These are the books that I have read in 2022. I didn’t have a blog back then, meaning I couldn’t have written a separate review for each one. But I am trying to rectify it now, writing a few words about them before the year end.
Philosophy and Science
Philosophy Between the Lines: The Lost History of Esoteric Writing by Arthur M. Melzer
This is a deep analysis. It explores the manner in which virtually all philosophers before the last two centuries engaged in esotericism. They used it to convey their teachings to their inner circle of disciples (and eventually the great public). It was enlightening to understand the difference between “theory” and “praxis.” This difference is the main reason these philosophers went to great lengths to conceal their true message.
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Both Stephen Hawking’s life and intelligence are fascinating. He struggled with a degenerative neurological disease. At the same time, he dedicated his efforts to developing extremely abstract concepts about the universe. This book is very accessible. You don’t need to know profound Calculus or Physics to understand it. You may not manage to prove the concepts there. Nevertheless, it will give you a good footing on how the universe was formed. It includes how time itself was formed with it.
The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan
Science has discovered a way to find the truth. It does so gradually and provisionally. It also corrects itself as it goes. It is the scientific method. If you stumble upon some groundbreaking discovery, you can show your thoughts to the scientific community. Anyone in the world can try to reproduce it. They can either confirm or reject it. Carl Sagan explores several myths, from aliens to witchcraft. He exposes why most of them simply can’t be true with unbeatable clarity. Great for developing critical thinking.
A not so light puzzle
Cain’s Jawbone by Torquemada (E.Powys Mathers)
I love puzzles and I love literature. This book is the perfect combination of both, and I will freely admit it, it is hard. All of the book’s pages are out of order, and you need to put them in their proper place. Additionally, a murder has been committed (or murders). You need to discover who is the victim, who is the murderer, and what the weapon was. I have an idea of what is going on. Still, there are hundreds of literary references you need to research. These references help make sense of the plot. I will need some time until I solve the puzzle. But at least I have read the entire book (a few times, I must say).
Social experience
Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell
This was the first full-length book published by George Orwell, which is a pseudonym for Eric Blair. He didn’t want to use his real name. He feared it would embarrass his family because he lived as a “tramp”. Well, the book was a success, the name stuck, and he used it in all of his major works afterwards.
I have already published a post about my experience reading this book, which you can find here.
I have read a bunch of technical books this year. I felt the need to improve myself in some areas. I wanted to exercise my brain in a different way. I wanted to think more analytically. I must confess that I have enjoyed enormously doing so, and it helped me in several projects. One of them is this very blog. It all begun with the wish to learn more about Cloud Computing and get certified for AWS, which I did. I read fewer fiction books than I wanted. I used part of the time to finish exercises and assignments. But it definitely paid off.
Guides to grammar
The Chicago Guide to Grammar, Usage, and Punctuation by Bryan A. Garner
This is a reference book… and I don’t know why, but I enjoy reading them from beginning to end. I feel that if I don’t do it, some important information will be hidden. I worry I will skip it. Besides, if I don’t read it at least once, there’s no way for me to know it. After that, I can always come back to refresh my memory about some particular item. This book is authoritative on all things grammar related. It also has very cool sections on Sentence Diagramming and Transformational Grammar.
Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer
This book has basically the same purpose of the previous one, that is, clarity and style in writing. It even directs you to consult the Chicago Guide if you are in doubt. But while the former is very technical and serious, this one is more conversational and relaxed. It provides many real life examples. You also get anecdotes to help you understand why certain word choices are made.
Information Technology and Mathematics
Python Crash Course: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming by Eric Matthes
A very good introduction to the Python programming language, with lots of examples and exercises. It has also 3 bigger projects where you can apply your knowledge:
- Alien Invasion game (using pygame);
- Data Visualization (using matplotlib and pygal);
- Web application development (with Django and Bootstrap);
Proud to say that I have completed all the exercises and projects in it.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Study Guide: CLF-C01 Exam by Ben Piper and David Clinton
Great coverage of the subjects that are part of the CLF-C01 AWS exam. I have also done all the exercises and practice exams in this one, and voilà! I have passed the certification.
Calculus Made Easy by Silvanus P. Thompson
Calculus always haunted my nightmares since I was introduced to it in the university. I did what I could back then. I learned in a rush to pass exams. But I felt that I should revisit this some time down the road. This year was it. I know that there are very good textbook options available. But I have chosen this one. It’s famous and popular. It is in the public domain. It promises to teach you step by step. And it delivers. I also used the companion Librivox recording. It helped a lot. It was especially useful to know how to say in English most of the mathematical notations.
Latex in 24 Hours: A Practical Guide for Scientific Writing by Dilip Datta
Lots of information and tips on how to write scientific articles or books using LaTeX. Of course it can be applied for regular books as well. It might be useful someday…
Cooking
Jacques Pépin New Complete Techniques by Jacques Pépin
Wonderfull book full of techniques and recipes, with a very definite tendency to the French cuisine. Read my full post about it here.
A historical hoax
The Protocols and World Revolution by Sergei Nilus
Several years ago I read The Prague Cemetery by Umberto Eco (one of my favourite authors). The plot is a fictionalized effort to retrace the construction of the hoax. The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is a fabricated document. It did so much damage by instigating the already growing antisemitic sentiment before the First and Second World Wars. This is the English translation. It is of one of the versions in the long list of sources. These were used for this literary forgery.
Poetry
Livro de Mágoas by Florbela Espanca
I gave this book to my mom several years back, since she likes poetry. I read it then. But this year, I saw another book by Florbela Espanca at Project Gutenberg: Livro de “Sóror Saudade”. I decided to read both. There is a profound sorrow and sadness in all of the poems there. This is very characteristic of Florbela Espanca. It is also a hallmark of Portuguese poetry and music, as we can see in the fado. She lived a tumultuous life and showed signs of mental illness, finally dying by suicide. But she also was very progressive for her time, dealing with the themes of eroticism and feminism in her writings.
Livro de “Sóror Saudade” by Florbela Espanca
«SÓROR SAUDADE» A Américo Durão Irmã, Sóror Saudade me chamaste... E na minh'alma o nome iluminou-se Como um vitral ao sol, como se fosse A luz do próprio sonho que sonhaste. Numa tarde de outono o murmuraste; Toda a mágoa do outono ele me trouxe; Jamais me hão de chamar outro mais doce: Com ele bem mais triste me tornaste... E baixinho, na alma da minh'alma, Como benção de sol que afaga e acalma, Nas horas más de febre e de ansiedade, Como se fossem pétalas caindo, Digo as palavras desse nome lindo Que tu me deste: «Irmã, Sóror Saudade»...
All in all, it was a good year in reading, and better yet in studying. Next year is very promising!