Slow Friday: What is your favorite book of all time(max 10)?

warning/appology: this is not SQL related post:

Hello,

Today is a slow Friday and I was hoping you will make it interesting by telling us your favourite books of all time. I got a new kindle and I am reading Grant Fritchey's Dissecting Execution plan now. I am looking forward to reading broad range of books . Please share your top 10 favorite books of all time, books that if given the power you will force everybody to read:-) (you can share only one or two if thats what comes to your mind). I prefer if the list is this way: 6 for database/sql server/IT, 2 non fiction and 2 fiction.

Thanks.

asked Oct 01 '10 at 08:02 AM in Default

DaniSQL
4.8k ● 30 ● 35 ● 39

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9 answers:

Inside SQL Server, the Ben-Gan, and Delaney ones
Query Performance by Fritchey
Wrox SSIS, Brian Knight, et al

Not a lot else right now. Have more to go through, but I think most of the SQL books are about 80% the same.

Non-fiction - On Writing by Stephen King, really enjoyed that - The Treasure Hunter - Moore and Jennings. Read this multiple times as a kid. A real life tale of treasure hunters that might inspire you to let go of you life and enjoy it more.

Fiction - Red Thunder (sci fi) - Varley. I love it, have sent it to a few friends, my kids loved it. - Odd Thomas - Koontz, really enjoyed it and made me think about life.

answered Oct 01 '10 at 08:54 AM

Steve Jones Editor ♦♦
351 ● 3

Thanks Steve. I know you are avid reader.

Oct 01 '10 at 09:14 AM DaniSQL

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Favorite books.

Well first gotta say the Bible.

In regards to SQL I am enjoying "SQL Server 2008 Query Performance Tuning Dstilled" by Grant Fritchey and Sajal Dam. When I finish that I have to pick between
1) "Performance Tuning with SQL Server Dynamic Management Views" by Louis Davidson and Tim Ford

2) "Pro SQL Server 2008 Policy-Based Management" by Ken Simmons, Colin St5asiuk, and Jorge Segarra

3) "DBA Survivor: Become a RockStar DBA" by Thomas Larock.

All are part of my collection of SQL books. Out side of SQL I don't read much but I used to enjoy John Grishom books, and I must admit I did get sucked into the entire Harry Potter series.

As for my favorite book, I very much enjoyed reading the "Cuckoo's Egg - Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage" The book is based on a true story. I read that book in 1995.

answered Oct 01 '10 at 09:29 AM

Tim
31.7k ● 23 ● 32 ● 116

Thanks. I have read SQLRockstar's DBA survivor when it came out. Good 3hr read especially for aspiring/New DBAs.

Oct 01 '10 at 09:33 AM DaniSQL

I picked it up at our last SQL Pass Chapter meeting. If it is only a quick 3 hour read I may knock it out next and pass it on to another aspiring DBA.

Oct 01 '10 at 09:39 AM Tim

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Here are some books I like.

SQL

Itzik ben Gan's Inside TSQL Querying
MVP Deep Dives
HitchHiker's Guide to Reporting Services
SQL Server 2008 Internals

Non-Fiction

Code by Charles Petzold
Hackers by Steven Levy
The Code Book by Simon Singh

Fiction

Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson (An amazing blend of 2nd World War codebreaking and modern day hacking
- just brilliant. After about 10 pages I was loving it and then I realised there were about another 900 pages to go!)
Excession by Iain Banks (Among other things, the names the starships' AIs choose for themselves are priceless and their banter with each other is great.)
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (The twist at the end is wicked!)

answered Oct 02 '10 at 11:36 AM

David Wimbush
4.2k ● 25 ● 29 ● 31

Great list, haven't read Ender's Game, seems to be some criticism on his "plain" writing style... I would also recommend: Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield...Also, +1 to everyone for not listing The Art of War :)

Oct 03 '10 at 12:34 AM Scot Hauder

Hi Scot. I don't care what the critics think - Ender's Game is a great book. And The Art of War isn't bad but I prefer The Book of Five Rings.

Oct 03 '10 at 01:32 PM David Wimbush

Great List David.

Oct 04 '10 at 07:25 AM DaniSQL

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I will agree with TRAD that the Bible is the most significant book I have read. Beyond that:

SQL: I think Professional SQL Server 2005 Adfministration is one of the best reference books I have. I would not recommend sitting down and reading it through, but it is an excellent quick reference.

Non-Fiction: The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis, A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawkings, and Visual Complex Analysis (still in process of reading this, but the part I have read was both enlightening and helpful)

Fiction: This one is tough. I used to read a lot of good fiction before I went to grad school, and very little since I started. With that said, a couple stick out in my mind. Cold Equations was only a short story, but one that made a big impact on me. Neuromancer is a classic. And the Watchmen graphic novel was absolutely masterful.

answered Oct 01 '10 at 10:13 AM