Okay so, YA books are my jam, and I'll get to those in a second. But if you want a fun summer read you'll have trouble putting down, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore is great. It's a really fun read, especially for people who like books. It's got mystery, humor, and you'll stay up way too late reading to figure out what's going to happen next. It's not the deepest or most challenging book in the world, but it's real fun and well paced.

For YA, anything by Laurie Halse-Anderson is amazing. I've read Speak more times than any other book. Her book Catalyst is also really awesome. And I just finished her book Twisted a few days ago, and it was a great, quick read. (I actually finished it in one lazy day!)

Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why is heartbreaking. If you liked Fault in Our Stars, I'm sure you'll love this. It's a great concept (girl who kills herself gives a series of tapes to a boy to explain why she did it), and it's just superbly well written. Along the same lines, Markus Zusak's I am the Messenger is also a great high-concept, all-the-feels read.

If you like the more fantasy-esque YA books, the best series I've found is Clive Barker's Abarat series. If you end up getting these, make sure to get the hardcover versions. The writing is great itself, but what really makes the series is that each book has over 300 paintings and illustrations done by the author himself. It's a great epic, and the third book of five just came out last year. The series gets darker as it goes, which is great.

And, finally, not a YA novel, but Adam Rapp's The Metal Children is an awesome play about a guy who wrote a YA book that's the focus of a censorship argument in a small town. It's got some great points in it, and is a fast, fun read.

Hope this helps! Sorry if I used the word 'great' too much. :P

Oh! I love reading books!

I've posted this before but I'll repost it here:

Now in terms of the question that you ask in the title - this is what I recommend:

Job Interview Prep

1. Cracking the Coding Interview: 189 Programming Questions and Solutions
   
2. Programming Interviews Exposed: Coding Your Way Through the Interview
   
3. Introduction to Algorithms
   
4. The Algorithm Design Manual
   
5. Effective Java
   
6. Concurrent Programming in Java™: Design Principles and Pattern
   
7. Modern Operating Systems
   
8. Programming Pearls
   
9. Discrete Mathematics for Computer Scientists
   
   

   Junior Software Engineer Reading List
   

   
   

   Read This First
   

   
   

10. Pragmatic Thinking and Learning: Refactor Your Wetware
    
    

    Fundementals
    

    
    

11. Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction
    
12. Software Estimation: Demystifying the Black Art
    
13. Software Engineering: A Practitioner's Approach
    
14. Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code
    
15. Coder to Developer: Tools and Strategies for Delivering Your Software
    
16. Perfect Software: And Other Illusions about Testing
    
17. Getting Real: The Smarter, Faster, Easier Way to Build a Successful Web Application
    
    

    Understanding Professional Software Environments
    

    
    

18. Agile Software Development: The Cooperative Game
    
19. Software Project Survival Guide
    
20. The Best Software Writing I: Selected and Introduced by Joel Spolsky
    
21. Debugging the Development Process: Practical Strategies for Staying Focused, Hitting Ship Dates, and Building Solid Teams
    
22. Rapid Development: Taming Wild Software Schedules
    
23. Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams
    
    

    Mentality
    

    
    

24. Slack: Getting Past Burnout, Busywork, and the Myth of Total Efficiency
    
25. Against Method
    
26. The Passionate Programmer: Creating a Remarkable Career in Software Development
    
    

    History
    

    
    

27. The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering
    
28. Computing Calamities: Lessons Learned from Products, Projects, and Companies That Failed
    
29. The Deadline: A Novel About Project Management
    
    

    Mid Level Software Engineer Reading List
    

    
    

    Read This First
    

    
    

30. Personal Development for Smart People: The Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth
    
    

    Fundementals
    

    
    

31. The Clean Coder: A Code of Conduct for Professional Programmers
    
32. Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship
    
33. Solid Code
    
34. Code Craft: The Practice of Writing Excellent Code
    
35. Software Craftsmanship: The New Imperative
    
36. Writing Solid Code
    
    

    Software Design
    

    
    

37. Head First Design Patterns: A Brain-Friendly Guide
    
38. Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software
    
39. Domain-Driven Design: Tackling Complexity in the Heart of Software
    
40. Domain-Driven Design Distilled
    
41. Design Patterns Explained: A New Perspective on Object-Oriented Design
    
42. Design Patterns in C# - Even though this is specific to C# the pattern can be used in any OO language.
    
43. Refactoring to Patterns
    
    

    Software Engineering Skill Sets
    

    
    

44. Building Microservices: Designing Fine-Grained Systems
    
45. Software Factories: Assembling Applications with Patterns, Models, Frameworks, and Tools
    
46. NoEstimates: How To Measure Project Progress Without Estimating
    
47. Object-Oriented Software Construction
    
48. The Art of Software Testing
    
49. Release It!: Design and Deploy Production-Ready Software
    
50. Working Effectively with Legacy Code
    
51. Test Driven Development: By Example
    
    

    Databases
    

    
    

52. Database System Concepts
    
53. Database Management Systems
    
54. Foundation for Object / Relational Databases: The Third Manifesto
    
55. Refactoring Databases: Evolutionary Database Design
    
56. Data Access Patterns: Database Interactions in Object-Oriented Applications
    
    

    User Experience
    

    
    

57. Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
    
58. The Design of Everyday Things
    
59. Programming Collective Intelligence: Building Smart Web 2.0 Applications
    
60. User Interface Design for Programmers
    
61. GUI Bloopers 2.0: Common User Interface Design Don'ts and Dos
    
    

    Mentality
    

    
    

62. The Productive Programmer
    
63. Extreme Programming Explained: Embrace Change
    
64. Coders at Work: Reflections on the Craft of Programming
    
65. Facts and Fallacies of Software Engineering
    
    

    History
    

    
    

66. Dreaming in Code: Two Dozen Programmers, Three Years, 4,732 Bugs, and One Quest for Transcendent Software
    
67. New Turning Omnibus: 66 Excursions in Computer Science
    
68. Hacker's Delight
    
69. The Alchemist
    
70. Masterminds of Programming: Conversations with the Creators of Major Programming Languages
    
71. The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood
    
    

    Specialist Skills
    

    
    In spite of the fact that many of these won't apply to your specific job I still recommend reading them for the insight, they'll give you into programming language and technology design.
    
    

72. Peter Norton's Assembly Language Book for the IBM PC
    
73. Expert C Programming: Deep C Secrets
    
74. Enough Rope to Shoot Yourself in the Foot: Rules for C and C++ Programming
    
75. The C++ Programming Language
    
76. Effective C++: 55 Specific Ways to Improve Your Programs and Designs
    
77. More Effective C++: 35 New Ways to Improve Your Programs and Designs
    
78. More Effective C#: 50 Specific Ways to Improve Your C#
    
79. CLR via C#
    
80. Mr. Bunny's Big Cup o' Java
    
81. Thinking in Java
    
82. JUnit in Action
    
83. Functional Programming in Scala
    
84. The Art of Prolog: Advanced Programming Techniques
    
85. The Craft of Prolog
    
86. Programming Perl: Unmatched Power for Text Processing and Scripting
    
87. Dive into Python 3
    
88. why's (poignant) guide to Ruby

1.) Something that is grey.

Silver is grey, right? ;)

2.) Something reminiscent of rain.

