Really appreciated your list, Alex! I’m a Christian but I’ve been following some of your works for a few years because if Chris Williamson and Justin Brierley. You always give me a lot to think about!
Everyone who reads this needs to listen to me before I go crazy.
You heard that. You heard that right.
You’re only reading this but you heard that.
WE BOTH know that now. Don’t we?
Good. Because who is really crazy?
If you are the one hearing things and I never said I was?
I just included myself in your game because I didn’t want to be left out of the fucking parade.
Something else is going on here.
So listen to me before I go crazy? Okay.
Fine.
I’ll stop.
But you all need to stop reading books. This is NOT anti-academic (don’t accuse me. I’m already on trial for this exact transgression. I am guilty. I will admit. But I am taking it to trial because I would like to take the stand. SUE ME.)
LISTEN (before I go crazy, okay?):
Good. I finally have your attention.
Yes, I said stop reading books.
And yes, I said this is NOT ANTI-ACADEMIC.
Didn’t I? I believe I did.
Good. So I finally have your attention? See how I’m not going crazy? Good.
Fine. Grand. Splendid.
LISTEN:
EAT THE BOOKS INSTEAD.
You heard me.
Digest them. I wish that whatever you were reading this off from could transfigure itself into a wonderful little paper back cutie patootie.
That way you could EAT THESE WORDS (and I wouldn’t be going crazy)
Eat the books guys.
Eat the books!
I’m not messing around….
You’re going to make me go crazy……
Don’t you understand? These words are INSIDE OF YOUR STOMACH.
Ah I recognize most of these from the podcast and your videos! Thanks for posting a list. Read Essays in Love and The Doors of Perception this year!
Eyeing The Master and his Emissary next 👀 …I do not tire of hearing about the split brain folks as it’s thoroughly fascinating. I will gift that and Mortal Questions to myself. 🤗
I follow some of your work on "within reason" and I thought I would offer some recommendations for 2026; I will preface the recommendation with some personal impression as if I would do with a friend:
First, in your episode about NDEs you mention you haven't really explored the topic and you asked about the veridical aspect of it. Robert Greene mentioned one of such cases, but I found his answer overall unsatisfying.
I can recommend a book that compiles all NDE cases with veridical extrasensory perception aspects where the authors contacted the people involved to verify the accuracy of the cases to the extent they could: "The Self Does Not Die" by Titus Rivas offers nearly 100 of such cases. Whenever I recommend this book, I advise people to focus on the phenomenology and not so much on the authors' interpretation, and this is still the case.
My next recommendation is related to NDEs too, but with a twist. "Near-death experience in ancient civilizations" by Gregory Shushan is a historical exploration of how NDEs originated religious beliefs—rather than the other way around—across many independent civilizations. Shushan has another (more expensive book) on the same topic but among indigenous tribes, but the findings are summarized in the book I recommend.
The third book I recommend is "Life Before Life" by Jim Tucker. This is seemingly unrelated but not really. A few years ago, James G Matlock wrote his thesis to find out the origins of reincarnation beliefs, and found that on several indigenous tribes the belief originated from kids supposed memories from past lives, unique behavoiurs, birth marks, and announcing dreams. Tucker's book is a brilliant summary and examination of this phenomenology.
So good! A thoughtful selection. I enjoyed this list not only/purely as a catalogue of books, but also as a quiet account of attention well spent. I'm reminded that engagement with ideas doesn’t need to feel like a moral obligation to be discharged. It can feel more like something closer to a conversation one is glad to have entered. I feel motivated to read with more care and less hurry, which is cool. Thanks for sharing it. Wishing you a lovely and restorative holiday season. All the best for the year ahead. :)
‘A Brief History of intelligence’ by Max S. Bennett is very on brand here. A slightly more biological and computational theme but super accessible and has a lot to say about almost consciousness (not quite) but free will. It just gives a brilliant framework for things
Try 'Pope Barnabas'. What should the Church and its minister look like to deliver full pastoral care? (Hint:- something to do with Jesus). A thriller, but with insights for those with eyes to see them.
Great list, mate. I recommend Mortal Questions to a lot of people.
David Bentley Hart on within reason when?? In all seriousness great list Alex 🫡
Master and his emissary is a must read! Great list
David Bentley Hart on Within Reason would be incredible.
Master and His Emissary has changed my life. Absolutely vital information and brilliantly described by McGilchrist.
