I haven't personally read the book, but I do know that there's a free webapp for the deck of flashcards if you'd like to take a scroll through each of the lenses

I've never been too fond of that book, I think it attempts to say too much in so little time/space. Too many themes and it spreads a little thin. But I don't think it's too bad of a book if you are a complete newbie and want to get a broad overview of all the potential themes on game design and development.

The flashcards can be good enough to have though if only even to ponder about. I agree that gamedev and game design is basically almost a philosophical choice on what you want your games to be, and thus is why the lenses approach is nice... But then again you could dedicate long books to each "lens" so that is why the actual book seem a little too broad and to thin on each theme imo.

I usually prefer Tracy Fullerton's Game Design Workshop of only because it's a bit more practical and has a better aim at developing a methodology for gamedev. It is a bit dry and academical and not very fit for a "fun" read, but it's also a good start.

The rest of the book I'd say it depends on what you want to focus on on gamedev. And most of them are basically "this is my stance on game design and here are my tools for it". But it depends a lot on what resonates with you I'd say.

Personally I adore that book. In addition to the lenses being amazing, the examples used throughout are just wonderful. You will learn not just about game design, but also crosswalk design and juggling routine design, and how these are all actually the same thing. Come to think of it, it’s actually kinda formative for my view of the entire world? Huh. Anyways uh ignore all that it’s just it’s a good game design book