When I think of rain I think of cuddling up with a good cup of coffee.

3.) Something food related that is unusual.

Coffee chocolate Not that weird... but pretty amazing.

4.) Something on your list that is for someone other than yourself. Tell me who it's for and why. (Yes, pets count!)
Bones for my dog because he hates being alone!

5.) A book I should read! I am an avid reader, so take your best shot and tell me why I need to read it!

I haven't read this yet, but it's supposed to be amazing!

6.) An item that is less than a dollar, including shipping... that is not jewelry, nail polish, and or hair related!

This book

7.) Something related to cats. I love cats! (keep this SFW, you know who you are...)

meow.

8.) Something that is not useful, but so beautiful you must have it.

I don't think any nail polish is useful, but I love this color

9.) A movie everyone should watch at least once in their life. Why?

Shawshank Redemption Come on, it's amazing. And sad. And Stephen King.

10.) Something that would be useful when the zombies attack. Explain.

These would be particularly useful because I could keep my hair out of my face so I can see zombies better to kill them!

11.) Something that would have a profound impact on your life and help you to achieve your current goals.

skip for now

12.) One of those pesky Add-On items.
Apparently you can straighten your nose with this interesting little item Ohhhh, China.

13.) The most expensive thing on your list. Your dream item. Why?

This book is the most expensive item on my list. Dream item? Nah. A kindle would be my dream item, but not feasible to have on list right now.


14.) Something bigger than a bread box.

This big enough?

15.) Something smaller than a golf ball.

This ring is itty bitty!


16.) Something that smells wonderful.

This air freshener. Mmmm



17.) A (SFW) toy.

Amazon lists this as a toy, so I'm going to have to go with that!

18.) Something that would be helpful for going back to school.

These would be great to hang papers and reminders up on the fridge.

19.) Something related to your current obsession, whatever that may be.

I'm obsessed with books, so uh... most of my wish list. Or this bookmark that symbolizes all that is books.


20.) Something that is just so amazing and awe-inspiring that I simply must see it. Explain why it is so grand.

I'm sure you've seen this but come on! It's John Snuhhhh!

Bonus! Oregon Fruit

Fear cuts deeper thank swords! Thanks for the contest. =)

LOVE IT

(I was just going to leave a quick comment and then...well...theres a lot here haha)

This is exactly why I do what I do every single day. I teach 8th grade science in a title 1 NYC school. Priority for me is helping my students become the best version of them as I make the journey myself. I think that age group is ideal for teaching these concepts as they haven't figured out what type of people to be yet or how to get to be that type of people. My content is the tool I use to give them the perspective they need. I get to do genetics/evolution/physics/space/human impact...lets me cover everything about living well.

I happen to have started around 24 and now that I'm 26 and pretty confident in what I've learned and actually done, I share with as many people as I can. I'm lucky enough to teach with my best friend AND get the same 3 classes he does. We've been tag teaming our kids with personal growth materials and speeches and all sorts of things this year....and it's making a noticeable difference in them.

These are a few of my recent reads that I think carry important lessons and then a link to my actual webpage that I put together so I can share and help regular people. I'm in the process of building one dedicated to my students so they have somewhere to go for answers and encouragement as they age. I don't expose my students to these sources of information, I just absorb and integrate it into what I teach.

Good luck! And keep it up! We need more real teachers, it's not about memorizing facts it's about becoming human.

[The Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0446671002/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_986UAbV1ES609)

[Ego Is the Enemy] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1591847818/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.96UAbDFHSW0S)

[The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1591846358/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_W-6UAbZ3NTY0A)

My own webpage [Earthling Healing] (https://sites.google.com/view/earthlinghealing/personal-growth?authuser=0)

My bf and I have been together for about 8 months, and we talked and put a $30 limit on gifts for each other this time. To that end, my plan for this is:

• Portable charger/external battery - because his phone battery right now is crap and he could really use this; he's planning on replacing his phone soon but I mean, he'll be able to use this no matter what phone he has. ($14)
  
• Ghostwritten by David Mitchell - DM is his favorite author and Cloud Atlas is his favorite book; poking around the internets suggests that Ghostwritten is most like Cloud Atlas stylistically so I think he'd like it a lot. (Checked that he didn't already own it.) ($9 c/o the current HOLIDAY30 to get 30% off any book at Amazon)
  
• The last thing will be, I think, either hot chocolate or tea. We went to Boston together this September and he LOVED LA Burdick's hot chocolate, but the 12 oz bags are something like $22. It's largely just shaved chocolate, so was thinking of just getting some nice chocolate and chopping it up into a jar (add some nutmeg, cocoa powder maybe) so he can make it easily himself. That or a green tea from this one local place; he really likes Japanese green teas.
  
• Last thought was that I might make some chocolate chip cookie dough balls and freeze them b/c he loves eating them for a snack (salmonella be damned); I was just debating if that makes it too many food items...
  
  I wasn't planning on getting a gift for his family, but I asked and he said that his parents probably will get me something small. :-/ I probably still won't get them anything store-bought really but I'm thinking I'll up my baking game & just plan to bring goodies to any situation in which I will encounter his parents for the next month. My other thought was that maybe I'd make some of these, but was thinking maybe that's a bit weird. (I'm a med/grad student so I don't think it's TOTALLY out of the blue?)

So hopefully you read the Night Watch / Day Watch / Twilight Watch books? There's supposedly two more books out there in the series now, Last Watch and New Watch, which I haven't read.

The Markhat series by Frank Tuttle is brilliant fun.

9 Goblins is short but totally worth it. by T. A. Kingfisher

The Night Circus is a whimsical book full of beautiful things, tends to be a bit melancholy.

Most things by Elizabeth Bear are worth reading, as are most things by Connie Willis.

Charlie Stross' Laundry Files are excellent fun with the single, sole, sad exception of the second book which I hated but which other people loved.

The Enterprise of Death is - well. Um, let's just say the woodcut engraving on the cover? Not a metaphor in this book. Does not pull punches.I found it more horrific than a dozen other books labeled specifically as horror, but also more brilliant and more beautiful.

If you haven't got around to reading Ben Aaronovitch's stuff you're in for some good London fun. He's an excellent writer.

The Felix Castor series by Mike Carey is brilliant too.

One of my favorite books is Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman. It's 40 short stories, like 2-3 pages long with 40 possibilities of what happens after death. It is so incredibly creative and really makes you think! It's a super quick read, too. I honestly could not put it down.
I don't want to spoil it, but here is the Amazon page for it, which has some examples if you'd like to read them. ;) For example, "In one afterlife you may find that God is the size of a microbe and is unaware of your existence" or "In a different version of the afterlife you work as a background character in other people's dreams." And those aren't even the coolest ones! I 100000% recommend you get this book!

If I were to win, I would like
Adnan's Story: The Search for Truth and Justice After Serial. Thank you! And happy world book day!!!

1. Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher -- or really, almost anything by him. Good, rich characters, facing adversity. He was a family therapist and his writing feels authentic while touching on real issues.
   
   
2. Though everyone talks (rightfully) about The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (bonus: movie coming out, starring the girl from Divergent), Paper Towns is pretty phenomenal, well developed, current, etc. For new fiction, John Green is doing about as good a job as anyone managing the YA / Adult transition, introducing tough topics with good - not intimidating - writing.
   
