Can anybody suggest some really good books to read for me to expand my mind?

MrWillyWanker · #1 (**permalink**) 01-11-2003, 05:48 PM

i wanna read something that is thought provoking and interesting. Something that makes me think. Can anybody suggest some books that might fit into this category?

thanks

fume · #2 (**permalink**) 01-12-2003, 11:03 PM

start with something that will really stimulate the imagination...i think that would be the first step. check out space by michener and the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy by douglas adams, they are both very entertaining and vivid.

then check out carlos castanada, some very amazing spiritual stuff.

when i go into a bookstore i spend most of my time in the religion, and history sections. some of the most thought provoking subjects for myself are wars, religions, and space. just go to a library and look around, in no time you will have an armful of books you want to read.

also, look into music from the 60s. get a list of the bands that played woodstock, they had some really amazing things to say.

expanding your mind is something very personal, reading will give you ideas, but youve got to do alot of thinking and observing. once you get started you wont stop. and dont be suprised when your whole world changes. one day you will wake up and feel different. everything will be different. thats when you will start searching for yourself, but thats a whole different subject

KraziHare · #3 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 01:24 AM

Right now I'm in the middle of the Ender series of books by Orson Scott Card. It features many sci-fi elements as well as a lot of theology but without pushing any particular point of view. It's one of the few sci-fi stories I've read that I could take seriously. The first book in the series is 'Ender's Game'. That book doesn't really represent Card's overall style however.

sensimil · #4 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fume

also, look into music from the 60s. get a list of the bands that played woodstock, they had some really amazing things to say.

one of my favorite books is Tom wolfes The electric kool-aid acid test..if you want a book that will literally take you from the spot you are sitting and make you feel like you were 'on the bus' painted in day-glo, tripping and acting out in the 60s, youll wanna pick this one up. i think I got a contact high from just reading it. defiantly a good read.
I agree with fume on the bands thing though, artists of that era stood for so much, they had a lot of unique and powerful things to say..I think thatll be my next kind of book myself...santana always interested me..

IGotTheCottons · #5 (**permalink**) 01-18-2003, 01:44 AM

i know this probably wasn't what you were thinking of in a response... but i'd suggest the Bible (King James Version)... now, before you write it off, this book is garaunteed to provoke a lot of thoughts... you might even find yourself questioning a lot of your beliefs. just so you know, it's 100% historically accurate (meaning they can prove all the battles and such happened that it says happened)... there's also never been a legitimate contradiction found in it.

daiseyduked · #6 (**permalink**) 01-18-2003, 02:54 AM

right now i'm in the middle of the celestine prophecy by james redfield.the 9 insights into life itself. really good book if your into that sorta thing

FatGatMan · #7 (**permalink**) 01-20-2003, 05:27 AM

One good book i've just read lately is Running from safety by Richard Bach. some others are Island and brave new world by aldous huxley. hmmm whats else? Ah "Media Unlimited"by Todd Gitlin, a little heavy but for the mind that can't stop analyzing this book helps to eaze the load. The bible is good reading. "The Matrix and Philosophy"
"The art of Dreaming" and "The active side of Infinity" by carlos Castanada are a must, just keep an open mind when reading them.
If anyone has some interesting books they've read putem out there.

dirtydingusus · #8 (**permalink**) 01-20-2003, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by IGotTheCottons
i know this probably wasn't what you were thinking of in a response... but i'd suggest the Bible (King James Version)... now, before you write it off, this book is garaunteed to provoke a lot of thoughts... you might even find yourself questioning a lot of your beliefs. just so you know, it's 100% historically accurate (meaning they can prove all the battles and such happened that it says happened)... there's also never been a legitimate contradiction found in it.

its fun to see how far off modern religin is from the realaity that is printed in the bible...and to see how they have taken such simple ideas and turned them into enuff bulshit to drive most inteligent people away

and no one has mentioned ...piers anthony....everything he has riten is worth reading!

and benttly little ....you should read "the ignored"

very good book!

IGotTheCottons · #9 (**permalink**) 01-20-2003, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dirtydingusus
its fun to see how far off modern religin is from the realaity that is printed in the bible...and to see how they have taken such simple ideas and turned them into enuff bulshit to drive most inteligent people away

i agree. although, there are some churches that are basically like "ok. this is what the Bible says... this is how we're gonna do it." ... the Bible says go soul winning, they go soul winning... the Bible says to be a light to the world, they do their best to be that light. now, because they're human (juse like you and me) they do mess up... but i guess the point i'm trying to make is they don't add all their man made rules, and all the other BS. they take what the Word says, and they go from there.

ubik · #10 (**permalink**) 01-21-2003, 11:10 AM

I'd suggest stuff by Timothy Leary (Chaos and Cybeculture for example) now now I know what your thinking "wait a minute, that's the LSD guru of the sixties" yes he is but he has very interesting opinions and views of our world these days, it's not hippy trippy sunshine stuff but there's interesting views in history and human race.

