Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Tag: reading

2018 Reading Challenge – Fail!

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On January 6, 2019

In Reading Challenge

The 2018 Reading Challenge was 12 books. Since I barely missed 15 books from 2017, I actually started the year at 15 again thinking I could easily complete it. Half way through the year I was nearly 4 books behind so I reduced it down to 12 books.

I wish there is some brilliant excuse I could use to explain why I only read 9 books. I hit a huge lull late in the summer, which is right around the time I got a new First Reads book from Goodreads. Little did I know that book is over 600 pages. When it’s past June I rarely try to start a book that long so late in the year.

My 2018 Reading Challenge Book List

At any rate, below you will see the list of books I did read in 2018. I tried to write a review for all of them so feel free to click on the name if you’re curious about my thoughts. Below the list is the book I chose as the 2018 Best Read.

My Pick for the 2018 Best Read

Picking the best read for 2018 is difficult. These are 9 excellent books to choose from so its hard to pick just one! I want to go with Timothy Zahn, the man, the myth the legend. However, picking Timothy Zahn won’t work because 1) I read two of his books and I can’t pick just one; and 2) it’s Timothy frakking Zahn! It also wouldn’t be fair to pick Ready Player One because I re-read that one and I’d prefer to pick something that I hadn’t read before.

So there are the immersive worlds and cultures of the Olympus Union and the Shadowhunters, the suspenseful time travel of Executed or the remaining Star Wars books. It’s hard to pick one but I feel obligated to do so. I really enjoyed reading about Phasma’s origin and Ahsoka is my absolute favorite Jedi Padawan. However I’ve always had a soft spot for Ventress so learning more about her as written by Christie Golden is serendipitous. It is for that reason that I chose Dark Disciple as the 2018 best read.

FWIW, I recommend reading every book on this list!

diablo3-reading“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss

 

My 2017 Reading Challenge – “Almost There”

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On January 4, 2018

In Reading Challenge

2017 Reading Challenge - Almost ThereMy 2017 Reading Challenge was, again, 15 books within a calendar year. While Goodreads says I finished all my books, I actually only completed 14. I thought I had completed all 15 books because that is what Goodreads told me. It turns out that a book I started but did not finish still counted as having read it. Granted it was a book I was reading again so perhaps that is why Goodreads counted it. So, without further ado here is …

My 2017 Reading Challenge Book List

If I wrote a review for one of the books I read, you can click on the title of the book to read the review (if it interests you).

My Pick for the 2017 Best Read

I actually read quite a few good books in 2017. I did have a hard time picking a “best read” for the year. This was the year I took my first steps into the world of Harry Dresden, C. Greenwood was really on a roll with a couple new fantasy series but it really came down to two surprising books. I returned to the Star Wars universe again with Shatterpoint and the book was really good, I loved learning more about Mace Windu and Depa Billaba. If you’re a Star Wars fan, and you do not feel jaded by the prequels, I would really recommend this book (check out my review if you’re interested).

I think, in the end, I have to go with Extracted as my 2017 Best Read. This book was a Kindle First and it is extremely captivating. It’s pretty classic Sci Fi with time travel, a future at risk, normal people with latent extraordinary abilities. I will be reading the second book in this series this year and I’m really looking forward to it.

diablo3-reading“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss

 

Biggs Declares 2017 Intentions (Not Resolutions)

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On January 6, 2017

In General Cogitation

2017 IntentionsI never make New Years Resolutions, I believe I’ve covered that before. As odd as it sounds, I have more motivation to complete a set of goals (instead of the proverbial “resolution”). So what are my 2017 intentions? I know this year will be a year of change but I’m not at liberty to say, yet, what will be changing. You will know when it happens because it will warrant a blog post (or two). I do not want to write another long-winded post so, for brevity sake, I’m going to get started.

Biggs Labs – Smart Home

I have all the components I need now to complete my Siri integration with SmartThings using a Raspberry Pi. I just need to make myself sit down to install and configure. My Christmas lights were the perfect test subject for programming automation using SmartThings Apps. While we were away for Christmas, SmartThings was programmed to turn on my outdoor Christmas lights and my indoor lights, thus making it appear that someone is home.

