The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway is a classic I've been meaning to read for a while. I enjoyed the simple, short story but didn't find it as profound as many have. For me, it's somewhere between a 3.5 and 4 star read. The older you are, the more it's said you'll enjoy the book, so I'll probably have to read it again sometime in the future! “Age is my alarm clock,” … [Read more...] about The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Books
Dune by Frank Herbert
I found Dune by Frank Herbert to be superbly entertaining but am not quite sure I understand what makes it the best-selling sci-fi book ever. To me, the underlying themes of environmentalism, politics, and human psychology are too subtle to make it more than an adventure saga for sci-fi/fantasy fans. I'd have expected the best-selling sci-fi book to be something more palatable … [Read more...] about Dune by Frank Herbert
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin A. Abbott
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin A. Abbott is simultaneously a brilliant explanation of dimensions and a satirical look at social hierarchy. I first heard of Flatland on an episode of The Big Bang Theory and it stuck with me as a very interesting concept to have a story set in a two-dimensional world. Then, when I was digging into public domain books about a year … [Read more...] about Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin A. Abbott
Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke
I had to wait a few weeks to get Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke from the library. It was a good read but I'm glad I didn't buy it. I typically love Clarke's work but only found this one so-so. I think it was his departure from hard science to include the paranormal that wasn't for me. Meanwhile, many consider it his best novel so it's worth a look! Book … [Read more...] about Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke
Imperial Earth by Arthur C. Clarke
I really enjoyed reading Imperial Earth by Arthur C. Clarke! It's not as grandiose as many of his other works, taking place solely in our solar system in the not too distant future, but has a unique charm. I can't quite place what's different about this one but think it has to do with there being less of a lesson to take away and just a generally enjoyable story! Book … [Read more...] about Imperial Earth by Arthur C. Clarke