I'll be attending college on the 25th for a chemistry degree and I wanted to do know if anyone had any recommendations for books regarding chemistry study for my own interest until they actually give me a book either next year or whatever. I'm not sure if I want to study organic or non yet, but any books advised will be greatly appreciated. :)

The newest addition of organic chemistry by Francis A. Carey.

I think most people would recommend Vogel for a textbook. But I personally would recommend reading PIHKAL (only because it's simpler than TIHKAL; if you've had experience with the tryptamines, I'd recommend it since you'd remember it better) or the Rhodium archives (I have a legitimate point here, just give me a second). Most reactions you learn in OChem will look boring and totally useless... unless you realize that you can make mind-bending substances with them--then you're far more likely to remember what you're learning. After learning how to synth several chemicals from Rhodium, see if you can take your already-acquired knowledge from class and apply it to making a totally new (or otherwise) chemical (with or without psychoactive properties). You'll see that it's far easier to remember if you know you have a use; and there's something about that kind of process of discovery that makes chemistry all the more exciting. And besides, when you're in a study group going over reductive amination, you can just jump up and tell the whole class how to make meth (and thus pass on your memory trick). It's raised many eyebrows in my experience. ;)

Oh, btw, I assume here that you know the basics of OChem--naming, basic oxidation/reduction, functional groups.

That's mostly just for your interest; if you'd like to do better in class (or lab) you're better off with Vogel or some of the other recommendations here. But if you're not sure about OChem, I don't want to pressure you so first and foremost see if you can get a book that discusses all aspects of chemistry. Drugs are fun, but don't stay in OChem just because of them! See what you like and maybe organic will pique your interest. If you could tell us further specifically what you'd like book recommendations for then we'd be happy to specify.

As far as my college experience goes, chemistry degrees are pretty rigid so you're bound to study at least 2 semesters of OChem anyway. My college requires interdisciplinaries, but gives perhaps 5 credits of wiggle room--in another subject area. Are you just getting into introductory chemistry or did you AP out of that?

By far the best undergraduate level organic chemistry textbook i've come across is

"Organic Chemistry" by Clayden, Greeves, Warren and Wothers

Tis a great book - my major criticism is that it has no references...

"The Organic Chem Lab Survival Guide" is also an excellent introduction and reference fro the practical side of things - forget who it's by but you can find out easily, and I have uploaded both books a number of times - check the books thread...

The Organic Chem Lab Survival Manual

I think this would be the best book for you to buy for class.

Vogel isn't a textbook. Its a cookbook. It's useful for techniques and the occasional mechanism, but trying to learn real chemistry from it is just retarded. It's like learning to be a mechanic from a driving lesson. Get a real textbook, not a lab manual.

When you get to college there are very few textbooks that will cover all the branches of chemistry to any real depth. One book recommended to first years is 'chemistry', by silberberg. (http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/chemistry/silberberg/silberberg_splash/index.mhtml) This covers all the basics, like functional groups, oxidation and reduction for organic chemistry, also some introductons to inorganic / solid state chemistry, physical chemistry and the basics of analytical. It gives you a very good background, although you will find that you will outgrow it quickly.

This is a good thing, if you know that book your well on your way. Odds are you can find it in a torrent somewhere.

People are recommending organic chemistry books. That may be fine for them, but chemistry in university is far more than just organic chemistry. If you do get an organic chemistry textbook make sure it is less than five years old. Lab techniques may not change much, but everything else does. After a little while you will understand why people demand references less than three years old.

Vogel isn't a textbook. Its a cookbook. It's useful for techniques and the occasional mechanism, but trying to learn real chemistry from it is just retarded. It's like learning to be a mechanic from a driving lesson. Get a real textbook, not a lab manual.

When you get to college there are very few textbooks that will cover all the branches of chemistry to any real depth. One book recommended to first years is 'chemistry', by silberberg. (http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/chemistry/silberberg/silberberg_splash/index.mhtml) This covers all the basics, like functional groups, oxidation and reduction for organic chemistry, also some introductons to inorganic / solid state chemistry, physical chemistry and the basics of analytical. It gives you a very good background, although you will find that you will outgrow it quickly.

This is a good thing, if you know that book your well on your way. Odds are you can find it in a torrent somewhere.

People are recommending organic chemistry books. That may be fine for them, but chemistry in university is far more than just organic chemistry. If you do get an organic chemistry textbook make sure it is less than five years old. Lab techniques may not change much, but everything else does. After a little while you will understand why people demand references less than three years old.
This.

People are recommending organic chemistry books. That may be fine for them, but chemistry in university is far more than just organic chemistry.

Indeed.

I'm in less of a position to judge among physical and inorganic texts but, that said, I would recommend "The elements of physical chemistry" by Peter Atkins as an inductory uni-level phys-chem text. For more detail, Atkins' "Physical chemistry" is the standard.

"Inorganic chemistry" - Shriver and Atkins is another reasonably good and accessible text for this discipline.

The newest addition of organic chemistry by Francis A. Carey.

I completely agree. This is a great textbook.