The discussion centers around recommendations for basic physics books that explain formulas clearly. One participant highlights a specific book from Wiley as the best basic physics book, while another suggests the Alonso and Finn series as an alternative. There is a mention of the difficulty in finding these books in public libraries, with a recommendation to check university libraries instead, as they may have better selections, although borrowing may be restricted to students. The conversation emphasizes the importance of finding accessible resources for learning physics fundamentals.