Reading is cool; even your mom thinks so!
I want to use the tiny amount of influence that I have to convince other nerds to put TikTok away, and read some books (or at least listen to them). This is a semi-complete list of all the books that I've read, or at least, as many as I can recall. As I read more, I will update the list. I'll also start to include summaries of what the books are about, doing my best to avoid any spoilers.
DISCLAIMER: By the way, I've included affiliate links with some of the books. If I get you to buy some, Jeff Bezos will give me a cut ;)
- Holiday on the Moon
- 2001: A Space Odyssey
- The Nine Billion Names of God
As of right now, I'm offering ARC copies of the book. This means that you get a copy for free. When the book comes out on Amazon in early January 2026, I'll notify you by email. At that point, you are free to leave an honest review on there, but only if you wish to do so :) If you like Dune, Fallout, the Foundation series, or the Ecolitan series by L. E. Modesitt, I think you'll like this one as well.
This masterpiece explores the correlation between intelligence and happiness. The main character, Charlie, was born with an IQ way below average, and all he wanted was to be smart. After a group of scientists perform an operation on him, his intelligence begins to rise. The book is written from his perspective, as a journal, detailing how his perception of the world changes with ever-increasing intelligence.
- Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
- The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
- Life, The Universe and Everything
The Dune series explores the following theme: What happens when a charismatic leader becomes embroiled in a prophecy? Is Paul Atreides really the hero of Dune, or did Dune simply trade one dictator for another?
- From the Earth to the Moon
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
- The Chase of the Golden Meteor
- Animal Farm
- 1984
- Wheelworld
Every empire throughout history peaks, and then, inevitably, collapses. The demise comes slowly at first, and then all at once. The Foundation explores what happens to its technology, once the power structures disappear. Who will there be left to fill the void?
- Foundation and Empire
- Second Foundation
- Foundation's Edge
- Foundation and Earth
- Pebble in the Sky
- The Stars, Like Dust
- The Currents of Space
- Slaughterhouse-Five
- Ender's Game
The book, whilst somewhat different from Blade Runner, the film it inspired, asks its own questions. In the universe of the book, animals are all but extinct, reserved only for the wealthiest. However, as most ordinary citizens wish to signal wealth, they purchase synthetic animals, and begin to act as if they are real. Inevitably, Deckard asks himself the following questions: do the replicants desire synthetic animals of their own? Is the desire to signal status so intrinsically human, that it remains one of the few psychological quirks that distinguish them from humans?
- Fahrenheit 451
- Altered Carbon
A rather strange book, with even stranger Oedipal themes. If you ignore all of that, it is a fascinating book with an even more fascinating premise. If a man has lived for hundreds of years, how can you convince him to keep on going?
Imagine the American war of independence, but on the Moon. What happens when Earth becomes a distant bureaucrat, disinterested in the problems of its even more distant citizens?
I'm going to give you a warning. If you like the first two books, do not read the third. I repeat, do not read it. It will not make you a happy bunny.
- The Last Wish
- Sword of Destiny
- Time of Contempt
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
There are two versions of this, the Discourses, and the Enchiridion, which is the far more condensed version of the Discourses. I'd recommend you read the Enchiridion first, as it is a distillation of Epictetus's philosophy. If you want to learn about stoicism, this is the place where you start.
Marcus Aurelius was considered one of the great Roman emperors. As he approached the end of his life, he could feel the end coming, and so he started journaling. His writings were never supposed to see the light of day, but they were preserved, and eventually published. Most of the text concerns itself with death, as Marcus was attempting to justify to himself why death was really not that big of a deal. Overall, it is a fascinating look into the life of a Philosopher King, and an absolute privilege to be able to peer into his thoughts.
- Hagakure
This book is worth its weight in gold. Written a few centuries ago, it is a source of great wisdom. Bear in mind that some passages in the book are written specifically for a Japanese audience. As an example, some parts of the book say that you should be at any given moment willing to give your life for your master. If you're not Japanese, you can go ahead and skip those parts of the book, whilst extracting the wisdom which permeates its pages.
- The Richest Man in Babylon
- Shogun
- Tai-Pan
- Gai-Jin
- Noble House
- Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
- The Idiot
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
- The Girl Who Played With Fire
- The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest