I grew up with the Harry Potter series and loved it as a kid, but I can't pretend it's actually good writing. It's full of all kinds of plot holes, the wizarding universe doesn't make a lot of sense, there's thinly veiled bigotry (particularly prominent in the naming of characters), and Rowling as a person is all sorts of problematic that I can't endorse giving money to.

But Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality, or HPMOR for short, is a really unique and fascinating full length fan work for any fan of Harry Potter (and also anyone who read Harry Potter and just didn't get the fuss). Though you don't actually need to have read Harry Potter to enjoy HPMOR, as it mostly reuses characters and settings but is otherwise entirely original.

The premise is simple: what if Harry was actually smart? In fact, not just smart, but a child genius. The wizarding universe as a setting with all its flaws isn't changed, but Harry recognizes those flaws and takes advantage of them. You can think of this book like someone very smart nitpicked over the Harry Potter universe trying to identify everything that doesn't make sense or would be "overpowered". It admittedly does often have "I am very smart" vibes that can sometimes get a little cringeworthy, but it's overall extremely entertaining and a one of a kind work that I wish I could reexperience for the first time.

It's also not just Harry being smart, because that would be boring if it was just him. Voldemort is also recharacterized to be much more competent and intelligent. This sets up interesting conflicts that I won't elaborate on to avoid spoilers, but I can say that the way Voldemort is characterized is brilliant and far better than the actual Harry Potter books.

Overall, it's one of the most entertaining books I've ever read and a fascinating critique of sorts of the original Harry Potter series that many of us grew up with.

A thorough but not densely written explanation of the basics of how and why natural selection works and can lead to incredible complexity with tiny steps and without a master plan.

Also introduced the term "meme" for the unit of cultural evolution comparable to the gene of biological evolution.

An orphan’s life is harsh—and often short—in the mysterious island city of Camorr. But young Locke Lamora dodges death and slavery, becoming a thief under the tutelage of a gifted con artist. As leader of the band of light-fingered brothers known as the Gentleman Bastards, Locke is soon infamous, fooling even the underworld’s most feared ruler. But in the shadows lurks someone still more ambitious and deadly. Faced with a bloody coup that threatens to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the enemy at his own brutal game—or die trying.

It isn't possible to overstate the impact this story has had on all kinds of media (books, films, video games, music etc) since it was first published in 1955. The world Tolkien writes about feels alive and full of history (in part because he spent years creating a complete overarching mythos and history of this world and the people in it (of which the Lord of the Rings is but a small part).

A tale of Beowulf, Bairn of Ecgthew

aethling of the Geats, firey focus of fable.

Victories many, bought with bounty of blood.

Twin monsters, Grendel's mother and her child

in the Scylding's land, brought low by sin

Time's riverbed, flows fleetingly fast

Until old king Beowulf, Bairn of Ecgthew

starcross'd lord, dreaded day of his death

faced a dragon, and greatest of god's geats

slew it quickly, protecting his land.

Ancient tale, fable of forefathers

of ancient prose, dense deep and dire.

Modern readers, ancient knowledge gone

will struggle much, History held in the heorot

cannot help them, since a heorot they lack.

thus unendowed, no strength for sound struggle

Will then fail, no meaning to them.

Knowledge of the past, if that ye seek

so ye desire, long lost lore

read knowing well, a challenging battle

Hazy and difficult, to enlighten yourself

but expect not, golden rings from the lord

facing the challenge, of this ancient tale.

Hey fellow book lovers! If you haven't heard of it or read it yet, here's why you absolutely need to.

1. Crazy Good Storytelling: This isn't your average fantasy. It's like Rothfuss has made this cool, completely different universe that just sucks you in. You're not just reading about this world, you're living in it.

2. Magic, But Not as You Know It: The magic stuff in this book is super neat. It's called 'Sympathy', and it isn't about pulling rabbits out of hats. It's logical and follows its own set of rules which makes it a whole lot more interesting.

3. Characters You'd Wanna Be Friends With: The main guy, Kvothe, is all sorts of awesome. He's smart, he's funny, and he's got guts. Plus, the other characters in the book are just as great.

4. A Story That Keeps You Guessing: The story jumps between 'now' and 'then', and trust me, you'll be turning pages like mad trying to figure out what happens next.

5. Words That Sing: Rothfuss writes like he's weaving a magic spell of his own. His words are simple but they paint such a vivid picture, you can't help but be pulled in.

I have probably read this book 5 times and discover something new everytime.