(Part 2) Best computers & internet humor books according to redditors
We found 685 Reddit comments discussing the best computers & internet humor books. We ranked the 101 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
> “This is rather as if you imagine a puddle waking up one morning and thinking, 'This is an interesting world I find myself in — an interesting hole I find myself in — fits me rather neatly, doesn't it? In fact it fits me staggeringly well, must have been made to have me in it!' This is such a powerful idea that as the sun rises in the sky and the air heats up and as, gradually, the puddle gets smaller and smaller, frantically hanging on to the notion that everything's going to be alright, because this world was meant to have him in it, was built to have him in it; so the moment he disappears catches him rather by surprise. I think this may be something we need to be on the watch out for.”
― Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt
26 used copies starting from $0.01 on Amazon ($3.99 shipping)
I'm reminded of the Cyberpunk Handbook.
If you're looking for something for < $1.46 you're mostly only going to find short stories and books of questionable quality by indie authors.
If you're willing to be patient the Kindle Daily Deal has high quality books from time to time for only $2. Just off the top of my head I've gotten sweet deals on Arthur C. Clarke, Stanislaw Lem, Lauren Beukes and Philip K Dick.
Amazon also has Monthly Deals and periodically a Big Deal where you can find books for $2-$5.
If that money is burning a hole in your pocket a quick perusal reveals a few books within a couple dollars of your credit:
Most of Greg Egan's books are permanently at $2.99
Nod $3.79 was an amazing book, nominated for several awards
1st 3 books of the Dragonriders of Pern $1.99
Player Piano $3.99 by Vonnegut
Flowers for Algernon $4.81
Enders Game $3.99
A Calculated Life $3.99 - was nominated for a couple awards this year
Edit, Also found (and added prices to all):
The Last Policeman $2.99
Horns $2.99 This is horror and not sci-fi but it is a thrilling good book.
Oh my Deer God, I've been waiting to post this book somewhere, sometime. Company by Max Barry is the book you're looking for. Look no further.
P.S. Praise Deer God and his antlery wishes
check out "The Circle" by Dave Eggers
Basically goes into the whole future of social media and privacy, specifically the mantra "if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about" and how incredibly wrong that notion is in reality.
I looked them up. They are Startup and Black Mad Wheel.
Reminds me of the first line of Max Barry's Company:
>Monday morning and there's one less donut that there should be.
Although the main plot line travels in a much different direction, the opening sentence becomes a significant subplot, in which the character shorted his donut launches an investigation to discover the culprit. I thought it was all fun & games until I actually started working in an office environment, and discovered that grown-ass adults can become absurdly childish when it comes to frosted pastries. I mean... Shit, dude, you can't go buy yourself a jelly-filled for dessert, tonight?
As for sci-fi, I think Terry Pratchett's Bromeliad Trilogy gets overlooked too much.
> ...mein allerliebstes Buch for ever and ever; auch elektronisch und in mehreren Variationen/Übersetzungen. Kennen einige hier, betrachten es mit Distanz.
>
>
Die Holyge Bimbel?
I think it's this
The Laundry Files series by Charles Stross is a pretty neat crossover between IT and Lovecraftian horror, if you're into that sort of thing. It's more focused on the Lovecraftian part.
Been loving the responses so far! My own preferences have been changing, and I've been reading a lot more non-fiction than I used to. It has really opened the doors to a lot of books I would not have considered reading before!
On my reading list:
The Unthinkable by Amanda Ripley - this is what I'm almost finished with now. It has been a really insightful read on how little prepared society is for disasters, and the steps we should take to help fix that.
The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker - I've seen this mentioned on reddit a few times and it's in the same vein as the book I'm currently reading.
Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog by Bruce D. Perry
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries - I'm currently working in the startup industry, and have read similar books to this.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz - same as the book above. This is currently going around my office right now so I should be reading it soon!
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. - this was recommended to me by a friend when he learned I was reading The Unthinkable and The Gift of Fear. Honestly really looking forward to reading this one!
On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society
Books I'd recommend:
Blink by Malcom Gladwell - all about the subconscious mind and the clues we pick up without realizing it. Pretty sure reading this book has helped me out in weird situations.
Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance - amazing read about how Elon Musk works and the person he is.
The Circle by Dave Eggers - just don't watch the movie :)
This is a book.
The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling was very enjoyable. I binge read it and thought it was fabulous. I ugly cried at some parts.
and if you're in to Jodi Picoult type books, you should definitely read One Day by David Nicholls. It had a decent movie adaptation, but the book is so much better.
And American Wife by Curtis Sittenfield!
edit: ...why was this downvoted?
A brief list! (I generally read 5 or 6 books at once.)
The Circle by Dave Eggers
Dear Life by Alice Munro
Truman by David McCullough
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
Check this out. And this, the second one is not Adams, but I hear he writes in the same style.
I recently read a piece of cyberpunk fun which replaced gender neutral adjectives with "hir." Worked surprisingly well...
I came here to say the same thing. Start with The Atrocity Archives and then The Jennifer Morgue. Also, the Dresden Files have always felt X-Files-ish to me. Start with Storm Front.
Also by Stross Jennifer Morgue and the Atrocity Archives. Cthulu + James Bond + Computers = Awesome.
Also John Scalzi's Old Man's War Trilogy is awesome.
This level of mathematics and physics right at my limits, so I really can't take it much further. I will say a lot of it has to do with trying to find the meaning behind the Standard Model, so that would be a good place to improve your understanding.
I would try to avoid reading in profound and mystical meaning into this, there are already enough Deepak Chopra types who are ready to jump on any quantum vibration double speak to try to peddle their new age quackery. Making philosophical speculations about abstract mathematics will not endear you to physicists.
But it can still make for some fascinating fiction. If you want to this wort of thing done well, I would recommend Charles Stoss's Laundry Files series.
I really, really like Company by Max Barry about the absurdity that comes from internal beauracracy. his Jennifer Government is also excellent, but I didn't laugh quite so often.
Most of Terry Pratchett's discworld series is awesome. Some books are stronger than others and some people will like different character/storyline focuses than other ones. For example, I'm not huge on the Watch stuff, but I love so many others.
In the same vein, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaimen combine to make the super book Good Omens Which I think most everyone should give a read at least once.
Finally, author A. Lee Martinez has a very Pratchett like voice in his fantasy-esque novels which are always humorous and enjoyable
Just remember to preorder Start Up A Novel By Doree Shafrir https://www.amazon.com/Startup-Novel-Doree-Shafrir/dp/0316360384
He has a book of the emails he never published
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Then-Chairs-Unpublished-Emails/dp/0615615953
This is from a book called the Cyberpunk's Handbook.
http://www.amazon.com/Cyberpunk-Handbook-The-Real-Fakebook/dp/0679762302
I had a copy in like 1998... dont know what I did with it.
No, but we can prepare
reminds me of the book The Circle https://www.amazon.com/Circle-Dave-Eggers/dp/0345807294/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1481582624&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=the+circle
There is nothing to worry about. Without a human operator, a robot can barely find it's way around a building If you are worried, I recommend reading: http://www.amazon.com/How-Survive-Robot-Uprising-Defending/dp/1582345929
Read The Salmon of Doubt
Here's another fun version in some kind of net-talk germlish.
Goodnight Brew - just came out, perfect timing for my wife's birthday
Goodnight Goon
Goodnight iPad
And my personal favorite, Fuck You Sun.
How I Became Stupid by Martin Page
House of Leaves is one that I love. I was into YA books for awhile but I feel like I want to get into books more "age appropriate" that aren't just silly reads, although I do need some good beach reads for the summer too. I was interested in reading The Circle because the plot is right up my alley, but the reviews said it was predictable and boring :/
I finished Jia Tolentino's Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion yesterday and really just want to recommend it to everyone. Incisive essays that go in unexpected directions.
Then started Gretchen McCulloch's Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language and I'm enjoying it so far. Also looking at a few pages of this Yves Saint Laurent coffee table book each day because I'm a nerd.
