Non-fiction:

Info-Psychology by Timothy Leary

This is an introduction to Leary's eight circuit model of the brain and his concept of the future of human evolution based on that same model.

Neuropolitique by Timothy Leary

Another collection of writings about human potential, this time from when Leary was in prison. A bit of a rant, but what mystical texts aren't?

Cyberia by Douglas Rushkoff

An overview of post-modern society, looking into hackers, cyberspace, technoshamanism, smart drugs, house music and all the underground advances of the cyber age.

Megatrends by John Naisbitt

Naisbitt goes over the major trends in economics and society and looks at what sort of changes that will bring in the future.

Cosmic Trigger I, Cosmic Trigger II, The Illuminati Papers all by Robert Anton Wilson

All three of these books are collections of essays, articles and stroies that outline a number of different ideas behind modern occult, fringe science and mind expansion.

Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson

A more coherent explanation of Leary's 8-circuit model.

Drawing Down the Moon by Margaret Adler

A very complete overview of different types of paganism in the 20th century.

Truth or Dare by Starthawk

Essays and ideas about politics, personal empowerment and spirituality.

Public Sex by Pat Califia

A serious of essays on some of the radical ascpects of sex, including pornography and feminism, bdsm and feminism, pedophila, crossing gender and orientation boundries, the nature of eroticism and more. Not for the prude.

Spiral Dance by Starhawk

A primer to Wicca (aka Witchcraft) and possibly one of the most influencial books in modern paganism.

The Abraham Connection by George Grose and Benjamin Hubbard

This is a transcript of a dialogue between a Christian scholar, a Jewish scholar and a Muslim scholar. This book really clarifies the differences and similarities of the three Abrahamic religions.

Art of War by Sun Tzu

One of the classics. The art of war and, more importantly, the art of meeting people in conflict and how to win.

Maps to Ecstacy by Gabrielle Roth

Subtitled "Teachings of an Urban Shaman." Describes the modern person's conenctions to their primal natures, that being the rhythms of life, and how to dance them, litterally and figuratively. Only problem I have with this book is she has a definite bias against polyamory.

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

A wonderful interpretation of Taoism in a Western genre, plus a great understanding of Winnie the Pooh.

The Symposium by Plato

Plato's recollection of a party where Aristophenes, Socrates and the rest of the gang talk about the nature of love. Somewhat sexist, but makes some damn good points.

Religious/Magick Texts:

Principia Discordia, by Malaclypse the Younger

Or how I found the Goddess and what I did to her when I found her. This is the Bible of Discordiaism, if such a thing can be said to exist. Lot's of Zen-like parables and jokes. Religion disguised as a joke.

Modern Magick by Donald Micheal Kraig

A very good introduction to ceremonial magick and basic thelema. A little thick at times, but gives you the basics and a good grasp of things for further work.

Condensed Chaos by Phil Hine

A very good and understandable introduction to Chaos magic delivered with a good sense of perspective and wit. A definite for beginners.

Liber Null and Psychonaut by Peter Carroll

A discussion of a number of different basic ideas in current chaos magick. A little hard to understand at points, but full of good ideas.

Book of Lies by Aliester Crowley

A long series of short readings with commentary by the author. A lot of very good occult and magickal ideas aand rituals. Most are encoded in metaphor in the traditional Crowley style.

Tomar Devorah by Rabbi Moses Cordovero

A small book on the moral and ethical implications of Kabbalah and the Tree of Life, done by one of the most influential Rabbis in Kabbalistic history.

Fiction:

The Illuminatus! Trilogy by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea

Take every conspiracy theory in the world and multiply it by three and you have this book. A very good depiction of counterculture thought, fringe science and radical occult. Something you must read.

The Schroedinger's Cat Trilogy by Robert Anton Wilson

Sequel to Illuminatus. Outdoes Illuminatus in shear weirdness by taking Quantum mechanics and chaos theory and applying it even more to life. Confusing the first time through, but enlightening at the same time.

Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein

About the only person to grow up among the Martians and how he changes Earth through starting his own religion. Points out a lot of very good ideas about human existance, if you can get past Heinlein's tendency to preach and his sexism.

