TBB Book Recommendation Superstation !!

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Bilirubin: Feb 16, 2014; The sanctioned action is to CHUG

Posted asking for recommendations in the sci fi thread before I saw this, apologies.

An author I used to really enjoy until he died was Charles Sheffield, who wrote "hard scifi" I suppose but could also write characters and dialogue so it never felt like a drag like Niven et al are to me. Might you all have suggestions for writers who take similar themes, from the edges of theoretical physics, say, and turn them into interesting stories which characters I can care about? I'm not really up to date on my scifi.

# ¿ Mar 23, 2014 04:13

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# ¿ May 6, 2024 14:18

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Franchescanado posted:

Have you read anything by John Irving? You could try A Prayer for Owen Meany. It's an epic about two characters growing up in New England, one of them a shy but athletic type, the other, Owen, is an albino dwarf who is a devout Christian. It explores friendship, faith, fate, love, family, and the Vietnam War serves as a catalyst. It's very good and hits all the points you requested.

Second the hell out of this. It is one of the most gentle books I have ever read. Just lovely all around.

# ¿ Mar 25, 2014 22:06

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Hieronymous Alloy posted:

I remember really liking Sarum but it's been twenty five years at least since I read it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarum_(novel)

Thanks for this actually. My ancestors got kicked out of Salisbury for being too poor or on the wrong side of the civil war or whatever in the early 17th century and I've always been really captivated by the deep history that place has. Going to give this one a read.

e. that interest drove me to read Cunliffe's Becoming Britain which I recommend to anyone interested in a history from the end of the ice age to the Battle of Stamford Bridge, roughly. I learned quite a bit and its a very engaging read.

Bilirubin fucked around with this message at 20:41 on Apr 24, 2014

# ¿ Apr 24, 2014 20:36

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elbow posted:

I loved Where'd You Go, Bernadette and it's a pretty light read, so go for that one. Based on the other books you said you enjoyed, I would also recommend The Virgin Suicides, The Bell Jar, Life of Pi, and maybe something by John Irving.

I was going to suggest Owen Meany or Garp

# ¿ May 24, 2014 03:32

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Sandwolf posted:

I could really use a book right now that could make me cry, something powerful. Fictional history or very light sci-fi or post/pre/near apocalyptic (this especially) would be preferred.

Things like self-sacrifice, suicide, people just giving up, etc really tug at my heart strings

A Prayer for Owen Meany might just be the ticket for you

(Sorry its from a page ago)

# ¿ Jul 5, 2014 05:17

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Pork Pie Hat posted:

The Oxford History of Britain edited by Kenneth O. Morgan is a good one-volume general history. It covers about 2000 so you get a little of most things. You should be aware though, that it is a collection of essays written by specialists on the particular periods covered, so you won't get a consistent voice, but you do get excellent knowledge in each of the essays.

I really liked Barry Cunliffe's Britian Begins but it only covers from prehistory to the Norman invasion. Does that brilliantly however, and I happened to be in London after I finished it so going to the British Museum to see the artifacts discussed in the book was a nice treat.

Bilirubin fucked around with this message at 04:13 on Jul 19, 2014

# ¿ Jul 16, 2014 05:50

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gatz posted:

Sounds good. Coincidentally, I found this book today at a local thrift store. Thanks, both of you.

Also Bart Ehrman's Lost Christianities.

# ¿ Sep 1, 2014 06:08

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Pork Pie Hat posted:

I tried reading The Ancestor's Tale recently, but couldn't get past all the Dawkins smugness. I'm really interested in the subject matter though, so I was hoping there is a similar book (or books) that I could enjoy without all the r/atheism Dawkins bollocks. Can anyone suggest anything?

Evolution by Carl Zimmer comes to mind. Wonderful Life by SJ Gould but it only deals with a limited subset of life's history on Earth, but it is simply a fantastic book (can't always say that about Gould, he tends to oscillate between science history and fairly technical evolutionary theory). Same for Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin.

# ¿ Sep 1, 2014 06:20

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tonytheshoes posted:

Any suggestions for books with the same sort of vibe as Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn or The Dinner by Herman Koch? Looking for unreliable narrators or books where the story isn't given away up-front, but meted out leaving you to piece things together...

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. I know I have recommended it before but it really is a fantastic novel.