We have smart dimmer switches which we plan to install to control the LED ceiling lights. This will give us the capability to adjust the lighting, as necessary, using SmartThings/Z-Wave capable devices (i.e. our phones). Once the switches are installed and the Raspberry Pi is configured, I should be able to ask Siri to dim the lights (ex: for a movie, perhaps).

 2017 Goodreads Reading Challenge

In a previous post I took you through my year in books. I have already committed to the same reading challenge this year, however, I did not go crazy and set the goal to 25 books. I did set it to 15 books again because I know I came close last year. It’s going to come down to choosing the books carefully. Obviously the longer the book the longer it will take me to read it. I guess its good that George R. R. Martin doesn’t plan to release his next book this decade year. Here are a couple of books I am committing to this year:

  •   Summoner of Storms – I am currently about half way through book 3 of the Catalysts of Chaos series.
  •  War of the Ancients: The Sundering – Finish the final book in the War of the Ancients trilogy by Richard A. Knaak.
  •   Clash of Catalysts – Volume 4 of C. Greenwood’s Catalysts of Chaos series. The final chapter in Earth Realms battle against Rathnakar and his evil forces.
  •  Wrigleyville – A magical history tour of the Chicago Cubs. This is a book I’ve been wanting to read for years, however it is quite long.
  •  Heartless – The latest re-imagining of classic storybook characters by Marissa Meyer. I have high hopes for this book as Marissa Meyer tells a story about the Queen of Hearts, long before she was shouting “off with their heads”

 Fitness and Health

Flying Pig MarathonOf course I am doing the Walk to Mordor challenge again, in fact I will also complete the extra 1,625 miles for the “and Back Again” leg. This year I am determined more than ever as I need to drop 30 pounds (again). Around March I will start the Couch-2-5K training program again. I will complete it this time and I will then run my first 5K. If I miss all my other goals this year, running my first 5K will not be one of them. This is something I really want to accomplish. I haven’t chosen which 5K to run yet. It might be the Flying Pig or it might be the Red Legs.

If you are interested in trying the Walk to Mordor challenge yourself, I have a place where you can track your progress. Head over and sign up!

Professional Skills Development

One of my goals, every year, for my job is to learn a new technology that might be useful on a current project or on future projects. This will be important this year more than any other year. Therefore I am making it a personal 2017 goal to either learn something brand new and/or become proficient in something that has been recently updated. I don’t have anything specific in mind yet, but my preliminary thoughts are Angular 2 or Swift (iOS development language). I will be using my favorite online video learning sight, Pluralsight. It doesn’t matter what you do for a living, there is always an opportunity somewhere to improve on a skill or learn a new skill. It’s great for your career and its great for your mind.

All right, I’m starting to get too verbose. Stopping with this small list.

Good luck with your 2017 Intentions!

minions_icon

I could accomplish so much more if I only had minions!

 

2016 Reading Challenge – More Cowbell!

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On January 4, 2017

In General Cogitation

2016 Reading ChallengeAs a member of Goodreads I participate in their annual reading challenge, therefore I did not discuss books in my “Year in Review” post. Considering it was already quite lengthy I decided the books I read warrants a separate post. My initial goal for the 2016 Reading Challenge was a lofty 25 books, however around June or July I realized there was no way I was going to succeed. I reduced my challenge to 15 books but I ended the year having only read 12.

I am not a fast reader, nor am I a slow reader by any means. My “literary ineptitude”, as it were, is primarily the result of time and prioritization. I need to allocate more time to reading if I am to achieve my reading challenge goals. Be that as it may, I am going to take a look back at the books I read in 2016.

My 2016 Reading Challenge Read List

Below are the 12 books I read for the 2016 Reading Challenge. If I wrote a “Book Review” blog post, you will be able to click on the title of the book to read the review. If the author’s name is a link, it will take you to their website (in case you are interested in learning more).

