scrape_r_rational/data/cache2/2mroml.md

## Suggestions on Books to read?

* Author: u/None *
* URL: https://www.reddit.com/r/rational/comments/2mroml/suggestions_on_books_to_read/
* Score: 3

* Created: 2014-11-19T13:32:52

### Post:

I can't seem to find a list of books that fit the rational genre on here, searching didn't really help me.

anyone have any suggestions for good Rational Books?

### Comments:

> **u/None** [+8]  (5 hours later)
> 
> Math textbooks.  *All* the math textbooks.

> **u/RMcD94** [+5]  (4 hours later)
> 
> This [thread](http://www.reddit.com/r/HPMOR/comments/1m7gta/good_stories/) over at /r/HPMoR has a ton of good suggestions.

> **u/None** [+3]  (11 minutes later)
> 
> There's not much on offer, I'm afraid. Things that fall strictly within the "rational fiction" category are sparse. 
> 
> (Low hanging fruit: [check out the tvtropes page.](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RationalFic))
> 
> Your best bet is fiction that doesn't have all aspects of the genre, but does possess some. ([Here's a list of books rationalists might enjoy.](http://measureofdoubt.com/2013/03/18/what-would-a-rational-gryffindor-read/))
> 
> Personal recommendations:
> 
> * Anything by Terry Pratchett, but especially the stuff dealing with witches.
> * Anathem, by Neal Stephenson
> * [Accelerando](http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/fiction/accelerando/accelerando-intro.html), by Charles Stross

>> **u/qznc** [+3]  *Chaos Legion* (5 hours later)
>> 
>> I can second Terry Pratchett. Even before the witches in general, read about Tiffany Aching and ignore the initial feels-like-a-kids-book. After the witches, continue with Moist von Lipwig. Avoid Rincewind, he is the archetype of stupid but lucky hero.

>> **u/None** [+1]  (17 hours later)
>> 
>> Anathem is fine for the intelligent aspects, but as a story it's largely a rather thin framing device, complete with "let's throw in a romantic conflict that means nothing and goes nowhere because I guess that's what needs to happen in these stories". It's also been described as a reaction to the "just Google it" mentality, which given that I look at Google as a faster and somewhat less rigorous encyclopedia seems like a meaningless knee-jerk reaction to the pace of modern technology, which admittedly is borne out in the novel to an extent.
>> 
>> So, it's a good book, but you can ignore [spoiler] (/s "nearly everything with Ala after Erasmus leaves the concent.") Hopefully I've got those terms right. It's been a while.
>> 
>> Also Accelerando is fantastic for the patter and jargon alone, though the story is a little unwieldy at times.

>> **u/autotrope_bot** [+1]  (12 minutes later)
>> 
>> Rational Fic
>> ----
>> ____
>> A Rational Fic is one which makes a deliberate effort to reward a reader's
>> thinking. It's the opposite of [ Bellisario's Maxim
>> ](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BellisariosMaxim) . The world-
>> building is intended to stand up to careful thought; the plot is driven by
>> characters or circumstances that themselves are part of the story, the heroes
>> generally think clearly (in ways the reader can follow), and a clever reader
>> can deduce what's hidden or what's coming. Very often, the fic is also
>> intended to teach the reader something about rationality.
>> 
>> [Read More](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RationalFic)
>> ____
>> *I am a bot. [Here is my sub](http://reddit.com/r/autotrope)*

> **u/alexanderwales** [+3]  *Time flies like an arrow* (3 hours later)
> 
> I'd recommend most things by Charles Stross. The *Merchant Princes* series gets very little love, but is all about revolution and the creative use of power (though if you read this, try to get the reissue that cuts the six books into three fat ones as was originally intended - it's a much better read that way). His science fiction stuff is also probably right up your alley due to the subject matter. And lastly, the *Laundry Files* series is one that I really enjoy, though it varies in how rational it is. Stross has a firm understanding of science and puts a lot of thought into his ideas. Oh, and he's also written one of the best time travel stories I've ever read, *Palimpsest*, which is part of the *Wireless* collection.

>> **u/qznc** [+10]  *Chaos Legion* (5 hours later)
>> 
>> I also recommand everything this guy [writes](https://www.fanfiction.net/u/4976703/alexanderwales).

> **u/ulyssessword** [+2]  (13 hours later)
> 
> I'd recommend *The Dragon's Path* by Daniel Abraham (Book one of *The Dagger and the Coin* series)
> 
> It's well written, and has characters that seem tailored for a rational audience.  They range from book-smart (with "clever" solutions) to actually smart, from noble to practical, and everything in between.  It hits all four parts of a rational fic in the sidebar, though "solving problems through intelligent actions" is sort of hit-and-miss: the characters often end up creating problems through stupid applications of their knowledge and resources.

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