Dan Hough

The Books I Read in 2012

Published 27 December 2012 in London, UK

This Christmas I’ve received a Kindle Paperwhite for Christmas, and I’m very excited to finish off a lot of existing reads and starting some new ones in 2013.

But 2012 was a reasonably busy year for reading for me. For my own memory, and in case anybody is looking for recommendations, here are some 140-character-or-less reviews/synopses of the books I can remember reading. :)

World War Z by Max Brooks

New perspective on a classic genre. Realistic, fast paced and clever. Something for everyone in the characters. Read before seeing the film.

The Walking Dead Compendiums 1 & 2 by Robert Kirkman

If you like being constantly reminded of a grim and never-improving apocalyptic world for unlucky maniacs, The Walking Dead is for you.

Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan

For any man who thinks being the only guy’d be great, this story will give you a reality check. Realistic postmale world. Women do just fine

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Funny & romantic twist on the Zombie Apoc genre. Not Twilight but with Zombies, but Twilight fans would probably enjoy this. Easy read.

Enders Game by Orson Scott Card (re-read)

Classic tale of a boy genius in a future playing video games to save the human race. It’s a real character piece.

We3 by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely

Adorable and sad, short graphic novel. Great for animal lovers, but also terrible for animal lovers. Fantastic art.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

A grim look a future in which the world revolves around a epic quest set by a single avid gamer and visionary. Plenty of great gaming nods.

JavaScript: The Good Parts by Douglas Crockford

Great for JS veterans as well as beginners, if you want to unravel allback spaghetti and know what madness to avoid, Crockford’s your man.

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

If the way Apple works eludes you, this book will clear it up. You will probably leave with mixed opinions of this influential character.

Losing my Virginity by Richard Branson

A story of the life of Virgin boss which seems honest in parts, and dramatised in others, but is overall quite inspiring.

Down Under by Bill Bryson

Great tale of an exciting and bizarre country. An honest look at some of the problems facing modern Oz and a bit about interesting history.

Player One by Douglas Coupland

Real-time 5-hour apocalypse story with a small cast: curious and mostly-self-aware. Relatable, intriguing. Typical Coupland. Easy read.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Frustrating but compelling novel if you loathe self-obsessed, shallow, hollow people. I think that’s the point?

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