I read this for the first time about a month ago. I, too, could easily see Stephenson's imagining world becoming our future. He took elements of the present day and stretched them to make a hyper-reality. I read another book (The Good Humor Man by Andrew Fox) that goes in a different direction, but ...

Here's a link to a presentation about morality from a psychological perspective.
http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/moralit ... bloom.html

So, what do you think? Are we born with empathy for our families, or is it learned behavior?

Interesting question, but perhaps phrased poorly? You seem to me making the assumption that we can all agree to what is ethically just. However, ethics vary among cultures and throughout history. Are you trying to ask why do people tend to act in accordance with the social contract? Or why do we hav...

If you want something more esoteric, try Cold Skin by Albert Sanchez Pinol. "This first novel, by an anthropologist, is a dizzying, surreal account by an unnamed narrator who arrives on a desolate Antarctic island for a yearlong post as a British weather official. Upon his arrival, he finds the...

A few more young adult books you might try: Fablehaven by Brandon Mull - When Kendra and Seth go to stay at their grandparents' estate, they discover that it is a sanctuary for magical creatures and that a battle between good and evil is looming. Savvy by Ingrid Law - In Mibs Beaumont's family, all ...

Evening everyone. My name is Deborah. I joined Book Talk in the hopes of finding some kindred spirits to discuss books with. I'm a reader and a talker but my local book club only meets once a month. What's a girl to do in the meantime!? :) I read most genres, although I'm not partial to mysteries. I...