h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Last year Z, I and another person set up a Skeptics' Book Club in Edinburgh; the first of its kind so far as we know.

The criteria are broad, the book should be "of interest to Skeptics" and can be fiction, though most are non-fiction or else they are polemics. The one we've read this month is one about evolution called "Your Inner Fish". The meeting's tomorrow; this is the first one I've been to since February or so.

We need to suggest a couple of books for December and January, or maybe for January and February.

I fancy a history book, and Z's suggested Guns, Germs and Steel. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guns-Germs-Steel-history-everybody/dp/0099302780/

I bought Marcus Brigstoke's book about god a couple of months ago, but was sadly underwhelmed. http://www.amazon.co.uk/God-Collar-Marcus-Brigstocke/dp/0593067363

I started reading this, but stopped for some reason, which was a shame because it's really good:
The Islamist: Why I joined radical Islam in Britain, what I saw inside and why I left - Ed Hussain - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Islamist-joined-radical-Britain-inside/dp/0141030437

My other thoughts from books I have already read are Feet of Clay by Anthony Storr about gurus and cult leaders, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Feet-Clay-Study-Anthony-Storr/dp/0006384234/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_t_1

Utopian Dreams by Tobias Jones is interesting, thoughtful and well-written and about his experiences joining different kinds of religious communities - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Utopian-Dreams-Tobias-Jones/dp/057122380X

We are a Muslim Please, bu Zaiba Malik is about growing up in Bradford and working as a reporter including a dramatic visit to Pakistan - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Are-Muslim-Please-Zaiba-Malik/dp/0099522276/

Whoops!: Why everyone owes everyone and no one can pay - John Lanchester was recommended to me by Hoovooloo and I've not yet started it - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Whoops-Why-everyone-owes-one/dp/014104571X

However, I'm quite tempted to suggest either Hogfather or Small Gods to give us all some light relief.

B

Given the current world events, how about 'The wealth of nations' by Adam Smith and as a counterpoint 'The conditions of the working class in England' by Frederich Engels.

Oh I think Small Gods would be perfect.

On Engels...I'm currently reading this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Frock-Coated-Communist-Revolutionary-Friedrich-Engels/dp/0713998520

The best book I've ever read about Marxist Theory. And I've read a few. It constantly reminds us that Karl and Fred were philosophers.

Don't be afraid of the M-word. Evolution, you say?

http://bonoboworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/marx-and-monkeys.html

(It's also extremely readable)