What are your favorite coffee table books and art books? Examples for me are the art editions of Taschen like GOAT, The Godfather family Album, the MILK project(Humanity), all books by David LaChappelle. [more inside]
posted by tusharj on Jul 5, 2009 - 0 answers

Can anyone recommend good books about the interaction of Italian City-States during the Renaissance? My brother is writing a 200 page paper over the next three years, and his topic is Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan and how their interactions shaped the Italian Renaissance. He doesn't have any good books to go on, and I'm at a loss to help him (I'm not a history person) Any help would be appreciated.
posted by nickhb on Jul 3, 2009 - 18 answers

StoryFilter: Main character discovers he/she belongs to a special or secret group. They meet other people within this group who show them the ropes and open a new world to them. Harry Potter, Interview with the Vampire, Wanted, the original Star Wars trilogy... All of these books and movies are good examples of the meme, but they're all kinda dopey pop fiction. Great fun, some of my favorites, but are there some books (or even good movies) that are a little deeper on the subject? [more inside]
posted by Willie0248 on Jul 2, 2009 - 45 answers

What are some interesting, weird, rare or unexpected finds that you've found on google books? In searches, I sometimes stumble on journals and other obscure publications that I never would have even THOUGHT to search for. I imagine there are lots of useful or interesting resources that most people wouldn't know are there, and they're adding more all the time. Also, are there particular search patterns that you find give you more useful results?
posted by empath on Jul 2, 2009 - 14 answers

What's the best reading available for a summary of "Junk Science"? [more inside]
posted by Neale on Jul 1, 2009 - 21 answers

I'm looking for suggestions for a new series to read. I enjoy what I think of as supernatural mysteries but I don't know where to turn to next. [more inside]
posted by magnetsphere on Jul 1, 2009 - 34 answers

Does anyone know about issues of being a man in a majority-woman workplace/industry? [more inside]
posted by SouthCNorthNY on Jun 30, 2009 - 24 answers

I'd like to learn about biology. Can you recommend some books to get me started? [more inside]
posted by SamuelBowman on Jun 30, 2009 - 21 answers

What are the best nonfiction sources about the atrocities surrounding the Mexican-American War and related Native American wars? [more inside]
posted by Bookhouse on Jun 29, 2009 - 12 answers

Help me learn as much as I can about the history and theory of contemporary art. I would at this point, love to take up a full time course for two years on the above, but for several reasons I cannot do so. I can however, spend 3-4 hours daily to read and study. I also spend almost three months of the year travelling to various biennales, museums and collections around the world to up my knowledge. But while I am fairly up to date with what is going on today, I need to get myself a proper history so i know the context of what I am seeing. So if someone could provide me with a systematic syllabus of what I need to read, it would be appreciated. An actual syllabus from a top notch program would be the best. A great book I read on the subject was "Shock of the New" by Robert Hughes.
posted by tusharj on Jun 28, 2009 - 15 answers

What are the best recent books on emerging infectious diseases? [more inside]
posted by msharp on Jun 28, 2009 - 3 answers

What are the best books on mythology (all kinds)? [more inside]
posted by fantine on Jun 27, 2009 - 28 answers

I'm trying to locate three books from my childhood (mid-80's) about UFOs, monsters and ghosts. [more inside]
posted by DakotaPaul on Jun 26, 2009 - 10 answers

frivolous absurd question filter: if f(x) = "the length of shelf space required (in metres) to house every book (in english paperback edition) to have sold more than x copies in the last hundred years", what value of x would fill three ikea billy bookcases? [more inside]
posted by compound eye on Jun 26, 2009 - 4 answers

Do you know of any old books which predicted (correctly or incorrectly) 'future' advances and applications of emergent technology? [more inside]
posted by Pennyblack on Jun 25, 2009 - 19 answers

How can every man be his own Daniel Plainview, or at the very least write like he speaks? [more inside]
posted by seansbrain on Jun 25, 2009 - 13 answers

What are some books I can read before my trip to Europe that will help me get in the mood? [more inside]
posted by Dilemma on Jun 23, 2009 - 24 answers

Is there any kind of critical consensus about the claim made by Henry Binder and Hershel Parker in the 1980s that previous editions of Stephen Crane's Red Badge of Courage were prepared with cuts demanded mostly by the original publisher and that the edition most people have read is thus much less darkly ironic than it should be, and that Binder's new presentation is a more accurate representation of Crane's original intent?
posted by mediareport on Jun 23, 2009 - 2 answers

I demand to know your favorite short story anthologies. [more inside]
posted by zoomorphic on Jun 23, 2009 - 30 answers

Want to help remember a book title? 'Course ya do! It's from the 80s and, if I remember correctly, involves some kids that discover a new game at the local arcade. There's a pilot's helmet on top of the machine, and when they try it on and attempt the game they find they can travel through time. I believe the cover was a picture of the machine and the helmet. At one point they use it to break into a research facility or something, but before that I think they go back too far and it's still being built (leading to some fretting about jumping forward in time and ending up halfway through a wall or floor). I know somebody out there can field this one!
posted by Monster_Zero on Jun 23, 2009 - 1 answer

Please share your short list of best children's books ever! [more inside]
posted by dreamphone on Jun 22, 2009 - 82 answers

