"The Creature from Jekyll Island" by G. Edward Griffin, a real eye-opener for me.
The longer you live, the more you learn the scarier it gets...lol
Ignorance is bliss I say... the things we don't want to know sometimes....
That cabin in the woods looks better and better by the day...
Broken Money by Lyn Alden, hands down
With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa
World War II memoir by United States Marine Eugene Sledge
Sure, what topic are you interested in discussing? I'm open to any subject.
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