   
3. Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen is short but an amazing look at war from a young kid's perspective. A good compliment to all those fluffy (though enjoyable) we will win the war if i find my boyfriend! books that are so popular....
   
   
4. Also,The Book Thief by Zusak. Because.... for just about every reason.
   
   
5. If you think you are going to have a hard time un-sticking from the fantasy thing - The Night Circus is a creative alternative with better writing than the others.
   
   
6. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime shifted my perspective through shifting the voice -- the main character is autistic. Having this sort of unique narrator was a first & helped teach me about the role of voice (helpful, when your favorite author winds up being Faulkner...)
   
   Of course there are others (non fiction: Krakauer, Hillenbrand, come to mind; deeper: Tim O'Brien, Saramago; more fantastic: Guy Kay, Herbert, etc. ) but, trying to stay within age range / contemporary, and gender neutral... that's where I started! if any of these seem like the right thread, let me know, and i can give you a bucket more.

Hi.

Look, I stole your catch phrase. XD

Here's why I would love a Kindle. Although I love reading physical books, I only have so much space to display them in my bedroom, so purchasing and borrowing e-books from my library has significantly helped me keep some control of the space in my room. I also download a ton of self published books on amazon to give those authors a chance. If I love the book, or even jus like it, I try to leave them good reviews. I want to publish my own work one day, and I would want somebody to do this for me.

My favorite e-book would have to be Erin Morgenstern's ["The Night Circus".] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Night-Circus-ebook/dp/B004J4WKTW/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1371314001&sr=8-1&keywords=The+night+circus)

This is a book I would love to reread over and over. It's about a unique Black and White circus that travels the world and shows up without any notice. The imagery is breathtakingly stunning, and the story brings you in unlike most books I have ever read. The magic in this book is real, and you feel as though you're in the Circus itself! The love story woven into this masterpiece is absolutely beautiful. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I can promise you this is a book you would absolutely love. I would love to own something this beautiful.

Also,as a user on here once said about this book, "It makes you homesick for places you've never been, and for places that don't even exist."

Hmm. Tough question. The Alchemist is the first one I ever read and it is very good. It's the one that most people have heard of and is all about following your dreams and how if you want something badly enough that the entire universe conspires in helping you to get it, so long as you aren't afraid of it when it comes. It's really quite extraordinary and I think the message and inspiration from that one is my favorite. But just for the sake of reading its not my favorite. There is a short description in that link.

I think my favorite is either Eleven Minutes or By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept. Eleven Minutes is about sex and love and its the setting is wondrous and the characters are fascinating. The story is a bit more modern than the story in the Alchemist so its a bit more fun to read, just to read. I think my favorite might be By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept though. It is a story about forgiveness and the writing is beautiful and the places he takes you are beautiful and the characters are all likeable most of the time and the story is interesting. I'd highly reccommend any of those. But they're all good.

Despite being more religious than most of his, I actually really loved The Fifth Mountain. Its one I bought without knowing anything about it and the story is almost biblical (still not preachy though) but it was more about choices and duty and honor and I really liked it. Not my favorite, but very good.

Sorry, I'm long winded when talking about his books lol.

Shantaram. Rich, marvelous book.

Also Auntie Mame. FYI the movie with Rosalind Russell may change your life. At the very least it could become your favorite movie ever.

The books by Hornby that everyone mentions are good.

Motherless Brooklyn is really good. So is Ghostwritten by David Mitchell. Not so much that they're happy, but that they're engrossing. And they're not, like, Atonement.

Oh! Duh! Happiest book ever maybe: A Confederacy of Dunces. The story behind its publication is tragic, but the book, pretty much everyone who's read it says, is the funniest ever.

Catch-22 also is really, really good. And funny! If you're into irony anyway.

Illusions - Richard Bach. A somewhat short read, but wonderful. If you liked Jonathan Livingston Seagull (same author), you'll love this book. It goes into much further depth discussing the philosophies of self-imposed mental limitations, and what it means to be self-actualized in the pursuit of happiness. But it does it all in a very light, anecdotal way that really makes you think. That's what I love about it. Definitely worth the $8 Amazon's charging for a brand new copy, and the used copies start at $3 including shipping.

I also really loved A Suitable Boy. I think it's brilliant.

For a completely contrasting look at India, I recommend the white tiger by Aravind Adiga.

I think The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is absolutely brilliant, one of the best novels of the last decade.

White Teeth is another really wonderful book about multiculturalism and immigrant life that really stands out.

For a rip-roaring old-fashioned adventure yarn, you can't do better than
Sea of Poppies.

Finally for some superior storytelling and brilliant narrative experimentation try Cloud Atlas or Ghostwritten

I’m there as we speak. The stint between things happening can be so disheartening; leaving you with ample opportunities for doubting and succumbing to a sedentary lifestyle. But it’s just a transitional period. It is during those gaps that a lot of us give up. We put aside our dreams because they don’t happen when we’d prefer. I think that is part of the test. Are you willing to persevere? Are you willing to take it day to day? You have to be. Life doesn’t move as fast as our minds, so we have to adapt. We have to let ourselves fall into a pace. Each day take a step, no matter how small. Fill these voids with training and self proposed assignments. Delve further into your aspirations with each free moment.

I wanted to be in entertainment. I wanted to break into any part of the film/video industry right now. I fell victim to the expected instant gratification lifestyle that plagues western civilization. So I received a certification in broadcasting and got an internship. I worked it like a 9 to 5 paying job. After the better part of a year I was running out of money, homeless, and practically starving. I am proud to say that I was their number one go-to guy. I was the first person they called for anything. The president of the company even took the time to validate my efforts with a simple “you’re important to us here” once. I knew I was in. I asked to be put on the pay roll. “Just part time pay”, I said. No dice. I needed a college level education, not just a trade school obtained piece of paper. So I went to college. I got through one semester and fell dead broke. I left with good grades and got a job, got depressed, started drinking everyday. 4 years and 2 DUIs later, I hit bottom. I lost the dream. I ruined it. Now all I had to do was find a new job and reevaluate my piss poor existence. After 2 years, I was done with court. Writing had become my only outlet for that creative yearning that refused to leave my mind. I was pining away for my dreams to come back.

So I bit the bullet and went back to a community college to finish my associates. I’m still working on it today. But I’m almost done. I’ve had some things published in literary magazines and continue to work on some half-baked screen plays, you know, to keep up with that film maker dream I had. I’m even lucky enough to have people in California ready and waiting for me to finish school to come start an entry level position. Thinking back on it I don’t know how I made it through those times of uncertainty. I don’t know what I did, but I did it, even after giving up.

I suppose my point is this; it takes time. Your life is nothing more than opportunity amidst distraction. Those chances come and go in irregular intervals but when they arrive you have to be ready to snuff the anxiety, bite the bullet, and jump. They don’t come as often as you’d like, but they will. You’ve put yourself in the way of the train. Now you have to wait for it. When it comes barreling towards you, be sure to grab on. Just don’t be surprised when it stops at the next station leaving you wondering why things aren’t progressing. They will, so long as you don’t let go, slowly but surely.

This turned out to be a lot longer than I anticipated; sorry for that. Since you have the time I’ll recommend a book that touches on this a little more eloquently then I can. It’s called The Alchemist. It’s a short read, but holds a lot of good metaphors for intentional diligence over a lifetime. Good luck.