Second I'd recommend some HC-Sci-fi: Asimow, Gibson, Baxter, Huxley, Hesse.... there's so much stuff in there that it forces you to think about stuff, it may be boring at the beginning but after you've read the book you found yourself thinking about the universe and the world in a completley different ways.

Third Fairy tales: Neil Gaimans books are modern fairy tales and I found solitude and peace while reading them, they gave me an dream like view to the world and I haven't been too serious about 'modern day issues' after reading them, they give imagination an good rush.

12inchbong · #11 (**permalink**) 01-22-2003, 02:54 AM

Didn't see anybody mention my favorite author, Chuck Palahniuk. He's the author of Fight Club. If you've seen the movie, read the book, it's so much better. Also try Survivor: The Novel. Along the same lines as Fight Club, but better. I'm also in the middle of his newest novel, Lullaby. So far it's pretty good, but not as good as Survivor. Palahniuk's novels really make you think....

Twilight · #12 (**permalink**) 01-23-2003, 05:30 AM

I recommend the Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo..and anything by Carlso Castando...and the Abarat by Clive Barker..

tednugent · #13 (**permalink**) 02-03-2003, 09:45 AM

try apology by Plato
but then again if you're in this forum you have almost certainly read it anyway so never mind

TheHempress · #14 (**permalink**) 02-03-2003, 09:50 AM

The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien

This book is about the creation of middle earth...thousands of years before LOTR takes place....VERY good book if you can remember all the names. There are a lot of people/elves/Valar names in here to remember.

Digit · #15 (**permalink**) 03-05-2003, 05:28 PM

The Golden Ratio by Mario Livio

The Mystery of the Crystal skulls by .... i forget who.

1984 by ... Orwel ... i think
and animal farm if you never read it... or alternativly WATCH one flew over the cuckoos nest. thinly vailed deap depth.

Stephen Hawkings book... i forget what it's called. havn't read much of it yet, but you can tell from the off its gonna blow yer mind.

and the Giant book of mensa puzzles. heehee. sounds like im jokin, but it will actually make yourself push your brain power.

two others i reccomend but may not expand too many horrizons are The Rum Diaries and Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson. for a more mind expanding Thompson read i've heard On the Campaign Trail is quite good.

heehee... i make myself to sound like some literary genius...
barely read two dozen books in my life!

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#1 (permalink) 01-11-2003, 05:48 PM
MrWillyWanker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 231	Can anybody suggest some really good books to read for me to expand my mind? i wanna read something that is thought provoking and interesting. Something that makes me think. Can anybody suggest some books that might fit into this category? thanks

#2 (permalink) 01-12-2003, 11:03 PM
fume Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 7	start with something that will really stimulate the imagination...i think that would be the first step. check out space by michener and the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy by douglas adams, they are both very entertaining and vivid. then check out carlos castanada, some very amazing spiritual stuff. when i go into a bookstore i spend most of my time in the religion, and history sections. some of the most thought provoking subjects for myself are wars, religions, and space. just go to a library and look around, in no time you will have an armful of books you want to read. also, look into music from the 60s. get a list of the bands that played woodstock, they had some really amazing things to say. expanding your mind is something very personal, reading will give you ideas, but youve got to do alot of thinking and observing. once you get started you wont stop. and dont be suprised when your whole world changes. one day you will wake up and feel different. everything will be different. thats when you will start searching for yourself, but thats a whole different subject

#3 (permalink) 01-13-2003, 01:24 AM
KraziHare Likes Carrots Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Somewhere... probably Posts: 2,448	Right now I'm in the middle of the Ender series of books by Orson Scott Card. It features many sci-fi elements as well as a lot of theology but without pushing any particular point of view. It's one of the few sci-fi stories I've read that I could take seriously. The first book in the series is 'Ender's Game'. That book doesn't really represent Card's overall style however. __________________ Nonfamiliarity makes you scared to see the beauty in front of your eyes, you're thinking narrowly. Everything is an unpredictable occurrence if you've experienced everything except the purpose.

