Silk Road forums

Discussion => Philosophy, Economics and Justice => Topic started by: mode on November 14, 2012, 07:17 am

Title: Favourite books?
Post by: mode on November 14, 2012, 07:17 am
Thought I'd share two of my all time favourite books, and maybe get some feedback from other people about their choices :)

Living Energies (The life and work of Viktor Schauberger) - Callum Coats

An indepth look into the life and works of one of the greatest scientists and minds of our time. All his inventions and theories (water/fluid vortices, turbine engine, refinement of water, vortex propulsion) were derived from nature and his work was unparalleled. Right up there with Einstein, the perfect complement.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/28717669/Viktor-Schauberger-Living-Energies


Psychic Discoveries Behind the Iron Curtain - Sheila Ostrander & Lynn Schroeder

This book blew me away. Amazing investigation into Russian (and others from the Eastern Bloc) parapsychological research post cold war. The psy research undertaken at the time was widely regarded as 'normal' in society, with schools that people could actually attend. The experiments that are written of in the book, were all openly/publicly documented, and will twist your mind. Also explains soooo much about about the relations between certain countries, and at times takes a rather sinister tone.

http://www.amazon.com/Psychic-Discoveries-Behind-Iron-Curtain/dp/0137320817
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: SelfSovereignty on November 14, 2012, 07:29 am
Never even heard of Viktor Shauberger... hrm.  My apologies, but regardless of what Sheila Ostrander & Lynn Schroeder say, I don't believe in such things... and don't care enough about history to learn why an entire country was silly enough to.  I'll toss a couple of suggestions back at you though :)

Favorite novel is Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson.  If you like cyberpunk and haven't read it, you're missing out.
Another favorite is Vurt, by Jeff Noon.  Cyberpunk-ish too.

If you're bored without your drugs, give 'em a look.
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: mode on November 14, 2012, 07:49 am
 Winner of the Arthur C. Clarke award.... interesting. Def love my Sci-Fi :)
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: koaeu on November 14, 2012, 08:08 am
 :)
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: neiger108 on December 07, 2012, 01:53 pm


Psychic Discoveries Behind the Iron Curtain - Sheila Ostrander & Lynn Schroeder


Will definitely be checking this book out, sounds really interesting! As far as my favourite book goes, it depends on what type of genre. Haruki Murakami is an amazingly talented writer whose novels are just stunning. A particular favourite of his is called 'Kafka on the Shore', I think I've read it around 4 times now and each time interpreted certain bits in different ways, a book that keeps giving for sure! Another long time favourite, Kundera's exisential novel 'The Unberable Lightness of Being'. I like war literature too, very powerful. Pat Barkers Regeneration trilogy is the first that springs to mind.
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: oldtoby on December 08, 2012, 04:23 am
I'm an old Tolkien-head, I'm sure you'll be shocked to hear.
Much love still for Gibson's Neuromancer. I feel like I know every sentence of that book.
The Algebraist by Iain M Banks.
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins is quite the eye-opener.

Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: LeetPwner on December 11, 2012, 08:02 am
48 Laws of Power - Robert Greene
The Art of Seduction - Robert Greene
Either/Or Part 1 - Soren Kierkegaard
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: mwarf on December 11, 2012, 09:15 am
Pholloing cuz buks ar gud
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: indonesia on December 12, 2012, 02:07 am
Anything by Carl Jung and without a doubt the Lion King & Aladdin
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: Theophilus on December 12, 2012, 10:11 am
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts.

Synopsis:

Shantaram is a 2003 novel by Gregory David Roberts, in which a convicted Australian bank robber and heroin addict who escaped from Pentridge Prison flees to India.
The novel is commended by many for its vivid portrayal of tumultuous life in Bombay.

A really gripping and enlightening read.

Secondly, everything by William Gibson. Burning Chrome being my favourite.

For laughs, Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: Knomo on December 12, 2012, 11:57 am
Favorite novel is Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson.  If you like cyberpunk and haven't read it, you're missing out.

If you're bored without your drugs, give 'em a look.

Ah cool, I'm currently reading The Diamond Age and have Cryptonomicon laying here, waiting to be read :) Will check that one out after finishing these 2

My favorite book is.. hmm.. I don't really have one. Just like reading.. especially science-fiction, about the universe and legal thrillers (Ludlum/Grisham f.e.)
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: SelfSovereignty on December 12, 2012, 11:51 pm
Favorite novel is Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson.  If you like cyberpunk and haven't read it, you're missing out.

If you're bored without your drugs, give 'em a look.

Ah cool, I'm currently reading The Diamond Age and have Cryptonomicon laying here, waiting to be read :) Will check that one out after finishing these 2

My favorite book is.. hmm.. I don't really have one. Just like reading.. especially science-fiction, about the universe and legal thrillers (Ludlum/Grisham f.e.)