The Alchemist - by Paulo Coelo

From Amazon:

Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world, and this tenth anniversary edition, with a new introduction from the author, will only increase that following. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasures found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.

http://www.amazon.com/Alchemist-Fable-About-Following-Dream/dp/0062502182

The Road Less Traveled
I think parents would find more useful information here, but I read it when I was 20(no kids) and found it pretty interesting.

The Alchemist
A quick read, I have felt more at ease and optimistic about life since I read it. Both actually have religious themes--didn't bother a godless man such as myself though.

Motivation to be more creative? Poke the Box by Seth Godin
I have quite a few business-related recommendations, but watching or reading Seth gets my brain going everytime.

I think this is why i asked in the beginning what you're expecting. Especially if you're comparing yourself to others, you may be expecting more than is reality. Just because people say they have a relationship, doesn't mean it's anything more than their own feelings or imagination playing tricks on them. So, don't rely too heavily on 'mountaintop moments' or the right 'feeling' to come along.

Do you like to read? If so, I know an awesome book that goes through a man's experience as he begins to unlearn all he'd learned about what life is truly 'all about'. It's sharing a Taoist, or Buddhist thought of seeing the trip, the present moment, as what's important rather than the destination. A relationship with God looks much the same. If you focus on the feelings or the enlightened moments, you'll miss the whole experience of going through life with Him!

The book is called "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman It's kind of an autobiography of sorts.

If that doesn't tickle your fancy, another book that helped me quite a bit with my relationship with God was a rather popular one: "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho

I got your list right here:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - great story about finding your way in life, destiny, etc. One of my personal favorites and a real life changer for me personally (read it when I was 14, very impressionable)

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominigue Bauby - memoirs of a magazine editor who has a stroke and goes from being a hot shot playboy to being paralyzed. He loses all motor function and the whole book is written by him blinking out the letters. Despite it all he has a razor wit and such a positive outlook it really makes you think about your own life and what is important to appreciate.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig - kind of an interesting book that gives you a historical breakdown of philosophy all through a somewhat biographical story about a motorcycle trip with his son. Has some really insightful views on what is quality and what is the point of education. Highly recommend for anyone just starting college.

Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman by Richard P Feynman - Autobiography/memoir of one of the greatest minds to ever live. From learning how to pick locks while working on the manhattan project, experimenting with acid, and learning the bongos. Dr. Feynman has such a passion for life, science, and learning it's contagious. Seriously, just see how excited he gets about rubberbands.

Congrats! AND Happy early birthday!

I ain't birthed no babies

Imagining my son with this makes me feel super happy!

Happy Birfday

Book idea 1

Book idea 2

Book idea 3

Book idea 4

I don't know that I have a specific answer to that. Several things I have taken to heart are these.

The Buddha said there are three foundations for happiness: dana (generosity), sila (I take as the first 4-5 precepts), and bhavana (which best translated means meditation).

A wise friend once pointed out that using these foundations is a way to live without remorse, and I've found it true.

Fulfilling my duties as family member (but not always by what others may want, but by what is kind and true) and in society as a teacher (math).

I've also reflected/worked a lot on living by the 10 paramis. I know that no one is perfect, myself first in that.

Richard Back in Illusions (an easy read) argued something to the effect that life is for learning and fun, and I agree.

Joseph Cambell said "Follow you bliss" and I've seen I enjoy pursuing my interests (without neglecting responsibility), and even if they may not be successful by worldly standards, I'm glad I did them.

I used to buy Illusions by Richard Bach for people. The subtitle is "The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah." Very good. Might go well with Ishmael, which others have mentioned.

In the same vein -- it could have the exact same subtitle, in fact -- is Stranger in a Strange Land by Heinlein. If he likes that you could follow it up with other late-career Heinlein, such as Job or Time Enough For Love. All are excellent. Others have mentioned Starship Troopers, and it is also excellent. But his earlier stuff is very adventure-oriented, while his later stuff probably has more potential for life-changing.

Lastly, if he's up for a little ancient philosophy that gives you a different way to look at life, try Marcus Aurelius, which is free on the internet. Tell him not to get too hung up on what goes on in book one. It's almost like an acknowledgements page, but there is some good stuff in there. But once book two gets rolling the life-changing stuff really begins. Tell him it's how to focus on what matters and let go of what doesn't. If people could learn that they'd definitely change their lives.

And good for him. I'm 53 and I started reading philosophy at 50. Learning new things activates the old brain cells and will keep him mentally sharp longer.

Listed below is a list of resources that help me get started with entrepreneurship, I recommend that you start listening to podcast first and then migrate to the books; if you can do both. Indulge!

Business Podcast-
http://www.tropicalmba.com
http://fourhourworkweek.com/blog/
http://www.entrepreneuronfire.com
https://www.stansberryradio.com/James-Altucher
http://www.smartpassiveincome.com
http://www.startupsfortherestofus.com
http://mixergy.com
http://freedomfastlane.com

Business books-
http://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Napoleon-Hill/dp/1453670114
http://www.amazon.com/The-50th-Law-50-Cent/dp/006177460X
http://www.amazon.com/The-4-Hour-Workweek-Anywhere-Expanded/dp/0307465357
http://www.amazon.com/The-Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416
http://www.amazon.com/Choose-Yourself-James-Altucher-ebook/dp/B00CO8D3G4
http://www.amazon.com/MONEY-Master-Game-Financial-Freedom-ebook/dp/B00MZAIU4G
http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Learning-Journey-Performance/dp/0743277465


Internet blogs/resources-
http://www.reddit.com
http://www.quora.com
https://growthhackers.com
http://www.tropicalmba.com


All of the sites listed above will give you an idea of how the game is played if you want to learn more in-depth I recommend https://www.udemy.com/courses/ . If you have any questions just hit me up! hope this helps or at least give you an idea.
GOOD LUCK!!!

I have so many complicated emotions reading your post. I've been trying to think of what to write, and I don't know what.

I went to school to be a music teacher, and tried teaching several times, and never got positive feedback. I even took some graduate school classes. I'll never forget one of my instructors saying, "that was a great lesson, but I could never see you actually doing this..." Whatever sort of demeanor or manner teachers have, I don't have it. Education is a very passionate matter for me, so it's really tough to just let it go, but I don't know how else to handle it. I've never had a positive review, it feels really stressful to work in a classroom environment... I guess it's just not my thing. I feel really sad when I think about teaching. It sounds like you've been a lot more successful as a musician than I have been as a teacher, but maybe I can empathize somewhat; in the way you find the industry intimidating, and the work environment uninviting, I feel very similarly about the education industry. But your sentiment that it's not for me but I wish it was - that's exactly how I feel about teaching.

So I decided I want to be a singer/songwriter, as crazy as that sounds, because music is the only thing that means anything to me, and I know I'd regret pursuing anything else, even if it means taking a vow of poverty.

While I'm working toward that, though, I've been working at my aunt's law firm, and I have the luxury of a single family home, which is a great place for an acoustic musician to live. Tax breaks are in your favor (even though I don't actually think this is a good social policy...). If you're really serious about playing more, consider a cheap single family home on the fringes of town.

