Whilst my greatest pleasure in life is writing books,* I love diving into someone else's jumble of words and surfacing with a richer perspective on life. My bookshelves are literally crammed with hundreds of such treasures (mostly non-fiction), so here are just a few I thought I'd like to share with you:

THE FABER BOOK OF REPORTAGE

Ever wondered what it was like to have dinner with Attila the Hun...? Me too! Ever wondered what it was like to have seen Vesuvius erupt and destroy Pompeii...? Me too! Ever wondered what it was like to have witnessed the deification of the Emperor Septimius Severus in AD 211...? Bit weird.

Revealing the same fears, shock and wonderment that exercise our modern minds, this book comprises eyewitness accounts of historic events from 430 BC to the end of the 20th century. The nearest thing you'll get to a time machine... other than a time machine.

SUPERNATURE - LYALL WATSON

I first encountered this book as a teenager, and it opened my eyes to a world that isn't always as it appears. It taught me that the line between scientific thinking and "alternative" viewpoints may not be as definite as some would have us believe.

Lifetide, by the same author, sits next to this and is another excellent example of why you should keep an open mind about anything that is labelled "paranormal".

THE NAKED JAPE - JIMMY CARR & LUCY GREEVES

I've often thought that life would be so much easier if I'd chosen to write books that weren't supposed to be funny. But that's the bit I love most when writing. Not the sitting for hours... staring into space... trying to work out how you can make your next scene as efficiently entertaining and humorous as possible... but the absolute joy you get when you believe you've finally succeeded. By the way... I always think it curious that you can actually make yourself laugh.

How and why that process works is explored in this wonderful book.

THE GOD DELUSION - RICHARD DAWKINS

A tough read, this one, if you believe you're not merely a happy accident of physics. But if you hold a viewpoint on anything, it must be able to stand up to the most vigorous scrutiny... and this book will certainly provide that!

I also keep Dawkin's The Blind Watchmaker on my bookshelf. Another excellent read, demonstrating how intricate lifeforms can evolve from just a few basic rules, if you're prepared to wait long enough. The million dollar question is, of course... how did those rules come into being?

QUANTUM - MANJIT KUMAR

A beautifully written history of how the great minds that worked on quantum theory not only struggled with the concept itself, but with each other's interpretation of this most baffling branch of physics.

To fully understand the Alice-in-Wonderland rules that surround quantum theory requires a certain amount of brain power. But I marvel in awe at the intellectual capacity of those who discovered them in the first place. A great place to start if you want to get to grips with this fascinating subject.

THE COMPLETE HOUSE RABBIT - CAROLINA JAMES

I'm a firm believer that animals don't belong in cages... unless I'm within 20 feet of something with incredibly sharp teeth.

If you're going to keep a rabbit as a pet, let them share your hutch. There's a lot more room and they'll definitely appreciate it. And if you allow them to join in with your family, they'll do a lot more than just sit there and twitch their nose. For starters... they'll probably insist on licking your feet.

MYSTERIES OF THE MIND - HENRY REED

This book jumped out at me from the shelf of a bookstore at an apposite time in my life. If you haven't heard of Edgar Cayce, you really should. Whether or not you believe him to be the world's greatest psychic, as the cover suggests - or that such a thing is possible in the first place - he's certainly the most documented and intriguing. As you can see from the well-thumbed image, it's a book I've enjoyed reading many times. An interesting insight into the unlimited possibilities of human consciousness.

Such is the positive charge generated by this book, I've also bought it numerous times for friends who I thought would find it useful at an apposite time in their lives.

THE GNOSTIC GOSPELS - ELAINE PAGELS

When I find someone on my doorstep brandishing a bible, I'm always delighted to engage them in debate about it, seeing as they've bothered to take the time. For starters... how on earth did Adam & Eve's son Cain manage to find a wife? And we're only on the opening pages. But the blankest stare comes when asking why the Nag Hammadi Codices never got a look in when compiling the gospels.

Never heard of them either...? Well... you have now!

In my opinion, probably the most amazing individual that ever lived. "Great" doesn't do him justice.

Taking positive thinking and self-belief to levels most of us can only drool about, his achievements are breathtaking. How many thirty-two year olds do you know who can claim to have founded eighteen new cities?

Over two thousand years after his premature death, millions of people's lives are still affected by the legacy of this man. Imagine if he'd been allowed to see old age!

As quirky as the title, this book examines the wonders of the Cosmos and explores its workings in a language that's both accessible and fun.

Asking such questions as "what is beyond the edge of the Universe?" and "are we in a computer simulation?", the answers will make you look at things in a different light.

INEVITABLE ILLUSIONS - MASSIMO PIATTELLI-PALMARINI

As I state in the opening lines of Master Plan... "Things are never what they seem... for what they seem is prejudiced by perspective." Well... it's actually weirder than that!

Think you know your mind? Well... think again! This book explores the games our minds play without us realising... even when we think we have a firm grasp on reason.

THE COLLECTED POEMS OF DYLAN THOMAS

When writing, every word matters. If there's no reason for it being there, then it shouldn't. Even the sound of a word can make a difference. Nobody knew that more than Dylan Thomas... another genius who died far too young.

These poems are best read out loud with a voice approaching that of Richard Burton's.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS - CHARLES DICKENS

Timeless writing from the J K Rowling of his day.

If you're looking for a great read that effortlessly melds together great characters, plot and some thoughtful observations on the human character and how we treat each other, you can do no better.

© Andy Dane Nye 2023

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