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I second Robert's suggestion to read 'What is Life' (Lynn Margulis). It was transforming for me when I read it as well.
For a good discussion on the improbability of complex life, 'Rare Earth' by Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee is good. These authors conclude that simple life maybe common (give the right planetary conditions), but complex life is rare.
All Peter Ward's books are worth reading for a good intro to the history of life and the planet and how they are so intertwined. "Life and Death of Planet Earth" is good...if you like informed future speculation?
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