Suggestions for winter reading

I was delighted to find so many suggestions for reading on atheism and secular humanism, even on the mainstream Goodreads site.  Lots of duplication, of course, but some interesting suggestions nevertheless, especially from the more idiosyncratic lists.  Like you needed more books to read!  At least you'll be familiar with the titles.

http://www.goodreads.com/genres/atheism

A slightly different list from the same site

http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/secular-humanism


http://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/op-ed-top-10-atheist-books-of-2013/article/364656

http://commonsenseatheism.com/?p=3545

http://www.michaelnugent.com/best/140-favourite-atheist-related-books/



And in case all that heavy reading gets you down, here's a list of atheist fiction.  Some of which I personally found as hard to get through as much of the non-fiction.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/46683



Just FYI, when I looked for best books for unbelievers on the web, I found a lot of books for devout Christians to present to their unbelieving friends to convert them.  Needless to say, those books are not included here.

Krauss and Dawkins on a road trip - film review

From the NY Times an article on a new film featuring Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krauss on a road trip.  Watch the trailer.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/10/science/space/the-unbelievers-chronicles-road-tripping-scientists-promoting-reason.html?emc=eta1

But wait, there's more (perspective on the season)…..

This one is from the Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/24/conservatives-war-on-christmas-quagmire-foolish

Yet another perspective on the season from the NY Times

An alternative to the Tom Flynn school of winter non-celebration




http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/22/nyregion/during-religious-season-nonbelievers-assert-right-to-celebrate.html?src=dayp&pagewanted=all

A Holiday Perspective from One of Our Future Speakers

This John Compere is a cousin of our own John Compere and will be speaking at the HSGP meeting on February 23, 2014.

For you Flying Spaghetti Monster fans, a little more validation

Here's a sighting of the FSM way out there in the Universe.  Note the almost-local tie-in since the image was taken from UA's Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/12/17/ic_417_star_forming_nebula_astrophoto.html

Things to consider when you're planning your next vacation

A chilling article about the recent IHEU report on the treatment of non-believers around the world.  The  US is one of the countries mentioned, although at least we don't have to worry about government sanctioned execution.


http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2013/12/09/world/09reuters-religion-atheists.html?hp

The Santa Claus tradition has nothing on this one from the Dutch

Sure there are curmudgeons who dislike Santa Claus but at least we can't pin racism on him.  From the New York Times, an insight into a Dutch tradition that has become controversial in some unexpected ways.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/05/opinion/why-the-dutch-love-black-pete.html?hpw&rref=opinion

Another reason not to celebrate the Solstice?

First we have Tom Flynn admonishing good Humanists about celebrating the Solstice or anything else around the religious winter holiday season.  Now Sarah Palin weighs in from her side of the issue.

http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/article_1ba032b6-5d05-11e3-979f-0019bb30f31a.html

An atheist who just wants a kinder world

Another interesting column from The Guardian.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/03/why-ditched-god-for-good-atheist-kindness-campaign