nathanpowell.org » books

My collection

Nathan Powell — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:54:12 +0000

I really like computer books. Well, I really like books. One type of books I buy is computer/programming related bookery.

I recently picked up two new books. K&R’s The C Programming Language Second Edition and Design Patterns by the GoF

I have been reading K&R and it’s very accessible so far, even for a dynamic language junkie like me. I hope to get a little more deft with C…if only for fun.

Anyway, I am happy to have added these two to the collection of books.

Pillars of Creation

Nathan Powell — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:38:59 +0000

I just finished the 7th book in the Sword of Truth series. Great book. This one takes off on a tangent, and you are introduced to other illegitimate off-spring of Darken Rahl…and by necessity brothers and sisters to Richard. Much better twists and plot turns in this book than in previous books. I won’t put any spoilers in this post, but I will say there is a badass scene in the book with Richard kicking some major ass (And that is why dudes read these books right? To read about bad ass ass whippings). If you are looking for more of the Kahlan and Richard saga, you’ll be let down, they play a very small role in the book. A lot of attention is focused on characters that you have not met until this book.

The only let down, and it wasn’t even as bad in this book as it is in others, is the heavy handed approach to Objectivism throughout the book. I get it, you’re an Objectivist Goodkind, enough already. Get back to the ass kicking! :)

Again, he makes the same mistake Rand makes. His reactionary politics stem from a blatant distaste for Communism, which comes through loud and clear in his writing. Fair enough. However both he and Rand, by employing fiction to layout their philosophy make the opponents arguments absurd by their extremism. Even I could win an argument using that device.

Don’t get me wrong, they are good books, I just wish he wasn’t so heavy handed about it.

Flesh and Blood

Nathan Powell — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 02:37:33 +0000

Just finished Flesh And Blood. This book is part of a series. The main character is Alex Delaware, a psychologist that consults with LAPD. This book delivered more of the same murder mystery formula that anyone who has read an Alex Delaware novel has come to expect. However, while good, it was a little flat compared to some of the others in the series. However if you like the characters (Alex, Milo, Robin) you’ll be happy to get to spend a few hours with them again.

I am a couple behind, but I plan to catch up on them as well as get back to the Sword of Truth stuff in the coming months.

Soul of the Fire

Nathan Powell — Sat, 05 May 2007 03:30:16 +0000

Just finished book 5 in the series. Good stuff. On to book 6!…well first…onto bed :)

Hitting the wall

Nathan Powell — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 23:29:20 +0000

So I have been plowing though these Goodkind books. I haven’t read a fantasy novel since I was kid, and it’s been a nice change. Until this latest book. Goodkind, apparently tired of his characters has taken a left turn … Continue reading →

Debt of Bones

Nathan Powell — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 04:53:54 +0000

Terry Goodkind, author of the Sword of Truth series, wrote a novella for an anthology. It was later released as a standalone book. Debt of Bones

This book rocks. While one could read it without reading the series, fans of the series will be really into the depiction of a young Zedd. At 158 pages, in large type, it’s a one short sitting book. Well worth the 5 dollars…if you can’t borrow it as I did.

Temple of the Winds

Nathan Powell — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 04:49:27 +0000

Finished Temple of the Winds on Tuesday. It’s the 4th book in the Sword of Truth series. Pretty good. Not as good as the others, but still pretty compelling. If you have read the first one or two, then likely you will feel the same as me…namely, you want to read more about the characters you have already come to know.

The only maddening thing about this book, and it’s really the same problem with all the Sword of Truth books, and that is that Terry Goodkind is a major jerk to the characters that you have come to like. No rest for the weary, and this book continues that theme.

Again, I recommend all that I have read so far. At this point I am just documenting here what books I have read recently.

Blood of the Fold

Nathan Powell — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 00:52:28 +0000

Another good book in the Sword of Truth series. Finished that last night, and tonite I picked up the next one, Temple of the Winds. Good stuff

Stone of Tears

Nathan Powell — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 11:17:02 +0000

Just finished the second novel in the Sword of Truth series. Again, great book. This is the follow up to Wizard’s First Rule (which I blogged about a week or two ago). Recommended.

I am reading the third now, Blood of the Fold. After that I think I will take a break from the series, the books are rather large and there are some other things I want to read. I do plan to continue with the series though as long as it doesn’t start to suck. The final and 11th book is due out in November, and I’d like to be caught up when it comes out so I can tear right into it.

Wizard’s First Rule

Nathan Powell — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 22:21:01 +0000

I just finished the book Wizard’s First Rule . I have to say, it was an excellent ride. Never ending adventure. If you like fantasy at all, I highly recommend it.