<p>I’m about to order some great books to read. I would really appreciate any list of books you have enjoyed reading, or have taught you much.</p>
<p>science (any kind):
fiction:
biography:</p>
<p>the tao of physics
Fritjof Capra</p>
<p>A series of 4 books refered to as the Buru Quartet by Pramodedya Annata Toer were fantastic. The series starts with “This Earth of Mankind”, ends with “House of Glass” and is a tale of Javanese student Minke growing up during the Dutch colonial period in Indonesia.</p>
<p>And while I am on novel series, the trilogy starting with “Killing Mr Watson” by Peter Matthiessen is highly recommended.</p>
<p>Both are modern authors and I am willing to wager that Toer will some day be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literaure.</p>
<p>“Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!” is a wonderful read (memoir of one of the most colorful scientists)</p>
<p>“Arthur and George” the life of Arthur Conan Doyle and his role in an actual case (novel biography blend)</p>
<p>“I, Fatty” novelization of the life of Fatty Arbuckle, captures the early days of the American film industry and the sensational case that ruined Arbuckel’s career</p>
<p>The Patrick O’Brien (Aubrey/Maturin) series is steeped in naval and natural history of the Napoleonic era. If you like the first one, you’ll have about 20 more to keep you busy!</p>
<p>“Life of Pi” is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time</p>
<p>“Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood.</p>
<p>It’s science fiction set in the near-ish future, with enough troubles based on contemporary trends to make you feel a little nervous.</p>
<p>I love the great western novel: Angle of Repose (Wallace Stegner) and Dancing at the Rascal Fair (Ivan Doig). Two of my all time favorites. Well there are hundreds more…for nonfiction, Two Years Before the Mast (RH Dana), Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea (Gary Kinder)…that’s enough</p>
<p>The Jungle (Sinclair) and I, Claudius (Graves) are two of my favorites.</p>
<p>Anything by Simon Winchester for geology/earth science problems…</p>
<p>Some of his more popular books are:</p>
<p>The Professor and the Madman
The Map that Changed the World (about the birth of field geology)
Krakatoa (about the 1883 volcanic eruption in Indonesia…caused the “year without a summer”)
Crack in the Edge of the World (his new book about the 1906 San Fransico earthquake)</p>
<p>All of his books are written on a level for educated laymen and are fascinating to geologists and laymen (my fiance is reading his books and loving them).</p>
<p>Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond</p>
<p>East of Eden by John Steinbeck</p>
<p>The Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan</p>
<p>Fiction: Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Series. I hate science-fiction/fantasy, yet that is where these books are shelved. In reality, they are wonderful comedy novels. Donald Westlake’s comic mystery novels are also great – particularly Drowned Hopes and The Bank Job (which involves stealing a bank. No, not robbing a bank – stealing it). </p>
<p>Science: Ophiolite mentioned the Professor and the Madman before I could get to it. Also Longitude, by an author I cannot recall.</p>
<p>Longitude was written by Dava Sobel…I also enjoyed it very much… about the contest to invent something to enable the British Navy to go to sea without getting lost and shipwrecked…She also wrote Galileo’s Daughter which was wonderful too!! </p>
<p>Did you ever read The Agony and the Ecstasy…story of Michelangelo?
that was a delight to read…</p>