Posting this question here rather than SO because of it's relevance with game development.

My dilemma is this: It is currently my summer vacation after my first semester of CompSci and I have learned enough C++ to actually get started in a little more advanced stuff. 

I don't want to start games programming yet until I teach myself linear algebra, trigonometry, etc. However, I do want to know the fundamentals, the theory and the methods used in game programming! 

I thought I had some decent books in the college library, but they were horribly outdated with books on game programming or game engines or game/graphic (topic here) from the early 90s to 2002. 

Knowing the volatile state of computer technology, I figured grabbing knowledge on cutting-edge technology from a decade-old book isn't a good idea. Amazon itself leaves me clueless as to what book I want. 

What I don't want: A platform-dependent book. I'm not out to learn OpenGL, Direct3D or any specific API. I just want to know things like tessellation, how the GPU handles stuff, what goes on under the hood and what kind of raytracing and radiosity methods there are. The basics, the core concepts- those kinds of things. 

I hope that's clear! Books, resources are all welcome. Though I much prefer a book over a website!