What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions (audiobook) - Paul's Review

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Title: What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions
Author: Randall Munroe
Year Published: 2014

Narrator: Wil Wheaton
Audiobook Length: 6 hours 36 minutes


Synopsis: Randall Munroe left NASA in 2005 to start up his hugely popular site XKCD 'a web comic of romance, sarcasm, math and language' which offers a witty take on the world of science and geeks. It's had over a billion page hits to date. A year ago Munroe set up a new section - What If - where he tackles a series of impossible questions: If your cells suddenly lost the power to divide, how long would you survive? How dangerous is it, really, in a pool in a thunderstorm? If we hooked turbines to people exercising in gyms, how much power could we produce? What if everyone only had one soulmate? From what height would you need to drop a steak to ensure it was cooked by the time it reached the ground? What would happen if the moon went away? This book gathers together the best entries along with lots of new gems. From The Lord of the Rings, Star Trek and the songs of Tim Minchin, through chemistry, geography and physics, Munroe leaves no stone unturned in his quest for knowledge. And his answers are witty and memorable and studded with hilarious cartoons and infographics. Far more than a book for geeks, WHAT IF explains the laws of science in operation in a way that every intelligent reader will enjoy and feel the smarter for having read. 

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Review: I am a sucker for any audiobook read by Wil Wheaton. I was not that familiar with xkcd before listening to this audiobook, but I had read a few links from it before. 

This book takes seemingly nonsensical questions and answers them with science. Some of them are quite heavy on the math and physics, but others focus on sociology and biology. Wil Wheaton's voice helps get through the ones that drag on with numbers. 

I found this a great audiobook to listen to while at work. Whenever I had time, I could just listen to one chapter. I give this audiobook a 3.5/5. I recommend it to fans of science!


--PAUL

Lock In by John Scalzi (audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton) - Paul's Review

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Title: Lock In
Author: John Scalzi
Year Published: 2014

Narrator: Wil Wheaton
Audiobook Length: 10 hours


Synopsis: Fifteen years from now, a new virus sweeps the globe. 95% of those afflicted experience nothing worse than fever and headaches. Four percent suffer acute meningitis, creating the largest medical crisis in history. And one percent find themselves “locked in”—fully awake and aware, but unable to move or respond to stimulus.

One per cent doesn't seem like a lot. But in the United States, that's 1.7 million people “locked in”...including the President's wife and daughter.

Spurred by grief and the sheer magnitude of the suffering, America undertakes a massive scientific initiative. Nothing can restore the ability to control their own bodies to the locked in. But then two new technologies emerge. One is a virtual-reality environment, “The Agora,” in which the locked-in can interact with other humans, both locked-in and not. The other is the discovery that a few rare individuals have brains that are receptive to being controlled by others, meaning that from time to time, those who are locked in can “ride” these people and use their bodies as if they were their own.

This skill is quickly regulated, licensed, bonded, and controlled. Nothing can go wrong. Certainly nobody would be tempted to misuse it, for murder, for political power, or worse....

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Review: Another wonderful Scalzi/Wheaton combo. This audiobook is available read by either Amber Benson or Wil Wheaton. I, of course, had to go with Wheaton. This novel was a little bit more on the serious side than some of Scalzi's more humorous books. As I listen to Scalzi's books, I can really see his writing develop. This book feels like it was written in 2014. I really enjoyed the diversity present in this book. 

The nickname for people using, pretty much, robot bodies is excellent! All of the technology is really interesting. I love that it is reactive technology. There was an incident and science progressed the world forward in response. The Agora is also a really cool concept. I wonder how long it is until we have a similar virtual space. 

This book is a police detective story at its roots, but politics and elements of the business world are also very prevalent. 

There are many parallels in this book to both current and past civil rights movements. I liked the way the topics of segregation and minorities were dealt with in this novel.

I definitely recommend this book, especially the audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton. I give this book a 4/5 and can't wait for the next Scalzi book!

--PAUL

Agent to the Stars by John Scalzi (audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton) - Paul's Review

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Title: Agent to the Stars
Author: John Scalzi
Year Published: 2005

Narrator: Wil Wheaton
Audiobook Length: 8 hours 49 minutes


Synopsis: The space-faring Yherajk have come to Earth to meet us and to begin humanity's first interstellar friendship. There's just one problem: They're hideously ugly and they smell like rotting fish. So getting humanity's trust is a challenge. The Yherajk need someone who can help them close the deal. Enter Thomas Stein, who knows something about closing deals. He's one of Hollywood's hottest young agents. But although Stein may have just concluded the biggest deal of his career, it's quite another thing to negotiate for an entire alien race. To earn his percentage this time, he's going to need all the smarts, skills, and wits he can muster. 