If it's any consolation about playing, I feel like I can pick up my horn and play with nearly my best tone quality, even if I haven't touched it in months. I really swear by Jim Thompson's Buzzing Book. You could at least do the exercises in your car with the mouthpiece or in a park with an ipod.

But life just takes us all kinds of places whether we expected to go there or not. And you can choose what you want to be a part of your life, and how much of your time you want that thing to take up. Perhaps not without sacrifices, it's certainly possible for you to play as much or as little as you like, and take it as seriously or not as you like.

Two books that come to mind are Centering by M.C. Richards and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

Anne Carson -- Autobiography of Red changed my view on writing forever. Bridging the gaps between history, classical studies, poetry, prose, and philosophy it's an adventure in masculinity, sexuality, and longing. I've read every Anne Carson publication since; each is dense and provoking and difficult... she is a genius.

C.D Wright -- One Big Self is an examination of prison life in the south, told through prose and poetry snippets. There is an associated photo-journalist book that accompanies it, and together they're just outstanding. I think it gives one of the best holistic views of the south through really moving and lyrical prose.

Everything by Derrick Brown (Scandalabra, I Love You is Back, Born in The Year of The Butterfly Knife, etc) These are the only books that made the translation to spoken word for me... I'm not always a fan of spoken word poetry, but these made the jump for me. Church of The Broken Axe Handle kindof saved my life after a series of deaths in my family and friend circles; I've watched him read it over 500 times. It's technically about a breakup, but moreso about how you continue to live after the loss of intimacy and self-worth when someone you love deeply leaves (on their own or by death).

Live For A Living by Buddy Wakefield This book is the only other one that made the translation to spoken word for me. I think the writing and spoken poems are equally as good, and are sharp and smart... and I just related, often. "Horsehead" is a good example of the written-to-spoken translation

I haven't read anything good in years and the things I have read are usually due to finding new books for my kids or reading the books that have been adapted to tv/film.

One of my all time favorite series was from Robin Hobb. Starting with Assassin's Apprentice. This was a difficult read for me at the time, but I loved the story behind the characters.

I started reading less fantasy after reading Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Millennial Series. I read these after watching the original films. It is fantastic. Just don't buy the fourth book, it wasn't even written by him as he has been dead for a while now.

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. I didn't start reading those until Game of Thrones premiered on HBO.

Now for some really old school, Dragonlance by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. The fourth book came out years later and was fantastic. I have read more than a few of the side stories, but the main books are the best in my opinion, probably would not hold up well today.

Currently, I have The Martian by Andy Weir and Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan waiting for me to read.

The Five People You meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom is a book that I consider a must read. I don't consider it a spiritual book, but it did change my perspective on how I view my life in this world.

I want this hardcover book. Not only is the cover aesthetically pleasing, but it also has rave reviews. Bonus! Once read, I too will discover the secrets of the universe.

I need [this] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FPOIT6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2FFKUBIHIWIUM&coliid=I1R8MLNH75L8WL) e-book because it's this month's RAOA book club pick!

If I were a book, I hope that I'd be a great one.

It's not complete, but the Library of America editions are beautiful, probably the best collections of his work on the market. Worth every penny. I cherish mine.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Philip-K-Dick-Collection/dp/1598530496/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1344569259&sr=8-4&keywords=philip+k+dick+library+of+america

This reminds me of one of the insights in The Celestine Prophecy:

>3. Subtle energy. There is an energy, previously undetected by science, that forms the basis of all things. Human perception of that energy starts with an increased awareness of beauty: people, animals, plants, ecosystems that have a high level of that energy appear particularly beautiful. By becoming aware of that energy, we become able to notice when and how we give and receive energy.

Those owls are hilariously adorable! I love cross stitch.

• funf: $4.99
  
• vier: $3.99
  
• drei: $2.99
  
• zwei: $0.99
  
• eins: $0.99
  
  Yeah I like some pretty cheesy paranormal and historical romance novels. I regret nothing.

Might I suggest an interesting book? The Celestine Prophecy by Carlos Castaneda

This book fueled my desire to cherish and learn from the people in our lives. Another good one everyone should read from time to time, Dale Carnegie's "How to win friends and influence people".

My entire point was that if knowing 2 languages was something that you actually wanted to accomplish, then it's something that you could do, since it's not something that's impossible nor even all that hard. All I was trying to do is give you some tough love as motivation.

Don't just sit there and wish for things, wishes are as worthless as prayers. Ultimately, you are where you choose to be, doing what you choose to be doing. I guarantee that you have enough time in your day somewhere that you could learn another language. It's not easy, but it's doable. Even if you only have 15 minutes. 15 minutes a day, every day, consistently will get you speaking another language. Will it be quick? No. Will you get to the same destination? Yes.

Pick a language that you're passionate about and that you actually want to learn and I will personally find resources for you for that language.

So, what's your excuse for not learning another language when it's something that you wish you could do?

And if you want to learn Dick, then I recommend this.

"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof."

Illusions, my absolute favorite book.

I don't know if its little-known or not but one I read recently that was just delightful was Mr Penumbras 24 Hour Bookstore. It was one of those books you just picked up and wanted to read all the way through. Very enjoyable :)

> Currently reading Think and Grow Rich. Pretty good book, even if a little over the top at times.

If you liked this, you may like The Celestine Prophecy

That was amazing: I really recommend a book called 'Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives' for more of this kind of thing. It's a tiny little book, with each chapter (two or three pages each) a description of a differently imagined afterlife (this ^^ would sit well in the book).
e.g. (pasted from Amazon)
... Is God actually the size of a bacterium, battling good and evil on the battlefield of surface proteins, and thus unaware of humans, who are merely the nutritional substrate?
great for /r/trees.. :)
[ http://www.amazon.com/Sum-Forty-Afterlives-David-Eagleman/dp/0307377342 ]

(posted this on the other identical thread too.. I just think the book is relevant to /r/trees is all, and I didn't see it was posted here too! I hope that's ok )

How about some Richard Bach? Either Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah or The Bridge Across Forever: A Love Story I recommend the second one first because it is full of love and hope

have you read the The Maddaddam Trilogy by Margaret Atwood? not directly related to prepping more prepperish, but there's definitely a strong connection there! I really enjoyed it and it popped right into my head when I saw prepper fiction

A couple of really good SciFi books with great philosophical elements are The Dispossessed and The Lathe of Heaven, both by Ursula Le Guin. I'd definitely recommend them as a quick read (quick as in not involved in a long/ongoing series like several other suggestions).

Best novel: The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell. Hands down the best novel yet from the author of Cloud Atlas and The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. It's a story about the ways we change and even become a different person as we age. It's a story about a secret war between psychic immortals. It's the story of the slow loss of our planet at our own hands. It's sad and funny and poignant. It's Mitchell applying all the experiments with prose, narrative, and character perspective from his previous novels to built a coherent linear narrative.

Best novellette / novella (I'm not sure which it is): The Colonel by Peter Watts. I think I liked this even more than the book it was an intro for, and I liked Echopraxia a lot. A near-future posthuman super-soldier/-spy mourns for his lost son.

Speaking of:

Best novel: Echopraxia by Peter Watts. A dumpy scientist, said super-solider, a vampire, and a religious order/hive-mind explore the power array circling our sun for signs of alien infestation. Watts is a master of pairing hard biology and physics with out-there yet plausible philosophy of mind and identity.

