Books to expand mind, vocabulary, and critical/logical thinking...

[mountainman]

Hey guys. I have been thinking a lot lately of how much time I spend on the computer and how much time I DON'T near enough time self-educating myself and reading. I want to try a regimine where I read a good book in English that will challenge my vocabulary (so I can look up words and learn them) and will also challenge my thinking (so I can expand my mind and be able to think clearer).

Can you guys who read a lot and for fun point me in the direction of some good ones? I will be reading one English book like this and then read a novel in Spanish that is more literary work for enjoyment. However the Spanish book will really help my vocabulary in that area.

A couple of "rules":

1. I don't want books that are purely entertainment. (i.e. Steven King, Tom Clancy (maybe for vocab due to the subjects?), or other things like this.

2. I don't want books that are to better my life such as "How to win at the stock market", "how to manage your time", or things like that.

Thanks a million guys. I would love to hear your recommendations.

[mountainman]

Just so you can see what I have, here is a photo of my only book shelf of books:



I have not read them all.

Thanks.

[downhill]

Kant

The Federalist Papers..

Tolstoy

Milton

Locke

To name a few Authors and ideas..

[EvilAngel]

You could do what Deus ex Machina did, get a Thesaurus/Dictionay chip implanted in your brain..

[mountainman]

Originally posted by EvilAngel
You could do what Deus ex Machina did, get a Thesaurus/Dictionay chip implanted in your brain..

I checked eBay and couldn't find one.

I am sure I can't afford a new, updated one with slang and current buzz words.

Thanks for the ideas guys! I will look into the topics and ideas of those that you've posted. I can't wait to get started.

[Humboldt]

One of the best books I've read in a long time...so good I bought a hardback copy for my father.

"A Soldier of the Great War" by Mark Helprin a believe.

Outstanding book. Great plot but there's something about the main character's wison and the way the book is written that is captivating. Quite a character...he's fearless and gets into some great situations, but is quite wise.

It's even written retrospectively so the wise dude has had a lifetime to look back on his experiences. Everyone he talks to just drops their jaw and says "how did you get so damn wise?"

3 thumbs up

[Humboldt]

They have it used from $1.50 and up at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... ?vi=glance

[Joint Chiefs of Staff]

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff - Richard Carlson, Ph.D.

The Seven Seasons of a Man's Life - Patrick M. Morley

The Man in the Mirror - Patrick M. Morley

oh yeah...

Anything by Clive Cussler or Tom Clancy.

[JawZ]

Cosmos
Pale Blue Dot
The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence


All by Carl Sagan and imho...all must reads.

[Deus ex Machina]

Originally posted by EvilAngel
You could do what Deus ex Machina did, get a Thesaurus/Dictionay chip implanted in your brain..

Read the NY Times and National Review, your lexicon will grow. Writing stories would be efficacious.
For critical thought, play chess, keep your mind open and active.
Associate with creative people.

[TonyT]

You could achieve all that you stated by reading Will Durant's multi-volume set of world history/philosophy.

Then if desire some entertainment factor as well as edu, read Twain and Dickens.

Also do a google search for "classic literature" and read the greats.

[Joel Naten]

Go build your vocabulary and keep it up at Vocabulary Enhancer .

It's fairly straightforward, and keeps quizzing you only over words you've been shown. It keeps track of your mastery of those words. Of course you have to create an account to track that information.

[Brk]

Go build your vocabulary and keep it up at Vocabulary Enhancer .

It's fairly straightforward, and keeps quizzing you only over words you've been shown. It keeps track of your mastery of those words. Of course you have to create an account to track that information.

Sad.