# ¿ Sep 10, 2014 05:29

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elbow posted:

Fun fact: that's actually the fourth time you have recommended that book since you started posting in this thread 6 months ago. I also think it doesn't really fit the request; it may have an unreliable narrator but it doesn't at all have the same vibe as either Gone Girl or The Dinner.

tonytheshoes, Joe Hill's Horns might fit the bill.

Well, that is embarrassing. I had no idea I was so over the top with this book. I'll stop.

It came to mind because of the slow reveal tony described.

Bilirubin fucked around with this message at 17:49 on Sep 10, 2014

# ¿ Sep 10, 2014 15:33

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Sanford posted:

Recommend me some books about extinction. I prefer information about the things that have gone extinct rather than the process itself. I just finished A Gap in Nature by Tim Flannery and it was equal parts interesting and incredibly depressing and I crave more.

David Raup's book Extinction would be your first step. Edit: wait about things extinct. Hmm. Perhaps Richard Dawkin's Ancestor's Tale or one of several books by Donald Prothero?

Tim's a pretty incredible guy and more of his books would also work.

# ¿ Nov 11, 2014 08:01

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Invisible Ted posted:

Anyone have any non-fiction suggestions about The Order of the Golden Dawn? A history would be good, but I'm largely interested in the modern practices of the...cult?

Israel Regardie's book is sort of the standard text.

If you are looking to get into the practices thereof, but want non-fiction...heh. Dion Fortune's works are pretty accessible but dated. More recent work of currently practicing occultists I recommend are by Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki, Alan Richardson, and Gareth Knight. This book, the Forgotten Mage, has both histories and some insight into the philosophy of modern occultists.

Centripetal Horse posted:

She likes comedies, as do I. Something with a lot of humor would probably be a good start.

Its been a number of years, but I remember pissing myself laughing over Donald Westlake's Dancing Aztecs. Its a story of a heist attempted by a bunch of incompetents.

Bilirubin fucked around with this message at 19:16 on Nov 17, 2014

# ¿ Nov 17, 2014 19:12

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naptalan posted:

I'm looking for weird new-age/conspiracy/alternative-thinking books for my partner's mum. She likes getting insight into other people's thought processes and beliefs - she just finished reading a David Icke book and thought it was hilarious. Particular areas of interest:

- Quantum physics
- The healing power of thoughts
- Hypnotisation/past life regression
- Lizards, apparently

To be clear she's not really a 'believer'. Books that treat these sorts of things critically are OK, but I think she'd rather read the source material. The weirder the better! I've loaned her a copy of John C. Lilly's autobiography in the meantime

Michael Shermer's Why People Believe Weird Things might be worth a consideration and ought to get her into the source material

# ¿ Dec 4, 2014 20:42

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Grizzled Patriarch posted:

Could I get some recommendations for great travel writing? It's an area I have very little experience in, and I want to correct that. I'm really looking for authors with a strong voice and sense of style; a lot of my favorite travel writing feels almost like reading fiction.

Malaria Dreams: An African Adventure by Stuart Stevens. Its hilarious as well. Guy gets asked to fly to the Central African Republic by a friend and drive friend's Range Rover back to Paris for him. Cue Africa!

# ¿ Jan 22, 2015 16:06

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Twerp posted:

Can anybody recommend some well-researched books on folklore/mythology? That is, something that's more than just a flat collection of stories. I recently read Nart Sagas from the Caucasus, and it has all the sorts of things I really like - copious footnotes, historical/cultural contexts, thematic analyses, examples of cross-cultural story pollination, and even etymological breakdowns of the various regional dialects. Something India-focused would be peachy, but I'd be more than happy to explore anything you got for me.

Joseph Campbell's The Power of Myth comes to mind

I also really enjoyed Hyemeyohsts Storm's Seven Arrows, a collection of plains indians folklore with a running commentary. I might have to reread that soon in fact.

I have read nothing like that for India indians

# ¿ Jan 29, 2015 05:15

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Rubber Biscuit posted:

Looking for some non-fiction about pagan/pre-christian religious practices in Britain. A broad subject-area I know, but any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

I was also recently looking into this subject, will check those recommendations out cheers

# ¿ Feb 7, 2016 06:50

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Abu Dave posted:

Added that to my list. Reading through book one of the illuminatus trilogy and FNORD

# ¿ Feb 16, 2016 04:40

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Secret Agent X23 posted:

You might want to take a look at The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant. I think it's a pretty good overview of Western philosophy through the years and probably a better-than-average starting point.