Time Enough for Love by Robert A. Heinlein

A series of stories and quotes from Heinlein's character Lazarus Long. Inspiration at points, maddening at others in typical Heinlein style.

Job: Comedy of Justice by Robert A. Heinlein

The story of a modern day Job as his faith and sanity are tested by God changing reality on him every few days and heralding the end of the World. One of Heinlein's stranger novels, but engaging nonetheless.

Buckaroo Banzai by Earl Mac Rauch

A chronicle of the amazing Buckaroo Banzai in his fight versus the Lectroids from Planet 10. Goofy and full of interesting twists on philosophy and common sense. Let's you know what it means to really be one of the Good Guys.

Rendevous with Rama, Rama II by Arthur C. Clarke

About humanity's encounters with a few strange cyndrilical spacecraft. Good hard sci-fi with a good bit of human nature thrown in.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Story of a child Prodigy named Ender as he is prepared to be the next great military mind, whether he likes it or not. Realistic depiction of what a child can go through when pushed too hard.

I Sing The Body Electric by Ray Bradbury

Anthology of short stories by Ray Bradbury in the style of Golden Age science fiction when stories were about how science affected the human condition.

Flatland by Edwin A. Abbott

Amusing tale of life in two dimensions. Tackles some interesting metaphysics and the politics of a society confronted with something that exists outside of its conception of reality.

Good Omens by Terry Prachett and Neil Gaiman

The story of the Apocolypse, an angel and a demon who are trying to stop it and the Antichrist who turns out to be an 11-year old boy who loves his dog. Very good point of view.

The Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

The story of Arthur Dent, the only human to escape the destruction of the planet Earth and how he can't quite deal with a universe that isn't as serious as he thought it would be.

The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk

A story of a pagan society formed in San Franscisco in the future after the collapse of American Society. A somewhat utopian vision of life based on pagan ideals and how it deals with invasion from a repressive imperialistic government.

Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

Beautiful poetry with an insight to human passions.

The Foundation series by Isaac Asimov

This describes the Foundation, a sociologically-engineered society designed to prevent the eventual disintigration of Galactic society. Hard core sf about sociology.

Dune by Frank Herbert

The story how the son of a Duke in the intergalactic empire becomes the epitomy of human evolution through careful training, breeding and the Spice. Damn good book that covers Machiavellian politics, spirituality, guerilla warfare, planetary ecology and mind expansion on the backdrop of the planet Dune.

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller

The story of Yossarian and just how fucked up the military can be. Beautifully illustrates the basic of snafu and how an organization can become mindless and inconsistant.

Callahans Cronicles by Spider Robinson

A large collection of stories from Callahan's Crosstime Saloon, the most unique bar in the universe, where you can share your happiness and have it increased, share your sorrow and have them lessened and make the world a better place just by being a right neighborly person. They were originally the books Callahan's Crosstime Saloon, Time Travelers Strictly Cash, and Callahan's Legacy.

Callahan's Lady by Spider Robinson

The fourth book of the Callahan's series, this describes Lady Sally's - a house of impeccable repute. This book has some of the best insights to sexuality and a positive view of it that I've ever seen.

The Belgariad series, The Mallorean series, Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress by David Eddings

Several books in a medieval world with magic that is the backdrop for the war between what should have been and what wasn't supposed to be, with the help of two thousand-year-old sorcerers and a child who will be King and will help decide what wins.

Illusions: the Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

A little book about what reality is really like and what it means to transcend and still hang around and enjoy it.

1984 by George Orwell

The story of a future society where War is Peace, Ignorance is Strength and Freedom is Slavery. Freaky, deep and disturbing. The appendicies are almost as good as the book.

Brave New World by Adlous Huxley

The story of a perfect, eugenic and drug-controlled society and the trials of John Savage in it. Raises questions about authority and whether life is really that good if everyone is happy.

Stainless Steel Rat series by Harry Harrison

The trials and triumphs of Slippery Jim diGriz, one of the last real criminals in the galaxy as he gets caught and goes on to save the world several times.

Movies

Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension

The tale of how Buckarro Banzai and the Hong Kong Caveliers save the world from evil Black Lectroids. Goofy, but very subtle in several places.

Sneakers

All about people hired to break into people's businesses to make sure people can't break into their business. A great view of what real hacking is, and about how the world of information works.

