Books that I keep returning to

I am a voracious reader, and have spent a lot of time with my nose in a book. While I no longer have a physical book with me at all times, I always carry an iPhone with the Kindle and Readmill apps, and usually bring my Kindle with me, too.

Although I read a lot of different books, not all make it to my re-read list. That is reserved for my absolute favorites:

Non-fiction:

• Bad Science by Ben Goldacre
  • Working in increments, Ben Goldacre shows us the basics of medical treatment and their evidence, then uses those basics to expose quack doctors and nutritionists, bogus credentialing programs, and biased scientific studies
• Fish: A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results by Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul and John Christensen
  • An insightful, interesting and well-written book, that helped me break out of negative patterns. I re-read it at least once per year.
• Freakonomics and SuperFreakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
  • Using economic modelling and theory, the authors shine a light on the world as we (don’t) know it.
• Problem Solving 101 by Ken Watanabe
  • Working in technical support as I do, this book about approaches to solving problems has been invaluable.
• Time Management for System Administrators by Thomas A. Limoncelli
  • In a high-pressure society, time management is paramount. This book contains highly useful tips for just that.

Fiction:

• the Broker by John Grisham
  • John Grisham is one of my all-time favorite authors. Although he is most famous for his legal procedural dramas, this is the one I return to the most.
• Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
  • Combine two masters of the trade, and what you get is a masterful novel.
• Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
  • A clever book about what goes on below the streets of London, the parts that most of us never sees. Fantasy, set in modern day London.
• the Salmon of Doubt by Douglas Adams
  • Though better known for the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, my favorite book by Adams is a Salmon of Doubt, as it shows some very different sides of him than what we have seen before.
• the Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
  • Terry Pratchett’s particular brand of comedic fantasy makes for a rich and fancyful universe to explore. While I could put the entire Discworld series on this list, the one I keep going back to, is the Wee Free Men, and its sequels a Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith and I Shall Wear Midnight.