The best atheist books cover the main reasons for being atheist. Is it seeing the amount of pain and suffering in the world as incompatible with a loving God? Or is it that the scientific worldview no longer leaves room for a spiritual being somewhere in the universe?

Can there be objective moral values without a divine legislator? Can there be a meaning of life if it isn't the product of a cosmic architect?

Our book recommendations on atheism reflect such pressing questions. If you're thinking about atheism for the first time, philosopher Julian Baggini's book recommendations are a good place to start. If you've been thinking about atheism for a while, one question many people wonder about is how morality works without a religious framework. We have several sets of book recommendations on this topic, from distinguished philosopher the late Mary Warnock, author Kenan Malik and British philosopher AC Grayling.

With some exceptions, most scientists do not believe in God, though only a handful devote time to writing about why this is so. Below, evolutionary biologist Jerry Coyne makes a case for the incompatibility of religion and science while the distinguished British chemist Peter Atkins talks about the emergence of understanding. Books by Richard Dawkins, the British scientist and atheist, are among our most recommended on Five Books. His latest book, aimed at young adults, is Outgrowing God, while his audaciously titled The God Delusion, recommended below, is his most famous book devoted to atheism.

One challenge for atheists is finding meaning in life. In his interview on humanism, Andrew Copson, chief executive of Humanists UK, a charity which supports people pursuing a secular lifestyle, explains how adopting a specifically 'humanist' worldview can help.

Lastly, we have philosopher Anthony Gottlieb's reflections on why 'God' remains so important in the world.

We have also included Five Books interviews on historically prominent atheists such as David Hume and Friedrich Nietzsche.