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Review: I really enjoy the Scalzi/Wheaton combo in audiobooks. Wil Wheaton's voice plus the quirky comedy and interesting science fiction of Scalzi make sure these audiobooks do NOT put you to sleep. This book is another fun and easy listen. 

This book takes place in a very Hollywood world. The bearocracy of everything is always a joke that takes center stage. The aliens are ridiculous, but realistic enough. Scalzi really has a thing for aliens and scents and smells. 

Although, this book is funnier than other Scalzi books I have read, it still has a sci-fi core. Everything is in the details. I enjoyed how much the notion of acceptance was at the core of this novel. I give this book a 4/5 and highly recommend it. 


--PAUL

The Android's Dream by John Scalzi (audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton) - Paul's Review

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Title: The Android's Dream
Author: John Scalzi
Year Published: 2006

Narrator: Wil Wheaton
Audiobook Length: 10 hours 34 minutes


Synopsis: A human diplomat kills his alien counterpart. Earth is on the verge of war with a vastly superior alien race. A lone man races against time and a host of enemies to find the one object that can save our planet and our people from alien enslavement...

A sheep.

That's right, a sheep. And if you think that's the most surprising thing about this book, wait until you read Chapter One. Welcome to The Android's Dream.

For Harry Creek, it's quickly becoming a nightmare. All he wants is to do his uncomplicated mid-level diplomatic job with Earth's State Department. But his past training and skills get him tapped to save the planet--and to protect pet store owner Robin Baker, whose own past holds the key to the whereabouts of that lost sheep. Doing both will take him from lava-strewn battlefields to alien halls of power. All in a day's work. Maybe it's time for a raise.

Throw in two-timing freelance mercenaries, political lobbyists with megalomaniac tendencies, aliens on a religious quest, and an artificial intelligence with unusual backstory, and you've got more than just your usual science fiction adventure story. You've got The Android's Dream.

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Review: I really enjoy John Scalzi's audiobooks read by Wil Wheaton. I can listen to them for hours at a time without getting bored, falling asleep, or getting completely confused. These are the perfect type of books to listen to. I have tried listening to massive sci-fi books, but I feel a good sci-fi audiobook needs humor. 

Scalzi's futures always feel more realistic. The humor is found in the mundane and procedural. The Android's Dream is D.C. politics, but in the future with aliens. It is a fun sci-fi adventure with law and procedure added in. 

The technology in this novel is all very cool. The artificial intelligence too. Scalzi does an excellent job of placing guns on the mantle that always get fired in the third act. The way everything falls into place feels very natural. It always comes down to the specifics. 

I like the way religion was portrayed. A self fulfilling prophetic group is such an interesting concept. 

Wil Wheaton does an excellent job capturing the light humor as well as the interesting sci-fi details.I give this audiobook a 4/5 and will definitely continue to listen to more Scalzi/Wheaton combos. 


--PAUL

Redshirts by John Scalzi (audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton) - Paul's Review

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Title: Redshirts
Author: John Scalzi
Year Published: 2012

Narrator: Wil Wheaton
Audiobook Length: 7 hours 41 minutes

My Pre-Reading of Redshirts

Synopsis: Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It's a prestige posting, and Andrew is thrilled all the more to be assigned to the ship's Xenobiology laboratory. Life couldn't be better...until Andrew begins to pick up on the facts that (1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces; (2) the ship's captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations; and (3) at least one low-ranked crew member is, sadly, always killed.

Not surprisingly, a great deal of energy below decks is expended on avoiding, at all costs, being assigned to an Away Mission. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues' understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is...and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own lives.

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Review: This was soooooo much more than I expected it to be. I thought it would just be a fun simple satire of the redshirts from Star Trek: The Original Series, but it is so much more. Not to be too spoilery, but this book tackles topics of existentialism and is super meta. I was surprised how much it made me think. Between listening to the chapters, I was thinking about so many things. 

The "meta"ness of this book is amazing. There are so many levels that it will make your head explode. Scalzi did an excellent job putting this book and the concept together. I loved the explanation for each character. They all had their place. 

