1. Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths: There are few books that I wish were longer when I got to the end of them, and this is one of them. Lighthearted and easy to read (disclaimer: I have a degree in computer science. I still think they did a good job making the algorithms accessible), Algorithms to Live By presents a parade of how classic algorithms can be useful in situations from finding parking spaces to deciding whether to eat a new restaurant or an old favorite.
2. They Say, I Say by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein: An introduction to writing for college students that I really should have read at the beginning of college. The titular thesis is that writing is part of a conversation, and writing should be framed in terms of what other people have said before (the “they say”) and from that flows your response (the “I say”). This framework turned into my most frequently used writing mindset.
3. What Does It Mean to Be White? By Robin DiAngelo: One of the best examples of an introductory textbook to a complex subject. What Does It Mean to Be White? breaks down all of the societal components that go into the construction of whiteness. I got a working picture of race from a few Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies classes in college, but this book filled in a few gaps I didn’t know I had.
4. The Mental Game of Poker by Jared Tendler: Don’t be fooled by the title, the first section of this book is secretly a blueprint for how to learn any complex skill. The remaining three-quarters are a little more poker focused, but still include some useful skills for managing emotions under high stakes situations. If you want to learn about the processes through which we develop skills, this book provides some of the best models in concise language.
5. Atomic Habits by James Clear: Despite my quibbles with some of how the author portrays growth (he says improving 1% a day will make you 30x better in a year. I say, what does “improving by 1%” even mean? Also, people don’t grow exponentially), Atomic Habits provides a simple and comprehensive strategy for changing your habits over time. I particularly liked his idea of starting with two-minute habits (ex. You want to go to the gym regularly? Start by putting on your tennis shoes daily).
Honorable Mention: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk: An exploration of how trauma affects the body and different therapeutic practices for healing trauma. I appreciated The Body Keeps the Score for giving me some insight into the experiences of people who have experienced trauma. I’m also hopeful that some of the methods it described might be able to help me get more comfortable with my body. (Note: The author has since faced abuse allegations).
Other Contenders:
- I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
The Pragmatic Philosopher 