So I'm looking to do some reading this summer and I would like to know what you all would recommend. I have taken one year of college-level physics and math courses. Also, is there a set of books that you think all physics students should read so I can compare it to what I've already read?

In the arena of popular physics and maths, I enjoyed Feynmann's Six Easy Pieces, Kip Thorne's Black Holes and Time Warps, and Penrose's The Emperor's New Mind.

I liked Hyperspace by Michio Kaku. Amazing book. blew my mind!!!

What kind of physics are you interested in?

Godel, Escher,Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter

Ben, I'm not specifically interested in anything yet mostly because of my limited knowledge. This being said I have really enjoyed learning about optics and electronics. What I'm looking to do is find some books that will introduce/explain some of the important areas of physics today.

Are we talking about reading you do casually or the kind where you need a pen and paper at hand to allow you to work through the algebra the author assures you works?

I liked Hyperspace by Michio Kaku. Amazing book. blew my mind!!!

I will probably read that too.

Ben, I'm not specifically interested in anything yet mostly because of my limited knowledge. This being said I have really enjoyed learning about optics and electronics. What I'm looking to do is find some books that will introduce/explain some of the important areas of physics today.

I would check out ``Three Roads to Quantum Gravity'' by Lee Smolin. If you're interested in any of the contents of that book, I can suggest different books from there.

Thanks for the advice. I ordered some of these books and I'll let you know how it goes.

God: The Failed Hypothesis
How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591024811/qid=1151355936/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-9827548-8168753?s=books&v=glance&n=283155)

By Victor Stenger