Whether it was at a job interview or a cocktail party, we’ve all felt the need to look extra smart. So we stroke our chins thoughtfully and pepper our sentences with words like “indubitably”—but it’s only a matter of time before our façade begins to crack.
If you’re hoping to truly impress others with your intelligence, it’s best to know all about an important, timely subject—so we recommend checking out the seven brilliant books below. They won’t necessarily turn you into the next Einstein, but they might still make you sound like a genius.
The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain
By Annie Murphy Paul
Exploring the findings of neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, and psychologists, The Extended Mind outlines a dramatic new vision for how our minds work, full of practical advice on how we can all think better. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know
By Adam Grant
Wharton psychologist Adam Grant offers bold ideas and rigorous evidence to show how we can embrace the joy of being wrong, encourage others to rethink topics as wide-ranging as abortion and climate change, and build schools, workplaces, and communities of lifelong learners. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Fundamentals: Ten Keys to Reality
By Frank Wilczek
Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek shares a simple yet profound exploration of reality based on the deep revelations of modern science. With an infectious sense of joy, Wilczek investigates the ideas that form our understanding of the universe, such as time, space, matter, energy, complexity, and complementarity. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
The Politics of Our Time: Populism, Nationalism, Socialism
By John Judis
This volume is an indispensable guide to understanding the deeply rooted disenchantment that gave rise to populist parties and politicians on the right and left—and to the global changes that have transformed the politics of our time. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
The Hidden Spring: A Journey to the Source of Consciousness
By Mark Solms
Neuropsychologist Mark Solms proposes a revelatory new theory of consciousness. In The Hidden Spring, he helps readers recognize the workings of their own minds for what they really are, including every stray thought, pulse of emotion, and shift of attention. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
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. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain
By Shankar Vedantam and Bill Mesler
Renowned NPR host Shankar Vedantam teams up with science writer Bill Mesler to argue that self-deception can be good for us, and that it can explain why some people live longer than others, why some couples remain in love and others don’t, and why some nations hold together while others splinter. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
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