Reddit reviews Biology, 8th Edition

If you prefer something in print, I highly recommend Campbell's Biology. You can get a used copy for less than $10.

It's readable, engaging, and accurate. It was my AP Bio textbook in high school, and then I bought myself a copy after graduating from college with a biology degree.

So I am a biologist. I found myself in your exact situation as well just a couple of years ago. I was an economics major in college, and on a whim, switched to biology. Now, I'm going to MIT to research inhibitory neurons. It's pretty exciting. I began with taking introductory level courses. But if you don't have access to courses I suggest these:
Gray's Anatomy

Biology by Campbell (best biology textbook there is)

The Universe in a Nutshell

A Brief History of Time

On the Origin of Species (like you mentioned)

Just some things :) I also have a lot of interest in physics/astronomy, but have had little time to educate myself in those areas. I did, however, take an astrobiology course and it was awesome. But as for biology and some evolution, you might enjoy Biology by Campbell. I've included a link to the Amazon buying site, cheap as I could find. If you're just self-educating, then you shouldn't need like a brand new version or anything.
Campbell's Biology

Hello there!

You can pick up an older copy of the Raven/Johnson Biology book used from Amazon pretty cheaply: http://www.amazon.com/Biology-Peter-Raven/dp/0077350022/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404482342&sr=8-2&keywords=raven+johnson+biology

Same goes for the Campbell/Reece: http://www.amazon.com/Biology-8th-Edition-Neil-Campbell/dp/0805368442/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404482401&sr=8-2&keywords=campbell+reece+biology

Hope this helps!

Reading through some of your comments, it sounds a bit like your biology class did what most HS bio classes do. Teach the bare minimum and then side step and downplay anything remotely controversial in order to avoid angering religious parents.

The side effect is that you get cheated and if/when you attend college you have this large learning curve of information to work through that should have been taught to you to begin with. The misunderstanding of the word theory and kids not being taught any natural selection makes teaching college bio students difficult.
You're probably having your history and literature classes watered down, too.

Seek this information yourself. If your parents don't mind, and they shouldn't, get some introductory college textbooks off of Amazon. Older editions of used books can be purchased for <$1 to $10 with $3.99 shipping. Campbell and Reece Biology are a good go-to bio text that is used in many colleges. It's big, semi-complex, but book layout is similar to HS books with all words defined and question/review sections. This could provide you with a primer for anything more complex discussed about natural selection, genetics, and even a tad bit of chemistry. You may also be able to find 6th-8th editions at thrift stores if there is a college anywhere near where you live. Book+internet+ time = learning some of what you were cheated out of in class.

Also, for fun, if you decide what interests you career wise and should you want to seek higher education for it - there are HS internship opportunities that may be open to you at your local college. Find a professor that has time for you, show sincere interest, and they will treat you like an adult (something HS teachers often lack the ability to do).

Campbell Biology 8th edition. Get is used, it's only a few bucks.

Neuroscience; exploring the brain is also a great book that goes far more in-depth. The first part of the book is devoted to the very basics of biology and cell structure following the same foundation as any other biology book.