(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best literary fiction books

As a Catholic, I can assure you Catholics ARE Christians. Mel Gibson is a Catholic... sort of. He's a Sedevacantist.

Man, call yourself a Christian! I would also recommend looking into the Roman Catholic faith or the Eastern Orthdox faith (we're the OG Christians, lol).

Yes, get a Bible, but DON'T read it cover-to-cover. Once you get to Leviticus, you'll be like, "What the actual f--- is going ON here?" Start with the New Testament, specifically one of the Gospels. I personally love the Gospel of Luke because of how it portrays Mary, but the Gospel of John is quite good, too. It's very symbolic and is perhaps the one you could study the deepest.

if you're finding it hard to understand some of the New Testament of the Bible (the part with Jesus, the letters of Paul, and the Book of Revelation,) I would recommend buying the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. It's an actual, readable Bible that contains commentary throughout. The version I linked is only for the New Testament. The Old Testament analysis is still being compiled, but it's almost done.

Also, listen to Scott Hahn's podcast where he breaks down various sections of the Bible.

As for reading materials outside the Bible, I can highly recommend Mere Christianity, by C. S. Lewis, Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton, and Chesterton's other work The Everlasting Man.

Oh yeah, PRAY! Just have a conversation with God! Talk to him about anything you want! Pray to God, ask the Blessed Mother for intercession, or any of the saints

If you're confused about the various denominations of Christianity, Here's a basic flow chart.

Here's the Nicene Creed, which is a mash-up of what (most) Christians believe

Also, I highly recommend the Podcast Pints with Aquians! It's an analysis of the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas, who's life mission was to combine faith with human reason and prove that it was not unreasonable to believe in God, but perhaps it is unreasonable to not believe in God.

I, along with everyone on this sub, will be praying for you! Good luck on your faith journey!

it comes and goes. For me its very seasonal, in the winter the spark dies out and I'm in survival mode. I always get depressed, but less so each year and I get much better at dealing with it. This is a great time for me right now because its spring and I'm getting the spark back day by day. So just understand that you're not doing anything wrong, it's just how things go so don't reach for what made you happy in another time.

It's time to ground yourself in life and also kind of go into survival mode, value calmness and tranquility instead of euphoria and deep understanding. It's like that amazing book The Alchemist where the boy has to learn the wisdom of the desert. Desert wisdom is really what you need right now, if you can meditate on that. And check out that book, I think you'll like it.

> If I weren’t out here every day battling the white man, I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity—because you can hardly mention anything I’m not curious about. -Malcolm X


Most Helpful For Me:

-The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Fiction)


Uplifting Inspiration:

-Life Lines: Holding On (and Letting Go) (Beacon Press)

-The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine ($0.99 ebook)

-The Jefferson Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth ($0.99 ebook; Beacon Press)

-A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power by former Pres. Jimmy Carter

-How Should We Live?: Great Ideas from the Past for Everyday Life

-The Art of InterGroup Peace (Free PDF ebook.)

-Place, Not Race: A New Vision of Opportunity in America (Speaks of the pitfalls of college affirmative action, yet, the lessons apply beyond that as well; Beacon Press.)


Philanthropy/Social Enterprises:

-The Moral Measure of the Economy

-To Uphold the World: A Call for a New Global Ethic from Ancient India (Buddhist-inspired governing/economics; Beacon Press)

-A Force for Good: The Dalai Lama's Vision for Our World

-Our Day to End Poverty: 24 Ways You Can Make a Difference

-The Power of Partnership: Seven Relationships that Will Change Your Life

-Toxic Charity: How the Church Hurts Those They Help and How to Reverse It

-Charity Detox: What Charity Would Look Like If We Cared About Results by the author of Toxic Charity

-Inspired Philanthropy: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Giving Plan and Leaving a Legacy


Self-Care:

-Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others

-This Is Where You Belong: The Art and Science of Loving the Place You Live

-Everyday Spiritual Practice: Simple Pathways for Enriching Your Life (Skinner House Books)


Children:

-Critical Lessons: What our Schools Should Teach

-Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs

-Three Key Years: Talk - Read - Play - Sing To Support & Help Every Child in America (Free PDF ebook.)


Nature/Wildlife:

-The Ten Trusts: What We Must Do to Care for The Animals We Love by Jane Goodall & Marc Bekoff

-The Souls of Animals by UU Rev. Gary Kowalski

-Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature

> Or some advice.

Buy them some books. Libraries are OK too.

Maybe Yes, Maybe No (LINK)

by Dan Barker

In today's media-flooded world, there is no way to control all of the information, claims, and enticements that reach young people. The best thing to do is arm them with the sword of critical thinking.

Maybe Yes, Maybe No is a charming introduction to self-confidence and self-reliance. The book's ten-year-old heroine, Andrea, is always asking questions because she knows "you should prove the truth of a strange story before you believe it."

"Check it out. Repeat the experiment. Try to prove it wrong. It has to make sense." writes Barker, as he assures young readers that they are fully capable of figuring out what to believe, and of knowing when there just isn't enough information to decide. "You can do it your own way. If you are a good skeptic you will know how to think for yourself."

Another book is "Me & Dog" by Gene Weingarten.

And Born With a Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story : Books 1, 2, 3

Here Comes Science CD + DVD

The Magic of Reality by Richard Dawkins

Bang! How We Came to Be by Michael Rubino.

