Or, in other words, let there be books. So now I can track how much money I spend in bookstores, then if I read them and how long does it take to forget about them afterwards ... :-)
I have put the most recent readings first, with some absolutely gratuitous comments.
Empire of the Dragons (Valerio Massimo Manfredi) (April 2007)
couldn't put this down until finished ...
Stargazer: The Life and Times of the Telescope (Fred Watson) (March 2007)
wonderful essay, as enjoyable as a novel, recommended.
The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas) (February 2007)
liked it very much
The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien) (December 2006)
a classic to be reread every now and then ...
Generazione 1.000 Euro (September 2006)
c'e' speranza ... si?
Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follet) (August 2006)
Well worth reading, great novel. According to some, In Germany it was voted the third-most popular book
after JRR Tolkein's The Lord of the Rings and the Bible. I suppose I should eventually consider number two as well ...
State of Fear (M. Crichton) (April 2006)
Interesting perspective on global warming issues is at the core of this good novel.
Lord of Chaos (R. Jordan) (September 2006)
The Fires of Heaven (R. Jordan) (Mai 2006)
The Shadow Rising (R. Jordan) (March 2006)
The Dragon Reborn (R. Jordan) (January 2006)
The Great Hunt (R. Jordan) (December 2005)
The Eye of the World (R. Jordan) (October 2005)
Now I got stuck for a while with this well known epic fantasy saga. With ten book for the
whole story, is going to take a while. Good stuff in the beginning, slowing down later on, hope it
will climb up again by the time I start next volume.
Night Masks (R. A. Salvatore) (September 2005)
In Sylvan shadows (R. A. Salvatore) (August 2005)
Canticle (R. A. Salvatore) (July 2005)
Here I went again the fantasy lane .. not so exciting as Drizzt adventures, yet there is
a flavour of its own here wich can placate thirsty fantasy fans.
The Descent (Jeff Long) (July 2005)
Pretty scary and spooky, bone chilling is also appropriate. Very interesting plot and
ideas, although the end leaves many questions unanswered and details unaccounted for.
However, a real page turning experience, I could not put the book down no matter what!
Recommended.
Time's Eye (A. Clarke and S. Baxter) (June 2005)
Fantastic blend of history and science fiction, what are you waiting for, go get it !
:-)
A Wizard of Earthsea (U. K. Le Guinn) (May 2005)
Such a small book, so a good story. I am looking forward to read the rest
of the trilogy.
A Short History of Nearly Everything (Bill Bryson) (April 2005)
Never had such a good time reading about science and related history, anedocts and
trivia. A true gem, to be read again over time.
The Crystal Shard (R. A. Salvatore) (March 2005)
Streams of Silver (R. A. Salvatore) (February 2005)
More adventurous fantasy ! (for fans only)
The business and economics of Linux and Open Source (M. Fink) (February 2005)
If you, like me, are working into the Information Technology (IT) industry, you definitely
must read this book. If you, like me, are specialized in Open Source technology, you will keep it as a well guarded
reference afterward.
It's about a quickly advancing (and disruptive some say) IT technology paradigm, and the book does an excellent job by analyzing
the issue on a business perspective.
The dark elf Trilogy (R. A. Salvatore) (December 2004, February 2005)
WOW! Honestly, that pretty much summarizes it! :) If you like fantasy, go, run and get it!
Three books which could as well be used to define classical fantasy itself.
The pillars of creation (T. Goodkind) (November 2004)
Interesting at first, eventually dropped, partially because of what I have found next (Salvatore's books,
see above)
A storm of swords (G. R. R. Martin) (August/September 2004)
Martin insists in keeping me up reading late at night, a bit if deliverance is coming from the
fact that the fourth volume will be publisehd sometime in 2005 ... :)
The thirth from the Song of Ice and fire Saga
A clash of kings (G. R. R. Martin) (July 2004)
Did I say it already? What a book! One of the best fantasy I have ever read!
The second from the already mentioned quadrilogy.
Game of thrones (G. R. R. Martin) (June 2004)
What a book! One of the best fantasy I have ever read! First of a quadrilogy
(Song of ice and fire).
The maker of universes (P. J. Farmer) (May 2004)
Had great expectation from this one (after reading other things from the
same author), however after a great start, I have found myself bored at times.
The second half seems to be rushing through characters and situations at a
too fast pace, or so it seemed to me, without much meat ...
A glass of darkness (P. K. Dick) (Apr 2004)
Another little SF novel, interesting background idea, nothing really exciting though.
Nicolas Eymerich, inquisitore (V. Evangelisti) (Apr 2004)
Good novel, a mix of SF and historical fiction with a twist, original one.
Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban (J. K. Rowling) (Mar 2004)
Entertaining, good reading.
The sixt extinction (R. Leakey) (Feb 2004)
An extremely worth reading book about the relationship between
biodiversity and mankind, apparently a fatal combination ... for the first
and, eventually for the second too (according to the author and I tend to agree ....)
Unfinished Tales (J.R.R. Tolkien) (Dec 2003)
again, great for those who (like me) want more ...
La forma dell'acqua (A. Camilleri) (Nov 2003)
one of those books enjoyable only if you somehow understand Sicilian
dialect, unfortunate case, because is a very very very good little book.
Cafe Europa (S. Drakulic) (Sep 2003)
good reading about the way of life in eastern europeans as opposed to western europe, very interesting.
The Gunslinger (S. King) (Sep 2003)
A mild disappointment, nothing special ...
The Silmarillion (J.R.R. Tolkien) (Jul 2003)
For fans only! Well, maybe not .. ? Fantastic at any rate!
The Atlas of Middle Earth (K. Wynn Fonstad) (2001,2003)
A must! Indispensable companion for the other Tolkien's books.
Stupid White men (M. Moore) (Jun 2003)
Does it get any worse? Worth reading ...
Roma alla conquista del mondo antico (G. Antonelli) (Apr 2003)
The ancient Roman Empire exposed by an excellent writer. If you think history books are boring and tedious,
think twice, read this one (well, is in italian) and then let me know ....
Il granchio gioca con il mare (V. G. Rossi) (2002)
Nudi o vestiti (V. G. Rossi) (Mar 2003)
Simply awesome, brilliant writer! Discovering all sorts of facets of life on this planet has never been so
enjoyable and stimulating until I discovered this extremely insightful author. A master of his own!
The Lord of The Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien) (1990, 2001, 2002, 2003)
It has been said elsewhere that the english speaking world is divided
into those who have read it and those who are going to read it. I am
pleased to be in the first half.
The RAMA Quadrilogy (A. Clarke with G. Lee) (2002,2003)
Excellent books! Mandatory reading! They raise quite a number of
issues about our true nature, and makes one wonder about
it. On top of that, other dilemma's are exposed thorough the pages: is humanity nature intrinsecally bad? why? what has
sex to do with this? doesn't sound like SF isn't it? or maybe is
just that ... anyway, enlightning reading, I heartily raccomend it.
Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets (J. K. Rowling) (Dec 2002)
Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone (J. K. Rowling) (Dec 2001)
Entertaining, good reading. You will enjoy them even better, if you
manage to read them just before seeing the movies, the way I did :-)
The pleasure of finding things out (R. Feynman) (2002)
Good book.