I am in the process of starting a niche bookstore, with no prior experience in retail. Help me with tips, tools and tricks of the trade, ie software, systems etc. [more inside]
posted by tusharj on Jun 21, 2009 - 12 answers

People talk about "writing the Great American Novel." What do you think are valid examples of the G.A.N.? What novels, American or otherwise, did you enjoy reading and wish you had written?
posted by Busoni on Jun 20, 2009 - 69 answers

Can anyone recommend good books (fiction or non-fiction) that take place in East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall?
posted by comfortinsound on Jun 16, 2009 - 15 answers

My husband and I are planning a cross-countries, 7500km road trip to promote the book which he has just finished, currently seeking publishers (he will be self-publishing if it isn't picked up before we are set to leave). We are seeking contact info of book stores, events, independent media outlets and any other venues where book signings, readings or vending would be appropriate. (cities and book info after the cut) [more inside]
posted by DecemberRaine on Jun 16, 2009 - 12 answers

What are some great books about history? [more inside]
posted by zennoshinjou on Jun 16, 2009 - 43 answers

I often have a whole bunch of 500-3000 word articles to read - all reasonably plain English with headings and sub-headings (and occasionally images). Is there any software out there which will take an article (or articles) and write a reasonable one or two paragraph summary of the article, or produce a list of key points?
posted by zaebiz on Jun 16, 2009 - 13 answers

Do you know any good left wing propoganda for toddlers? [more inside]
posted by RajahKing on Jun 15, 2009 - 50 answers

I've always been fascinated by war, and recently I've been on one of those kicks that seems ephemeral at first but just won't go away. I am particularly fascinated by WWII. I want reading suggestions. [more inside]
posted by Autarky on Jun 14, 2009 - 39 answers

I am looking to build an amazing collection of contemporary books, which will include essentials, but also osbcure yet amazing titles. I am including the categories that I am looking to build my collection in below, and I am looking at about 20-30 titles in each category, say 20 essentials and 10 obscure titles. [more inside]
posted by tusharj on Jun 13, 2009 - 33 answers

I'm looking for recommendations for some books for my dad, who likes Tony Hillerman, Carl Hiaasen, Elmore Leonard, and John LeCarre. [more inside]
posted by creepygirl on Jun 13, 2009 - 25 answers

BookFilter: Looking for an engaging introduction to critical thinking. [more inside]
posted by jammy on Jun 12, 2009 - 16 answers

Can anyone recommend a book with excellent photographs of the Lascaux cave paintings? [more inside]
posted by bonobothegreat on Jun 10, 2009 - 4 answers

Please suggest movies, TV shows and books that feature unrepentant, amoral characters [more inside]
posted by reenum on Jun 10, 2009 - 71 answers

Since one of my favourite shows, The Unit, is now canceled, please recommend some books with similar themes. [more inside]
posted by sideshow on Jun 9, 2009 - 7 answers

What are the best books on World War II? [more inside]
posted by lullaby on Jun 9, 2009 - 40 answers

Does John Stewart really read all the books of his guests? It seems like he does, but does he have the time? Does his staff make cliffnotes for him?
posted by paulinsanjuan on Jun 9, 2009 - 20 answers

HELP! I've been bluffing for years about my graphic design abilities, technical knowledge, and general printing skills. Please recommend some books so I can actually understand what I am doing. [more inside]
posted by Classic Diner on Jun 9, 2009 - 11 answers

Children's books in Spanish in Canada? [more inside]
posted by ricochet biscuit on Jun 8, 2009 - 9 answers

What are the best Old Hollywood (auto)biographies? [more inside]
posted by brittanyq on Jun 8, 2009 - 28 answers

Namethatbookfilter: Post-war Britain about a disaffected male office worker who thinks about (possibly acts on) poisoning the water cooler at his office. Ring any bells? [more inside]
posted by Edwahd on Jun 7, 2009 - 7 answers

What made-up names does your very young child call favorite movies, books, games, or television shows? [more inside]
posted by Mo Nickels on Jun 6, 2009 - 33 answers

Recommend me some books like these, please (more after the jump) [more inside]
posted by finitejest on Jun 5, 2009 - 14 answers

In order to pass an English competitive examination in France, I need reference (but not too long) books on two history subjects. [more inside]
posted by nicolin on Jun 4, 2009 - 2 answers

Where might I find a list of Publishers Weekly's starred reviews? [more inside]
posted by mrhaydel on Jun 2, 2009 - 4 answers

What are some books that people are particularly likely to be assholes about? [more inside]
posted by I Foody on Jun 2, 2009 - 140 answers

Recently finished 2666. It is on a pedestal by itself, with my award for "Best Novel Ever." Now, everything I try to read seems jaded, inferior, or doesn't measure up. Help me get beyond this and find something interesting to read
posted by Xurando on Jun 2, 2009 - 36 answers

Recommend your favourite books about the ancient world. [more inside]
posted by so much modern time on Jun 1, 2009 - 35 answers

I'm looking for a book that a friend remembers reading as a child, but she only has vague memories of it. The book features dwarfs as miners who use diamonds as eyes. [more inside]
posted by baggers on Jun 1, 2009 - 10 answers

Science fiction - filter: I used to read and love Dick, Farmer, LeGuin, and others who coupled great writing with directly confronting sex, violence, and societal change. What contemporary authors might I like? [more inside]
posted by Forktine on May 28, 2009 - 39 answers