If you don't care for Cryptonomicon, still check out Snow Crash.  Favorite novel of all time, but I couldn't get through Crypto.  Love his writing style and it's essentially the same, but... I don't really know what, actually.  It just never grabbed me no matter how much of a chance I gave it.  I still feel that you'd seriously be missing out if you let it turn you off of Snow Crash though.
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: Hamb999 on December 21, 2012, 02:46 pm
Recently, I read "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell.  It was very enlightening.

Fiction - I read Life of Pi again because the movie is out.  I think it shows the incredible power of the human mind.  I read it first about 6-8 years ago and it really stuck with me.

I am currently reading Spillover about viral epidemics (such as Ebola).  It's pretty good, but not my fav.

One of my all time favorites is Catch 22.  Strangely enough, I can't even finish any of  Joseph Heller's other books - they are awful.

Lastly, I loved The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements by Eric Hoffer. 

I love to read, but wish I had a better memory.  Too much weed! Ha!
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: chil on December 21, 2012, 06:24 pm
Beside the obvious ones, I can't stop recommending, fiction-wise, Revolutionary Road, by Richard Yates.


Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: lilacstar on December 22, 2012, 12:09 am
My favorite books haven't changed in years... I really love The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton as well as Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.

And this may not be the most popular opinion, but I really love young adult fiction books, particularly trilogies. Absolutely loved The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and my all time favorite series is The Maze Runner by James Dashner. A good book is a good book no matter what age group it is targeted at. :)

I actually haven't read anything in months though, probably since summer. Been super busy, but excited to read this new book I just picked up, The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom.

Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: Hungry ghost on December 22, 2012, 07:51 pm
Agree with Neal Stephenson fans. A friend of mine who knows my tastes recently couldn't believe I'd never read any. Started with Snow Crash then Anathem then Diamond age and Reamde. I couldn't get into Crytptonomicon or Quicksilver either.
      I tend towards non fiction these days
Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins
Red Queen - Matt Ridley...... both about genetics and evolution

1491 by Charles c Mann
Comanche by T R Feuerenbach.....  both about Indians but very different.

Demon Haunted world by Carl Sagan
Bad Science by Ben Goldacre...    hoping to get follow up "Bad  Pharma" for Christmas

Junky - by Williamn Burroughs..... pisses on anything Kerouac wrote although I wouldn't bother with any of his later "cut up " books

I just got round to reading all the Dark Tower books by Stephen King. I read all his other stuff, even the shit ones but I never fancied this. I was wrong. It's fucking epic.

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrel by Susanah Clarke is a good read but a bit of a slog.  It's got fairies in it but the full size baby stealing, make you dance in the snow as they bathe in your blood type.

If this is a man
The Periodic Table.... Two books by the Holocausrt surviving chemist Primo Levi. The first tells of his experience and is truthful and horrible and uplifting at the same time.
The Periodic Table is a series of short stories based on chemical elements. It's genius

The Wasp Factory.   Iain Banks.      A dark murderous tale with a twist

Ghost Stories of MR James, particularly "o whistle and I'll come for you"
Terrifying.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Not seen the film but I stayed up all night reading the book in one sitting and literally sobbed uncontrollably at the end. Not cos I was sad but moved.
 
AND its clearly a nuclear winter. Sick of critics describing it as " after some unspecified environmental disaster". In a flashback he looks out of the window at night and sees a couple of huge flashes on horizon. He starts filling the bath. His wife says "why you having a bath" "I'm not"

....it's called writing!
That's a few to be going on with
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: Razorspyne on December 23, 2012, 12:46 am
1.     Dune    --    Frank Herbert    --    Sci/fi sh*t, except, it's not sh*t
2.     Emperor, Vol 1: The Gates of Rome    --    Conn Iggulden    --    Historical fiction. It's about a little boy called Ceaser
3.    A Farewell to Arms    --    Ernest Hemingway    --    Fiction. WWII novel
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: kst1791 on December 23, 2012, 01:49 am
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace: My favourite novel ever. Absolutely hilarious and worth the time it takes to read.

Also: The Boat that Wouldn't Float by Farley Mowat. Also hilarious :)

Thanks for the suggestions! :)
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: pennyloaferz on December 23, 2012, 02:52 am
Dharma Bums- Jack Kerouac
 -  Could be I was just in a very good place mentally, but the beat generation is my favorite time of writing.  And this book just made me feel so passionate and at peace. 

Hells Angels- Hunter S Thompson
 - My idol, hero and basic roll model.  This is a man who embraced the weird, he went balls deep into a world people only imagined.  No fears no regrets, just got into it.  Every time I read HST I feel so alive.

Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: thedopestjunkie on December 23, 2012, 04:44 pm
100 years of solitude by Gabriela Garcia Marquez is at the top of my list. Magical Realism at its best.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson is also up there. Being an addict reading this book was like watching myself on a bender and being able to laugh out loud about it.
Also anything by Kurt Vonnegut.
Title: 1980s Video Game/Sci-Fi Fans, The Perfect Book
Post by: PanicSuite on December 23, 2012, 05:15 pm
Read "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline.  This is kind of a swan song to 80's era technology mixed in to a willy wonka-esque plot.  You will not be able to put it down. 
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: BigScrote on December 23, 2012, 11:01 pm
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts.

