Meaning of life

Written in 1641, 'Meditations on First Philosophy' is a seminal work by René Descartes that outlines his metaphysical system. The book consists of six meditations where Descartes employs methodic doubt to question all beliefs that are not absolutely certain. He aims to establish a secure foundation for knowledge, affirming the existence of the thinking self with the statement 'I think, therefore I am' (Latin: 'Cogito, ergo sum'). Descartes also argues for the existence of God and the distinction between mind and body, using innate ideas and rational reasoning. The work includes critical responses from other thinkers and Descartes's replies, making it a landmark in cooperative philosophical discussion.

Published in 1969, 'Ubik' is a science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick that combines elements of science fiction, noir, and horror. The story is set in a future where humanity has colonized the Moon and psychic powers are widespread. The protagonist, Joe Chip, works for Runciter Associates, a company that employs 'inertials' to counteract the psychic abilities of telepaths and precogs. After a mission to the Moon goes awry, Joe and his team experience a reality that begins to unravel, leading to a series of bizarre and unsettling events. The novel explores themes of reality, time, and the fight against entropy, and is known for its complex and mind-bending plot.

The story centers around Bastian Balthazar Bux, an overweight and imaginative boy who escapes his difficult life by reading a book called 'The Neverending Story'. The book tells the tale of Atreyu, a young warrior in the magical land of Fantastica, who is on a quest to save the Childlike Empress and the land from the destructive force known as 'The Nothing'. As Bastian reads, he becomes increasingly involved in the story, eventually entering Fantastica himself and playing a crucial role in its salvation. The novel explores themes of imagination, identity, and the power of human creativity and dreams.

In this sequel to 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland', Alice climbs through a mirror and enters a world where everything is reversed, much like a reflection. Here, she finds herself in a land laid out like a giant chessboard, where she must navigate to the eighth rank to become a queen. Along her journey, she meets a variety of bizarre characters, including the Red Queen, the White Queen, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, and Humpty Dumpty. The story is filled with Carroll's signature nonsensical logic, word play, and imaginative world-building.