Here are some quick recommendations from my list of favorites for those who are interested (I hope mods are OK with links to make looking easier, otherwise I'll happily remove them). These books engaged and inspired me and my imagination:

The Alchemist:

>The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho continues to change the lives of its readers forever. With more than two million copies sold around the world, The Alchemist has established itself as a modern classic, universally admired.

>Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found.

The Three Body Problem is a Chinese Science Fiction novel that has recently become popular in the West thanks to a good translation (I recommend reading my synopsis and not the Amazon one, to avoid spoilers):

>Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project looks for signals in space from alien civilizations. Meanwhile, in the present day, a physicist joins a grizzled detective to investigate why famous scientists are all committing suicide.

Fahrenheit 451:

>Guy Montag is a fireman. In his world, where television rules and literature is on the brink of extinction, firemen start fires rather than put them out. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden.

The Art of Happiness (by the Dalai Lama):

>Nearly every time you see him, he's laughing, or at least smiling. And he makes everyone else around him feel like smiling. He's the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet, a Nobel Prize winner, and a hugely sought-after speaker and statesman. Why is he so popular? Even after spending only a few minutes in his presence you can't help feeling happier.

Snow Crash:

>Hiro Protagonist delivers pizza for Uncle Enzo’s CosoNostra Pizza Inc., but in the Metaverse he’s a warrior prince. Plunging headlong into the enigma of a new computer virus that’s striking down hackers everywhere, he races along the neon-lit streets on a search-and-destroy mission for the shadowy virtual villain threatening to bring about infocalypse.

I want to suggest Roberto Calasso's The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony, not as source material, but as an interesting imagining of the myths. He weaves all the myths together to create one great myth cycle, a mythological panorama of Ancient Greek beliefs and thoughts.

Good point. I don't know why I keep using the English title, except that I like it better. Have you read his newest?

Amazon seems to be cheerfully selling it under both names:

• The Elementary Particles, by Michel Houellebecq
  
• Atomised, by Michel Houellebecq

I'm traditionally more into literary fiction, but I've been exploring non-fiction recently.

Currently Reading: 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus

Recently Finished: The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration and Margaret Atwood's MaddAddam Trilogy

Next on the List: Either Guns Germs and Steel or Devil in the White City. Haven't decided yet

Ebook.

Please, oh please, let me get this new job.

I am crossing my fingers for you that you get this job, good luck :) Thanks for the contest also.

I keep hearing how amazing The Night Circus is, and would love to read it. And if you read it too, I'd have someone to squee about it with, if it really is that good!

I’d highly recommend reading “The Celestine Prophecy” The Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure https://www.amazon.com/dp/0446671002/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_NjzRBb1S6DSCS

I read it in two days on a hammock in the
Boundary Waters, and not to sound cliche, but it was a very uplifting experience. A movie was made out of it, but trust me and read the book. I’ve read a lot and it’s easily in my top 5.

The Alchemist

here's an excerpt from one of it's reviews:
>More parable than novel, "The Alchemist" uses the story of young shepherd Santiago's search for his Personal Legend as an allegory for everyman's struggle to break from the comfortable confines of conformity and pursue his life dreams. Along the way, of course, our young everyman is beset by all manner of setbacks, testing his resolve and forcing him to become attuned to the Soul of the World in order to survive. By paying attention to the details in the world around him, which serve as omens guiding him towards his goal, young Santiago becomes an alchemist in his own right, spinning unfavorable circumstances into riches.

I completely agree, sadly. This is one of my absolute favorite novellas. It's such a beautiful combination of poetry and fiction that as the reader, you forget which you're reading. I haven't seen many examples of it done well and I'm so glad I had a professor assign this in college. I highly recommend reading it if you haven't already.

As smith4844 said, sometimes you just have to do it for yourself and screw writing it for anyone else. At least you know that it will be pure and untainted by anything other than your desire to see it come to life.

My go-to recommendation is Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah. Despite the fact that one of the main characters is Christ, it's actually not a religious book — I'm an atheist and I read this at least once a year. It's helped me deal with my perception of failure, and it also provided a foundation for me to figure out how to be happy in my life.

Outside of that, I recommend reading fiction for fun. I try to read a book or two a month, and I've really been much happier for it! I keep a long list of books I want to read eventually, and when I finish one I just find another that sounds interesting and I read it!

https://www.amazon.com/Philip-K-Dick-Collection/dp/1598530496/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480945322&sr=8-1&keywords=philip+k+dick+collection

I have that collection by him and it's great. It includes most of his best novels including all the ones that /u/WISHTHELORDWOULDTAKE recommended.

Not sure if these are appropriate, or if she's read these already but here's a few off the top of my head:

• The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
  
  
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
  
  
• The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom
  
  
• Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
  
  
• Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
  
  
• The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
  
  Am I on the right track?

A quick browse of my bookshelf and the ones that jumped out at me... some nonfiction, some fiction... some light, some heavy...

The Culture of Contentment by John Galbraith

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Pimp by Iceberg Slim

The Naked Ape by Desmond Morris

Bloom County Babylon by Berkeley Breathed

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo

Turned On: A Biography of Henry Rollins by James Parker

Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Beyond that, my most prized book is my hardback Norton Anthology of English Lit (2nd vol - the 'modern' stuff).

Thanks for the trip down memory lane! I'm def curling up with a good one when I hit the hay!

Okay, I'll look for it! That's pretty cool.

EDIT: Found it. Thanks again!

Here are all the local Amazon links I could find:


amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

amazon.com.au

amazon.in

amazon.com.mx

amazon.de

amazon.it

amazon.es

amazon.com.br

amazon.nl

amazon.co.jp

Beep bloop. I'm a bot to convert Amazon ebook links to local Amazon sites.
I currently look here: amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, amazon.com.au, amazon.in, amazon.com.mx, amazon.de, amazon.it, amazon.es, amazon.com.br, amazon.nl, amazon.co.jp, if you would like your local version of Amazon adding please contact my creator.

I'm going to recommend two based on the books you've read:

1. Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore. by Robin Sloan
   
   I'm a big fan of books about cryptography, codes, etc. This one is fun, smart, and a good read. Based on your interests (Cryptonomicon, Millenium series, etc.) I think you'll really enjoy it.
   
   
2. Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco
   
   This is the ultimate conspiracy book. The first 100 pages are hard to get through, but it's amazingly worth it.

It's a fiction book, but "The Dispossessed" is a great read and deals with a libertarian socialist society. Seriously, read this book!

The above link is to Amazon, here's a link to a non-possessed copy ;D

1. For Christmas one year, my grandparents gave me a tiny framed picture of themselves with a ribbon tied on so it could hang on a tree. It came with socks and peppermint flavored hand sanitizer, but that's beside the point.
   
2. Thing
   
3. Make me a cake (please. I would love some cake right now.)

The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell is a pretty good read and it's not your stereotypical type of immortality. I recommend it!

Ghostwritten by David Mitchell. Link

It might be too early, but this one still shouldn't be forgotten. Like Cloud Atlas, it mingles SF concepts with intertextual literature. It is perhaps a more subtle work, but anyone who enjoyed this month's novel should definitely give it a go.

Im on month 10 of this. I'm so happy compared to how I was (and I wasn't miserable).

I have a kindle and am reading as much as possible. Long walks from 11am to 3pm every day.

