Ask HN: What book did you read in 2016 that was so good you gifted it to others? 10 years ago
Several:
* "The Elements Of Computing Systems", by Nisan and Schocken
Accompanies www.nand2tetris.org and leads you through implementing logic gates, a CPU, Assembler, right up to a functional computer, with the help of simulator software on a PC. Fascinating, but requires 100-200 hours to complete all the exercises.
* "The Rosie Project", by Graeme Simsion
Easy to read novel about a man searching for a wife, as recommended on Bill Gates' blog
* "Island Of The Lost", by Joan Druett
A true story of survival after being shipwrecked on a remote island
* "River Town", by Peter Hessler
The experiences of an English teacher who spent two years working in China