For centuries, all sorts of thinkers—scientists, philosophers, storytellers—have pursued the truth of our reality. It’s led to some interesting theories and discussions about our world and how we experience it.
A lot of books discuss these theories about reality and perception, ranging from scientific and philosophical approaches to more speculative explorations. Whether they’re correct though, is still something to be seen.
Books on Reality and Perception
From fiction to nonfiction, here are a few books that talk about the nature of reality and the possibility that it might not be what we think it is.
1. The Labyrinth of Time by Anthony Peake
Time is one of the greatest mysteries in life. To some, it’s a relentless force that chips away at everything, while others think of it as elastic—stretching or shortening when it needs to.
Peake puts forward a theory that time and consciousness may be linked, which may be the reason that phenomena such as deja vu and near-death experiences are possible.
2. The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus
Albert Camus’ philosophical essay examines the human condition and the absurdity of existence, challenging our notions of reality and purpose. He reflects on humanity’s need to attribute meaning to life and the universe’s response of unreasonable silence.
3. The Fabric of Reality by David Deutsch
Deutsch, a physicist and philosopher, explores the nature of reality by drawing from the fields of physics, computer science, and philosophy.
Here, he expands on his views about quantum mechanics and its relation to reality. Using a four-strand Theory of Everything (TOE), he connects many topics at the edge of human understanding—quantum computers, time travel, virtual reality, and the ultimate fate of the universe.
4. Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter
Through the lives and works of logician Kurt Gödel, artist M. C. Escher, and musician Johann Sebastian Bach, Hofstadter examines the complexity of consciousness and cognition.
From the formal system that underlies all mental activity to the notion of “meaning” itself, this is a read that crisscrosses multiple domains of knowledge that discuss complex scientific, artistic, and philosophical concepts.
5. The Holographic Universe by Michael Talbot
Two of the world’s greatest thinkers, David Bohm and Karl H. Pribram, believe that the universe might just be one big hologram. Building on their theories, Michael Talbot looks into the possibility of this through the lenses of physics, neuroscience, and mysticism.
6. Biocentrism by Robert Lanza and Bob Berman
Robert Lanza, a medical doctor and scientist, and Bob Berman, an astronomer, team up to propose a mind-bending theory—that the material universe doesn’t create consciousness but the other way around.
7. Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche
In Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Nietzsche introduces the theory of Eternal Recurrence, where time repeats itself in an infinite loop. The same events will continue occurring in exactly the same way for all eternity. It’s not a theory unique to him, though he blends it with themes of nihilism, the Übermensch, and will to power to present a darker outlook on humanity’s existence.
8. The End of Mr. Y by Scarlett Thomas
Ariel Manto has a fascination for Thomas Lumas, the mysterious author of The End of Mr. Y—a book that no one alive has ever read. So when she discovers a copy at a used bookstore, she suddenly finds herself on a journey of science and faith, time and space, and the human consciousness.
9. Hell by Kathryn Davis
Three households occupy the same space and time, melding into one nightmarish situation. You, as the reader, must decide which household you’re currently reading about, and depending on which household you choose, the meaning of a sentence can change.
10. Entangled Minds by Dean Radin
Entangled particles—where one particle will instantly react to another no matter their distance—are a central concept of quantum mechanics. In this book, Dean Radin argues how this concept can scientifically explain certain psychic phenomena such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and psychokinesis.
11. The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks
Oliver Sacks’s The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat presents multiple case studies of people with intellectual and perceptual disorders. From people who can no longer recognize common objects to those who gain uncanny talents, Sacks uses these neurological conditions to illuminate the relationship between perception, consciousness, and reality.
12. Ubik by Philip K. Dick
Glen Renciter runs a business that protects its clients from telepaths and precogs. Business is going well when he and his top team are ambushed, leaving him gravely injured and placed in suspended animation.
Soon, the remaining members begin experiencing sudden shifts in reality, random manifestations of Runciter, and moving back in time. To get to the bottom of this surreal chaos, they must uncover the origins of a mysterious product called Ubik and learn what it has to do with everything.
The Nature of Reality
Despite significant advances in science and technology, there are still a lot of mysteries that humanity is mystified by. One of these is the nature of reality and the truth behind our existence.
This quest is an ongoing and evolving journey that involves multiple perspectives, domains of knowledge, and interpretations. Whether the journey is worth it, though, is still something that remains to be seen.
What book about reality do you plan on reading? Share it in the comments below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
