en-US Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:06:29 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg ReadStatus9363826219 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:06:29 -0700 /review/show/7526760969 Leo wants to read Beautiful Code: Leading Programmers Explain How They Think by Andy Oram
]]> ReadStatus9363825375 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:06:14 -0700 /review/show/7526760399 Leo wants to read Programming Pearls by Jon L. Bentley
]]> ReadStatus9363824558 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:05:59 -0700 /review/show/7526759831 Leo wants to read Why Does E=mc²? by Brian Cox
]]> ReadStatus9334336098 Mon, 21 Apr 2025 06:39:48 -0700 /review/show/6751508260 Leo started reading Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb
]]> Review7486644831 Mon, 21 Apr 2025 06:33:20 -0700 /review/show/7486644831 Leo gave 3 stars to Galactic Pot-Healer (Paperback) by Philip K. Dick
]]> ReadStatus9321013142 Thu, 17 Apr 2025 15:56:52 -0700 /review/show/7497001487 Leo wants to read Netty in Action by Norman Maurer
]]> Review5238375315 Thu, 17 Apr 2025 14:51:48 -0700 /review/show/5238375315 Leo gave 3 stars to Too Like the Lightning (Terra Ignota, #1) by Ada Palmer
I cannot say it's a bad book.. but I absolutely didn't gel with it, and have no intention to carry on with the series. Which is really disappointing as this one doesn't resolve anything (though there's a nice hook in the very end).
The style is very unique, it felt very different from any SF I've read before - that might be both a compliment, or a negative if you were hoping for something more akin to "starships and lasers" stuff.
But the list of my complaints would be a long one.
1) So many pauses for world building, and describing something tangentially related - they might be interesting, but the story has to take a pause, and you're losing the narrative and just forget what the scene is about.
2) Regular stops to clarify what pronouns are used and why. Great idea in general - I really like the vision of future world where gender is a personal choice and even discussing it is somewhat inappropriate. But there's so much of it! As with previous point, I don't need 2 paragraphs for each minor character, explaining why they're "he" or "she".
3) For each dialogue we have explanations what language characters are using. Why? It's all written in English, 99% of characters can use any language and are never constrained by misunderstandings.
4) Most characters are described in idealistic terms, but without showing why they deserve them. All characters refer to Jedd Mason as to living god, but there's no a slightest explanation of their powers, achievements etc. That guy is awesome! - Why? - Because author said so.
5) Oftentimes, characters behaviour in terms of reactions in dialogue. Mycroft regularly starts screaming, or crying, or begging instantly, without any reason.

I don't have anything in particular about plot in general, but I can understand why people might find it boring - if you're expecting some action in terms of battles, chases etc - there is none of that. There are only dialogues, courteous people calmly discussing affairs, and lots of philosophy to go with that. ]]> ReadStatus9320683923 Thu, 17 Apr 2025 14:09:42 -0700 /review/show/7496783776 Leo wants to read Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe
]]> ReadStatus9306126407 Sun, 13 Apr 2025 19:15:23 -0700 /review/show/7486653836 Leo wants to read Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick
]]> ReadStatus9306124417 Sun, 13 Apr 2025 19:14:51 -0700 /review/show/7486652497 Leo wants to read The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick
]]>