Grandmother Fish: A Child's First Book of Evolution
Grandmother Fish, free in PDF form online

Also:

Greek Myths – by Marcia Williams
Ancient Egypt: Tales of Gods and Pharaohs – by Marcia Williams
God and His Creations – by Marcia Williams

"I Wonder" by Annaka Harris

"From Stardust to You: An Illustrated Guide to The Big Bang" by Luciano Reni

"Meet Bacteria!" by Rebecca Bielawski

See also Highlights for Children - this has materials for younger children.

Atheism books for children by Courtney Lynn

"It Is Ok To Be A Godless Me", "I'm An Atheist and That's Ok", "I'm a Freethinker", "Please Don't Bully Me" and "I'm a Little Thinker" etc.

(Courtney Lynn has a couple more for grown ups as well.)

Augie and the Green Knight by Zach Weinersmith

-- See other books by by Zach Weinersmith as well.

15 Holiday Gift Ideas for Secular Families

Bedtime Bible Stories by Joey Lee Kirkman - for mature teens only

Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy by Jostein Gaarder

Coming up: TINY THINKERS is a series of books introducing popular scientists to children, by telling their stories as if the scientists themselves were kids!

GoFundMe : Tiny Thinkers

Sorted from Top (best) to bottom (least best)


Alex Verus - Benedict Jacka: I think this series is finally starting to get a following, but it is a well written, fast paced contender to the more popular Dresden Files. Not much to say here other than it sometimes goes a lot darker direction than other UF is willing to go. ( https://www.amazon.com/Fated-Verus-Novel-Benedict-Jacka/dp/1937007294 )


Clean - Alex Hughes: Another good debut book. This one is about telepaths (replace 'telepath' with 'wizard' and this book easily falls into the UF category). In a world where telepaths exist openly alongside mortals; the main character is a a recovering addict who works with the police using his abilities. Shunned by those like him, he seeks to keep busy, get through the day, and interview suspects, up until an odd slew of deaths starts to hit a little too close to home. The book's plot is fast paced and keeps readers engaged. This book's quality is right up there with some of the big leagues, which makes me sad that not too many people know about it. ( https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Mindspace-Investigations-Alex-Hughes/dp/0451464753 )


Awfully Appetizing - Leod Fitz: A very good debut book about a monstrous corpse-eating ghoul, named Walter, that runs a funeral home, and somehow deals with all the unpleasantness thrown his way. It is fast paced, action packed, has interesting characters, and despite my banal summary - an interesting premise. Definitely one of my stronger contenders and a return to what made me love UF in the first place. Very fun read. ( https://www.amazon.com/Awfully-Appetizing-Corpse-Eater-Saga-1/dp/1530897408/ )


The Coach - M C Sumner: The third book of a young-adult (highschool aged) trilogy, but it stands on its own. Easily grabs your attention and brings back an aspect of impending dread that a lot of UF has drifted away from. Very good read, holds up for adults as well. Might have to go on Abe Books to find a copy. ( https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1514626.The_Coach )

It's great that you're starting to take control and responsibility of your life but this is a word of warning - it comes with a price.

You are no longer allowed to be indifferent about anything. You must be attentive and nurturing to this relationship 100%. This is something that isn't stressed in TRP because TRP is more concerned about being alpha, not the responsibility that comes with it.

This kind of behaviour will breed a certain kind of women - perhaps one that you want. If you continue with this, she will start to look to you for everything. You make the final choice and the first suggestion on where you are going for dinner, holiday, fun etc. It can be very exhausting and you do not have an out card by saying "I'm too tired" or "I don't care, you decide" anymore. This is the curse and the blessing of being a captain.

In return to your leadership, her agency will start to leave. That's a good thing because your role will now be to take the stress and pain away from her everyday life. Remember: women want to be carefree - they want to be reminded of the times when she was young with 0 responsibility, running through fields of grass in her beautiful sundress. If you allow her to do that, you are the best of men.

What that means is you need to bridge that gap between her temptation, pain, vulnerability, enjoyment and her life indulgences. Normally this gap is filled with other things such as a night out with the girls, getting drunk or indulging in wasting time on daytime TV. I've seen people escape into their work before to run away from a husband who is unable to support her in all the places in her life. She needs a confident, an advisor and someone who is non-judgemental that is forever on her team that can make her forget about her worldly responsibilities.

With your actions you are making a promise to her - that you will never let her down or hurt her. You will never use her for your own ends and you will never abuse your power by demanding or raising your voice. Taking on this role means you the rock in which she will rest everything. You will be forever fair, never making false threats or throwing insults because you are a man, and better than that.

This also means you're treading a fine line when you refuse to accept her hug in greeting. Do not play power-games with the one you love the most, instead, give her a constant that she can forever rely on.

(As an aside, if she was giving you a hug as an apology, it would've been destructive to the relationship to refuse it. The way it sounds like you did it, as a "hold that thought" moment, is acceptable).

I personally consider this the biggest sin of men to date. They don't know how to communicate or the right times to be vulnerable or strong. You must learn how to do that if you do not already.

Recommended reading to help you find that place (if you haven't already);

Zan Perrion: The Alabaster Girl

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alabaster-Girl-Zan-Perrion/dp/0992016606/ref=sr_1_1/


John Gray: Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mars-Women-Venus-Communication-Relationships/dp/0007152590/ref=sr_1_1

(Yes I know some people have opinions about that one, I found it incredibly helpful in learning how to communicate).

Going to put my 2 cents and Five Pounds Sterling in here as well. Probably in descending order of my favourites, actually!

As recommended elsewhere, the Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons, comprised of four books (in two Omnibuses (Hyperion, Fall of Hyperion and Endymion, Rise of Endymion) are an excellent read. One of my all-time favourites.

Spares, by Michael Marshall Smith, is a weird one. Maybe not pure-Scifi, but definitely something to look at.