Tron

The first 'cyberspace' movie, about the programs who follow the religious beliefs in 'users' and their war against the Master Control Program. Interesting even if the concepts are somewhat obsolete.

The Crow

Death comes back to settle a few debts on Holloween. A beautiful gothic and industrial picture of death mythology and the idea of cosmic justice. Even if it is a little too popular, it's a good movie.

Heathers

The tale of teenage angst that accumulates a body count. Terrific parody of teenage life and how the older world has no real clue about what is going on.

The Blues Brothers

All about Jake and Elwood Blues, two blues singers who break all the rules to do something good. Goofy, funny and extravagent. A classic.

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Aliens, Transvestites, gratuituous sex and musical numbers. Best if seen in the theatre, or you won't get the point of it.

Shock Treatment

Sequel to Rocky Horror, a surreal view of the city of Denton as a TV studio, parodying Madison avenue culture with bizarre characters, sets and musical numbers.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Truly wonderful. No other movie captures the power and flavor of never really growing up and the power of pure imagination.

Kentucky Fried Movie

A series of vingettes that parody everything from Bruce Lee, to guides to lovemaking, to the news to commericals and those annoying buzzers that let you know your car door is open. Damned funny.

Fear of a Black Hat

A mockumentary about the rap group NWH (Niggas with Hats) that parodies rap culture, the LA riots.

Highlander

The classic story of Conner MacLeod, immortal who must fight until the Gathering, where there can only be one. Beautiful cinemotagraphy, truely unique idea and superb execution.

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

The story of the Baron, a larger than life mythical figure and how he fights the dreary and limiting reality of reason and saves the city from the Turk. Beautiful illustration of imagination over matter.

The Adventures of Remo Williams

The story of a cop who loses his entire life and has to become an assassin for the good guys. Worth it for the korean martial arts master if nothing else.

Clerks

The story of Quick Spot attendant Dante hicks as his world falls apart as he takes an extra shift at work. Sometimes a little rough, but Randal makes it worth it as a sort of Slacker Zen Master.

Chasing Amy

The story of a boy who falls in love with a lesbian. All about crossing lines when love is at stake. It'll shake you to pieces but is worth it.

Dogma

All about two fallen angels who want to get back to Heaven and the people who have to stop them. Very funny. Even more so if you have any understanding of the Catholic Church.

Princess Bride

A classic. The slightly goofy tale of Wesley and his love Buttercup as they try to follow true love, despite the six-fingered man, Prince Humperdink and a cast of weird people.

Pi

The quest to find order in nature and how that quest twists the mind of a brilliant mathematician.

The Amazing True Life Adventures of Two Girls in Love

The story of two girls who fall in love in High School. Deals with mixing of subcultures, social cliques and classes and a good dollop of Walt Whitman.

Holy Man

A surprisingly good film where Eddie Murphy plays G., a religious pilgrim who someone convinces to host a show on a dying Home Shopping Network. Full of examples of what REAL religion and faith means and bits of amazingly clear wisdom.

TV Shows

Babylon 5

An excellent series with a definite ending that is what SciFi should be. Not about worn out ideas, but people. Deals with religious issues, technology, ethics, etc. And enough action and world shaking issues to be exciting.

The Prisoner

Mindfuck extraordinare. Over a dozen episodes of paranoia and fiddling with what we see as real, ethical or even coherent.

Gargolyes

A Disney cartoon series that was really designed for adults. Magic, monsters, fights and time travel mixed in with issues of ethics, family values, honor and what it means to be a hero. Also source of the most effective and devious villain since Mortiarty, one David Zanatos.

Mystery Science Theatre 3000

Essentially a couple of guys making fun of bad scifi while they watch it. Terrific connection with the science fiction fandom, clever and intelligent jokes and never taking themselves too seriously.

Angel

I hate to admit it, but I like this show. Thought-provoking at times, with a lo of thoughs of what its metaphysics would imply. The episode about the Central office is a classic.

X-Files

Just kidding. I never thought X-Files was that interesting. Sorry.

Songs/Albums

Indigo Girls, album by Indigo Girls

Their first stuff is their best, imho. Deep romantic songs, meloncholy ballands and upbeat folk-rock anthems. Especially Blood and Fire, Kid Fears and Prince of Darkness.