If you have time and inclination, there is Bertrand Russell's A History of Western Philosophy

# ¿ Dec 3, 2016 19:18

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Don't skimp upon Galapagos, but Mother Night is much more in keeping with your previous list.

Also, Welcome to the Monkey House.

# ¿ Dec 8, 2016 05:41

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dantheman650 posted:

My wife is looking for a book and she's very specific about the requirements. Hoping you all can help! Fiction, either adult or YA. Male protagonist, charming but a bit of a jerk (think Sherlock), should have interesting inner monologue, shouldn't be scary. She's a recent English learner and doesn't know any English authors (her level is advanced and I think she can tackle whatever). If anyone knows 민소영 (long shot I know) that's her favorite Korean author and she'd kill for anything like her work.

Maybe try A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man?

# ¿ Dec 28, 2016 23:54

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Blind Rasputin posted:

I have always been a huge Blade Runner fan but I had never read the book. Since the sequel is coming out soon, I picked up PKD's Do Robot's Dream.. and just holy.poo poo.is.this.good. I am like banging my head against the wall here amazed at how perfect this book reads.

I hear A Scanner Darkly is a must read. I saw the movie and I hear the book is real close to the movie plot but with a lot more drug addled ranting. Should I read that next, or is there another PKD book that is a must read?

Its good. Also Man in the High Castle, UBIK, Dr. Bloodmoney, Flow My Tears..., Valis, aw hell, just read anything he's written (except some of the straight fiction comes less recommended)

# ¿ Jan 10, 2017 03:19

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Transistor Rhythm posted:

Here to rep for "Deadeye Dick" and "Hocus Pocus" as underrated later-era Vonnegut options.

Galapagos above all

# ¿ Jan 17, 2017 16:34

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Franchescanado posted:

Time's 100 Greatest Novels published since 1923

This is an...interesting...list. The choices made often seem like compromises to get more even alphabetical distribution. For instance, Ubik and The Blind Assassin as representatives of their respective authors? I mean, they're good, but the best?

# ¿ Mar 3, 2017 15:51

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lol

# ¿ Apr 5, 2017 04:59

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Two Feet From Bread posted:

Someone recommend me a book where modern solders fight in a fantasy. I want to read about a dragons taking Stinger missiles to the face. Or a .50 cal and mk-19 combo loving up an orc/skeleton army.

I recall some book I read in high school that had like a platoon from Viet Nam in an APC wind up in some sword and sorcery fantasy land but I am hosed if I can remember anything more about it because I have blocked every detail about that terrible book from my mind.

# ¿ Apr 13, 2017 01:49

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Selachian posted:

Two books actually: The Doomfarers of Coramonde and The Starfollowers of Coramonde by Brian Daley. I haven't read them but Daley is pretty good at slam-bang action stuff (he's probably better known for his Han Solo books).

Yeah that's the book, the Doomfarers.

e. mind when I say it was terrible, I actually read it all. Unlike the one David Eddings I attempted.

# ¿ Apr 13, 2017 03:59

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Franchescanado posted:

Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon
Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me by Richard Farina
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe
Junky by William S Burroughs
Norwood by Charles Portis

If you're just reading Hunter S. Thompson, you should probably also read Kerouac (On The Road, Dharma Bums) and Bukowski* if you haven't already.

(*You'd enjoy his novels, but Factotum, Hollywood, or Women are closer to your request)

Seconding the Kerouac recommendation

# ¿ Apr 13, 2017 05:33

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Transistor Rhythm posted:

What are some decent books set against the backdrop of college in the sixties, seventies, or eighties? Stephen King's "hearts in atlantis" is a big one, but I'd be even more interested in the seventies or eighties if possible.

Robertson Davies makes this a semiregular setting.

Margaret Atwood's Life Before Man is set in the Royal Ontario Museum, attached to the University of Toronto.

/cancon

# ¿ Jun 7, 2017 21:48

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elbow posted:

This is going to sound so wanky, but I'm looking for a recommendation for a philosophy book that deals with the question of why anything exists at all. I know there are some physics books that deal with this question but I find those a little inaccessible, plus it doesn't answer the question of why physics even exists.

