The man in article you shared (can't remember his name at the moment) was Penrose's partner in developing the Orch-OR idea. It is definitely an interesting take, but decided far from the current understanding. What I find most curious is that has been nothing about it for last 7 or so years, which makes me wonder if he had given up on that particular idea, if not the computation/awareness idea.

I should try the other books you suggest, I only know the Empoeror's New Mind as it was the predecessor to this book.

Even if the awareness/computation idea is is not eventually convincing (in not sure still), ik still enjoying the tour through philosophy and mathematics!