Altered Carbon, by Richard Morgan, is a dark, violent read but with a compelling protagonist. Contains possible the best revenge scene ever. Not for the squeamish. Grips you from the very first page.

Unto Leviathan (known in the US as "Ship of Fools") by Richard Paul Russo, is one of the two books that I've finished in one sitting (the other being The Fall of Hyperion). Brilliant page turner. Just don't expect things to get wrapped up neatly at the end.

Pushing Ice by Alastair Reynolds. Great standalone book, but once again too many questions left at the end! But I guess that's the point!

Eon by Greg Bear is quite hard Sci-Fi, but if that's your thing you'll love it.

Marrow by Robert Reed has some wonderful ideas, but is sadly not the most well written book in the world. A spaceship as big as Jupiter, inhabited by thousands of different alien species, ruled over by immortal humans who have discovered something hidden in the core of the ship. The story spans thousands of years. Can drag a little in the middle, but definitely worth a look at, if only for the concepts presented.

Think it's time to dig some of these out and give them another read. Maybe after some sleep...

It's 4:30am here, so I appreciate my descriptions have added nothing of value, hence the links. The links aren't affiliated or anything like that, they're just there for Redditor's perusal. ;)

As a serious answer:

"Yes, but....." It’s already possible to integrate neural cells to electronics:

http://www.inc.com/magazine/20091201/innovation-giving-sight-to-the-blind.html
but broadcasting thoughts would take more work. We don’t fully understand what makes up a specific “thought” yet, and once we do, we will have to come up with a method of transmission and playback, since the brain doesn’t communicate in something like TCP/IP.
Probably an early adaptation of the concept would look like what is done in Strange Days:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114558/
Which is a fantastic (if rather kinky) movie based around the ability to record and play back experiences.


If you want some really good far-future concepts around human/computer interface, take a look at "The Quantum Thief” by “Hannu OhJesusI’mNotGoingToTryAndPronounceThatLastName.”
http://www.amazon.com/The-Quantum-Thief-Hannu-Rajaniemi/dp/0765329492
He’s going some amazing concepts around both interface and what exactly is “self”.
(please forgive typos…. It’s late)

Well, I'm here later rather than sooner. I'll look to see if I have anything to add.

I don't like Andrew Cohen at all, nor Genpo Roshi, nor Marc Gafni, and these are some of the people Wilber associates with. I won't apologize for that, and have no idea why he does.

However, I've read about 5 of his numerous works completely (and read parts of at least 5 others), as well as his opus Sex, Ecology, and Spirituality. He shortened that for A Brief History of Everything, which is sufficient. These, and/or other books by Wilber are available at many public libraries.

Some argue that the "Integral" programs are expensive. Yes, they are. I've never spent any money on them. They don't attract me. I think one can study something, say Buddhism, without becoming monastic or getting a PhD in it.

Integral explained in a nutshell:

I've found that the Integral direction balances Buddhism very well. Although it is hard to describe simply, there are 4 quadrants to consider for life: inner self (I), relationships (we), science (it), and culture (its). Buddhism is excellent on the inner self, the I. However, it's not so helpful in the other quadrants, particularly relationships.

And, if we are really deficient in one of these areas, we really can't progress in the others. If I can't get along with authority, I'll never listen to wise teachers. That relationship issue could limit my ability to learn to meditate. Or, if I were to believe some fundamentalist perspective that my culture espouses (say a Jehova's Witness), I may not pursue modern medicine for proper health. This is limiting.

If one is interested, reading A Brief History of Everything (linked above) is helpful, but an even better place to start is One Taste. The Simple Feeling of Being is worthwhile. The CD set Kosmic Consciousness is quite good. Stay away from Integral Spirituality as well as Integral Psychology. I thought they were not well edited or put together.

If it is of interest, read it. If not, don't.

Thanks for the link!

Edit: formatting

I'm pretty impressed by Wilber, I really respect his intentions and he's clearly good at practicing what he preaches (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFFMtq5g8N4) I know this is pricey but it's definitely something I'd recommend to the interested: http://www.amazon.com/Kosmic-Consciousness-Ken-Wilber/dp/1591791243 and I'm curious to check out the podcasts on this website http://www.learnoutloud.com/Free-Online-Learning/Free-Video-Audio-Resources/Ken-Wilber-Podcast/193

Hope all this helps a bit!

Rachel Aaron's Nice Dragons Finish Last is a really fun read, as are her Eli Monpress books.

Patricia McKillip's many novels are another go-to for me when I'd like something full of hope instead of gore. Most of her books are short and standalone, yet have wonderful characters and beautiful prose. Some of my favorites of hers that are readily available as both ebooks and paperbacks include: The Book of Atrix Wolfe, The Changeling Sea, and The Cygnet and the Firebird.

If you like adventure fantasy, you might try Martha Wells's The Cloud Roads or Howard Andrew Jones's The Desert of Souls.

I would suggest Orthodoxy.

It's perfect for a group setting because it's written in a flowing and pleasurable style, with each chapter being a brief exploration of an idea - many of which are original and even quirky suggestions (like the one about how we should love being in this reality with the same attitude with which a patriot loves his country - no matter how good or bad it is), which lend themselves pretty easily to discussion.

Congrats on getting the job!

My day could have been better (got lost on my run at the nearby woods, got sick somehow when I got home) but whatever! It's still been an awesome day:P

Thanks for the contest, big spender ;)

(I'd love The Cuckoos Calling!)

