This person goes by many names: the know-it-all, the wise guy, the smarty-pants. Sure, we might tease them from time to time, but beneath the humor is a genuine appreciation for their intellect.
And chances are, they like reading books. So if you’re still looking for the perfect holiday gift for the big thinker in your life, we recommend checking out the ten excellent reads below.
Or invite them to join us in the Next Big Idea Club! Get 10% off your gift purchase today when you enter promo code HOLIDAY10 at checkout.
The Hidden Habits of Genius: Beyond Talent, IQ, and Grit―Unlocking the Secrets of Greatness
By Craig Wright
Looking at the 14 key traits of genius, from curiosity to creative maladjustment to obsession, the creator of Yale University’s popular “Genius Course” explores what we can learn from brilliant minds that have changed the world. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Craig Wright, in the Next Big Idea App
Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain
By Lisa Feldman Barrett
A renowned neuroscientist reveals where brains came from, how they’re structured, and how yours works in tandem with other brains to create everything you experience. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Lisa Feldman Barrett, in the Next Big Idea App
Fundamentals: Ten Keys to Reality
By Frank Wilczek
A Nobel laureate shares a simple yet profound exploration of reality. With an infectious sense of joy, he investigates the ideas that form our understanding of the universe, such as time, space, matter, energy, complexity, and complementarity. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Frank Wilczek, in the Next Big Idea App
The Great Guide: What David Hume Can Teach Us About Being Human and Living Well
By Julian Baggini
An acclaimed philosopher gives us a complete vision of David Hume’s guide to life, including topics ranging from the meaning of success and the value of travel to friendship, facing death, identity, and the importance of leisure. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Julian Baggini, in the Next Big Idea App
The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain
By Annie Murphy Paul
A bold new book reveals how we can tap the intelligence that exists beyond our brains—in our bodies, our surroundings, and our relationships. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Annie Murphy Paul, in the Next Big Idea App
Wiser: The Scientific Roots of Wisdom, Compassion, and What Makes Us Good
By Dilip Jeste, with Scott LaFee
From the field’s pioneer, an exploration of the neurobiology and psychology of wisdom: what science says it is, and how to nurture it within yourself―at any stage of life. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Dilip Jeste, in the Next Big Idea App
AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future
By Kai-Fu Lee and Chen Qiufan
In this provocative, utterly original work, a former president of Google China and bestselling author of AI Superpowers teams up with celebrated novelist Chen Qiufan to imagine our world in 2041 and how it will be shaped by AI. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by co-author Kai-Fu Lee, in the Next Big Idea App
The Socrates Express: Searching for Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers
By Eric Weiner
The bestselling author of The Geography of Bliss embarks on a rollicking intellectual journey, following in the footsteps of history’s greatest thinkers and showing us how each—from Epicurus to Gandhi, Thoreau to Beauvoir—offers practical and spiritual lessons for today’s unsettled times. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Eric Weiner, in the Next Big Idea App
Einstein’s Fridge: How the Difference Between Hot and Cold Explains the Universe
By Paul Sen
An entertaining, eye-opening account of the extraordinary team of innovators who discovered the laws of thermodynamics essential to understanding the world today—from refrigeration and jet engines to calorie counting and global warming. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Paul Sen, in the Next Big Idea App
The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race
By Walter Isaacson
A gripping account of how Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna and her colleagues launched a revolution that will allow us to cure diseases, fend off viruses, and have healthier babies. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Walter Isaacson, in the Next Big Idea App
This year, let us choose the perfect books. Give the gift of the Next Big Idea Club and get 10% off your gift purchase today when you enter promo code HOLIDAY10 at checkout.
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