Anyone recommend any good books out there? I particularly like books that try to explain theories or mysteries in life...maybe a book that tries to explain how big the universe really is or something around that kind of stuff.
2006-11-17 06:41:18 · 15 answers · asked by PhillyCop 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
P.S. Nothing to complicated I am a fairly intelligent person, but hate books where I have to look up every other word while reading it.
2006-11-17 06:43:57 · update #1
Not about the mystery of the universe or anything...
But....read "The Five People You Meet In Hell" by Robert F. Smallwood. Best book on Hurricane Katrina I have read.
2006-11-17 06:51:16 · answer #1 · answered by nottashygirl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Difficult to advise, not being sure of your age, or whether you'd prefer fiction or otherwise. I'm guessing you'd like something that's basically enjoyable but will get you thinking!
"Sophie's World" by Jostien Gardener is one such adult novel. It deals with philosophy as explained to a young girl, and gives an overview of an interesting topic in the framework of a novel. Its plot is little lacking in pace, but you might find the philosophical elements stimulating.
If you prefer something aimed at a slightly younger audience, I'd recommend "Justin Thyme" by Panama Oxridge. I'm recommending this a lot right now - mainly because I've just finished reading it, and it's still buzzing around in my head! It's target audience is not unlike books by Rowling or Pullman and, like them, it has a similar crossover writing style that will appeal to many adults too. From your point of view it might be ideal, because there are examinations of the various paradoxes of time between each chapter of the story. These theories are short, scientifically well-informed and very thought-provoking. However, it doesn't get too highbrow or intellectual, and don't worry of you come across any words you're not familiar with because the book has its own inbuilt mini-dictionary at the back defining any complicated words! It's a light, entertaining read but with some interesting theories that will broaden your knowledge about the mysteries of time!
The "Alchemist" by Paul Coelho is another book that many find thought-provoking, although personally, it didn't work for me. Whether the simple plot-line conceals some deeper meaning is open to debate - but it's an easy in-one-sitting type of read, being more a novela than a novel.
If you'd prefer non-fiction, then try "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson. The most "scholarly" of the four I've recommended, it deals with some complicated stuff, but in an accessible way.
All four are available from amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sophies-World-Novel-History-Philosophy/dp/1857992911/sr=8-1/qid=1163793436/ref=pd_ka_1/203-9915083-6090310?ie=UTF8&s=books
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Justin-Thyme-Tartan-Panama-Oxridge/dp/0955357004/ref=pd_sxp_f_i/203-9915083-6090310
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alchemist-Fable-About-Following-Dream/dp/0722532938/sr=1-1/qid=1163794751/ref=sr_1_1/203-9915083-6090310?ie=UTF8&s=books
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Short-History-Nearly-Everything/dp/0552997048/sr=1-2/qid=1163795026/ref=sr_1_2/203-9915083-6090310?ie=UTF8&s=books
2006-11-17 07:18:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any of Dorothy Sayer's Peter Whimsey mysteries. All great reads if you like mysteries.
Mary Renault's historical fiction, most particularly "The King Must Die" and "The Bull From the Sea."
Ursula K. Leguin's "A Wizard of Earthsea" series. Or her books "The Dispossed" or "The Left Hand of Darkness."
2006-11-17 07:53:42 · answer #3 · answered by Karin C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about "2001: A Space Odyssey" by Arthur C. Clarke. It's an incredible, mind-bending read. The story is thoroughly thought-out and provocative, raising all kinds of questions about man's place in the universe (as in, "how did we get here on earth? are we an alien experiment?") and also the ethics of technology (HAL 9000.) But the prose is clean and crisp. It sounds like something you'd enjoy.
2006-11-17 07:14:17 · answer #4 · answered by SimAlex 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Six Easy Pieces by Richard Feynman
2006-11-17 07:38:22 · answer #5 · answered by Katryoshka 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want fiction, you should read the northen lights trilogy.
It explores life and death, to the point you actually believe what you are reading is real.
If you are looking for non-ficiton reading, I second stephen Hawkings books, especially on the formation of black holes. I've yet to read it.
2006-11-17 06:46:09 · answer #6 · answered by Darkspark88 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may enjoy The Life of Pi by Yann Martel. It's a wonderful and mysterious look at the great questions of life, death, and faith. Enjoy!
2006-11-17 07:39:04 · answer #7 · answered by meatpiemum 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i've got study it, and that i enjoyed it. i became bored in the 1st few chapters too, yet after a short whilst it relatively is going to start to get greater exciting, I promise! i'm at the instant examining the state-of-the-artwork Knife, the 2d e book in the sequence (sequel to Golden Compass) it relatively is totally well worth examining.
2016-10-15 16:27:03 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Inherit the Wind
2006-11-17 08:30:06 · answer #9 · answered by goober 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the curious incodent of the dog in the night time
2006-11-17 07:40:21 · answer #10 · answered by big.fishes2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