For anyone interested I HIGHLY recommend Neil Gaiman's book Norse Mythology. He presents to his, and other historians, best knowledge all of the best stories from Norse Mythology and they are absolutely incredible. They really helped me appreciate the marvel universe and some of its origins!

https://www.amazon.com/Norse-Mythology/dp/B01M1DYSHD

Thanks for the recommendation, I really appreciate it!

In terms of self-published books, I'd also recommend Will Wight's House of Blades and the rest of the Traveler's Gate Trilogy. It's basically a shonen anime in novel form.

And if you want something free, Mother of Learning is fantastic. It's a "magical school" story, but with a D&D-inspired magic system that is much more developed and a groundhog's day loop. It's super fun.

Although not as old as many of the classics on the list, I feel Michael Marshall Smith is missing from the list. Perhaps best represented by his debut Only Forward. However, Spares and One of Us are equally thrilling.

What I like most about his writing, is how he never describes the details of the futuristic technologies in his books, but rather explore how people interact with it. This makes it a good mix of interesting sci-fi and a great deal of wit.

I haven't read this yet but it's on my list: Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy. It's a novel that doubles as a pretty decent history of philosophy from what I've been told. Seems like a step in the direction you'd like to head.

Tolstoy's great-grandniece has a good post apocalyptic book called The Slynx.

Day of the Oprichnik and The Queue by Vladimir Sorokin are both good. The Queue is written in all dialogue though, which can be off-putting to some.

Omon Ra by Victor Pelevin is pretty damn funny.

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin is considered a precursor to 1984 and is worth a read.

Yuri Olesha's Envy is another funny one. Short, too.

Petersburg by Andrei Bely is generally considered the Russian Ulysses.

The Foundation Pit by Andrey Platonov is a biting look at Stalin's collectivization.

The Golovlyov Family by Shchedrin is about a family so awful they wouldn't be out of place in a Faulkner book.

Autobiography of a Corpse by Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky is my favorite of his story collections. Pretty trippy stuff.

>Seduction implies a me vs her mentality,

How? I think we're simply disagreeing on terms now. Seduction is giving her a fun dream to enjoy. But in the semantic argument, we've now entered into philosophy.

> She becomes an object

We're all objects to each other via our perspective. This is the nature of consciousness until you cross over into Enlightenment.

I see what you're trying to say, and I agree, but you're simply changing terms. I doubt I'm going to persuade you to see seduction as a cooperative act, but here's my best shot.

You can't trick people. It's really impossible. People trick themselves. You never "seduced" a woman by your definition of seduction. She decided to play along in the role of "the seduced."

However, in my definition, it is a cooperative act because in order to seduce, you must first be seduced, i.e., attracted enough to care to seduce her. It's a mutual act of dreamweaving. She bats her eyes at you, you approach, spit some game, she laughs and touches your chest, you two go home together, you both open your bodies to each other.

At no point was one person doing anything to the other exclusively.

If seduction is manipulation, then you're manipulating each other, so really neither of you is being played as you're both being played.

Your definition cancels itself out. And even if you do switch over to my definition, the same thing is still happening, you're simply seeing it differently.

This is getting very close to becoming a Zen koan....

"What is the sound of a man seducing himself?"

I think you would enjoy Zan Perrion's book, The Alabaster Girl. I've actually met Zan, too, and can confirm he knows his shit.

Maybe The Mezzanine by Nicholson Baker?

The whole book takes place during a guy’s one-hour lunch break at work, but the content is largely about his second to second thoughts and explores the way our minds can wander (especially in a boring office setting). Like how looking at the grooves in an escalator makes him think about the grooves in a record or the grooves made by an ice skate, then imagining shrinking down to the size where you could explore those grooves like giant canyons. Haven’t thought of it as humor, but it is pretty funny.

For me I'm going to go a bit old school. First "The Abolition of Man" by C. S. Lewis, which argues for a sort of 'Universal Truth'. I thought it was endlessly fascinating, and it's really an easy, short read. (The audio book was only an few hours long). There's also Lewis's "Mere Christianity" which is once again easy and short. In it he sort of starts with a shortened version of the argument found in Abolition, and from there discusses why Christianity itself works as the 'Universal Truth'.

If your looking for something thicker, I would suggest G. K. Chesterton's "Heretics", which blasts away the philosophy of his contemporaries (Which is still applicable today), "Orthodoxy" which discusses his own conversion and his own search for truth, and "The Everlasting Man" which discusses the history of mankind and Christianity's role in it. (This was also the book that converted Lewis' intellect).

Chesterton is not necessarily a difficult read because of lengthy words, or because he references something no longer fashionable, but because of his ideas. I like to think I can understand things fairly well, but I had to pause often to go over a phrase, or to really think about a thought he presented. But both authors are very enjoyable.

The Raksura Series by Martha Wells is pretty fun.

It's set in a world filled with hundreds or possibly thousands of different sentient races, with highly diverse cultures, and with setting elements like magical airships and a city built on the back of a giant sea monster. The series' main characters are all from a race called the Raksura, who have the ability to shift into large half dragon-like creatures.

Wells has a bad habit of giving ordinary things cheesy fantasy names (years are turns, and children are younglings, and so on)- but if you can get past that, the series has a lot of good action, believable characters and a focus on exploration and discovery that fits well with an extremely imaginative setting.

I ain't birthed no babies!

This makes me happy :) Its my go-to show when I'm feeling down.

You should get Cuckoo's Calling!!

Happy Birfday!

I haven't seen it, I gathered it wasn't great, I'll probably watch it eventually... It was kind of ripped off the novel Spares by Michael Marshall Smith. Dreamworks bought the rights for it, they lapsed and then they made this film, even from a synopsis of the film it seems pretty clear to me they've jacked it, but he decided it wasn't worth suing over. Great book though, although his others are probably even better.

