Meet New Books
Meet New Books

Books Like...

Aldous Huxley's 'The Doors of Perception & Heaven and Hell' is a collection of essays detailing his experience with hallucinogenic drugs, particularly mescalin. The book provides insights into Huxley's altered states of consciousness and his philosophical musings on perception, reality, and spirituality. Through vivid descriptions and introspective reflections, Huxley takes readers on a journey exploring the boundaries of human perception and the mysteries of existence.

If you liked The Doors of Perception & Heaven and Hell, here are the top 17 books to read next:

Page 1
Showing 1 - 10 of 17 
  1. #1

    Heaven and Hell by Aldous Huxley
    Save:
    In the history of science the collector of specimens preceded the zoologist and followed the exponents of natural theology and magic. He had ceased to study animals in the spirit of the authors of the...

    This little book is a sequel to an essay on the mescalin experience, published in 1954 under the title of "The Doors of Perception".

    ...

  2. #2

    The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley
    Save:

    The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley is a profound exploration of altered perception and consciousness, particularly through the lens of psychedelic experiences. The book delves into the author's personal encounters with mind-altering substances like mescaline, offering insights into reality, physics, and mysticism. Huxley's writing style in The Doors of Perception is described as a blend of essay and journal entry, providing a transformative and vivid account of his experiences and observations.

    It was in 1886 that the German pharmacologist, Louis Lewin, published the first systematic study of the cactus, to which his own name was subsequently given. Anhalonium lewinii was new to science. To ...

  3. #3

    Pihkal: A Chemical Love Story by Alexander Shulgin, Ann Shulgin
    Save:

    'Pihkal: A Chemical Love Story' by Alexander Shulgin and Ann Shulgin is a unique exploration into the world of psychedelic drugs and the chemistry behind them. The first part of the book presents anonymized trip reports of novel phenylethylamine compounds, providing detailed descriptions of the effects and emotions experienced by the users. The second part delves into the detailed synthesis protocols, catering more to readers with a background in chemistry. The narrative weaves together the love story of the authors, Shura and Alice, adding a personal touch to the scientific exploration.


  4. #4

    Another Day of Life by Ryszard Kapuscinski
    Save:

    'Another Day of Life' by Ryszard Kapuscinski is a gripping account of the last days of Portuguese rule in Angola during the civil war. Kapuscinski's writing style immerses the reader into the life of a journalist amidst the chaos and dangers of the conflict, providing insights into the complexities of the war and the impact on the people of Angola. The book captures the swift and dramatic changes as Angola transitions towards independence, with vivid descriptions that transport the reader to the heart of the conflict.

    For three months I lived in Luanda, in the Hotel Tivoli. From my window I had a view of the bay and the port. Offshore stood several freighters under European flags. Their captains maintained radio co...

  5. #5

    High Priest by Timothy Leary
    Save:

    "High Priest" by Timothy Leary presents a complex narrative that intertwines various experiences and trips with hallucinogens, reflecting on the author's personal explorations and insights. The book reads like a puzzle, as it shifts between different parts and perspectives, encouraging readers to engage deeply with the material. Leary’s writing style is described as unusual and vivid, weaving together a journal-like quality that captures the essence of psychedelic experiences. However, some readers find the structure somewhat complicated, requiring multiple readings to fully grasp the nuances.

    The narrative serves as both a trip report and a philosophical exploration, offering glimpses into the transformative power of psychedelics while also questioning their implications. Through a series of trips in diverse settings, Leary invites readers to consider the broader societal impacts of these experiences. While the book is rich in descriptions and insights, it can also be overwhelming, leading to a mix of fascination and tedium for some readers.

    It was the flash that exploded the galaxies, from which all energy flows. It was the spark that ignites in the mysterious welding of amino-acid strands that creates the humming vine of organic life. I...

  6. #6

    The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield
    Save:

    A young girl is discomfited by her wealthy family's refusal to cancel a garden party that is within hearing distance of a wake being held for a working-class man killed in an accident. In the face of her family's rejection, Laura visits the grieving family. The story captures a single day during which a well-to-do family in colonial New Zealand throws a garden party while down the lane in the slums they mourn the death of a man who leaves behind him a wife and half a dozen children. The book illustrates many themes such as wealth versus poverty, insensitivity versus compassion, and death versus life.


  7. #7

    Brave New World Revisited by Aldous Huxley
    Save:

    'Brave New World Revisited' by Aldous Huxley is a retrospective nonfiction essay that reflects on the state of the world, providing a thought-provoking analysis of the modern society. Huxley compares his original novel 'Brave New World' with Orwell's '1984' to formulate an idea of how a modern dictatorship might function in the future. Through well-written and insightful essays, Huxley guides the reader through a remarkable world that shares uncomfortable truths about our current society and potential future dystopias.

    In 1931, when Brave New World was being written, I was convinced that there was still plenty of time. The completely organized society, the scientific caste system, the abolition of free will by metho...

  8. 'The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge' by Carlos Castaneda follows the journey of a young anthropologist student who becomes the apprentice of a powerful Yaqui Indian sorcerer named Don Juan Matus. Through his interactions with Don Juan, the student learns about shamanism, mysticism, altered states of consciousness, and the non-ordinary reality. presents a blend of academic tone, diary-style narrative, and philosophical musings on the nature of knowledge and perception. It delves into the use of hallucinogenic plants, spiritual teachings, and the challenges faced by the student in his quest for enlightenment.

    My notes on my first session with Don Juan are dated 23 June 1961. That was the occasion when the teachings began. I had seen him several times previously in the capacity of on observer only. At every...

  9. #9

    The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe
    Save:

    'The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test' by Tom Wolfe is a journalistic exploration into the counter culture of the 1960s, following Ken Kesey and his band of Merry Pranksters as they embark on a psychedelic journey across the United States and into Mexico. Wolfe captures the essence of the hippie movement, providing insight into the psychedelic experiences and the era of free love and experimentation.

    Wolfe's writing style in the book is described as vivid, evocative, and journalistic, offering a unique perspective on the drug culture of the 1960s. The narrative delves into the lives of the characters, the use of psychedelic drugs, and the cultural icons of the time, creating a colorful and immersive portrayal of a significant period in American history.

    THAT’S GOOD THINKING THERE, COOL BREEZE, COOL BREEZE is a kid with three or four days’ beard sitting next to me on the stamped metal bottom of the open back part of a pickup truck. Bouncing along. Dip...

  10. #10

    The Murders in the Rue Morgue - C. Auguste Dupin by Edgar Allan Poe
    Save:

    'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' by Edgar Allan Poe is considered the beginning of the Crime Detective genre, with readers praising it as the prototype for famous detectives like Sherlock Holmes. The story follows the Parisian detective Auguste Dupin as he uses logic and deduction to solve a gruesome double murder. Poe's writing style in this book is described as laying out the principles and conventions of detective fiction, with a focus on reason over emotion, making it an interesting and pioneering read in the genre.

    “The apartment was in the wildest disorder, the furniture broken and thrown about in all directions. There was only one bedstead; and from this the bed had been removed, and thrown into the middle of ...

Page 1 of 2Next Page