It's been a long time since I first came across “Why's (Poignant) Guide to Ruby” and I’d forgotten just how personable it is compared to standard programming documentation. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate clear, sober documentation but having a personality counts in a way I hadn't expected.

The love and affection Why the Luck Stiff has for the Ruby is palpable: it pours from every cartoon and zany example. It gets me excited about Ruby, a language I wanted to love but wasn't ready for, yet. I suggest reading the chapter I've linked to get your beak wet and see for yourself just how enjoyable it can be to learn about code. And, maybe I'll take another crack at Ruby, or at the very least, flick through another few chapters.