#5 (permalink) 01-18-2003, 01:44 AM
IGotTheCottons Juggernaut/Psychonaut Join Date: May 2002 Location: Smokin the dankest herbs, goin to the dopest parties, and having the best times - OF MY LIFE! Posts: 16,298 Blog Entries: 2	i know this probably wasn't what you were thinking of in a response... but i'd suggest the Bible (King James Version)... now, before you write it off, this book is garaunteed to provoke a lot of thoughts... you might even find yourself questioning a lot of your beliefs. just so you know, it's 100% historically accurate (meaning they can prove all the battles and such happened that it says happened)... there's also never been a legitimate contradiction found in it. __________________ GC Rules \| Read BEFORE Posting In Pandora's Box \|MDMA Info \| My Pickups

#6 (permalink) 01-18-2003, 02:54 AM
daiseyduked *potpixie* Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Canadian Superstar Stoner Posts: 1,915	right now i'm in the middle of the celestine prophecy by james redfield.the 9 insights into life itself. really good book if your into that sorta thing __________________ The most beautiful experience we can have is the mystical,it is the power of true art and science - Albert Einstein Peace will come when each of us goes within,and realizes that we are all equal aspects of God;then we can all sit together in harmony - A Spiritual Warrior

#7 (permalink) 01-20-2003, 05:27 AM
FatGatMan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1	Great books One good book i've just read lately is Running from safety by Richard Bach. some others are Island and brave new world by aldous huxley. hmmm whats else? Ah "Media Unlimited"by Todd Gitlin, a little heavy but for the mind that can't stop analyzing this book helps to eaze the load. The bible is good reading. "The Matrix and Philosophy" "The art of Dreaming" and "The active side of Infinity" by carlos Castanada are a must, just keep an open mind when reading them. If anyone has some interesting books they've read putem out there. __________________ "Deciphor the methods of Deception, its got me stumped beyond comprehension,Domesticated till we can no longer breathe the air from which we leave"

#10 (permalink) 01-21-2003, 11:10 AM
ubik Old School Stoner Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 593	I'd suggest stuff by Timothy Leary (Chaos and Cybeculture for example) now now I know what your thinking "wait a minute, that's the LSD guru of the sixties" yes he is but he has very interesting opinions and views of our world these days, it's not hippy trippy sunshine stuff but there's interesting views in history and human race. Second I'd recommend some HC-Sci-fi: Asimow, Gibson, Baxter, Huxley, Hesse.... there's so much stuff in there that it forces you to think about stuff, it may be boring at the beginning but after you've read the book you found yourself thinking about the universe and the world in a completley different ways. Third Fairy tales: Neil Gaimans books are modern fairy tales and I found solitude and peace while reading them, they gave me an dream like view to the world and I haven't been too serious about 'modern day issues' after reading them, they give imagination an good rush.

#11 (permalink) 01-22-2003, 02:54 AM
12inchbong Old School Stoner Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 537	Didn't see anybody mention my favorite author, Chuck Palahniuk. He's the author of Fight Club. If you've seen the movie, read the book, it's so much better. Also try Survivor: The Novel. Along the same lines as Fight Club, but better. I'm also in the middle of his newest novel, Lullaby. So far it's pretty good, but not as good as Survivor. Palahniuk's novels really make you think....

#12 (permalink) 01-23-2003, 05:30 AM
Twilight Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 7	I recommend the Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo..and anything by Carlso Castando...and the Abarat by Clive Barker.. __________________ "Magic is the first and last religion of the world" Clive Barker

#13 (permalink) 02-03-2003, 09:45 AM
tednugent Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 201	try apology by Plato but then again if you're in this forum you have almost certainly read it anyway so never mind

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

#14 (permalink) 02-03-2003, 09:50 AM
TheHempress You're not the chosen one Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: 4200 Super Moderator Blvd., Grasscity Pennsylvania, 17420 Posts: 11,950 Blog Entries: 8	The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien This book is about the creation of middle earth...thousands of years before LOTR takes place....VERY good book if you can remember all the names. There are a lot of people/elves/Valar names in here to remember. __________________ Now baby, baby, baby this world must seem so immense compared to the womb and baby, baby, baby your head must seem so much smaller than you assumed the whole world seems to center around you it'd be easy to make the mistake that maybe you're why the world was made

#15 (permalink) 03-05-2003, 05:28 PM
Digit Banned Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,829	The Golden Ratio by Mario Livio The Mystery of the Crystal skulls by .... i forget who. 1984 by ... Orwel ... i think and animal farm if you never read it... or alternativly WATCH one flew over the cuckoos nest. thinly vailed deap depth. Stephen Hawkings book... i forget what it's called. havn't read much of it yet, but you can tell from the off its gonna blow yer mind. and the Giant book of mensa puzzles. heehee. sounds like im jokin, but it will actually make yourself push your brain power. two others i reccomend but may not expand too many horrizons are The Rum Diaries and Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson. for a more mind expanding Thompson read i've heard On the Campaign Trail is quite good. heehee... i make myself to sound like some literary genius... barely read two dozen books in my life!