Recommended physics reading, for Gringo the [not feeling so] great

[Gambit]

OK, so I came here thinking this was going to be just like any other atheist forum. Napoleon tried to clue me into the fact that it wasn't, but I'm an arrogant SOB so I basically dismissed his claim.

Anywho, here's the thing. I've noticed there are a lot of people here who are either physicists or know a great deal about the field. I, on the other hand, read some of these threads and feel like I've got an IQ of about -12.

So, what I'd like from you lovely people is to point me in the direction of some essential reading on physics. Now, I feel I need to point a few things out first. Whilst I am far from stupid, due to a childhood illness I have absolutely zero academic education. Virtually everything I know, I taught myself. So, with that in mind, I will be needing to start with baby steps. We're talking lying on my belly until I work out how to crawl.

If it helps to ease your mind that you won't be wasting your time; in every I do, within months of 'getting it' I excel beyond anyone in that area.

Thank you in advance.

[Napoléon]

C'mon guys where's all the physicists at?

[Shell B]

They are in hiding. I don't have anything to suggest for you, Grings. However, I do hope you start feeling better. We should try to G+ chat sometime soon.

[Gambit]

Oh, I'm just feeling humbled by the amount of shit I seriously didn't know, Shelly. I think I have a G+ account somewhere, I'll have to try to dig it out.

Edit: I found it and you're already in my circle.

[Shell B]

Haha, yeah, remember we were trying to get a hangout together with Mo awhile back? I wound up chatting with Brad and Puck for half the night. Brad was smoking a cigar. Surprise, surprise.

Even physicists have shit they don't know, Grings.

[Rev. Rye]

Well, perhaps Stephen Hawking's "Brief History of Time" may be a good place to start.

[Gambit]

I remember now; he didn't show up. I know they don't know everything, but there is stuff I need to have a better (any) understanding of before I take part in those kinds of debates. I'm funny that way. :p

[Shell B]

Well, we do have other debates.

Yeah, he didn't show up. He was in the hospital, I believe.

[Paul the Human]

Try putting the word physics in the thread title. Get their attention.

[Gambit]

I tried, Paul, but there is a time limit for changing the title. Thanks for the suggestion, anyway. I see that you have other debates, Shelly, but I'm particularly interested in the origins of the universe and how shit works, at the minute. Seriously, I have no idea about this kind of stuff, so I feel like a real hypocrite when I debate people on religion and then tell them how ignorant they are.

Edit: The day after we scheduled that G+ chat with Mo, I actually managed to get through to him on the phone, Shelly.