I agree with this completely, down to the Sandman Slim rec.

The closest to Dresden I've found is Benedict Jacka's Alex Verus books. Like the Druid series, they're very derivative of Butcher in terms of setup, but they're way better executed than Hearne's books.

I also really liked Harry Connolly's first book, Child of Fire, although the other books in the series don't quite hold up.

Both of the above-mentioned books come with Jim Butcher's cover endorsement, fwiw.

I love the enthusiasm! I know you aren't asking for recs, but this is a book that really moved me:The Gift of Rain. Can't beat the price on the used hardback, and I think it would blow your mind. Also this one, about a North Korean guy going through some insanely heavy stuff. Man there's a lot of good stuff out there for you.

Not to be pedantic, but foreigners are only allowed to visit Pyongyang, and only with Party-approved escorts. I hope things change there, I guess I'm just not optimistic.

If you're interested in a fantastic fictionalized take on NK, check this out.

The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi and The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi are both amazing, deep, engrossing books with worlds of their own. I cannot recommend them enough.

Also, China Mieville's books are pretty awesome, though more urban fantasy than SciFi. Still worth a read.

Non-fiction:

• The Design of Everyday Things -- not about programming, but a great resource in general for viewing things from a design perspective, and it was required reading in my CS curriculum.
  
• Don't Make Me Think -- another design-oriented book about web usability. It's quite a quick read since it's mostly pictures.
  
  Fiction:
  
  
• Sourdough -- it's a fun whimsical story about Silicon Valley, programming, and baking bread. Very quick, light read.
  

Out of your mind shares a first place position with Kosmic Consciousness for best audio philosophy material I've come across.

Seriously though, I've listened to Out of Your Mind upwards of 10 times by now, certain discs many times more. It's amazing.

Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson

"In an unnamed Middle Eastern security state, a young Arab-Indian hacker shields his clients—dissidents, outlaws, Islamists, and other watched groups—from surveillance and tries to stay out of trouble. He goes by Alif—the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, and a convenient handle to hide behind. The aristocratic woman Alif loves has jilted him for a prince chosen by her parents, and his computer has just been breached by the State’s electronic security force, putting his clients and his own neck on the line. Then it turns out his lover’s new fiancé is the "Hand of God," as they call the head of State security, and his henchmen come after Alif, driving him underground. When Alif discovers The Thousand and One Days, the secret book of the jinn, which both he and the Hand suspect may unleash a new level of information technology, the stakes are raised and Alif must struggle for life or death, aided by forces seen and unseen.

With shades of Neal Stephenson, Neil Gaiman, Philip Pullman, and The Thousand and One Nights, Alif the Unseen is a tour de force debut—a sophisticated melting pot of ideas, philosophy, religion, technology and spirituality smuggled inside an irresistible page-turner."

if you dont mind the ads, you can listen to it on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a3OmtlxJsU

if you want it to download you can use audible or buy it on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Norse-Mythology/dp/B01M1DYSHD/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1523565224&sr=8-2&dpID=61CrEYL26KL&preST=_SX342_QL70_&dpSrc=detail

if you cant afford the audio book, id either use the youtube video or use your free audio download if you havent used audible before. you get your first book free.

I cannot recommend enough reading the old Norse legends, they are amazing and funny and interesting. Neil Gaiman's book [Norse Mythology] (https://www.amazon.com/Norse-Mythology-Neil-Gaiman-ebook/dp/B01HQA6EOC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1501012366&sr=8-1) is incredible

[Norse Mythology] (https://www.amazon.com/Norse-Mythology/dp/B01M1DYSHD/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1499310182&sr=1-1&keywords=neil+gaiman+norse+mythology) by Neil Gaiman, narrated by Neil Gaiman. Great hybrid retelling of stories you may or may not know. I love the author's delivery and I finished this book much faster than anticipated.

I have a 44 hours of driving coming up over the next week and I would love recommendations!

I just stumbled upon S. by Doug Durst and JJ Abrams which sort of falls into this category as well. There's a "people who viewed this also liked..." rabbit hole to venture on from there. I should've thought of that first!

Edit: Mezzanine by Nicholson Baker, from what limited preview is available, also seems to use a footnote format that could be appropriated.

Thank you for your help. You seem to always be dispensing quality advice in general for a single upvote.

The Culture series is great. Iain M. Banks also wrote this essay describing his universe: A Few Notes on the Culture

> I'm mostly into sci-fi that has a heavy emphasis on technology and it's connotations in society.

We're reading The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi in r/SF Book Club, I think you'd enjoy this book.

1. Done. Been there too long.
   
   
2. I'm double majoring in International Relations and Russian. I hope to work for the UN ultimately or for an embassy of some type. I am planning on taking the foreign service exam next summer and I will know more then. I have had a few set backs so I'm not entirely sure of my graduation date. I think I should definitely be done by Spring 2016 though. O.o
   
   
3. Omon Ra from my Books list.
   
   
4. I need it for an independent study I'm doing on Russian Sci-Fi. It is the only one left that I couldn't find in English at the school book store. I need to read it over Spring Break
   
   
5. Okay! Thanks for the contest.

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton ( The Secret Keeper: A Novel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007EECSFA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6lnJDbXKCNBKK )

The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams ( The Secret Life of Violet Grant (The Schuler Sisters Novels) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0425274845/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_agnJDbGQCZSZS )

(Actually, any book by these two authors. They are wonderful)

The Magic Circle by Katherine Neville ( The Magic Circle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YTFTB2K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4mnJDbT5PRE0K ). This is on sale right now at $2.00

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
( Garden Spells: A Novel (Waverly Family) https://www.amazon.com/dp/055338483X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_uunJDb2P5VPHX )

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (which is a pseudonym for J.K. Rowling) ( The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike Book 1) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AA20E5Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_WwnJDbGFGZNJP)

This collection by Yeats is my favourite. There are some weird and wonderful tales in it, all put neatly in different sections like "The Trooping Faeries" and "The Solitary Faeries".

