Batched Books Reviews: #2024.1
4 min readJan 20, 2024
Non-fiction
- Nine Lies About Work (4-/4) — A handbook for all managers and HR departments. The authors revisit common beliefs and aspects of work such as culture, goals, competencies, feedback, potential, performance, or work-life balance. They often oppose common practices and come with strong arguments for that opposition. It’s definitely thought-provoking and probably one of the best books I have read recently.
- Payment Systems — From the Salt Mines to the Board Room (3/4) — A bit outdated but comprehensive review of global payment systems. Okay, maybe a bit more than “a bit” — it was published in 2008 and a lot of things have changed in the past 15 years. But the problems have stayed the same and the solutions are also similar. I’ve read it for work, so it’s not a general recommendation but it’s a very decent read for anyone in fintech/payments. Fun fact: it’s the only book I’ve read with my eyes in the last few years. And it took me 4 months to finish it.
- Fundamentals of Software Architecture (3/4) — Valuable content, questionable perspective. 80% of the book is some really good and worth reading content about software architecture. The remaining 20% is where the author assumes that architecture can be detached from development and done by dedicated people. Maybe it can, but it caused strong rejection on my side. It’s worth reading, even if only to learn the vocabulary, acknowledge the perspective, and be aware of what considerations we’re ignoring when approaching development in a “lean” manner and without a strong focus on architecture (which is fine in many cases). Free in Audible Catalogue.
- Red notice (3+/4) — A real history of doing business in Russia and dying in a Russian prison. Someone recommended me this book as one to learn more about Russia, but the book fails from that angle — it barely scratches the surface of the subject and tells almost nothing about the general society. However, it tells enough to understand that it’s a completely different world from what we know and are used to in Europe or the US. And that there are circumstances where no amount of money can help you. It’s a good and worth knowing story that is also very well written. And relatively short.
- The Art of Public Speaking (3-/4) — Not the best book about public speaking, but also not the worst. It tries to approach the topic from a specific angle: lessons to be learned from historical speeches. This is a valid and relatively educational approach. However, it’s definitely not the book I would recommend to someone new to public speaking.
Fiction
- Flowers of Esthelm (4/4) — Another excellent volume. It’s the 3rd one in the series and the quality is definitely not dropping. In this one, we get even more unique and interesting characters, more story, more everything.
- Monster Hunter International (3-/4) — Action-heavy urban fantasy about monster hunting. Sadly, there is little more there besides action. Among books with a similar vibe, there are a few that I liked much more. “Fred the Vampire Accountant” has better characters and a more enticing story. “Atrocity Archives” have a better constructed, deeper, and darker world. “Monster Hunter International” has a lot of action, a focus on guns, and a rather poor romance.
- The Golden Enclaves (3/4) — Good end to a good series. From the very beginning of the first book, I knew it wasn’t my thing. I didn’t particularly like the main character, the internal monologues were mostly babbling without a clear point, and the plot wasn’t super interesting. Yet, I liked the world-building and, regardless of my dislike, I kept reading through the three volumes. I think it’s objectively a good series, but it doesn’t match my taste.
- All the Skills (3+/4) — Surprisingly good mix between LitRPG and good old fantasy. It’s been a while since I read a classic “from orphan to hero” story. This one is definitely that but in LitRPG clothes. And those clothes are quite specific — on top of standard levels and skills, we get cards and deck building. In the end, it all blends into a lightweight, well-written story that I enjoyed more than I expected.
- Primal Hunter 8 (4/4) — The 8th volume of one of my favorite LitRPG series. Still offers a lot of fast-paced action, nice characters, a semi-interesting plot, elaborate progression, decent humour, and good world-building.
