User Profile

Simon MacDonald

Joined 1 year, 11 months ago

Father, Software Engineer, Comic Enthusiast, Coffee Lover, Human Book Recommendation Engine and Head of Developer Experience at Begin. He/Him

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Simon MacDonald's books

Currently Reading

Rob Fitzpatrick, Adam Rosen: Write Useful Books (Paperback, 2021, Useful Books Ltd)

User Activity

Simon MacDonald started reading One by One by Ruth Ware

Ruth Ware: One by One (Paperback, 2021, Gallery/Scout Press)

One by One by Ruth Ware

Getting snowed in at a beautiful, rustic mountain chalet doesn’t sound like the worst problem in the world, especially when …

Simon MacDonald wants to read One by One by Ruth Ware

One by One by Ruth Ware

Getting snowed in at a beautiful, rustic mountain chalet doesn’t sound like the worst problem in the world, especially when …

Simon MacDonald finished reading A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

Becky Chambers: A Psalm for the Wild-Built (EBook, 2021, Tom Doherty Associates)

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

It’s been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en …

Simon MacDonald started reading Write Useful Books by Rob Fitzpatrick

Write Useful Books by Rob Fitzpatrick, Adam Rosen

Simon MacDonald finished reading Subprime Attention Crisis by Tim Hwang

Tim Hwang: Subprime Attention Crisis (Paperback, 2020, FSG Originals)

Subprime Attention Crisis by Tim Hwang

In Subprime Attention Crisis, Tim Hwang investigates the way big tech financializes attention. In the process, he shows us how …

Simon MacDonald started reading Subprime Attention Crisis by Tim Hwang

Subprime Attention Crisis by Tim Hwang

In Subprime Attention Crisis, Tim Hwang investigates the way big tech financializes attention. In the process, he shows us how …

Simon MacDonald started reading A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

It’s been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en …

Simon MacDonald finished reading Plays Well with Others by Eric Barker

Eric Barker: Plays Well with Others (Paperback, 2022, HarperOne)

Plays Well with Others by Eric Barker

A smart, surprising, and thoroughly entertaining guide to help build better friendships, reignite love, and get closer to others, whether …

Simon MacDonald finished reading I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Jennette McCurdy: I'm Glad My Mom Died (Paperback, 2022, Simon & Schuster Audio and Blackstone Publishing)

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former …

Simon MacDonald finished reading Engineering Management for the Rest of Us by Sarah Drasner

Sarah Drasner: Engineering Management for the Rest of Us (2022, Skill Recordings Inc.)

Engineering Management for the Rest of Us by Sarah Drasner

A lot of Engineering Managers and leaders studied for years and years to become the best Engineer they possibly could …

Simon MacDonald finished reading The Jade Setter of Janloon by Fonda Lee

Fonda Lee: The Jade Setter of Janloon (Hardcover, 2022, Subterranean)

The Jade Setter of Janloon by Fonda Lee

The rapidly changing city of Janloon is ruled by jade, the rare and ancient substance that enhances the abilities and …

Simon MacDonald finished reading Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Gabrielle Zevin: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (Hardcover, 2022, Knopf)

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

In this exhilarating novel, two friends--often in love, but never lovers--come together as creative partners in the world of video …

Simon MacDonald reviewed Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

In this exhilarating novel, two friends--often in love, but never lovers--come together as creative partners …

A beautiful book about friendship

5 stars

Wow, what an unexpected gem. I saw this book on a bunch of best-read lists for 2022, and I was drawn in by the description. I thought I'd be reading a fictionalized version of the history of building video games, like Console Wars, but I got this beautiful book about friendship instead. The closest comparison I can make is The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon. Regardless, this book deserves all the accolades it has been receiving.