Every season, the Next Big Idea Club editorial staff reviews dozens of upcoming books to identify the most exciting, must-read nonfiction titles. We start with a broad pool of nominees, and then share them with our curators—Adam Grant, Susan Cain, Daniel Pink, and Malcolm Gladwell—to identify a small handful finalists and, ultimately, two official season selections.
Today, it’s our pleasure to share our list of eight finalists for Season 18! Without further ado, the new books we’re most excited about this summer are…
From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life
By Arthur C. Brooks
Drawing on social science, philosophy, biography, theology, and Eastern wisdom, as well as dozens of interviews with everyday men and women, a Harvard professor shows us that true life success is well within our reach. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Arthur C. Brooks, in the Next Big Idea App
Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard
By Bo Seo
A two-time world champion debater and former coach of the Harvard debate team tells the inspiring story of his life in competitive debating, and reveals the timeless secrets of effective communication and persuasion. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Bo Seo, in the Next Big Idea App
Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey
By Florence Williams
A remarkable merging of science and self-discovery that will change the way we think about loneliness, health, and what it means to fall in and out of love. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Florence Williams, in the Next Big Idea App
How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion
By David McRaney
Delving into the latest psychological and neuroscientific research, How Minds Change explores the limits of reasoning, the power of groupthink, and the effects of deep canvassing. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author David McRaney, in the Next Big Idea App
Mastering Community: The Surprising Ways Coming Together Moves Us from Surviving to Thriving
By Christine Porath
From the author of Mastering Civility comes an illuminating and empowering guide to help you discover just how important thriving communities are to our well-being and the success of organizations—and learn what steps you can take to create them. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Christine Porath, in the Next Big Idea App
Plays Well with Others: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Relationships Is (Mostly) Wrong
By Eric Barker
A smart, surprising, and thoroughly entertaining guide to help build better friendships, reignite love, and get closer to others, whether you’re an extrovert or introvert, socially adept or socially anxious. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Eric Barker, in the Next Big Idea App
Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace
By Christopher Blattman
Why We Fight lays out the root causes and remedies for war, showing that violence is not the norm; that there are only five reasons why conflict wins over compromise; and how peacemakers turn the tides through tinkering, not transformation. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Christopher Blattman, in the Next Big Idea App
Work Pray Code: When Work Becomes Religion in Silicon Valley
By Carolyn Chen
A UC Berkeley sociologist shows how tech giants are reshaping spirituality to serve their religion of peak productivity. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Carolyn Chen, in the Next Big Idea App
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