I need a book. .to read.

[Jim Nazium]

Neuromancer by William Gibson. One of the first / most iconic novels of the "cyberpunk" genre, it's a griping story, well written, and will make you think a lot about the nature of humanity and consciousness.

The Lord of The Rings by Tolkein - if you haven't read these yet, do it now, even if you've seen the movies. The level of detail, the dialog, and the background history in the books is amazing.

Contact by Carl Sagan. Novel about the first communication from extraterrestrial beings received by humans. Again, even if you saw the movie, do yourself a favor and read the book.

In Search of Schrodinger's Cat by John Gribbin. Not a novel, but a layman's introduction to quantum physics, which is actually much more weird than most science fiction. It's a bit dated - there have been more experiments done since it was written - but IMHO it's still the best, most accessible intro to quantum physics available. Easy to read without being dumbed down, and no mystical mumbo-jumbo.

[geeza]

Originally Posted by Jim Nazium

In Search of Schrodinger's Cat by John Gribbin

Somebody obviously didn't look in the box. Or did they?

[elshunko]

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

On the Bible: everybody should read it. Whether you're religious or not, it's the single most influential set of writings in western civilization, or indeed the world, and knowing what's in it will immensely deepen your understanding of a lot of other things.

Agreed.

[COBRARI]

THE ROAD by Cormac McCarthy

It is a profoundly moving story of a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which a father and his son, "each the other's world entire," are sustained by love.

LIFE by Keith Richards is an easy read.

[geeza]

'Dharma Bums' - Jack Kerouac.

[funkingroovin]

Originally Posted by Radical Edward

Books that question moral values, society, or the "norm" in any way, etc.

Anything by Robert A. Heinlein,Charles Bukowski,Erich von Daniken,or Issac Asimov..that should cover it.

[Wannaflea]

I'm 17, but really into my books!

These are a couple that will leave you thinking

This Thing Of Darkness - Harry Thompson
Based on a true story, it recounts the voyage of Robert FitzRoy and Charles Darwain on HMS Beagle. Big book, examines internal conflict, human extremes, and base need, whilst still being a damn good book

1984 - George Orwell
Everybody should read this book, at least once. This year for my English Literature coursework, the class worked on the recommended texts of American Pyscho by Brett Easton Ellis and the poetry of Prufrock. I chose this instead of Prufrock, and enjoyed the hell out of examining it. It's a fantastic book, as well as being relatively short

American Psycho - Brett Easton Ellis
Not a book to be taken at face value, but if you're a good reader this will be obvious to you. Examines personal hell, gentrification and reification in the most graphic and gory novel I've ever read, set in Yuppy Manhattan.

Lord Of The Rings & The Silmarillion - You know who!
Exceptional, truly one of the best pieces of literature ever written. Having seen the film, this will be a whole different experience, so much more happens in the book. The Silmarillion is an addition, work that didn't make it into LOTR, or lore surrounding Middle Earth. SO good if you want to geek out about it. For example, on Weathertop, Aragorn sings a couple of lines of some Elvish poem. This is revealed in The Silmarillion to be 2 lines of a huge poem, verses long, which recounts the history of some ancient story, which is then shown, brilliant!

His Dark Materials - Phillip Pullman
These are that type of book that's accessible from any age really. Fantastic set of books, the first book: The Northern Lights (released as 'The Golden Compass in America) (interestingly both of these are allusions to Paradise Lost ) was made into a film that was SHOCKING, so so so bad, it was a real shame. The trilogy is gripping and I love it

The Inheritance Cycle - Christopher Paulini
Again, originally intended to be a childrens book, it actually ends up being mature and quite violent towards the end. A gripping fantasy tale involving dragons, dwarves and elves that, somehow, isn't at all cliché! Highly highly recommended

And, ones that might not make you think (poignantly that is, your mind will still be RACING!), but I want to add them anyway, as they both deserve STATUES built in their names!

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy Series - Douglas Adams & And One More Thing - Eoin Colfer

Best set of books I've ever read. End of! And One More Thing was the last addition to the series, by Eoin Colfer, following Adam's tragic death last year. Huge huge credit to Colfer though, he captures all the utter utter genius and cynical wit that Adam made his hallmark. The first book was made into a good film (though it followed none of the real storyline), but the books (there are 5 or 6!) are a billion times better. YOU NEED TO READ THESE BOOKS!

And finally...

The Discworld Series - Terry Pratchett

It breaks my heart that Pratchett is suffering from Alzheimer's, as his books marked my maturing from a child. I am in love with his quips and wit, and the man is a true genius. The books follow multiple character's paths, there are about 50 in total (somebody?) and my favourites follow the path of Captain Sam Vimes, of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. Cynicism, anti-romanticism, outrageous wit, and a bloody good read. First time I've ever dropped a book I was laughing so hard


There you go!

