I've added
Bad Science: A great book about the things that go wrong in the scientific process, and the reporting on that process by the media. It focuses on medicine and diet in particular.

A Short History of Nearly Everything: Really well written and amusing history of scientific progress and understanding.

The Singularity Is Near: About the profound changes that will happen relatively quickly due to the exponential progress in IT technologies. The writing is a bit dry, but the point he is trying to make is profound and supported with convincing arguments.

Freakonomics: Really interesting and amusing book about applying principles of economy to study issues of every day life and human behavior.

Alien Hand Syndrome: A damn interesting collection of great and often humorous articles on interesting and surprising subjects that you probably didn't know about before reading it. Published by the blog www.damninteresting.com

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)

I've added Hacking Matter - its a good read from a SF author who knows how to write - but tried his hand at some popular science writing.

Sounds interesting, I've added it to my Wish List. I wonder if I put a book in my Wish List and buy it later, do you guys still get commission on it?

I second The Singularity is Near. Great book, though it isn't for people who don't like technical discussions.


On that note, I also recommend Transcend, Nine Steps to Living Well Forever. It is written by the same guy (Ray Kurzeil), along with his doctor Terry Grossman M.D. The main point of the book is to detail our most recent understanding of human health and the causes of most major health problems. Basically, it's about how to be healthy.

Of course, it is in the context of Kurzweil's predictions, so the overarching idea is that those who choose to be health now will live long enough to take advantage of upcoming developments in biotech and beyon, which will further increase health and lifespan. Eventually technology will be able to prevent age-related disease and death, so there is a good posibility that a healthy lifestyle today will get people to that point.

It's a much easier read than Singularity, so I recommend it to everyone who is interested in preventing avoidable health problems.


I'm also thinking of picking up a copy of The Neuro Revolution: How Brain Science Is Changing Our World. I've read lots of good things about this book, so I might check it out when I'm done with my current readings.

Big Bang by Simon Singh... I don't know how to Amazon

...:(

I added half-real, because it's one of the few computer game analysis books that actually tell something.

This may be more up a teacher's alley but I read it but I dont get it is my favorite book on reading comprehension. Parents with kids who are struggling with reading should definitely pick this up but I would go as far as to recommend it to anyone with kids. (if you want your kids to be good readers that is)

FICTION: I don't think there is any disadvantage to reading fiction. Respecting your request, I list here novels that--though not fictional--can very extremely affect one's interpretation of reality.

"The Circle" (series) -- Ted Dekker (Christian-related fiction)
"Dark Tower" (series) -- Stephen King
"Return to Earth" (series)-- Orson Scott Card
"Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" (series)-- Stephen R. Donaldson <-Fantastic
"Shadow Play" (series)-- Tad Williams <-Genius.

I do see a small disadvantage to it though, because unlike non-fiction you don't learn much by reading fiction. But it's not that I dislike fiction, I just wanted to start a post that bundled some of the Sift's favorite non-fiction.

Don't have privileges to do the amazon thing, but this:
http://www.amazon.com/Consciousness-Explained-Daniel-C-Dennett/dp/0316180661/

It is a bit wordy at times and confusing for it, but I found it a very enlightening collection of thoughts on consciousness as a fully materialistic phenomenon. Changed the way I think.

I've been meaning to read a Dennett book some time, thanks for the recommendation.

the few books i've read (and thoroughly enjoyed) that are somewhat science oriented are Richard Dawkins - Unweaving The Rainbow and Victor J. Stenger - GOD The Failed Hypothesis.
i'm currently struggling thru Daniel C Dennett's Darwin's Dangerous Idea
and i just picked up Brian Greene's The Fabric Of The Cosmos yesterday, haven't gotten too far into it but, so far so good.