The New Books to Fight Brain Rot
How to avoid arrogance and find authenticity, build cognitive and social skills, and create a more respectful, more delightful world.
Shortform content usually goes in one ear and out the other. Great books take up residence in our brains and keep our neurons firing for years.
One of the perks of my job is getting an early look at each season’s new releases. My favorites from summer and fall explore how to avoid arrogance and find authenticity, build cognitive and social skills, and create a more respectful, more delightful world.
1. How to Be a Living Thing by Mari Andrew
By carefully observing the animal kingdom, this writer-illustrator brilliantly illuminates how we can get in closer touch with our humanity.
2. 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin
The definitive analysis of the biggest stock market crash of the century, from the greatest business journalist of our time.
3. Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai
With humor and heart, the Nobel laureate who risked her life fighting for girls’ rights to education takes us on a soul-searching journey into adulthood.
4. Algospeak by Adam Aleksic
A linguist explores how the internet is redefining our vocabulary. No cap—this bruh slaps and slays.
5. The Genius Myth by Helen Lewis
A provocative take on the problems we create when we put brainpower on a pedestal, from a journalist who pulls no punches.
6. Read Your Mind by Oz Pearlman
Come backstage as the mind-boggling mentalist reveals some of his secrets for the first time—and shows how to apply them to understand the people around you.
7. Anointed by Toby Stuart
A leading sociologist unpacks the surprising sources and far-reaching consequences of social standing.
8. Playful by Cas Holman
I want to live in a world with more free play, and this designer knows how to build it.
Which ones pique your interest—and what’s the best book you’ve read this summer?
I am going to put How to be a Living Thing on hold at the library. Getting in touch with our humanity is vital in times like these. How to build communities that allow more opportunities for connection and joy is also a big interest of mine, so Playful will also go on that list.
The best book I read all summer was My Friends by Frederick Backman. The importance of art and how it brings people together, and what it truly means to be a friend. Just a beautiful book.
(And I know there are probably reasons for this, but is it possible to not link to Amazon? When every dollar we spend, and where, is a vote for the type of world we want to live in, you could do a lot of good by linking to Bookshop.org and support independent sellers instead. Just a suggestion.)
Great list! Best book I read this summer was My Friends by Frederik Backman. Examines how we truly connect to be and how art can change our lives.