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Re:Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read? by bloopernova on Sunday October 06, 2024 @12:54PM (#41758435)
Non-fiction: The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors by James Hornfischer. US Navy destroyers, escort carriers and destroyer escorts face off against Japanese cruisers and battleships. The Japanese had many times the firepower of the US, yet incredibly brave US sailors and airmen attacked anyway. Incredible story of courage under terrible conditions and odds. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Stand_of_the_Tin_Can_... and https://www.amazon.com/Last-Stand-Tin-Sailors-Extraordinary/...

Fiction:

Project Hail Mary is very enjoyable, don't read spoilers and you'll enjoy it even more. https://www.amazon.com/Project-Hail-Mary-Andy-Weir/dp/059313...

The Discworld City Watch series of books, starting with "Guards! Guards!" The characters are hilarious, there's so much humour yet still enough space for meaningful prose. Terry Pratchett was taken from us too soon. https://www.amazon.com/Guards-Discworld-Terry-Pratchett/dp/0...

Edited to add: non-fiction "Most Secret War" by Dr R V Jones. Funny, easily digestible short chapters, wonderful account of the author's work in WW2. "(the author's) appointment to the Intelligence Section of Britain's Air Ministry in 1939 led to some of the most astonishing scientific and technological breakthroughs of the Second World War." https://www.amazon.com/Most-Secret-Penguin-World-Collection/...

Re:Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read? by loufe on Monday October 07, 2024 @02:13PM (#41769104)
I absolutely second Project Hail Mary. It's been the only sci-fi book in years to have me glued to the pages.
Re:Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read? by hermitcrab on Monday October 07, 2024 @03:52PM (#41770220)
'Project Hail Mary' was a great read. Especially 'Rocky' (no spoilers).
Re:Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read? by yinzer-solomon on Friday October 11, 2024 @11:19PM (#41816127)
I'll belatedly second the recommendation of the "City Watch" series. I found "Night Watch" to be particularly enjoyable.