Basically, I get a little anxious when I think about the universe, where it ends, what's outside it, or if it doesn't end how that can even be, as well as about why people exist, and in hoping that a book can help me get a little more comfortable with those thoughts.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_epistemologists

# ¿ Jul 6, 2017 05:14

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For hard, as in scientifically correct, sci-fi, I really loved Charles Sheffield because 1) he was an actual physicist, and 2) he could still write a character. :rip:

# ¿ Jul 20, 2017 06:03

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Hieronymous Alloy posted:

At first I thought you were talking about John Varley's Titanides series and then I realized there were multiple series about centaur sex

wtf why do y'all do this to me, I just wanted to read books

# ¿ Sep 13, 2017 04:53

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chernobyl kinsman posted:

Your Inner Fish, Neil Shubin
Wonderful Life, Stephen Jay Gould
Trilobite: Eyewitness to Evolution, Richard Fortey

Wonderful Life is no joke one of the best science-for-the-general-public books ever written.

# ¿ Oct 25, 2017 01:59

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chernobyl kinsman posted:

please don't, as a grown adult, read a book titled 'for the win'

Don't listen to him "Like a Boss" was the best book I read all year

# ¿ Nov 9, 2017 05:47

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13Pandora13 posted:

I'm looking for three types of nonfiction. I have a background in microbiology/biochem (and history, but that's not really relevant to this) so academically heavy is fine.

1. Superfund sites books like Toms River. It can be about superfund cleanup in general, specific sites, whatever.
2. Nuclear disaster/criticality accident books like Command and Control, Atomic Accidents, etc. Again, general or specific event is fine.
3. Epidemiology/zoonotic diseases/virology/etc. books like Spillover. Pulpy/sensationalist books with questionable science like The Hot Zone I'd like to avoid.

Global Warming: the Greenpeace Report Edited by Jeremy Leggett, Oxford University Press, 1990

Let me know how depressing it is nearly 30 years later

edit: also consider Waste Management Inc.: An Encyclopedia of Environmental Crimes and Other MIsdeeds A Greenpeace Report by Charlie Cray

Mostly a documentation of decades of poo poo from across the US up until 1991. Its not really a narrative so much as a depressing timeline of how corrupt this company is

Bilirubin fucked around with this message at 06:25 on Jan 9, 2018

# ¿ Jan 9, 2018 06:20

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Franchescanado posted:

You may also like The Ballad of the Sad Cafe & Other Stories by Carson McCullers. Again, dark southern gothic literature with heavy themes and a sinister tone throughout, though never explicitly horror.

Seconding this. Franchescanado was my Santa this year and gave me a copy and I LOVED it.

(thanks again!)

# ¿ Feb 24, 2018 17:02

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Hieronymous Alloy posted:

William Hope Hodgsons _The Night Land_ is Lovecraft before Lovecraft.

I'm reading Arthur Machen's The White People right now and it also falls into this category.

# ¿ Jun 25, 2018 04:25

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StrixNebulosa posted:

What's the best recent book about dinosaurs? I've got a hankering for 'em!

Like actual dinosaurs? Steve Brusatte's book The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs has been getting decent press. Have not read it myself though

# ¿ Jul 26, 2018 06:20

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StrixNebulosa posted:

Hey, this is exactly what I was looking for, thank you. Actual dinosaurs are cool and hopefully this book will be just as neat.

Well LMK if it doesn't work via PMs, as I might have some other suggestions, but that one is the most recent.

# ¿ Jul 31, 2018 06:53

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Hieronymous Alloy posted:

If you want something more adult (you probably do), Gaiman's version of Norse mythology isn't bad -- I own it but I haven't read it in depth, it's pretty similar to D'Aularies but with more words and fewer pictures.

I just started this tonight and have been tearing through it. Its pretty good

# ¿ Aug 15, 2018 04:31

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# ¿ May 6, 2024 14:18

Bilirubin: Feb 16, 2014; The sanctioned action is to CHUG

Jesus Christ*

(*sorry that wasn't spelled in the original Aramaic you loving :goonsay:

)

# ¿ Aug 15, 2018 17:02

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