The Oil Drum BookCollage -# 3 of 3 - General Recommendation For the Library

Earlier this week we had two threads for listing book recommendations, Thread 1 on energy, ecology, systems, etc. and Thread 2 on practical knowledge. This 3rd thread is for general book recommendations from Oil Drum readers. We don’t always have to learn something from what we do or what we read - sometimes it can be just for fun or enjoyment.

I try to live my life using a barbell strategy. One one end I try to do things of meaning, importance and value. On the other end, I live with ‘wide boundary hedonism’, which basically means I laugh, love, sleep, eat, hike, read, play, consort with animals, spend time in nature, think, wonder, etc. (I try to cut most of the stuff between these two extremes -like typical social conformities, television, monotony etc. but I occasionally get pulled in like we all do.) In any case, reading has been a lifelong passion of mine. Whenever I was in a blue spot, perhaps from breaking up with a girlfriend, etc. I could lose myself in a good book for a few days and it would equilibrate my sense of self. In recent years (probably due to reading much on this site), I haven’t had as much time to read ‘for enjoyment’. But I intend to do that more in the future.

Here are a few selections that I enjoyed and have read more than once. I am a science fiction/fantasy nut so two of the three are from that genre.

Freddy and Fredericka Mark Halperin.

A well written book like many others by Halperin. I particularly liked the plot: a Prince on England was only able to become King if he could conquer America, with no money or no help - just being parachuted naked into New Jersey. As such it was inspirational that skills, integrity and leadership could rise to the top on their own merits rather than by birth, status or wealth. Cool idea.

The Foundation Trilogy Isaac Asimov

Oft mentioned in TOD threads was Asimovs theory of “pychohistory” which combined math, sociology and psychology and statistics to make predictions about large social groups. I have reread these books twice but it has been about 10+ years so I think I am due for a reread..;-)

Farseer Trilogy Robin Hobb

There are actually 9 books in this fantasy series. Hobb is my favorite fiction author - her character developments are so real that you are pulled into the story and forget about reality, which I imagine is good reason for reading fiction. This series is set in a kingdom where some people have the ability to mentally telepath/bond with animals, which I found to be a cool concept. Hobbs books also seem to not be candycoated. Many of main characters die, etc.

(Note: I have always wanted to write a sci/fi book. Perhaps a future earth traveler who visits many different areas of planet, which all pursued different peak oil social strategies - the traveler might engage with these future humans and via conversation provide insight/speculation as to the many complexities that the one big human tribe now faces..)

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Please add up to 3 choices for general reading enjoyment to the list. Who knows - books might be a great store of unexpected reward someday….