I will never drink Huel because I read Sourdough: a Novel


Likely also the reason I will always eat bread.


(A little off-topic, but I do love this book and it DOES have something to say.)

For a beginner's crash course, I would suggest Sophie's World. It explores the history of philosophy from the fictional point of view of a young girl. It is a great introduction to the field as well as an easy read.

I'm currently about 78% through "Station Eleven". It's pretty good!

I've heard good things about Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.

I have also heard Joe Haldeman's Marsbound series is good.

Anyone know if these are appropriate?

This one! https://www.amazon.com/Golem-Jinni-Novel-P-S/dp/0062110845

I read this one years ago and it was really good as well: https://www.amazon.com/Alif-Unseen-G-Willow-Wilson/dp/0802121225

Why don't more authors just self-publish these days in the same way musicians are self-publishing as well as forgoing their labels? A friend of our family just self-published a novel last year and it's done so well he's done a full trilogy. To me it seems that if you write something good enough, it will eventually pick up steam on it's own, especially among well-read, internet savvy audiences. Is there a reason this isn't more common? I mean, why not go ahead and write your novel and then worry about publishers? What's the worst that could happen?

I like the Raksura. I'll do my best to describe them now:

The Raksura are shapeshifters who switch between a human-like form and a reptilian form. The reptilian form can either be a flying type (Aeriat) or a stocky tree-climbing type (Arbora). However, there are 3 types of Aeriat: Warriors, Queens, and Consorts.

1. Warriors are sterile and the shortest-lived of the Raksura. When colonies migrate, Warriors are essential for transporting/protecting the Arbora.
   
   
2. Consorts are like warriors, but are always male and fertile. Consorts are longest-lived of the Raksura and never stop growing. Very old Consorts grow to titanic proportions.
   
   
3. Queens are always female, and shift between an Aeriat form (with wings) to an Arbora form (without). Queens are the most dangerous of the Raksura (with the exception of very old consorts) and lead communities of Raksura called "Courts." Courts are held together through a mental bond shared with the ruling queen.
   
   Queens and consorts can interbreed with Arbora, but only Consort/Queen pairings make any more Queens or Consorts. The children of Arbora can be Warriors or more Arbora.
   
   Now, all of that complicated biology means that Raksura don't act much like humans do. Queens hold most of the power and Raksura females are generally stronger than their male counterparts. Generally, they tend to act like birds. If there were any birds that think with a hive-mind, anyway. Community is extremely important in Raksuran culture, so being exiled is just about the worst thing that can happen to them.
   
   They feature in a series by Martha Wells, starting with The Cloud Roads. I can't recommend it highly enough.

The Mezzanine perfectly covers what your requirements are.

The differences in book covers between US and UK markets. While the cover art over here in the UK for Station Eleven is not bad and is actually quite nice, I am really endeared to the US cover.

http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Tales-Ireland-William-Butler/dp/0684829525

Great stuff in a somewhat similar vein.

The Budayeen Cycle is a cyberpunk-noir(ish) that takes place in the criminal underworld of a future fictional Arab emirate.

edit: More fantasy than sci-fi but I really enjoyed Alif the Unseen and it had a lot of Arab/Muslim culture rolled in.

So...read any good books lately? Here're mine:

-

Sourdough by Robin Sloan.

The City and the City by China Mieville.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells.

Well, my faves are:

• The Alchemist
  
  
• Rationality from AI to Zombies
  
  
• Neverending Story
  
  
• Set in Stone
  
  
• Unnatural Selection
  
  
• Sleeping with the Girls
  
  They aren't all of my favorites, but they are some of the top ones.

the ability to discriminate which minds get to see your mind. The Quantum Thief is set is an incredibly bizarre post-human far-future solar system...I can't even adequately describe it. I'm currently half-way through the book and if anyone has even the slightest interest in futurism, transhumanism, and science-fiction in general, then this is one of the best offerings right now.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Quantum-Thief-Hannu-Rajaniemi/dp/0765329492?tag=duckduckgo-d-20

Well, after I read the sample chapter on his website, it is almost a direct rip-off of this guy: The Alabaster Girl

Not sure if the entire book is like this, but it sure doesn't seem original or new.

I have this one and really enjoy it.

back to the beginning

---

Current Selection#####

• Echopraxia by Peter Watts [Echopraxia]. Began September 3rd.
  
  
  ---
  

  Past Selections#####
  

  
  

  2014######
  

  
  

• The Songs of Distant Earth by Arthur C. Clarke [Songs]. Began August 6th.
  
  
• 2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson [2312]. Began July 7th.
  
  
• The Crystal World by J. G. Ballard [crystal]. Began June 4th.
  
  
• The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon [Lot49]. Began May 7th.
  
  
• The Lilith's Brood Trilogy by Octavia Butler [lilith]. Began April 7th.
  
  
• Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie [Justice]. Began March 6th.
  
  
• [Invisible Cities] (http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Cities-Italo-Calvino/dp/0156453800) by Italo Calvino [Invisible]. Began February 5th.
  
  
• Machine Man by Max Barry [Machine]. Began January 1st.
  
  

  2013######
  

  
  

• House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds [suns]. Began December 5th.
  
  
• Singularity Sky by Charles Stross [singularity]. Began November 4th.
  
  
• Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood [Oryx and Crake]. Began October 7th.
  
  
• The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway [gone-away]. Began September 3rd.
  
  
• The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin [dispossessed]. Began August 2nd.
  
  
• The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks [sonata]. Began July 3rd.
  
  
• Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clark [rama]. Began June 3rd.
  
  
• Jack Glass by Adam Roberts [glass]. Began May 3rd.
  
  
• Of Men and Monsters by William Tenn [monsters]. Began April 3rd.
  
  
• Solaris by Stanisław Lem [solaris]. Began March 3rd.
  
  
• Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan [carbon]. Began February 1.
  
  
• The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson [diamond]. Began January 4th.
  
  

  2012######
  

  
  

• Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke [childhood]. Began December 1st.
  
  
• Ship of Fools by Richard Paul Russo (aka Unto Leviathan) [fools]. Began November 3rd.
  
  
• Dying Inside by Robert Silverberg [dying]. Began October 4th.
  
  
• China Mountain Zhang by Maureen F. McHugh [china]. Began September 4th.
  
  
• Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges [labyrinths]. Began August 4th.
  
  
• The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury [martian]. Began July 2nd.
  
  
• The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle [mote]. Began June 1st.
  
  
• Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky [picnic]. Began May 2nd.
  
  
• The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester [Destination]. Began April 2nd.
  
  
• Diaspora by Greg Egan [diaspora]. Began March 5th.
  
  
• Stories by Ted Chiang [Chiang]. Began February 3rd.
  
  
• Grass by Sheri S. Tepper [grass]. Began January 2nd.
  
  

  2011######
  

  
  

• Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny [lord]. Began December 5th.
  
  
• Zones of Thought Trilogy by Vernor Vinge [zones], [fire], [deepness], [children]. Began October 28th.
  
  
• Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami [Wonderland]. Began October 3rd.
  
  
• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline [rp1]. Began September 1st.
  
  
• Rule 34 by Charles Stross [Rule 34]. Began August 2nd.
  
  
• The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi [quantum]. Began July 1st.
  
  
• Embassytown by China Miéville [Embassytown]. Began June 1st.
  
  
• The Dervish House by Ian McDonald [dervish]. Began May 2nd.
  
  
• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin [LHoD]. Began April 5th.
  
  
• A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr. [canticle]. Began March 1st.
  
  
• Inverted World by Christopher Priest [inverted world]. Began February 1st.
  
  
• The City & the City by China Miéville [the city]. Began January 1st.
  
  

  2010######
  

  
  

• Surface Detail by Iain M. Banks [surface]. Began December 3rd.
  
  
• Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell [cloud atlas]. Began November 3rd.
  
  
• Anathem by Neal Stephenson [anathem]. Began October 1st.
  
  
• Blindsight by Peter Watts [blindsight]. Began September 1st.
  
  
• The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi [windup]. Began August 1st.
  
  
• The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect by Roger Williams [MoPI]. Began July 15th.

Books I've loved over the past recent years (and haven't seen mentioned a lot on reddit):

• 1 The Orphan Master's Son;
  
• 2 Flex;
  
• 3 The Power of the Dog;
  
• 4 The Cartel (incredible sequel to the above);
  
• 5 The Scar (and everything by the Dyachenkos).
  
  I guess I could go on, but those are a start.
  
  

Pretty sure this is the kindle version!. Let me know if I'm mistaken.

This story reminded me of a really good (and really short) book called Oman Ra. It's a satirical story about a young Cosmonaut in communist Russia.

Got to recommend:
House of Leaves, Mezzanine and Nadja. The Raw Shark Texts, Astronomical

W.B. Yeats had a few books specifically about Celtic Fae, like the one linked above by u/Sir_Bevis_of_Hampton:

• The Celtic Twilight: Faerie and Folklore
  
  
• Fairy and Folktales of the Irish Peasantry
  
  
• Fairy and Folktales of Ireland

> further understanding of Christianity

https://www.amazon.com/Sources-Catholic-Dogma-Henry-Denzinger/dp/1930278225
https://www.logos.com/product/5206/summa-contra-gentiles
https://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Tradition-Ultimate-Guide-Latin/dp/193663936X
https://www.amazon.com/Hell-Its-Torments-Robert-Bellarmine/dp/0895554097/

https://www.amazon.com/Great-Heresies-Hilaire-Belloc-ebook/dp/B00V2S7OQ2/

>and how people practice and live with their faith

https://www.amazon.com/Imitation-Christ-Dover-Thrift-Editions/dp/0486431851
https://www.amazon.com/Way-Perfection-Image-Classics/dp/0385065396
https://www.amazon.com/Story-Soul-Autobiography-Therese-Lisieux/dp/0935216588/

>Fiction

https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0395974682
https://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Was-Thursday/dp/1603863303

>nonfiction

https://www.amazon.com/Orthodoxy-G-K-Chesterton/dp/1515241394
https://www.amazon.com/Heretics-Gilbert-K-Chesterton/dp/1490303022
https://www.amazon.com/Revolt-Masses-José-Ortega-Gasset/dp/0393310957/
https://www.amazon.com/Reality-Synthesis-Thomistic-Reginald-Garrigou-Lagrange/dp/1453612661/

I really like the clurichaun ever since I read about it in Yeats' Irish Folk and Fairy Tales.

This post reminded me of a guy I met on holiday a few weeks ago, who had been working with the author of this monstrosity and lent me a copy... so much raughter (rage + laughter).

