Recommended geeky reads for this winter

Stephen Hawking: An Unfettered Mind by Kitty Ferguson

In Dr. Stephen Hawking's lifetime, he has explored more scientific theories than nearly anyone else and draws rock-concert-sized crowds at his lectures. This latest biography Stephen Hawking: An Unfettered Mind by Kitty Ferguson is the result of more than a decade of firsthand experience with the incredible scientist.

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The Art of the Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the publication of The Hobbit -- and coming out about a year ahead of the highly anticipated movie The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey -- Art of the Hobbit is a collection of sketches, drawings, paintings, and maps by Tolkien himself while writing the book, many of which have influenced readers' imaginations of the world of Bilbo Baggins.

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Diablo III: Book of Cain by Deckard Cain and Blizzard Entertainment

In the games Diablo and Diablo II, Deckard Cain provided quests and story information. Diablo III: Book of Cain is a collection of Cain's writings as collected by Blizzard Entertainment.

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Star Trek Vault: 40 Years from the Archives by Scott Tipton

The Star Trek Vault: 40 Years from the Archives by Scott Tipton covers the first 40 years of Star Trek history including an amazing collection of memorabilia -- both drawings and items tucked into built-in pockets throughout the book. It also highlights the cultural impact of the Star Trek franchise.

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Star Wars: The Complete Vader by Ryder Windham and Peter Vilmur

Star Wars: The Complete Vader by Ryder Windham and Peter Vilmur is the most definitive collection of information and minutiae on the Dark Lord of the Sith. This book contains information gathered from on-screen appearances, as well as tidbits from books, comics, and video games and memorabilia and collectibles.

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11/22/63: A Novel by Stephen King

One of the most popular science fiction/fantasy/horror/suspense authors of our time, Stephen King returns with 11/22/63: A Novel. Adding to the popular science fiction sub-genre of alternate history, this book looks at what would be like if someone traveled back in time to attempt to stop the Kennedy Assassination.

Thanks to Jay Garmon and Vicki Huckabee Dixon via Facebook for the suggestion.

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1632 by Eric Flint

Another popular alternate history book, 1632 by Eric Flint is more than just a book; it has several sequels by the author and several by other authors, as well as a massive amount of canon fan fiction, plus the very popular 1632.org official fan site. Fellow Geekend contributor Jay Garmon has mentioned this book before and even lobbied for it to become a movie. I would add, especially with the advent of shows like Terra Nova, that it would make a great TV series.  While this book is not available in a Kindle or Nook edition, it is available for free download from the publisher (as well as the first sequel, 1633, and the first fan fiction collection, Ring of Fire).

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Embassytown by China Mieville

TechRepublic editor Selena Frye is planning on reading Embassytown by China Miéville. It's a story about a human ambassador in the distant future who interacts with an enigmatic race called the Ariekei whose language is only speakable by a few select, altered humans. This novel does what Miéville does best -- push the limits of the entire field of writing.

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Empire State by Adam Christopher

In a parallel universe, a Gotham-like New York has fallen into a dark age where evil lurks around every corner and its former heroes have devolved into petty feuds with one another. This is the story of Empire State by Adam Christopher.

Thanks to Jay Garmon for the suggestion.

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Fool: A Novel by Christopher Moore

Fool: A Novel by Christopher Moore is the story of a moronic king, his daughters, a ghost, and multi-layered plots, as told by the court jester. It's bound to be witty and funny.

Thanks to member BurnedSalamander for the suggestion.

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Girl Genius Novels: Agatha H. and the Airship City by Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio

For you Girl Genius fans, there's Agatha H. and the Airship City by Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio, the first novel based off the Girl Genius webcomic series. As TechRepublic member BurnedSalamander describes it: "'Gas Lamp Fantasy' Steampunk with monsters, mad science, mythology, and a wee bit of magic."  Sure to be a good read for fans of Girl Genius.

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In the Company of Ogres by A. Lee Martinez

What would you do if you could never die? Or, at least, never stay dead? In the Company of Ogres by A. Lee Martinez is the story of "Never Dead Ned" who dies with alarming frequency -- just to rise again from the grave a short while later.

Thanks to member BurnedSalamander for the suggestion.

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Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

One of the most popular books of 2011 is the biography of Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.  It is based on 40 interviews with Jobs, as well as hundreds of others with people who had contact with him over his lifetime. Read Jay Garmon's Geek Gifts 2011 review of the book.

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Kingkiller Chronicles: The Name of the Wind by Partrick Rothfuss

TechRepublic member phelanwolf75 recommends the Kingkiller Chronicles by Partrick Rothfuss. The first in the series, The Name of the Wind, begins the tale of Kvothe, a young man who grows to become a notorious and powerful magician. This novel carries you through his young life in a troupe of traveling players to being an orphan in a crime-riddled city to his bid to enter a school of magic.

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Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey

Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey is set in a future where humanity has colonized the moon, Mars, and the asteroid belt. Centered around Jim Holden, the XO of an ice mining ship, this novel delves into a mystery that could mean the death of many.

