User Profile

I love trying out new things and a couple of years ago I started writing in Markdown. I can't remember how I found it but I can't stop thinking about it.

Markdown is a way to write text e.g. in a simple text editor but with formatting options. You can write in bold, in italics or with headers. You can even insert images and links. It's really easy. And you don't need a fancy program like Word.

I've been using it for work projects in IT consulting, for to do lists, and at home for my TTRPG world and character building projects, and for simple note taking.

What I particularly like is that you can open a Markdown file in any text editor on any system, since it is "only" simple text.

I brushed up my skills with this book. And I can absolutely recommend it for beginners and for veteran Markdown users alike. You'll get an overview of how to use it with examples, links for more information and a cheat sheet.

I found this gem via a self-promotion on the Fediverse. And wow, am I'm glad that I found it!

So I love water stories -> above (e.g. Waterworld, Master and Commander) -> and beneath (e.g. The Hunt for Red October, The Meg); and I though I should definitely give this book a try. I didn't expect too much. It was on sale and I haven't yet heard from the author.

I started reading this series, thinking it was 'only' a sci-fi story about a crew of a submarine: a too young captain and his motley crew traveling Earth's ocean. Docking at various ports and living a normal adventure. Or so I thought...

But then it hit me, from chapter to chapter, from book to book the suspense rose. It ascended (if you will).

I kept on reading at night (or else I would've finished much sooner) and I'm very glad to have finished it. I won't spoiler! But I can recommend it, if you're into sci-fi, submarine stories and/or stories that don't follow a standard boring plot.

Yes, I liked it. It was really great to revisit the Lord of the Rings books after reading them 20+ years ago.

So, which book is the best. Hmm, I see it as a whole so every book, every volume has its ups and downs - definitely more ups than downs.

I think I liked volume 1 - the beginning - the best. With Volume 3 I thought it would've been perfectly ok to end it with Chapter 4 of Book 6. But it went on and even though I didn't like chapter 8 I think chapter 9 was beautifully written and a very superb ending to an amazing series.

The appendix is absoluetely fascinating, even though I only skimmed it. I had to return the book to the library. The next reader was already waiting.

And where should I go from here? To quote Theoden "This journey is over, maybe, but I have far yet to go."

There are still The Hobbit, The Silmarillion and other stories. But right now I'm gonna watch the extended movie versions by Peter Jackson.

If you're into fantasy, you probably know The Lord of the Rings already, and if not. Read the books, they are highly recommended.

So, did I enjoy The Two Towers more then The Fellowship of the Ring? Or are they equally great? Should I decide when I’ve read the last volume; The Return of the King?

I’m not sure. I really enjoyed the first volume and I really enjoyed the second one.

The first was the beginning. And in The Two Towers I learned more about the main characters, their history, and their relationships. I learned more about Middle-Earth and the beings living there. The Orcs, the Ents, the villains (no spoilers); to name a few.

Tolkien created a fantastic world; an immense world with fascinating characters. There’s not that much I could add to this ‘review’…

Only this one: I’m missing strong female characters - there are a few, but they’re only supporting. The main characters are all male!

Yes I know, the Lord of the Rings books were written a long time ago. During different times and within another culture. Nevertheless I wanted to write it. Because I love equality; for all genders.

So, I’m deciding after I’ve read the last volume which one I like the best.