My Choice for 2016 Best Read

As you can see I read several great books last year. Picking the best read for the year really comes down to two books: Armada and Kubrick’s Game. Ernest Cline is also the author of Ready Player One, a book that is now at the top of my list as one of my all time favorite books. As much as I enjoyed Armada I don’t think it invoked those nostalgic feelings like Ready Player One, and Kubrick’s Game.

Therefore Kubrick’s Game is my pick for the best book of the year for 2016! It is the perfect combination of movie nostalgia and puzzle mystery.

Folks that know the tale as to how I found out about Kubrick’s Game may be rolling their eyes. They might assume I picked that book because I was contacted by the author personally to read it and provide a review. I assure you that my feelings for the book are 100% genuine. My loyalties are not so easily bought and my endorsement is not so easily influenced. It is my honest-to-God feeling about the book.

What books did you read in 2016? Which one was your favorite?

diablo3-readingThe more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
– Dr. Seuss

 

Still Enjoy The Smell Of A Book

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On February 19, 2016

In General Cogitation, Technology

Still Enjoy The Smell Of A BookAs technology evolves, new gadgets come out that change the way we evolve and as a geek I love to embrace that new technology. Also, as a geek, I love to read and I’ve been reading physical books long before there were e-readers. I do own an e-reader and I do use it but I still enjoy the smell of a book. There is also something elegant and nostalgic about the tactile properties of holding a book and turning the pages. Often times I am in the middle of two books at the same time. One on an e-reader and one in print and I have literally sat by the fireplace, in my recliner, reading a book.

Do I prefer one over the other? Not really. I probably use both pretty equally. I have plenty of books in print that I haven’t read yet and I intend to still read them, in their physical form. I don’t see the point in purchasing the digital versions of the books because, in my mind, that would be like buying a second copy. Granted, digital books definitely save on shelf space but with printed books you don’t have to worry about dead batteries or a crashed device. On the other hand, when I travel for vacation, I usually read a lot and I never know how quickly I might finish a book so the e-reader comes in quite handy. It’s a lot easier to have a library at your fingertips than to try to pack a library in your suitcase.

I’m not going to advocate for one format or the other. People should choose which they prefer for themselves and refrain from putting the other down. I do often worry that we will lose brick and mortar bookstores and libraries because there is nothing better than the look and smell of a bookstore or library. I could spend hours in a bookstore wishing I had the cash to buy every book that looked interesting; but I digress.

Whether you prefer physical books, ebooks or both I think its great that you read enough to have a preference. I hope, with all the technology today, kids still take the time to read a book (before seeing the movie). Reading will not only improve your vocabulary (which can make the difference between having a job and unemployment) but will also improve your creativity and critical thinking skills. Indulging in a good book is also a great way to relieve stress, for kids and adults alike.

/cheers

minion_keboard_smI could get so much more accomplished if I only had minions!

Biggs On: Goodreads

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On November 8, 2012

In Biggs On

If you are friends with me on Facebook you may have seen the occasional status post regarding progress I have made in books I am reading courtesy of Goodreads. If you haven’t checked out Goodreads yet, I highly recommend it if you are an avid reader such as myself. It is a website that is free to sign up and you can manage what books you have read, currently reading and would like to read.

The function of Goodreads doesn’t end at just managing your bookshelf. It can integrate with Facebook, GMail, twitter, Yahoo and Hotmail to try to link up with your friends. You never know if a book you friends are reading might interest you as well (and likewise for them). I have already found several recommendations both from friends and from the recommendation engine at Goodreads (based on the genre of books that you like).

Goodreads also has a giveaway program, called First Reads, where authors provide copies of their books and you can enter for a chance to win a copy. You can then post your review of the book on the Goodreads website which helps aspiring authors, and current authors, spread the news of their latest novel. It’s a pretty spiffy feature.

There are apps available for your mobile devices so you can manage your bookshelf while on the go including an ability to scan a book using your phone. They also integrate with eReaders, though so far it seems its only the Kindle, I have not seen where they offer nook versions.

I’m really impressed with this site and it can become pretty addicting. My to-read list seems to grow daily so I guess that’s a caveat as well 🙂

/Cheers!

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