I make my own breakfast, lunch and dinner most days...

Certainly not productive but I am more than willing to work a few more years when I'm 60 to balance it all out.

The problem is what to do next, whenever that is...

"Create the future" and be "authentic" is about all I have come up with. Certainly no more conference calls and meetings with people I don't respect and wouldn't speak to if it weren't for a paycheck.

Life is too short. This is obvious.

Edit - best of luck! I was reading this book and the main character quits his job at the beginning of the book. No one can understand why...his answer: "to think."

Late post, I know, but definitely grab The Gray House! It's modern fantasy, and it's not always categorized as YA but I think it fits.

If you're interested in reading with a group, I'm trying to get a book club going at /r/thegrayhouse starting mid-September.

1. [The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1401308589/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469988382&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=the+five+people+you+meet+in+heaven&dpPl=1&dpID=41D9P3BZSWL&ref=plSrch)
   It's my favorite book because you learn a lot from it.
   This is a story about a man named Eddie and it begins at the end, with Eddie dying in the sun. It might seem strange to start a story with an ending. But all endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at the time.
   
2. I'm not sure. Hopefully if I do have one in the future I can remember it.
   
3. Work , sleep, run, and celebrate my birthday
   

Have you read the Celestine Prophecy? This post (and my comments and those of others) bears too much relevance to this book.

It's not just a book.

It's like...the entire foundation of this subreddit, as I see it.

Please humor it, it's captivating and mind-blowing and cheap AF on amazon.

Peace again, fellow naut.

Can I sub out the perfectly good video game for this?

Amazon'd!

I love redditor book rec's on non-book threads. Thank you.

you won't be dissappointed I promise.

If you do buy it, and are disappointed and can tell me exactly why, I will buy you a month of reddit gold.

if you buy it and are not disappointed I will upvote as many of your post and comments I possibly can.

Either way you win, buy it and love it!

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I love it because it's a simple story with a powerful message. As someone who started reading this in my early-20s, it's really shaped how I think about things now and how I carry myself. I cannot recommend this book enough.

You may enjoy this sci-fi book:
http://www.amazon.com/Dispossessed-Hainish-Cycle-Ursula-Guin/dp/0061054887

I think it explores some of the ideas of left anarchism pretty compellingly.

I just read Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore. It was quite good for a quick and easy read.

First part sounds like this book: Sum by David Eagleman
Easily in my top 5

My list(s) are currently lacking. I have two on my ebooks list and just this one on my "normal" wish list.

Thanks for the contest.

Not analytical, but [The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0679733485/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_WeFzyb8P38Y07) and [Trickster Makes This World] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0374532559/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_rgFzybHSHHMHP) are both pleasurable reads.

The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony is an amazing book about Greek mythology that no one seems ever to have heard of. I highly recommend.

• Gene Wolfe (Book of the New Sun)
  
• Ursula K LeGuin (any entry point in the Hainish universe stuff is probably fine, if you want to start from the beginning start here otherwise try maybe The Left Hand of Darkness or The Dispossessed)
  
• CJ Cherryh (I'd suggest trying Downbelow Station)
  
• Michael Marshall Smith - Only Forward
  
• China Mieville (maybe Perdido Street Station)
  
• Samuel R Delany (Dahlgren)

Your heart speaks loud so you can hear it. (Check out The Alchemist.)

Fiction:

The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin is a great start (good critique of anarchist philosophy).

The Red Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson actually cites Mondragon and discusses cooperative economics in detail.

After The Deluge (of Critical Mass fame) by Chris Carlsson is a novel about a post-capitalist San Francisco.

Non-fiction:

After Capitalism by Seymor Melman.

America Beyond Capitalism by Gar Alperovitz.

Democracy at Work: A Cure for Capitalism by Richard Wolff.

Capitalism's Crisis Deepens: Essays on the Global Economic Meltdown by Richard Wolff.

After Capitalism by David Schweickart.

Against Capitalism by David Schweickart.

Capitalism or Worker Control by David Schweickart

Putting Democracy to Work by Frank T Adams.

Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice by Jessica Gordon Nembhard.

Humanizing the Economy: Co-operatives in the Age of Capital by John Restakis.

Owning Our Future: The Emerging Ownership Revolution by Marjorie Kelly.

For All the People: Uncovering the Hidden History of Cooperation, Cooperative Movements, and Communalism in America by John Curl.

Most of my list costs less than $10 but here's one: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FPOIT6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3P6ROMQS808NO&coliid=I1GPKDEEYKG4UJ.

Thanks!

Your quote reminds me of a great story from this book

Yup, and this book beat you to it. I also suggest the shit out of it.

I'm reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho right now. It has so many wise bits to it and and I am thoroughly enjoying it!

http://www.amazon.com/Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239306118&sr=8-1

I've only read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep so far, which I really enjoyed. I'm holding off on buying anymore Dick until after the holidays because I've been trying to talk my wife into getting me this for Xmas.

The Alchemist

The best motivational story, that isn't just motivation. It has multiple lessons in it. It's not a self-help.

Have you ever read the book Sum?

I think you're limiting your idea of what an afterlife could be. I'm not saying that an afterlife exists (I don't believe so but it goes without saying that I'm not always right) but to say that there is nothing interesting or possibly wonderful out of all the possibilities after we die is just too boring. Although I personally wouldn't care for it, don't you think some folks might find Valhalla pretty cool?

>I don't get why some people hold on to such an idea, why would anyone want that?

Yes you do. You're just avoiding the answer and you've actually stated it elsewhere. For most people who believe in an afterlife, it's "better" than this life. To every person that would mean something different.

I'd check out the MaddAddam Trilogy by Margaret Atwood. The three novels take place "in a darkly plausible future shaped by plagues, floods, and genetic engineering." Really interesting, intense reads.

You really need to read this book: http://www.amazon.com/Illusions-The-Adventures-Reluctant-Messiah/dp/0440204887 you'll seriously love it. Quite topical.

# | Book | Links
---|----|----
1 | Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson | (Powells) (Amazon)
2 | Contact by Carl Sagan | (Powells) (Amazon)
3 | Bellwether by Connie Willis | (Powells) (Amazon)
4 | 2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson | (Powells) (Amazon)
5 | The Dispossessed, Ursula K. Le Guin | (Powells) (Amazon)
6 | The Lifecycle of Software Objects by Ted Chiang | (Free)
7 | The Practice Effect by David Brin | (Powells) (Amazon)
8 | A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan | (Powells) (Amazon)
9 | The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell | (Powells) (Amazon)
10 | As She Climbed Across The Table by Jonathan Lethem | (Powells) (Amazon)

For anyone interested in The Gray House, the kindle version is on sale for 99 cents on US amazon today and it is part of kindle unlimited.

The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy

Autobiography of a Yogi

The Field,
The Intention Experiment, The Bond

Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah

Kate Chopin.

Katherine Anne Porter.

Flannery O'Connor (self-evident).

Valeria Luiselli's Faces in the Crowd.

Anne Carson's The Autobiography of Red.

Jean Rhys' [Good Morning, Midnight](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Morning,_Midnight_(Rhys_novel).

Edit:

Holy Omission, Batman! Forgot the most badass contemporary of them all, Lydia Davis! Her Collected Stories wrecks.