The Quantum Thief is a sci-fi heist novel though it might not be a "beach" book. On that note, what is a "beach" book?

I would recommend The Traveler's Gate Trilogy by Will Wight.
Book 1

Just had a flashback to reading 'Farewell Horizontal' many years ago; it takes place on the outside of a giant skyscraper.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Farewell-Horizontal-K-W-Jeter/dp/0312025742

Also, much of 'Spares' takes place inside a huge building which had been equipped for flight, before breaking down and being colonised.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spares-Michael-Marshall-Smith/dp/0006512674

If anyone is curious about what might have happened to him, read this book https://www.amazon.com/Orphan-Masters-Son-Pulitzer-Fiction/dp/0812982622

Amazon link that does a better job explaining it than her webpage. Wasn't sure if those links were welcome as submissions. Lots of fallout-esque themes in this book. It was a flu versus nuclear annihilation, but the post post apocalypse has many similarities.

This ebook or a gift card towards a kindle fire!

Strawberry Bubblegum :D

Here's a link and all I know is the author is a ghost name for another very famous author and that's it better than her last POS book some of her other work, though not as good as her most famous series.

Objects relating to this contest are on my Books/Kindle wishlist from Amazon.

Amazon window shopping.

Related; /u/shaynoodle This book is so you.

This reads like a footnote from The Mezzanine. Although slightly less neurotic.

This book is an excellent collection of irish ghost stories, not all of them are ghost stories but there are a lot of them in there http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Tales-Ireland-William-Butler/dp/0684829525

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/33887/33887-h/33887-h.htm

[http://www.amazon.com/Mezzanine-Nicholson-Baker/dp/080214490X](The Mezzanine)

Consciousness Explained, Dan Dennett. Deconstructing Jesus, Robert Price. Alif the Unseen.

It's called Norse Mythology.

Have you read Robin Sloan’s Sourdough ?

Taken from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

As far as fiction goes, I just read Station Eleven! Couldn't put it down, and devoured it in a day (when I should have been doing work)

http://www.amazon.com/Omon-Ra-Victor-Pelevin/dp/0811213641

http://www.amazon.com/Fated-Verus-Novel-Benedict-Jacka/dp/1937007294/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454100869&sr=8-1&keywords=alex+verus

I was going to call you out, because that book is not about alchemy.
Then it turns out there are actually two books called The Alchemist written by a guy called Paolo, and you're talking about the other one.

Hannu Rajaniemi's The Quantum Thief.

wikipedia | amazon

It's much, much lighter than that.

http://www.amazon.com/Station-Eleven-Emily-John-Mandel/dp/0385353308

http://www.amazon.com/Annihilation-Novel-Southern-Reach-Trilogy/dp/0374104093/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426626059&sr=1-1&keywords=annihilation

Your project reminds me of this book http://www.amazon.com/Station-Eleven-Emily-John-Mandel/dp/0385353308

Here is the mobile version of your link

https://www.amazon.com/Alabaster-Girl-Zan-Perrion/product-reviews/0992016606/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_top?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=avp_only_reviews

It's really fascinating to see this aspect of North Korea - or any aspect of it. I read a book called The Orphan Master's Son, which fictionalized some of our limited knowledge of the death camps and extreme poverty in the country, as well as the culture and daily life, and when I tried to research the country more after reading the novel, I was shocked to discover just how little we know.

Photos and stories like this are really helpful, because we have such a dearth of any kind of knowledge about North Korea.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt has a very introspective, soul-searchy vibe (it runs a little long at the end, but the rest of it is good). Also The Orphan Master's Son and A Death in the Family.

>Their conversion just proves that despite the gift of intelligence, one is nevertheless susceptible to irrational beliefs.

How is it irrational when these people gave rational reasons for their belief in the truth of the Christian religion? Check out any of their books/writings. Are Edward Feser's The Last Supersition and 5 Proofs irrational? What about Chesterton's The Everlasting Man and Orthodoxy? What about Alaisdair Macintyre's After Virtue?

>You said he wasn't a Christian yet. Did he accept Jesus as his savior? That is the requirement for salvation from what I know.

Looks like your only idea of Christianity is Protestant Christianity (in fairness to Protestant denominations though, many of them are nuanced in their views on this issue and would disagree with the assertion that only Christians are saved). The Catholic Church which was founded by Christ himself disagrees, and so do the other apostolic orthodox churches (Eastern Orthodox and Coptic Orthodox).

>What other ways would this be?

I quoted official teaching, didn't you read it?

>You know this how?

Because they themselves shared their reasons for converting/believing in the truth of Christianity (for non-converts) in their talks, books and writings? How else dude?

>What's this evidence that others converted over?

A lot -- philosophical, scientific and historical evidence.

Philosophical: The traditional cosmological arguments (given by the great thinkers of the Western philosophical tradition -- Plato, Aristotle, Maimonides, Aquinas, Leibiniz, etc) for the God of classical theism, the argument from consciousness, the moral argument and others.

Science: The Kalam Cosmological argument, the fine-tuning argument, the argument from biological teleology, and the argument from the laws of nature.

History: the argument from Jesus' miracles, the historical case for the Resurrection, Catholic miracles, and the religious experiences and mystical gifts of countless Christian saints. I lay this out these arguments briefly in this post.

>Because of this outright lie and string of labels thrown at me:

Nah, my assessment is self evident from what you wrote. A silly absolute statement like "no Christian ever believed in his faith on the basis of reason and evidence" is extremely telling...especially given that you doubled down on your erroneous views after being given abundantly clear evidence.