Knowing I lov'd my books, he furnish'd me
From mine own library with volumes that
I prize above my dukedom.

- William Shakespeare, The Tempest, Sc. 2

This is a list of the books I'm reading, recent books I've read and books I plan to read. Where possible, I've attempted to include some information about the book, perhaps a brief review and, most important, links to other books by the same author, read-alikes (books by other authors that may appeal) and similar recommendation tools.

The books listed as favorites are significant to me in some way or another. Mostly, they are books that I particularly enjoyed or that struck a chord in me. In most cases, I also feel that they are excellent books from a literary standpoint, as well. My hope is that if you enjoy some of the authors and books on this page, you may find something else here you haven't read that may be of interest. Regrettably, some of them are a trifle obscure and may be out of print. Where that's the case, I encourage you to try and track them down. As a note, either I have good taste in books or, far more likely, the same kind of quirky taste as some editors since a number of these books reappear as reprints at regular intervals.

Currently reading

True Names: And the Opening of the Cyberspace Frontier

I originally read Vinge’s titular essay years ago along with bits and pieces of the other essays included in this edition. It’s fun to reread everything once again after so many years and to recall some of the ideas expressed in them. True Names remains as intriguing and topical as it was when it was first published.

The Mist-Filled Path: Celtic Wisdom for Exiles, Wanderers, and Seekers

An interesting overview of spiritual practices that the author combines together under the heading of Celtic spirituality. There’s some good references to various stories, folklore, practices and other things that are uniquely Celtic, combined with comparisons to other practices that are similar in spirit across other belief systems. Many of the meditations have a “neo-pagan” feel to them, being the author’s own concoction, though they’re more rooted in ancient practices than some.

Sit Down and Shut Up: Punk Rock Commentaries on Buddha, God, Truth, Sex, Death, and Dogen’s Treasury

More punk rock Zen. A refreshing followup to the author’s first book, picking up where that left off and enlightening the reader on more aspects of Zen Buddhism. Everything from what enlightenment means to how to properly sit and meditate is in this book with plenty of irreverent attitude that punctures holes in preconceptions as effectively as any koan or whack upside the head (which, when you think about it, makes Zen kind of punk rock that way).

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Books I'm planning to read

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My favorite books

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Recently read books

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