Synopsis:

Shantaram is a 2003 novel by Gregory David Roberts, in which a convicted Australian bank robber and heroin addict who escaped from Pentridge Prison flees to India.
The novel is commended by many for its vivid portrayal of tumultuous life in Bombay.

A really gripping and enlightening read.

Secondly, everything by William Gibson. Burning Chrome being my favourite.

For laughs, Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.

I loved Shantaram because I read it under the premise that it was a true story. Turns out it's "based on a true story" - more like a gonzo account of what really happened. I think if I had read it with that in mind, it wouldn't have tainted the reading experience for me.

Terry Pratchett's Discworld is brilliant! A true master of the English language.

My all-time favourite is probably Cat's Cradle by Vonnegut. I think he was a literary genius; his books were incredibly relatable and human, despite the frequent science-fiction themes. If you haven't read Cat's Cradle, go pick it up. It's a very easy read and quite relevant to what we're doing here in some ways actually.

On the non-fiction side, I'd recommend Guns, Germs and Steel. Presents a very interesting take on why people from different parts of the world are different (spoiler alert - it ain't genetics). I believe Jared Diamond won the Pulitzer Prize for it. Fascinating read.

I'm also a sucker for The Princess Bride. The movie is one of my favourites, and the book is even better.

Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: Pax on December 24, 2012, 04:19 am
A Brave New World,The Doors of Perception,Crome Yellow - Aldous Huxley                           Animal Farm, 1984- George Orwell                                                                         The Giver - ? I forget I read it in grade school                                                        Hitchhikers Guide To The Galxay series - Douglas Adams                                           
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: hee57 on December 26, 2012, 05:01 am
Catcher in the Rye has always been a favorite of mine.
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: sppa on December 28, 2012, 06:33 pm
I've just doubled my amazon order thanks to this great thread.(prob at a detriment to SR vendors)
 here's my 2 pence worth.
 The importance of being Earnest- Oscar Wild.   It's short but very well written.

The social Contract- Jean Jacques Rousseau. His second book Discourse on the origin of inequality was a total pile of shite. If a man posts 1000 ill conceived, moronic comments on threads, but posts 1 of total genius is he still a douche? is his 1 moment of clarity still justified?

You don't have to agree 100% with a book for it to be a must have in your collection. Some of my favorite reads have me screaming at the author. well screaming at my girlfriend about the author. Any thing that is a catalyst for discussion is a good read. Even Mein Kampf has some well articulated, well meaning topics ( untill he goes off on one)
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: zapatista36 on December 29, 2012, 11:14 am
The Third Policeman - Flann O'Brien
V for Vendetta - Alan Moore (and I know the film was listed as part of the DPR bookclub recommended reading and viewing recently, but I love graphic novels and this will always top the list)

I think everyone's faves and recommended reads should change every so often based on what they have just finished and would heartily agree with lilacstar - I read The Hunger Games trilogy and was very impressed. Fiction for teenagers? Revolution for teenagers and everyone who's sick of wanting...

But I digress, the top 2 will always have a room reserved in my mind, even if I'm hooked up to some fucking life support apparatus and am breathing, eating, drinking and pissing thru tubes
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: Bakura on December 29, 2012, 08:17 pm
Infinite Jest - David Foster Wallace

Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: Razorspyne on December 29, 2012, 08:56 pm
Ghost Stories of MR James, particularly "o whistle and I'll come for you"
Terrifying.

That cracked me ^ when I saw it. A recommendation of a ghost book by SR user who's a ghost. Nice avatar pic!

Catcher in the Rye has always been a favorite of mine.

Um, it's possible that I'm on the wrong wavelength here, but wasn't Catcher in the Rye the name of a porn story that Peter Griffin wrote in Season 5 of The Family Guy?  ???
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: n1ll0 on December 30, 2012, 08:21 pm
1.     Dune    --    Frank Herbert    --    Sci/fi sh*t, except, it's not sh*t

Seconded! Haha a whole series about the coolest drug ever..melange! I totally want some..

Haha add to that The Electric Kool-aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe.. Fucking excellent Gonzo style nonfiction book following Ken Kesey and his Band of Merry Pranksters.. It details the Pranksters journey in the bus Further to visit the east coast Leary psychonauts as well as Kesey's acid test during which the embryonic Grateful Dead honed their psychedelic jamming skills..

Must read for everyone who is interested in acid or other psychedelics.
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: pinus on December 31, 2012, 02:49 am
anythang by orwell. me fav is keep the aspidistra flying
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: buyer7697 on December 31, 2012, 04:53 pm
A few of my favorites have already been mentioned, so without repeating any I would definitely have to add The Giver by Lois Lowry and A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.  Both are easy reads, but incredible books.
Title: Re: Favourite books?
Post by: paxous on December 31, 2012, 05:54 pm
nice list yoy guys got here, choosing some for the next month, thanks