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drj's reviews
73 reviews
Creative Graphics by John Cownie
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
This is a small but jam-packed book. There are many standalone programs to illustrate various graphics techniques and capabilities of the BBC Micro. Proper attention to these programs will give you a good grounding in doing graphics in BBC BASIC. It will also (somewhat unintentionally) give some insight into BBC BASIC programming itself. The relevant parts of BBC BASIC and VDU codes are explained, but somewhat briefly. It would be a good idea to have a BBC User Guide on hand if you are not already familiar with BBC BASIC.
Typing the programs in (which i did on an emulator prior to this review) is a good exercise in accidental debugging and the importance of semicolons.
The chapters are quite fun and varied, covering symmetry, 3D, animations, fractals, and narrative composition. Highly recommended.
Typing the programs in (which i did on an emulator prior to this review) is a good exercise in accidental debugging and the importance of semicolons.
The chapters are quite fun and varied, covering symmetry, 3D, animations, fractals, and narrative composition. Highly recommended.
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Women in the Picture: Women, Art and the Power of Looking by Catherine McCormack
challenging
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
5.0
This book will change the way you look at art, and everything else. It is most excellent.
A Message From Ukraine by Volodymyr Zelensky
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Never again.
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Self harm, Suicide, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Outing, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Picture This: How Pictures Work (Art Books, Graphic Design Books, How to Books, Visual Arts Books, Design Theory Books) by Molly Bang
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Acorn - A World in Pixels by idesine
adventurous
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.0
A slog to sit and read through, but cram packed full of interesting tidbits, reviews, and interviews with industry insiders. Interspersed with amusing anecdotes and lusciously reproduced artwork. Occasionally letdown by a little repetition or obvious filler, and the white-on-black Avenir typography is largely terrible.
On the whole a glorious celebration of everything that is Beeb.
On the whole a glorious celebration of everything that is Beeb.
Mothers and Others: The Evolutionary Origins of Mutual Understanding by Sarah Blaffer Hrdy
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.5
An excellent introduction to the role of grandmothers and other alloparents in successful child rearing in humans. Also with reference to other primates and other animals as comparative models. Could do with a little more genetics support; sections on kin-selection and child–mother competition are too sketchy.
Most excellent.
Most excellent.
Assembly by Natasha Brown
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
No vibes.
The sort of book that Oxbridge educated novelists would enjoy writing about.
The sort of book that Oxbridge educated novelists would enjoy writing about.