Reading List
These are some of the books that I've read over the years, that have shaped the way I approach life, the universe, and everything. Ranging from professional to entertainment.
The Phoenix Project
Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, George Spafford
Fiction
Computing
Good Reads Link
It wouldn't be exaggerating to say this book changed the way I look at software development. It's a really fun read, and I think anyone working in IT or software development will find some truth in it's pages.
The Unicorn Project
Gene Kim
Fiction
Computing
Good Reads Link
The developer-focused companion book to Phoenix Project - essential reading for understanding the role of the developer outside the code editor.
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
Edward R. Tufte
Non-Fiction
Design
Good Reads Link
If you ever wanted to go incredibly deep on the subject of graphs and information display, this is the book to read.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams
Fiction
Humour
Good Reads Link
A classic piece of science fiction humour - Douglas Adams' wit has lifted my spirit more than anything else I've read.
The Player of Games
Iain M. Banks
Fiction
Science-Fiction
Good Reads Link
A brilliant tale of obsession, deceit, skill and, of course, the importance of games.
Extreme Programming Explained
Kent Beck
Non-Fiction
Computing
Good Reads Link
As a long time believer in XP practices, I waited far too late to go back and read this book. The overarching theme I took away is one of treating software development as a creative, human endeavour.
Neuromancer
William Gibson
Fiction
Science-Fiction
Good Reads Link
The seminal piece of cyberpunk fiction. I'd challenge anyone to read it and not be swept away in a wave of grime and neon.
The Martian
Andy Weir
Fiction
Science-Fiction
Good Reads Link
A story of survival, science and perseverence. There's something very touching about this book, and I find myself going back to it when I'm looking for something to inspire me.
Bullshit Jobs: A Theory
David Graeber
Non-Fiction
Philosophy
Good Reads Link
More than just a provocative title, the real core of this book is wondering what the consequences are of people being tasked with work that doesn't fulfil them.
Bad Science
Ben Goldacre
Non-Fiction
Philosophy
Good Reads Link
Provocative and maddening, reading this will get you to really understand why "studies show..." always seems to be said before nonsense claims.
The People’s Manifesto
Mark Thomas
Non-Fiction
Humour
Good Reads Link
A tiny little book, perfect for slipping discretely to someone, with calls to action ranging from completely absurd to quite sensible really.
The Pragmatic Programmer
Andy Hunt, Dave Thomas
Non-Fiction
Computing
Good Reads Link
An essential read, especially for anyone like me who came to software development as a second career. It's aged like wine, and teaches some incredibly - well - pragmatic thinking.
Don't Make Me Think
Steve Krug
Non-Fiction
Design
Good Reads Link
A short, simple book that lays out some of the key concepts of good UX/UI design. It won't make you a designer - but it will help you design an interface that isn't incomprehensible to your users.
Leviathan Wakes
James S.A. Corey
Fiction
Science-Fiction
Good Reads Link
A grounded, ultimately personal, exploration of what living in space might look like for humanity.
His Master's Voice
Stanisław Lem
Fiction
Science-Fiction
Good Reads Link
A story of both what-humanity-was-not-meant-to-know, as well as perhaps, what-humanity-can't-decypher.
The Annotated Turing
Charles Petzold
Non-Fiction
Computing
Good Reads Link
A surprisingly gentle read, going back to Alan M. Turing's original paper on computation. Highly recommend taking it away on holiday, so you can give it your full attention.