There were so many specific Star Trek episodes that were referenced or indirectly referenced that I got the nostalgic chills for. I'm sure they were even more references place by Scalzi that I didn't get. You don't have to be that familiar with Star Trek though. 

The three codas at the end of this novel have a completely different feel to the rest of the novel. When listening to the audiobook, the story ended and I still had two hours left. There were so many emotions felt by me during the codas. I related to each of them in a different way. 

This book was entertaining, funny, and thought provoking. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it. Wil Wheaton's narration is also excellent. I give this book and its audiobook a 5/5. 


--PAUL

Redshirts by John Scalzi (audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton) - Paul's Pre-Reading

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Title: Redshirts
Author: John Scalzi
Year Published: 2012

Narrator: Wil Wheaton
Audiobook Length: 7 hours 41 minutes

Synopsis: Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It's a prestige posting, and Andrew is thrilled all the more to be assigned to the ship's Xenobiology laboratory. Life couldn't be better...until Andrew begins to pick up on the facts that (1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces; (2) the ship's captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations; and (3) at least one low-ranked crew member is, sadly, always killed.

Not surprisingly, a great deal of energy below decks is expended on avoiding, at all costs, being assigned to an Away Mission. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues' understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is...and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own lives.

Why?:  I've heard great things about this novel. FX is currently developing a tv series and I want to make sure to read (or listen to) this book before that happens. Also, it's Star Trek. And I am quite the nerd. Also, Wil Wheaton narrated this audiobook. I really liked how he narrated Ready Player One. 

Expectations: I'm expecting a fun satire of Star Trek focusing on the redshirts who always end up dead on away missions. I'm sure there will be a lot of light hearted making fun of Star Trek. 

Judging a book by its cover:  The cover is simple: a redshirt. It reminds me of the TOS uniforms, which it is supposed to. 


--PAUL

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (Audiobook read by Wil Wheaton) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Ready Player One
Author: Ernest Cline
Year Published: 2011

Narrator: Wil Wheaton
Audiobook Length: 15 hours 46 minutes

Synopsis: It's the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place.

Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets. 

And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune--and remarkable power--to whoever can unlock them. 

For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday's riddles are based in the pop culture he loved--that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday's icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes's oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig. 

And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle. 

Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt--among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life--and love--in the real world he's always been so desperate to escape. 

A world at stake. 
A quest for the ultimate prize. 
Are you ready?

Review: This was my first Audible audiobook and I absolutely loved it. Wil Wheaton's narration really added to the story. I think it also helped that he was familiar with the nerdy material of the 80's. There are even instances where he references himself or Star Trek: The Next Generation. 

If you aren't familiar with the nerdy pop culture of the 80's, it isn't necessary. There were many references I didn't already know, but there were also plenty that I was familiar with. 

The characters in this book are all very interesting. Most of them have devoted their lives to this one competition. They are all filling different voids in their life. I was completely enthralled by all the characters. 

I highly recommend this book to any nerdy reader, especially those familiar with the 80's geek culture. The future world created is so interesting. If the Internet progresses in a similar direction, I would be completely fine. I give this book a 5/5.


--PAUL

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (Sudiobook read by Wil Wheaton) - Paul's PRE-READING

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Title: Ready Player One
Author: Ernest Cline
Year Published: 2011

Narrator: Wil Wheaton
Audiobook Length: 15 hours 46 minutes

Synopsis: It's the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place.

Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets. 

And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune--and remarkable power--to whoever can unlock them. 

For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday's riddles are based in the pop culture he loved--that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday's icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes's oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig. 

And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle. 

Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt--among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life--and love--in the real world he's always been so desperate to escape. 

A world at stake. 
A quest for the ultimate prize. 
Are you ready?

Why?: I finally got an Audible subscription. It makes a lot of sense with my line of work and I'm so excited to start listening to books. After much browsing, I picked Ready Player One not only because I've heard amazing things about the book, but also because Wil Wheaton narrates. The book is about a near future where there's an epic virtual world that has pretty much become the new internet. The creator of this program dies and leaves behind a game involving riddles in which the winner will earn the creator's inheritance. I've heard there are a lot of 80's pop culture and nerd culture references. I hope I get the references and if not, I'm excited to learn about the decade I was born in but barely experienced. 

Expectations: I'm expecting a fun and nerdy adventure through 80's references. I'm expecting an interesting take on the future.

Judging a book by its cover: This cover is very simple. The colors are bold. I like the 8-bit player and the key. It reminds me of the game Chip. 


--PAUL