Angels, Aliens and Archetypes, album by Mark Dwane

An album of electronic music that is great background music, good for anything that needs energy. Like space music, but more motivated.

Aion, album by Dead Can Dance

A comilation of traditional 14-16th century music mixed in with more recent music of similar styles.

A Kind of Magic, album by Queen

Also known as the unoffical Highlander soundtrack, this album has a lot of music from the movie, including the hard Gimmie the prize and the unmistakeable Princes of the Universe.

Tank Girl Soundtrack

A collection of songs from Bjork, Joan Jett, Stomp, Ice T, Hole, Veruca Salt, etc. All great songs that move the mind and the body.

99.9 F degrees, album by Suzanne Vega

Described as Industrial Folk, this album is full of good haunting songs. Some of the songs sound like pure magick.

The Gambler, song by Kenny Rogers

Yes, it's country, but I grew up on this song. Slow, soulful, sad, but some of the best advice I've ever heard.

A County Boy Can Survive, song by Hank Williams, Jr.

Another one I grew up with, about how good solid people can survive the world whatever may happen

American Dream, song by Hank Williams, Jr.

A tongue in cheek song about how working for the American Dream doesn't actually produce much of a dream.

The Devil Went Down to Georgia, song by the Charlie Daniels Band

A great little saga of how the devil tries to out do a good ol' boy in Georgia with a fiddle. About how the Devil can't beat the best.

Wendy, song by Concrete Blond

A song about a dying AIDS patient. Sad, but with teeth and a nasty edge.

Iris, song by Goo Goo Dolls

A beautiful song that describes what love feels to m more than I have ever been able to.

Crazy, song by Seal

It says it all "We are never gonna survive unless we are a little crazy."

Pepper, song by Butthole Surfers

Beautiful song whose chorus describes sensuality and sex and so many things. A great depiction of life.

Nothing Else Matters, song by Metallica

A surprisingly slow song for Metallica, it is a wonderful love ballad. Surprisingly insightful

Unforgiven, song by Metallica

Another surprisingly insightful and slow song by Metallica about the struggle to remain an individual in a world that doesn't like that sort of thing.

Midsummer, album by Heather Alexander

Celtic music by a superior entertainer. Songs about war, life, death and Shakespeare.

Shadowstalker: Songs from Vanyel's Time, album by Heather Alexander (performance) and Mercedes Lackey (lyrics)

Magic songs about magic and the Last Herald Mage. Damn good stuff. Too bad Lackey is such a jerk.

Existential Blues, song by T Bone Stankus

The most Discordian song I've ever heard, tackling meatphysics, puns and the Wizard of Oz all at once.

Roleplaying Games

In Nomine by Steve Jackson Games

It's the War between Heaven and Hell and the angels and demons are all too human and not always sure what they are fighting for. Good for serious or silly roleplaying.

GURPS by Steve Jackson Games

It is a generic system, but I have never seen anything so complete in my life. Every source book is full of information and you don't even need to use the GURPS system. I've even used these books to write papers for college. Plus a lot of the suppliments on scifi and fantasy backgrounds are excellent. I suggest almost every suppliment.

Mage: the Ascension by White Wolf Games

Yes, the White Wolf games are overplayed and ubiquitious and I play them all, but Mage is the really special one in my opinion. It's the only game in the World of Darkness about making a difference, where there is a hope and you are really fighting for something. Imagination is key to survival in Mage.

Unknown Armies by Atlas Games

The occult underground is stranger than ever. Postmodern magicians fighting with mafia style enforcers and metaphysical entities. A fresh view on magick and the modern world.

Amber Diceless Roleplay by Phage Press

A diceless system (duh) where you play the Princes of Amber from Zelazny's Amber serious. Serious political manuvering with high level metaphysical power. A very different feel than other games.

Tales from the Floating Vagabond by Avalon Hill

To role-playing what the Hitchhikers' Guide is to science fiction. A goofy game centered around a bar on an asteriod floating around in space and time.

Live Action Role-Playing

Not a game, but a genre that I adore. Everything from White Wolf's Mind's Eye Theatre to Interactive Fiction to whatever.