Bangers as always.
I must admit im enjoying your arc into more religious territory (da good shii)
Really appreciated your list, Alex! I’m a Christian but I’ve been following some of your works for a few years because if Chris Williamson and Justin Brierley. You always give me a lot to think about!
Everyone who reads this needs to listen to me before I go crazy.
You heard that. You heard that right.
You’re only reading this but you heard that.
WE BOTH know that now. Don’t we?
Good. Because who is really crazy?
If you are the one hearing things and I never said I was?
I just included myself in your game because I didn’t want to be left out of the fucking parade.
Something else is going on here.
So listen to me before I go crazy? Okay.
Fine.
I’ll stop.
But you all need to stop reading books. This is NOT anti-academic (don’t accuse me. I’m already on trial for this exact transgression. I am guilty. I will admit. But I am taking it to trial because I would like to take the stand. SUE ME.)
LISTEN (before I go crazy, okay?):
Good. I finally have your attention.
Yes, I said stop reading books.
And yes, I said this is NOT ANTI-ACADEMIC.
Didn’t I? I believe I did.
Good. So I finally have your attention? See how I’m not going crazy? Good.
Fine. Grand. Splendid.
LISTEN:
EAT THE BOOKS INSTEAD.
You heard me.
Digest them. I wish that whatever you were reading this off from could transfigure itself into a wonderful little paper back cutie patootie.
That way you could EAT THESE WORDS (and I wouldn’t be going crazy)
Eat the books guys.
Eat the books!
I’m not messing around….
You’re going to make me go crazy……
Don’t you understand? These words are INSIDE OF YOUR STOMACH.
GET ME THE FUCK OUT OF HERE.
I AM NOT JONAH.
Ah I recognize most of these from the podcast and your videos! Thanks for posting a list. Read Essays in Love and The Doors of Perception this year!
Eyeing The Master and his Emissary next 👀 …I do not tire of hearing about the split brain folks as it’s thoroughly fascinating. I will gift that and Mortal Questions to myself. 🤗
Merry Xmas to all! 🎄
Hi Alex,
I follow some of your work on "within reason" and I thought I would offer some recommendations for 2026; I will preface the recommendation with some personal impression as if I would do with a friend:
First, in your episode about NDEs you mention you haven't really explored the topic and you asked about the veridical aspect of it. Robert Greene mentioned one of such cases, but I found his answer overall unsatisfying.
I can recommend a book that compiles all NDE cases with veridical extrasensory perception aspects where the authors contacted the people involved to verify the accuracy of the cases to the extent they could: "The Self Does Not Die" by Titus Rivas offers nearly 100 of such cases. Whenever I recommend this book, I advise people to focus on the phenomenology and not so much on the authors' interpretation, and this is still the case.
My next recommendation is related to NDEs too, but with a twist. "Near-death experience in ancient civilizations" by Gregory Shushan is a historical exploration of how NDEs originated religious beliefs—rather than the other way around—across many independent civilizations. Shushan has another (more expensive book) on the same topic but among indigenous tribes, but the findings are summarized in the book I recommend.
The third book I recommend is "Life Before Life" by Jim Tucker. This is seemingly unrelated but not really. A few years ago, James G Matlock wrote his thesis to find out the origins of reincarnation beliefs, and found that on several indigenous tribes the belief originated from kids supposed memories from past lives, unique behavoiurs, birth marks, and announcing dreams. Tucker's book is a brilliant summary and examination of this phenomenology.
So good! A thoughtful selection. I enjoyed this list not only/purely as a catalogue of books, but also as a quiet account of attention well spent. I'm reminded that engagement with ideas doesn’t need to feel like a moral obligation to be discharged. It can feel more like something closer to a conversation one is glad to have entered. I feel motivated to read with more care and less hurry, which is cool. Thanks for sharing it. Wishing you a lovely and restorative holiday season. All the best for the year ahead. :)
Great list! You MUST add Lamb of the Free!!!
‘A Brief History of intelligence’ by Max S. Bennett is very on brand here. A slightly more biological and computational theme but super accessible and has a lot to say about almost consciousness (not quite) but free will. It just gives a brilliant framework for things
Try 'Pope Barnabas'. What should the Church and its minister look like to deliver full pastoral care? (Hint:- something to do with Jesus). A thriller, but with insights for those with eyes to see them.
Loved Dale Allison’s book. Absolutely incredible.