What I read
What I Read
With this overview I keep track of some of the books that I've read.
I don't usually include the books and articles for that I read for my job, nor do I include the science fiction books that I like to pick up. No overview of my reading habits would be complete without mentioning The Economist -- I love that magazine.
Books below are in order of date read; this overview starts with October 2002.
Die Verwandlung
Submitted by Guus on Fri, 07/04/2008 - 11:39pm
A month ago I read Die Verwandlung by Kafka. It had been a long time since I read a book in German. Kafka is one of my favorite authors and reading this book was a great joy.
The language of the book is so beautiful, and it’s really nice to be able to read it in its original language. The opening sentence for example, is a classic beauty: Als Gregor Samsa eines Morgens aus unruhigen Träumen erwachte, fand er sich in seinem Bett zu einem ungeheueren Ungeziefer verwandelt. Note that in English the word Ungeziefer is often translated to vermin, an interesting choice. Would a Dutch translator use ongedierte?
The story was touching and absurd at the same time. A google on the book shows that there are many different explanations for what the story “really” means, and I’m glad I enjoyed it as much as I did without trying the understand the deeper meaning.
Book details:
Die Verwandlung by Franz Kafka.
I read this book in German.
Nederlandse Historiën
Submitted by Guus on Sat, 03/29/2008 - 4:13pm
When I visited the Netherlands last October I spent a very nice day with my parents in Amsterdam. After we visited a great museum, we went to the Scheltema bookstore at the Koningsplein where I bought “Nederlandse Historien”.
This is a new translation of arguably the best-known Dutch history book. It’s written by by P.C. Hooft and the original edition, according to Brittanica, is from 1642.
Book details:
Nederlandse Historiën by P.C. Hooft.
I read this book in Dutch.
Open Source Licensing
Submitted by Guus on Tue, 02/19/2008 - 10:57pm
In my profession it’s important to understand the implications of various licenses, beyond “GPL is viral” and “Apache is fine”. This book was recommended to me by a co-worker, and it does indeed a great job in explaining the various intricacies of various licenses. While the material can be a bit dry sometimes, the book is very readable and I actually enjoyed reading it.
Obviously, reading this book doesn’t mean alleviate the need for a corporate lawyer but it gives the reader a solid introduction into the area of open source licenses and what they try to achieve. It’s interesting how the different licenses handle software patent issues and to see the differences in the patent defense approaches.
The book is written in 2004, so it makes no mention of the new GPLv3 license and more recent development of software patents as they relate to open source.
It is actually available on-line as well (http://www.rosenlaw.com/oslbook.htm), appropriately under an Academic Free License.
Book details:
Open Source Licensing by Lawrence Rosen.
I read this book in English for work.
Managing Humans, biting and humorous tales of a software engineering manager
Submitted by Guus on Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00am
A great, fun read with experiences of a fellow engineering manager. Very recognizable.
Book details:
Managing Humans, biting and humorous tales of a software engineering manager by Michael Lopps.
I read this book in English for work.
This book is one of my all-time favorites.
Server-Based Java Programming
Submitted by Guus on Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00am
Years ago, in 2004, I ran my first project as a team-lead. We created a small transactional site for a TV-show, some type of lottery, and we knew that we would have a massive amount of traffic on the evening of the broadcast.
It was right around this time that I read this book, and it had some great info about multi-threading and scalability.
When the day of the TV show came, all was well and the server held up beautifully. A few days later we heard that the government had stopped the lottery from functioning since it turned out to break certain regulations. So there was no winner in the lottery but… my first high-profile project worked.
I’m sure it’s dated right know but it was a great read at the time.
Book details:
Server-Based Java Programming by Ted Newark.
I read this book in English for work.
This book is one of my all-time favorites.
Rails for Java Developers
Submitted by Guus on Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00am
I used this book to help make my case to introduce Ruby on Rails in other products in our company.
Book details:
Rails for Java Developers by Stuart Halloway, Justin Gehtland.
I read this book in English for work.
From Java To Ruby: Things Every Manager Should Know
Submitted by Guus on Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00am
I used this book to help make my case to introduce Ruby on Rails in other products in our company.
Book details:
From Java To Ruby: Things Every Manager Should Know by Bruce Tate.
I read this book in English for work.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell
Submitted by Guus on Sun, 09/02/2007 - 11:14am
I don’t typically write about fiction books I read but for Mr. Norell and Jonathan Strange I’m glad to make an exception.
It is a charming book, about the re-occurrence of magic in England in the 1800s and the adventures of two magicians involved. The author presents a fairy-like world with beautiful language and humor. Her descriptions of old London and the English society are fascinating.
This is the first book by Ms. Clark, and the story is waiting for a second book to follow-up in her beautiful world.
Book details:
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke.
I read this book in English.
Holland, USA
Submitted by Guus on Wed, 06/20/2007 - 10:09pm
This is the story of two Dutch journalists who travel through the United States to 28 places called “Holland”, to find out what the history of those places is.
It’s an entertaining book, which gives some insight in the American society and very strongly in how a lot of Dutch people look at the American society.
Book details:
Holland, USA
I read this book in Dutch.
Ik Mis Alleen de HEMA
Submitted by Guus on Sat, 04/07/2007 - 10:26am
When I visited the Netherlands in October 2006 I bought a few Dutch books and had them shipped by mail. One of the books had the intriguing title ‘Ik mis alleen de HEMA’ — ‘I only miss the HEMA’. The HEMA is a Dutch low-price department store chain, a little bit like Target in the U.S.
The book is a collection of stories of people who left the Netherlands in the last 10 or 15 years. Some of the people were successful, others returned home when their plans didn’t work out.
Book details:
Ik Mis Alleen de HEMA
I read this book in Dutch.
