Jonathan Zacsh started reading The Book of Joy by 14th Dalai Lama
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World is a book by the …
re-reading
Reviews and Comments
Speculative Fiction—aka Scifi & Fantasy—fan.
For regular social stuff, I'm on @jzacsh@qoto.org and originally tracked my books at goodreads.com/jzacsh (still maintaining that profile).
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Jonathan Zacsh reviewed Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (The Empyrean, #3)
Brave the dark. Get ready to fly or die in the breathtaking follow-up to Fourth …
Fun addition to the series, a perfect distraction when going on long runs. Looking forward to #4.
4 stars
Fun addition to the series, a perfect distraction when going on long runs. Looking forward to #4.
Jonathan Zacsh rated Onyx Storm: 4 stars
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (The Empyrean, #3)
Brave the dark. Get ready to fly or die in the breathtaking follow-up to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame from …
Jonathan Zacsh wants to read Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams
An explosive memoir charting one woman’s career at the heart of one of the most …
very intrigued by the effort Meta is putting into fighting this book: www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq5zyq0250wo
Jonathan Zacsh reviewed The Judas Rose by Suzette Haden Elgin (The Native Tongue Trilogy, #2)
An instant cult classic upon first publication, Suzette Haden Elgin's Native Tongue trilogy has earned …
dark universe, and aging, but still a very worthwhile read
4 stars
Shows its age but that doesn't detract from its value in a 2025 reading. Surprised this isn't a more popular series.
Jonathan Zacsh rated How to Lie with Statistics: 4 stars
How to Lie with Statistics by Darrell Huff
Both charming and informative about how statistics are misused. Published long ago, but the tricks haven't changed.
Darrell Huff runs …
Jonathan Zacsh rated 2001: A Space Odyssey: 4 stars
2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
From the savannas of Africa at the dawn of mankind to the rings of Saturn as man ventures to the …
Jonathan Zacsh rated Nettle & Bone: 4 stars
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
Marra — a shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter — is relieved not to be married off for the sake of her …
Jonathan Zacsh rated The Story of a Goat: 4 stars
The Story of a Goat by Murugan Perumal
As he did in the award-winning One Part Woman, in his newest novel, The Story of a Goat, Perumal Murugan …
Known for its lively, clear prose as well as its scholarly research, A People's History …
can't recommend this history book enough, so glad I read it. will read again soon
5 stars
Jonathan Zacsh rated The Dead Cat Tail Assassins: 5 stars
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark, P. Djèlí Clark
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins are not cats.
Nor do they have tails.
But they are most assuredly dead.
Nebula …
Jonathan Zacsh reviewed Nuts and Bolts by Roma Agrawal
A structural engineer examines the seven most basic building blocks of engineering that have shaped …
fun science history and how-things-work stories
5 stars
Fun science history (reaching back to ancient Roman times) and just a good "how does X work" book. Pairs well with "To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design"
Jonathan Zacsh reviewed The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin (Hainish Cycle, #6)
Shevek, a brilliant physicist, decides to take action. He will seek answers, question the unquestionable, …
glad I read it, but not my typical choice of SFF
3 stars
Pairs well with the tail-end (covering the 60s-70s counter-culture) of "A People’s History of the United States: 1492 - Present." On the more philosophical-end of SFF I typically read, but glad I read it!
Jonathan Zacsh rated A Tour of C++: 5 stars
A Tour of C++ by Bjarne Stroustrup
The C++11 standard allows programmers to express ideas more clearly, simply, and directly, and to write faster, more efficient code. …
Jonathan Zacsh rated Roadside Picnic: 2 stars
Roadside Picnic by Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky (SF Collector's Edition)
Red Schuhart is a stalker, one of those young rebels who are compelled, in spite of extreme danger, to venture …