Edit^2: George Sand, Anais Nin, Willa Cather, Gertrude Stein, Zadie Smith, Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, Adelle Waldmann, Kathy Acker, Ursula K. Le Guin, Anne Bradstreet, Phillis Wheatley, Christina Rossetti, Cynthia Ozick, Jennifer Egan, Clarice Lispector.

The Alchemist is something you might be interested in!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416

The Alchemist, could be a good read.

Have you read The Celestine Prophecy? https://www.amazon.com/Celestine-Prophecy-Adventure-James-Redfield/dp/0446671002

I've only ever skimmed it but your comment here reminded me of the premise of that philosophy. That coincidences are kinda like a universe wink at you to remind you that you are on the right path, or not.

Now that you mention it, he is an amateur alchemist and physician. jk, but i should mention a [book] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416) that he recommends of minor relevance.

check this book out. its filled with awesomeness like that!

http://www.amazon.com/Sum-Forty-Afterlives-David-Eagleman/dp/0307377342

Absolutely 100% The Alchemist!

If this doesn't teach you how to live your life to the fullest, I don't know what can, and it's a spectacular piece of travel literature as well!

I also recommend [Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman] (http://www.amazon.com/Sum-Forty-Afterlives-David-Eagleman/dp/0307377342?)
it's similarly eyeopening stuff

George, if you get a chance, can you think about adding Richard Bach's Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah to the reading list?

Excited about starting David Mitchell's The Bone Clocks tomorrow.

It's usually not easy to see something in a new light so you're definitely not "dumb" just because you're having a hard time with it. It might also be that other people's advice isn't that great (mine included).

I tried looking for some books as I only knew one off the top of my head. And it's related to NDEs so I'm hesitant to share it (since you said you've still experienced some fear, despite reading seemingly positive and nice-sounding things in NDEs).

However, it seems that there are a lot of books that point to - amongst other things - studies on NDEs and various aspects of NDEs as evidence for life-after-death. And perhaps a more scientific/argumentative approach of some of those books will have a different effect on you (hopefully a more positive one) than simply reading NDE reports.

I also found a book that might be good and that seems to have nothing to do with NDEs. This book is written by a neurosurgeon and contains 40 imagined possibilities of life beyond death. Judging by the reviews it could be thought-provoking in a good way for you. Although I also want to say that some people found certain scenarios presented in the book to be disturbing to some extent. So, in the end, I'm not sure if it's good, but you can take a look at it and decide if you want to read it.

​

More scientific books on life-after-death (referring to NDEs):

1. Evidence of the Afterlife: The Science of Near-Death Experiences

2. Consciousness Beyond Life: The Science of the Near-Death Experience

​

Book with 40 imagine possibilities of life beyond death:

1. Sum: Tales from the Afterlives

​

I don't really have any other suggestions, but there are a lot of books out there on the topic of life-after-death - its just a matter of finding them.

I am 90% sure it was this one.https://www.amazon.com/Sum-Tales-Afterlives-David-Eagleman/dp/1491503629

Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah https://smile.amazon.com/dp/0440204887/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Q1OxDbC1Y57RH

Reminds me of a scene in this book....

Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by richard bach
amazon link

Most people either love it or hate it, but perhaps the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho?

The Alchemist -- Paulo Coelho

Illusions

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

http://www.amazon.com/Alchemist-Fable-About-Following-Dream/dp/0062502182

The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho maybe?

The Alchemist
http://www.amazon.com/Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310882769&sr=8-1

I immediately thought of this book.


http://www.amazon.com/Illusions-The-Adventures-Reluctant-Messiah/dp/0440204887

It's from this book.

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

http://www.amazon.com/The-Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332723261&sr=8-1

The Alchemist

Is it this Gray House?

https://www.amazon.com/Gray-House-Mariam-Petrosyan-ebook/dp/B01JZAKPF0

My suggestion is Roberto Calasso's The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony. It's part essay and part re-telling, often to do with relationship networks, and the first few chapters in particular touch on the minotaur myth.

I believe it was one of the stories in Sum.

This strip reminds me of "Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives" by David Eagleman.

Here's a synopsis..

Link

PS. This isn't a theistic book.

It's from this book.

Sum: Tales from the Afterlives Ctrl-f '200 days'

This?

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore: A Novel.

Disclaimer: I'm not trying to sell the book on behalf of anyone. Source: I took it out from the Library.

Has anyone here read The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield?

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

False: read the vampire metaphor.

Illusions - Richard Bach

sum by david eagleman

http://www.amazon.com/Philip-K-Dick-Collection/dp/1598530496/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267839999&sr=8-3

They are available separately, of course, or at the library.

Two more life changing books to read:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416

http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Light-Manual-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0060527986/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373578304&sr=1-1&keywords=warrior+of+the+light

Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony is what you're looking for.

this book

This

Illusions by Richard Bach

Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach.

Great book. One of those life changers. Short as hell, too. PDF available here. Give it a look.

Too many great ones to name but since no else has mentioned it yet: Illusions by Richard Bach.

ctrl+f Phillip K. Dick =)

Check this out!

Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach


Short read. Cheap book. Thought provoking. I read this right when I went to college and it really opened up my world.

The Gray House by Mariam Petrosyan?

The dilemma is that it's YA in that it follows teenagers and features coming of age themes and that Amazon markets it as such, but not YA in terms of complexity or pace (my review). If it doesn't fit, feel free to ignore me.

It's also free in the US for the next week (link).

I doubt this is what you're looking for, but the first thing that came to my mind was The Alchemist.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344976866&sr=8-1&keywords=the+alchemist

This reminds me of a book that talked about different concepts like this one, more broadly about what constitutes/comes after death, called Sum: Tales from the Afterlives. There's one where people who've passed on are sent to a place where they are required to watch the lives of their descendants until their bloodline no longer continues. Interesting stuff.

The story is called "Metamorphosis."

On Sum, from the Publisher's Weekly review:

>A clever little book by a neuroscientist translates lofty concepts of infinity and death into accessible human terms. What happens after we die? Eagleman wonders in each of these brief, evocative segments. Are we consigned to replay a lifetime's worth of accumulated acts, as he suggests in Sum, spending six days clipping your nails or six weeks waiting for a green light? Is heaven a bureaucracy, as in Reins, where God has lost control of the workload? Will we download our consciousnesses into a computer to live in a virtual world, as suggested in Great Expectations, where God exists after all and has gone through great trouble and expense to construct an afterlife for us? Or is God actually the size of a bacterium, battling good and evil on the battlefield of surface proteins, and thus unaware of humans, who are merely the nutritional substrate? Mostly, the author underscores in Will-'o-the-Wisp, humans desperately want to matter, and in afterlife search out the ripples left in our wake. Eagleman's turned out a well-executed and thought-provoking book.

Get someone to kick in an extra $20 and get the Philip K. Dick Boxed Set. And wear a helmet when you wear it.

That's because you are doing it wrong!

Buy The Alchemist™ to learn more.

In the book "SUM", it talks about different theories of death. One of which is where you can live for as long as you want...then it goes on to explain how people set up "suicide dates", or hitman type things where they want to be killed a certain week, but with no knowledge of when its going to happen.


Very interesting read, short too.
http://www.amazon.com/Sum-Forty-Afterlives-David-Eagleman/dp/0307377342

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