Book List

20 Books That Will Make You Smarter

  • NONFICTION

    OUTSMART YOUR BRAIN

    JAN. 24, 2023

NONFICTION

OUTSMART YOUR BRAIN

by Daniel T. Willingham

Highly informative and inspiring: a must-read for students of any age. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    JOURNEY OF THE MIND

    MARCH 8, 2022

NONFICTION

JOURNEY OF THE MIND

by Ogi Ogas & Sai Gaddam

Packed with insight and astonishing in scope, this book offers an original perspective on thinking and consciousness. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    WEATHERING

    MARCH 28, 2023

NONFICTION

WEATHERING

by Arline T. Geronimus

A compelling contribution to the literature on the important issue of health care inequity. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    THE ZEN OF THERAPY

    JAN. 11, 2022

NONFICTION

THE ZEN OF THERAPY

by Mark Epstein

Empathetic and persuasive—one of the better books on psychotherapy and meditation in recent years. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    DIFFERENT

    APRIL 5, 2022

  • NONFICTION

    HOW THE WORLD REALLY WORKS

    MAY 10, 2022

NONFICTION

HOW THE WORLD REALLY WORKS

by Vaclav Smil

An exceptionally lucid, evenhanded study of the scientific basis of our current and future lives. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    STRANGERS TO OURSELVES

    SEPT. 13, 2022

NONFICTION

STRANGERS TO OURSELVES

by Rachel Aviv

A moving, meticulously researched, elegantly constructed work of nonfiction. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    LATINOLAND

    FEB. 20, 2024

NONFICTION

LATINOLAND

by Marie Arana

Arana has a fascinating, complex, and personal story to tell, and she narrates it with abundant verve and intelligence. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    HOW INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS

    OCT. 17, 2023

NONFICTION

HOW INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS

by Deb Chachra

A rare book on engineering and its economics that will satisfy general readers. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    THE BLOODIED NIGHTGOWN

    FEB. 20, 2024

NONFICTION

THE BLOODIED NIGHTGOWN

by Joan Acocella

A top-notch collection full of information, elegance, and humor. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    AN IMMENSE WORLD

    JUNE 21, 2022

NONFICTION

AN IMMENSE WORLD

by Ed Yong

One of the year’s best popular natural histories. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    HOW TO READ NOW

    JULY 26, 2022

NONFICTION

HOW TO READ NOW

by Elaine Castillo

An excellent collection of essays about important subjects too often glossed over. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    BLACK AF HISTORY

    SEPT. 19, 2023

CURRENT EVENTS & SOCIAL ISSUES

BLACK AF HISTORY

by Michael Harriot ; illustrated by Jibola Fagbamiye

Fresh eyes and bold, entertaining language combine in this authoritative, essential work of U.S. history. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    HOW DO WE KNOW OURSELVES?

    NOV. 1, 2022

  • NONFICTION

    A HISTORY OF WOMEN IN 101 OBJECTS

    MARCH 5, 2024

CURRENT EVENTS & SOCIAL ISSUES

A HISTORY OF WOMEN IN 101 OBJECTS

by Annabelle Hirsch ; translated by Eleanor Updegraff

Filled with illuminating anecdotes, the collection is as entertaining as it is informative. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    METARACISM

    MARCH 5, 2024

NONFICTION

METARACISM

by Tricia Rose

A brilliant guide to a systemic malady that cannot be denied. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    HOW LIFE WORKS

    NOV. 6, 2023

NONFICTION

HOW LIFE WORKS

by Philip Ball

A bold effort to create a new language that forces a “rethinking” of “thinking itself.” Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • NONFICTION

    I SURVIVED CAPITALISM AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS LOUSY T-SHIRT

    JAN. 16, 2024

  • NONFICTION

    DEMOCRACY AWAKENING

    SEPT. 26, 2023

NONFICTION

DEMOCRACY AWAKENING

by Heather Cox Richardson

Reminding us that “how it comes out rests…in our own hands,” Richardson empowers us for the chapters yet to come. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

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