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by geeza

Somebody obviously didn't look in the box. Or did they?

Or did they? :-D

[Wannaflea]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Or did they? :-D

Wanted dead and alive!

[Michael Jewels]

Originally Posted by stratovani

Seeing how he just recently passed away, maybe something by Ray Bradbury might be up your alley. I liked The Illustrated Man myself, but all his books are good reading.

I agree 100% stratovani!

Ray Bradbury is one of my favorite authors; Something Wicked This Way Comes being my favorite work of his.

And if you will allow a history buff to recommend a few books:

Rome And Her Enemies, by Jane Penrose.
A good book on Rome from its beginnings to the late empire and fall.

The British Isles: A History Of Four Nations, by Hugh Kearney.
A good, but long read on England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and how their histories are woven together.

The Templars, by Piers Paul Read.
An excellent book on the religious organization which began with the idea of escorting pilgrims to The Holy Land, then turned into the most powerful military order of The Crusades.

The Mongols, by W.B. Bartlett.
A very good book covering the birth and very slow rise of Genghis Khan to power, through his descendants,the most famous being Kublai Khan, and on to Tamerlane. One estimate claims that about 17 million people can trace their ancestry back to Genghis Khan.

And in parting, a history video. I love the music in this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lTduTwqtjY

Mike

[afzoomie67]

"Way Down - Playing bass with Elvis, Dylan, The Doors & More" - Biography of Jerry Scheff.

[Wannaflea]

Maybe The Art Of War - Sun Tzu

short book, good read, doesn't just apply to war!

[Roscoe East]

Originally Posted by MAJOR METAL

I can not recommend enough the writings of either Sam Harris or Christopher Hitchens on the above topics.

^^^This. The triumvirate of Harris, Hitchens, and Richard Dawkins has been a goldmine for my bookshelf over the past few years.

But if you want an author who's as eloquent, provocative, engaging, and insightful with perhaps slightly less of an overtly atheist position (not that there's anything wrong with that), check out Daniel Dennett. He makes me think so hard that my brain hurts

...and then he makes me realize that it only seems to me that my brain hurts.

Seriously brilliant author with some radically insightful views on conciousness, evolution, how thoughts develop and then influence how people and societies develop, what "infinity" really implies, and why most answers to "Why Is The Sky Blue?" are completely misguided.

[Roscoe East]

Originally Posted by Jim Nazium

Contact by Carl Sagan. Novel about the first communication from extraterrestrial beings received by humans. Again, even if you saw the movie, do yourself a favor and read the book.

+1 Remarkably thought-provoking fiction that's an easy read without pandering, and that rewards repeated readings.

[Pilgrim]

Go straight to Tolkien. First read The Hobbit, and pick up the Trilogy at the same time.

If you've read Tolkien, get R.A Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land. One of the top science fiction novels ever written. For a follow-up, read his The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Wonderful books.

Originally Posted by funkingroovin

Anything by Robert A. Heinlein,Charles Bukowski,Erich von Daniken,or Issac Asimov..that should cover it.

Good suggestion, but realize that Heinlein was superb at supporting the constitution and our country while questioning the ways in which people acted while hiding under its authority. I've never read an author who was better at puncturing stuffed shirts.

[jp58]

LotR, Hitchhiker's Guide, 1984, The DaVinci Code, Angels and Demons, some of Ayn Rand's stuff (and seriously, skip the monologues), and a lot more that I can't think of.

I liked reading Dracula through for school my freshman year. It was a lot more entertaining than the other books we read that semester.

[funkingroovin]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Good suggestion, but realize that Heinlein was superb at supporting the constitution and our country while questioning the ways in which people acted while hiding under its authority. I've never read an author who was better at puncturing stuffed shirts.

Agreed! It's one of the things that makes him a fav in my book..

[fredguy]

"hard boiled wonderland end of the world"

Haruki Murakami

[machine gewehr]

Originally Posted by Radical Edward

I enjoy sci-fi, fantasy, and/or documentary/biography-type books. Books that question moral values, society, or the "norm" in any way, etc.

So.. any suggestions and a bit about the book would be appreciated. :3

If you enjoy the idea of post apocalyptic world and enjoy a very well written book I recommend this one. I couldn't put it down, it's been 1.5 years since I read it and I still think about it almost every day.

The ending is a smack to the head too.

There's something about Russian writers, a unique style that I find fascinating, no body can write like them.

Metro 2033

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

The sequel isn't great, but this is one of the best books I've read.