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rikercoleman's reviews
93 reviews
Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future by Jason Stanley
3.5
Solid, if depressing, look at the tactics of fascism as they were used historically and as they are being used today.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
4.0
It was interesting to come back to this book after 10+ years. I remembered the major twist, but not the subtle politics behind the war machine.
Startide Rising by David Brin
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Lots of fun. The dolphin names were a bit hard to keep straight, but I really enjoyed this. The concept is extremely unique, and I liked the adventure.
Babel by R.F. Kuang
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Excellent. Tackles the ethical question of the use of violence against oppression while telling an excellent story.
Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The story feels both well-polished and emotionally raw. I think it doesn’t land as well for a modern audience as when it was written, but I found it well written and moving in its intensity.
The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester
slow-paced
3.5
It was okay. The dark ambition of the main character is interesting, although I didn’t find it all that compelling.
The Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Fun romp. Miles Vorkosigan is at his best when he’s cleverly solving some problem in a way that no one else likes.
You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why It's Making the World a Weirder Place by Janelle Shane
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
Lovely read, a bit out of date at this point, but that’s inevitable with a quickly evolving field. This is a great and approachable way to learn about how LLMs actually work. Author is funny and writes well for a general audience.
Starburst by Frederik Pohl
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I do not know what to make of this book. I got it in a little free library for an airport read, and my god was it strange. Quick and intriguing read, but be ready to be baffled and uncomfortable.
Feeding the Machine: The Hidden Human Labour Powering AI by James Muldoon, Callum Cant, Mark Graham
dark
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Really liked this. It tackles a completely different side of AI ethics than I’ve seen before, which is arguably more important than the hypothetical Terminator scenario.