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Locked On by Tom Clancy

You've probably read at least one Tom Clancy novel or seen a movie based on one, especially those starring Jack Ryan. Clancy's latest novel, Locked On, continues that story. Jack Ryan, Sr. is running for president again in order to help his country through a dark hour. Meanwhile, his son and the secretive agency "the Campus" are investigating a potential conspiracy.

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Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

In recent years, author Seth Grahame-Smith and others have modified classic literature to include zombies, vampires, and other mythical creatures. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith is one such novel.

Thanks to member BurnedSalamander for the suggestion.

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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

If you combine nearly all of the classic cult science fiction ideas -- things like giant Japanese robots, Blade Runner, The Matrix, and flying DeLoreans -- what do you get? Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

Thanks to Jay Garmon for the suggestion.

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Star Trek: Mirror Universe: Rise Like Lions by David Mack

In Star Trek, the Mirror Universe is an alternate timeline first discovered in the Original Series episode Mirror, Mirror ("evil, goatee'd Spock" should help you remember).  In that time period, the peaceful Federation's counterpart was the evil, menacing Terran Empire. By the time we visit the Mirror Universe again in Deep Space Nine, the Terran Empire has long-since been overthrown and the humans are little more than slaves (and rebels) to the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance.

Star Trek: Mirror Universe: Rise Like Lions by David Mack is the latest in a long line of novels set in the Mirror Universe. It details the final years of the Terran Rebellion and ushers in the new Galactic Commonwealth (an organization not dissimilar to the Federation of the "normal" timeline).

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Star Wars: The Old Republic: Deceived by Paul S. Kemp

With the release of Star Wars: The Old Republic MMORPG comes a series of books set in that time period.  Star Wars: The Old Republic: Deceived by Paul S. Kemp is the second such novel, which centers around a Sith named Darth Malgus and the young Jedi rogue who is tracking him down.

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Terry Jones' Medieval Lives by Terry Jones

Well known for his work in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Terry Jones once again seeks out the middle ages with Terry Jones' Medieval Lives. This largely non-fiction book begins with the medieval archetypes and ends with some colorful characters.

Thanks to member BurnedSalamander for the suggestion.

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The Age of Unreason: Newton's Cannon by J. Gregory Keyes

Another alternate history series, The Age of Unreason by J. Gregory Keyes follows Ben Franklin and Sir Isaac Newton as they uncover the secrets of alchemy and battle supernatural forces. Newton's Cannon is the first in the series.

Thanks to member BurnedSalamander for the suggestion.

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The Dresden Files: Storm Front by Jim Butcher

In The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, Harry Dresden is a wizard who works with police forces to decipher the strange and magical things in the world. Storm Front begins this series.

Thanks to member phelanwolf75 for the suggestion.

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Zone One: A Novel by Colson Whitehead

For those of you zombie thriller fans, Zone One: A Novel by Colson Whitehead tells the tale of a post-apocolyptic era where humanity is divided into the uninfected and the infected, the living and the living dead.  Now, the provisional American government is trying to reclaim Manhattan from the infected squatters when things start to go wrong.

Thanks to Jay Garmon for the suggestion.

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The Rivan Codex: Ancient Texts of THE BELGARIAD and THE MALLOREON by David and Leigh Eddings

One could read the Belgariad series (Volume 1 and Volume 2), then read the Malloreon series (Volume 1 and Volume 2), and then follow those up with Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress, but what would you do after that? Why, read The Rivan Codex: Ancient Texts of THE BELGARIAD and THE MALLOREON by David and Leigh Eddings of course.

Thanks to member phelanwolf75 for the suggestion.

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Vortex by Robert Charles Wilson

Readers of Spin and Axis will surely enjoy Robert Charles Wilson's new novel, Vortex.  Set 10,000 years in the future, when Earth is a dying world and quarantined and humanity is scattered across a chain of planets linked by a series of gateways, this novel will lead the reader on a suspenseful and mysterious journey to solve a prophecy about the Hypotheticals.

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Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku

Physicist Michio Kaku, inspired by such science fiction staples as Star Trek, Star Wars, and Back to the Future, explores the amazing technologies that appear in these franchises with an informed and serious eye in Physics of the Impossible.

Thanks to Zelalem Adugna via Facebook for the suggestion.

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A Universe from Nothing: Why There is Something Rather than Nothing by Lawrence M. Krauss

Popular theoretical physicist Lawrence M. Krauss returns to the written word (after his extremely popular YouTube video) with A Universe from Nothing: Why There is Something Rather than Nothing which explores how life came to exist out of the Big Bang.

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The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

Jonathan Smillie told us on our Facebook page that he is currently reading The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester.  This is the story of how the Oxford English Dictionary was initially created.  It might sound boring, but it's not. For instance, over 10,000 definitions were submitted to the OED by Dr. W C. Minor, an American Civil War veteran and inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane.

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Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

If, instead of gift cards this holiday season, you received a shiny new Kindle but are strapped for cash to pick up books for it, you might want to check out the massive amount of classic science fiction, fantasy, and other genres available completely for free.  Several examples include Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, and many, many more.  If you have another brand of eReader, you also check out sites like Archive.org to download millions of free eBooks.

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