Suggested Reading

Fiction
Fight Club (Chuck Palahniuk)
  -Short, punchy, thought-provoking, and radical, Fight Club is a must-read for anyone who has questions about the status quo of the western society (and perhaps especially those who do not). And no, the book was not inspired off of the movie. It was the other way around. Even if you have seen the movie, the book is a great read and can make for an awesome book report. It's about a guy who is really dissatisfied with his life and society as a whole, and he meets another guy who has a half-crazy, but still valid, opinion about this world we live in.

Perks of Being a Wallflower (Steven Chbosky)
  -This book is written in an interesting manner; imagine if you received anonymous letters from a high school freshman, chronicling the events of his first year. The kid (Charlie) is really weird, unpopular, and kind of lost. He has a tumultuous year, but it makes for a great story, and the way it is written just makes you feel like you are actually talking to the kid.

Non-Fiction
Guns, Germs, and Steel (Jarred Diamond)
  -This is a phenomonal book which addresses the big questions of history: Where did we come from? And why has history played out the way it has? Diamond answers these very broad questions with the utmost care and detail. The information may turn out to be too much to handle for many readers, but it is certainly worthy of a check-out at the library by anyone interested in humankind's origins.

Greatest Show on Earth (Richard Dawkins)
  -This book will answer any and all questions you may have about the theory of Evolution. Whether you want to prepare for the biology unit ahead of time or need some help during the course, or if you are simply interested in the theory and want to learn more about it, The Greatest Show on Earth should be your first reference.

Art of Nonconformity (Chris Guillebeau)
  -One thing I hear all the time from high schoolers is, "I just don't want to work in an office." If this is something you hear yourself saying, you may want to check this book out. It has invaluable information about living life on your own terms and approaching life from an unconventional perspective.

Stress-Free College Admissions (Cal Newport)
  -While I highly recomend you read this book before you even start high school, it is never to late to start. I read it in my junior year and it did incredible things for me. The book offers a radically different approach to high school. The message? Don't take a huge load of tough classes and extra-curriculars to impress colleges. It won't work. Instead, do something interesting. That probably sounds much easier said than done, and it is, but Cal Newport gives the reader sound instruction as to how you can go about doing this. The great part about this is that you'll find something fulfilling, productive, and fun to do with your life.

Atheist Manifesto (Michel Onfray)
  -For those of us who feel confused about our parents's religious views, and their insistence that we adopt them as well, the Atheist Manifesto can give us a breath of fresh air and reason. Tackling the three monotheisms, (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) Onfray disassembles myths and the sanctity of these texts. He demonstrates the irrationality of these books and shows how they've been tampered with throughout the ages. He does not, however, address the existence of God(s) in general, instead choosing to discuss the books which claim to be written on behalf of God.

The Atheist's Way (Eric Maisel)
  -This book doesn't spend any time trying to convince the reader that there are no gods. Instead, Maisel assumes the reader has reached this conclusion and is asking the question, "So now what?" Maisel shows the reader a healthy way of approaching life and happiness without using God(s). It's not so much about religion as it is about having a meaningful life.

Generation Kill (Even Wright)
  -This is a very authentic and realistic look into the life of marines on the front line. Even Wright, a journalist for the Rolling Stone, tagged along with the Marine First Reconnaissance Battalion during the invasion of Iraq. He wrote a book full of vivid accounts of interactions between marines, their commanding officers, civilians, and the military strategy employed for the invasion. What is nice is that the focus is entirely on the soldiers, and Wright's opinions and personal feelings on the war are left virtually unmentioned.

Podcast
School Sucks Podcast (http://www.schoolsucksproject.com/)
  -Brett Veinotte hosts a podcast about the shortcomings of government-funded school. He offers a contrarian and alternative view on politics and history and public education. The podcasts are around an hour long each, but they're packed with great ideas and well worth the time (what else are you going to do, watch another B-movie?)