Next, looking forward to Sady Doyle's Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers: Monstrosity, Patriarchy, and the Fear of Female Power.
https://www.amazon.com/How-Became-Stupid-Martin-Page/dp/0142004952
https://www.amazon.com/Half-Life-Facts-Everything-Know-Expiration/dp/159184651X
I also like titles, doesn't mean that everything you read is true.
But let's say that Europeans and Russians did create Israel.
I doubt that happened considering that most Russians Jews were only allowed to leave in the late 1980's almost 40 years after the creation of Israel.
I don't know where these mythical Jews came from. And those Europeans were mostly holocaust survivors so I don't see the relationship?
You do know that there are more Sephardic jews than Ashkenazi jews right? As in more Sephardic jews at the creation of Israel.
So....
I suppose I'm a traditionalist (read: lazy), as I started with the very first of the Discworld series Colour of Magic and had no trouble getting sucked in. The footnotes that took up half a page and spilled onto the next were outrageous, but in a good way.
In fact the Bromeliad Trilogy (Truckers, Diggers, Wings) was the first Pratchett I ever read, though I didn't know what I was reading at the time. They're short, not very taxing, and far less daunting than diving straight in to a 30+ book series.
Sounds like the Maxx Barry book Company
An interesting read if you're into that sort of thing. (Reading, that is...)
Is this the book? If it is, I'm buying it right now.
https://www.amazon.ca/Goodnight-iPad-Parody-next-generation/dp/0399158561/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1520876511&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Goodnight+ipad
those meddling kids!
mom
kids
Thank you!
Oh man, this again.
Funny story... I wrote this. It's part of a viral article/now book. The original post can be found in its entirety here.
That went viral one night many moons ago--a bizarre experience by itself--but then it got weirder when HarperCollins called the next day with a book deal. If there was a god, I would've thanked him.
Parts of the book have been up here before, and it's always strange seeing them reappear in my life organically (relatedly, I found out the article went viral because my friends started posting it on Facebook, not realizing the author). All the nicer to see something dig it, as the experience of producing the book--while something I'm grateful for--was a little rough. Glad you guys enjoy this snippet.
Proof: My comment history has a pic I think.
Startup. It's not a hugely long book(~300 pages), but it still kept my interest for the 4-5 straight hours that it took to get through.
Currently reading and carrying all over creation: The Dance of Dragons by George R.R. Martin
Thanks for the contest!
Why not Zoidberg? You ALL still have Zoidberg!
Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino is very readable and good for discussion imo
https://www.amazon.com/Trick-Mirror-Self-Delusion-Jia-Tolentino/dp/0525510540
I've had this journal thing called My Grandma: Her Stories on the top of my list for a bit. My grandmother is one of the most important people to me. I love hearing the wisdom she has to impart as well as any random story from her past. She loves writing and talking, so it's the perfect gift for both of us really. I'm not that great with starting conversation, and even if I do, I know there I things I don't even know I wanted to know. There are a bunch of questions about life stuff in there that I'm sure I'd love hearing about. I'm sure I could gush about my grandma some more, but yeah. That's my tippy top item.
Somehow didn't notice that you mentioned each list. The above is my main super wants list and really the only thing that I'd want if given the option between all lists. Grandma has a special place in my heart.
My other lists though:
From my food list: A pack of Luna Bars, so that my SO has a decent snack while in class. She doesn't get much of a break and sometimes goes a good 5ish hours without anything to eat.
My music list: This is a bit strange, though I want all of the albums there, none of them are super mega wants. Oddly enough, the super mega want albums are on my high priority/default list. I guess I should change that. That being said, the albums I reallyreallyreally* want, are on Bandcamp. Artists that are lesser known and stuff. That'd either be Ott's Mir, Ne Obliviscaris or Naomi's self-titled that I've wanted for quite some time. Though, if it HAD to be on Amazon, the Blade Runner soundtrack would be AMAAAAZING!
Books list: I'm into cyberpunk, so the top of my list right now is between Afrofuturism because rarely are POC represented in sci-fi and I'd love to see who's done what and the Cyberpunk Handbook which is a bit of a parody/joke book.
