User Profile

MBybee

mbybee@bookwyrm.social

Joined 6 months ago

An eclectic reader focused largely on sci-fi/adventure from the 19th and 20th century

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MBybee's books

Currently Reading

2025 Reading Goal

71% complete! MBybee has read 71 of 100 books.

Robert E. Howard: A Witch Shall Be Born (EBook, 1934)

A weird novelette of uncanny power and fascinating episodes—a tale of the old, forgotten times.

Racist and predictable

This one is best consigned to the dustbin of history. Lots of really excessive racism, a plot incredibly simplistic even by Conan standards, and lacking in the qualities that generally make a good Conan story.

Barbara Truelove: Of Monsters and Mainframes

Solid book

Full of amusing horror references, jokes, and an interesting story.

I feel like a book this long had quite a few missed opportunities, but to each their own, I suppose. I didn't care for the 'big finale' that she spent hundreds of pages building up to being off camera. I also don't see why it's marketed as an LGBTQ+ book when the entirety of the LGBTQ+ content is one sentence mid-way through and a somewhat hastily tagged on piece at the end.

reviewed Triplanetary by Edward Elmer Smith (The history of civilization ;)

Edward Elmer Smith: Triplanetary (1997, Old Earth Books)

Campy fun

It's cheesy. It's campy. It's so ridiculous, it makes Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon seem grounded. However, it's also fun.

The lensmen stuff in general is the sort of early 20th century ridiculous sci-fi that used to get kids to read in bed with a flashlight.

Not really a fan, but it's far from the worst early 20th century sci-fi I've read. If this book were a film, it'd be Ed Wood rather than Dino DeLaurentis.

Bruce Schneier: Secrets and Lies (2004, Wiley)

"A primer in practical computer security aimed at those shopping, communication, or doing business online …

Excellent book, still relevant

There have been a few editions of this, but the core facts remain very relevant. Good overview of the fundamental thinking and methodologies of security.