Scan barcode
philibin's reviews
831 reviews
How to Win Friends and Influence Fungi: Collected Quirks of Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math from Nerd Nite by Chris Balakrishnan, Matt Wasowski
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
This book was very informative and enjoyable.
If this were a serial podcast I would subscribe. It would also make a great "Bathroom Reader" where you only have short periods to read. With that said, it was also good to just sit back and listen to. The Narration is very good, and even though a lot of information is being delivered in a short time, it does not seem overwhelming at all.
It makes me want to go to the next Nerd Nite in my area!
This book was very informative and enjoyable.
If this were a serial podcast I would subscribe. It would also make a great "Bathroom Reader" where you only have short periods to read. With that said, it was also good to just sit back and listen to. The Narration is very good, and even though a lot of information is being delivered in a short time, it does not seem overwhelming at all.
It makes me want to go to the next Nerd Nite in my area!
Truth of the Divine by Lindsay Ellis
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
This was very good, even better than the first of the series. The character growth is excellent and the world is realistic and believable.
I can't wait for the next book in the series.
The Narration was done well too.
This was very good, even better than the first of the series. The character growth is excellent and the world is realistic and believable.
I can't wait for the next book in the series.
The Narration was done well too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Alien Earths: The New Science of Planet Hunting in the Cosmos by Lisa Kaltenegger
informative
medium-paced
4.5
(4.5 Stars)
This was super good! It starts off like an intro to a class you might take, but develops into a comfortable narrative about space science. It covers everything from astrophysics to astrobiology and just about anything else you can think about when it comes to space.
As a science communicator, this author excels. The narration is spot on. I'm so glad I read this book.
This was super good! It starts off like an intro to a class you might take, but develops into a comfortable narrative about space science. It covers everything from astrophysics to astrobiology and just about anything else you can think about when it comes to space.
As a science communicator, this author excels. The narration is spot on. I'm so glad I read this book.
Red Team Blues by Cory Doctorow
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
(3.75 Stars)
This was a very good story, made all the better by being narrated by Wil Wheaton.
I've listened to Cory for years, and know his personal politics and beliefs are intertwined with his stories, and if you agree with them you will love his stories, if you don't... chances are you will not like his stories.
If you do like his stories, you might want to also check out his non-fiction.
I will continue this series.
This was a very good story, made all the better by being narrated by Wil Wheaton.
I've listened to Cory for years, and know his personal politics and beliefs are intertwined with his stories, and if you agree with them you will love his stories, if you don't... chances are you will not like his stories.
If you do like his stories, you might want to also check out his non-fiction.
I will continue this series.
A Portion of Dragon and Chips by Simon Haynes
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
(3.5 Stars)
This was very fun and very enjoyable. It is filled with name-based puns, and is quite humorous. The narration is energetic and fast paced. The book is paced well, and the story is interesting.
The book is available as a set, or as three individual books. I am glad I decided to read them separately because while I had a great time with this book, I think that 8 hours is a good amount of time for a book in this style. If it was much longer, I might have gotten bored. So, I am definitely going to continue the series to completion... but I will be reading other books in-between.
It reminds me a lot of the Magic 2.0 series by Scott Meyer, or maybe even Benjamin Wallace.
This was very fun and very enjoyable. It is filled with name-based puns, and is quite humorous. The narration is energetic and fast paced. The book is paced well, and the story is interesting.
The book is available as a set, or as three individual books. I am glad I decided to read them separately because while I had a great time with this book, I think that 8 hours is a good amount of time for a book in this style. If it was much longer, I might have gotten bored. So, I am definitely going to continue the series to completion... but I will be reading other books in-between.
It reminds me a lot of the Magic 2.0 series by Scott Meyer, or maybe even Benjamin Wallace.
The Science of Weird Shit: Why Our Minds Conjure the Paranormal by Chris French
informative
medium-paced
5.0
(5.0 Stars)
This was excellent!
This book was interesting, and well paced. It was arranged in a logical way and made a lot of sense.
This was excellent!
This book was interesting, and well paced. It was arranged in a logical way and made a lot of sense.
The Loop by Jeremy Robert Johnson
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
(3.5 Stars)
I thought this was good at the beginning, and I was completely invested in it. I thought the characters had depth and fun little backgrounds. But after the first half, it lost me a little. The book ended ok, but I didn't think it was as strong as the beginning of the book.
I'd still read more by this author, for sure.
I thought this was good at the beginning, and I was completely invested in it. I thought the characters had depth and fun little backgrounds. But after the first half, it lost me a little. The book ended ok, but I didn't think it was as strong as the beginning of the book.
I'd still read more by this author, for sure.
Ironclads by Adrian Tchaikovsky
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
(2.5 Stars)
For me, this was just ok. I didn't hate the story, I just had a hard time visualizing it. I also didn't love the narrator (Peter Noble), but I don't think that made me dislike the book. I found the characters unrelatable and flat. I thought the book length was appropriate, as any longer would have felt too drawn out.
I looked ahead and noticed that the next book in the series has a different narrator, and is also a shorter work, so I'll most likely give it a shot. I have heard that the third book in the series is the best, so, I'll probably give that one a try too if I can get through the second book in this series.
The only characters that were even slightly interesting were underused in the story and there was no real character development. The "world" was our world, but was recognizable in name only.
For me, this was just ok. I didn't hate the story, I just had a hard time visualizing it. I also didn't love the narrator (Peter Noble), but I don't think that made me dislike the book. I found the characters unrelatable and flat. I thought the book length was appropriate, as any longer would have felt too drawn out.
I looked ahead and noticed that the next book in the series has a different narrator, and is also a shorter work, so I'll most likely give it a shot. I have heard that the third book in the series is the best, so, I'll probably give that one a try too if I can get through the second book in this series.
The only characters that were even slightly interesting were underused in the story and there was no real character development. The "world" was our world, but was recognizable in name only.
Around the World in Eighty Games: From Tarot to Tic-Tac-Toe, Catan to Chutes and Ladders, a Mathematician Unlocks the Secrets of the World's Greatest Games by Marcus du Sautoy
informative
medium-paced
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
This was a very interesting book about Gaming, Maths, and History.
Nicely arranged, expertly narrated, and well paced.
If you are reading the audiobook, try to get the accompanying pdf if you can.
This was a very interesting book about Gaming, Maths, and History.
Nicely arranged, expertly narrated, and well paced.
If you are reading the audiobook, try to get the accompanying pdf if you can.
Forging Hephaestus by Drew Hayes
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
(4.25 Stars)
This book was excellent! And the narrator was superb!
If you were a fan of The Boys, but wanted it less campy and over the top, this book is perfect for you. The cast of characters is extensive, but each of them are introduced in a way that you can keep track of everyone. The Character growth is very well done, and the story is compelling.
It is a slower paced book, but that adds to the realism of it. The characters are unique and are true to their characters. You know who is speaking based on what they are saying.
This book was excellent! And the narrator was superb!
If you were a fan of The Boys, but wanted it less campy and over the top, this book is perfect for you. The cast of characters is extensive, but each of them are introduced in a way that you can keep track of everyone. The Character growth is very well done, and the story is compelling.
It is a slower paced book, but that adds to the realism of it. The characters are unique and are true to their characters. You know who is speaking based on what they are saying.