Vidya games list: The highest are Way of the Samurai 3 and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed "Ultimate Sith Edition"
Finally, my other random assortment of items wishlist: Probably the H&K MK23 airsoft gun. I like H&K, and this is much safer lying around than the actual thing. I won't shoot somebodies eye out with it a la A Chris Story, I promise!
Granted these are humor books so its going to be more entertaining than helpful.
They look like robots. We should probably stock up on this book.
Reminds me of this
I have tons of ebooks, possibly more than I'll ever read, so I would link an ebook, like this one. (Sorry for the mobile link, I'm on my phone.)
As a somewhat-unrelated aside, the frogs living in bromeliads are what the eponymous Terry Pratchett trilogy is named after.
You mean, after [the book that came out like a week ago] (http://www.amazon.com/Bleeding-Edge-Thomas-Pynchon/dp/1594204233/ref=la_B000APMBHA_1_1/187-5479062-4923252?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1380671039&amp;sr=1-1)?
I wish they made a version for the author's spoof book, Goodnight iPad.
http://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-iPad-Parody-generation-ebook/dp/B00BC21S9C
This is possibly the funniest book I've ever read, and any time I recommend it to someone they always tell me it was hilarious. Thanks for the giveaway!
https://www.amazon.com/History-World-According-Facebook/dp/0062076183
This for you :)
[This for me please :)] (http://www.amazon.com/niceEshop-Fashion-Twilight-Cosmetic-Pouch-Dark/dp/B00DOPP774/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&amp;colid=ZD572ET87LDD&amp;coliid=I33Z3V34LIHUBM)
timetot
Morthy's demands:
English giggle: This book which is on my "media and media accessories" list
Oh God: if i was caught with this it would ruin the purpose of the item... also possibly any good reputation i have left... (from my food, kitchen stuff list)
Phallic: i have so many phallic looking items i had trouble picking, but thought i might get extra points for the lipstick since you're supposed to rub it all over your mouth? hehehe (beauty items list)
Akeleie's demands:
geeky: i have about 15 superhero costumes on my "gooby pls" list because i can't choose which one i like best!
achieve a goal: would love to finally have a decent phone case! (phone accessories list)
deserted island: assuming i'd be deserted there for reals and left for dead i'd say either these or this as a sort of last meal type dealio hehe (on the food wishlist)
thanks for the contest! this was fun!
Company by Max Barry
The Apocalypse Codex by Charles Stross. The whole Laundry series is just fantastic -- British spy thrillers blended with Lovecraftian Horror with comedy sprinkles on top. The main character is a computational demonologist working for a secret British security agency called the Laundry, and there are four books so far with the fifth coming in a couple of months (alongside a bunch of short stories). Start with the first book, The Atrocity Archives.
Wolves of the Calla or Company
That's actually a thing, though.
I recommend The Circle - Dave Eggers
(Not as a couterpoint, more tangential)
Both of you should read The Circle. The entirety of your conversation about the Facebook building reminded me much of it.
Macht ihr lowbobs mal. Ich bleib der Holyge Bimble.
How To Survive a Robot Uprising: Tips on Defending Yourself Against the Coming Rebellion
How I Became Stupid
You might like this
then, it's the entire history of the universe as a facebook feed like this
you can preview the first few pages of books on amazon, that's why I linked there, I'm not a spam account I swear.
> I don't get it, why isn't she really writing anymore?
She'll basically never run out of money with what she did and it's really hard to make up new stuff. No reason to rush.
Having said that, she somewhat recently wrote this.
This 'un:
https://www.amazon.com/Atrocity-Archives-Laundry-Files/dp/0441013651/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=
---
The Circle by Dave Eggers
GoodReads Amazon LibraryThing
A good read I'd recommend, The Circle by Dave Eggers.
The audiobook version (narrated by Dion Graham) is actually pretty good.
http://www.amazon.com/How-Survive-Robot-Uprising-Defending/dp/1582345929
http://www.amazon.com/Bleeding-Edge-Thomas-Pynchon/dp/1594204233/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;sr=8-1&amp;qid=1382394943 you can get it for $16 (even as low as $12) on Amazon...
it looks like this
It's faked on purpose. They were comics on the web, and now in a book by Wylie Overstreet.