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Isaac Asimov : The master of science fiction. A lot of books and hardly any one is a repetition. If you are looking for the best, here he is.
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Arthur C. Clarke : One of the finest sci-fi writers.
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Richard Dawkins : Darwin's Evolution Theory is contraversial. Much has been said about it.
Dawkins is the best, when it comes to detailed discussion of Evolution theory. He reduces a complexity to a level managable by average "armchair scientist". He explains both biologcal, mathemeatical, phycical, chemical, philosophical and religios aspects of Evolution Theory.
If you are looking for a digestable Darwin, read Dawkins.
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Rene Descartes : An interesting guy altogether. His ideas are the basis for the scientific methodology. But he did it to prove God's existence.
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Douglas Adams : The best science-fiction/humour writer on earth. There are rumors that better writers are available in other parts of the universe but this is not confirmed.
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Douglas R. Hofstadter : A leading authority in philosophy of science. Hofstadter can make an entertaining book out of complex issues.
If you are interested in science, philosophy, computers, mind, intelligence or any related subject he will most probably be one of your most favorite writers.
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Franz Kafka : "I think you ought to know I'm feeling very depressed" (Marvin, the Paranoid Android from Hitchhikers)
Mr. Kafka is the most depressed son of Prague. If you really want to learn about this guy check "Testaments Betrayed" by Kundera.
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Stanislaw Lem : A quite different science-fiction writer. His style is unusual and the stories are not the usual sci-fi stories we have got used to.
Hard to describe, easy to read. Start with Cyberiad.
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Milan Kundera : When you read a Milan Kundera novel, you will find yourself in a magical environment where each word is full of surprises. You will not be the reader, but a part of the novel.
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Thomas More : One of the oldest science-fiction writers. THe curch had not been nice to him but, after all these years, Internet celebrates his talent.
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Orhan Pamuk : The best Turkish novelist. His style is often compared to Borges.
Each of his books is a puzzle for the reader and they are usually very hard to read and understand. Some sentences go for 8-10 lines. Events, people and objects are described in incredible detail. However, once you start reading them, you get lost in the book and your only way out is hidden in small clues in those sentences.
Make sure that you have time and energy before starting a Pamuk novel.
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Roger Penrose : Another modern philosopher. Writing mostly on the subject of mind, soul, intelligence and of course computers and artificial intelligence, Penrose is a strong defender of human attributes against its machine imitations.
Good luck for him. I think he is wrong, but still his arguments are sound and his books are very informative.
