Every avid reader has a way of discovering new books. Thankfully, there’s an abundance of options.
You can ask your family members, friends, or coworkers for recommendations. You can consult a librarian. You can sign up for a newsletter or use a website like Goodreads to give you advice based on what you have already read. Or you can go for thematic lists.
There are many other ways to find books to read, but for me, lists are the best way to go. It’s hard to count the sheer number of excellent books I’ve discovered thanks to lists.
In order to return the favor, so to speak, today I’m sharing a list of my own.
But there’s a catch.
Instead of compiling random picks, I’ve selected the best books on various subjects. They’re all nonfiction, but each of them involve outstanding storytelling, so you won’t be bored.
Art
The Mirror & The Palette by Jennifer Higgie
This is a book about female artists, the process of art creation, and how art is perceived.
Business
No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Erin Meyer & Reed Hastings
This book is written by the founder of Netflix, together with a business school professor. It’s considered a traditional business book. What makes it stand out, though, is its dialogue format.
Economics
Money Changes Everything: How Finance Made Civilization Possible by William Goetzmann
This book is about the economy, with a hefty dose of history mixed in. It goes all the way back to ancient Rome and makes a fascinating, lively read.
Environment and nature
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
This book combines a botanist’s scientific knowledge and her indigenous background for a unique perspective on nature and history.
Food and cooking
Flavors of Empire: Food and the Making of Thai America by Mark Padoongpatt
This is a fascinating story of immigrants looking for a unique flavor profile.
Health and lifestyle
The Warden by Anthony Trollope
This book deals with aging, being true to yourself, and understanding people.
History
The Horde: How the Mongols Changed the World by Marie Favereau
The book offers a compelling and more nuanced look at the Mongols horde.
Language and writing
Plots and Characters by Millard Kaufman
This book emphasizes the importance of a well-thought-out plot and its influence on characters.
Law
The Rule of Law by Tom Bingham
This is considered to be mandatory material for all law students. And it’s still accessible enough for everyone else interested in law.
Music
The New Analog: Listening and Reconnecting in a Digital World by Damon Krukowski
A captivating book about music in the modern world. It deals with how we listen and the music industry as a whole.
Philosophy
What Does It All Mean? by Thomas Nagel
This is a fantastic gateway book for those who want to find out what philosophy is all about.
Politics
The Narrow Corridor: States, Societies, and the Fate of Liberty by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson
The book is about the origins of modern democracies and how they depend on the balance between a strong society and a strong state.
Psychology and self-help
The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self by Martha Beck
This book explains why it’s important to develop yourself as a whole instead of trying to be perfect and please everyone.
Science
Science Fictions: How Fraud, Bias, Negligence, and Hype Undermine the Search for Truth by Stuart Ritchie
Scientists are still humans, which means they also have flaws. The author of this book addresses that issue and proposes possible solutions.
Technology
Atlas of AI: Power, Politics, and the Planetary Costs of Artificial Intelligence by Kate Crawford
The author of this book provides a critical look at artificial intelligence, arguing that it isn’t very artificial nor exceptionally intelligent.
So that’s it. I hope you had fun checking out this list and found at least a couple of books to read.
Take care!
