Until recently, being nerdy was considered by many to be an undesirable trait. In popular culture, “nerds” often display a lack of social skills, obnoxious intelligence, obsessive behaviors, and general ugliness.
but the growing interest in all things nerdy (eg star wars, lord of the rings, superhero movies, etc.) has made the term charming and positive. what were once niche interests have become mainstream entertainment. Nerdom is now king in many industries, including film, television, board games, and books.
You are reading: Books are for nerds
books for nerds
It’s time to finally embrace your inner nerd – there’s a little bit in all of us! These 20 books will satisfy your nerdy interests and get you thinking about life, the universe, and more.
1. i, isaac asimov’s robot
Asimov was considered one of the three great science fiction writers during his lifetime, along with Arthur C. clarke and robert a. heinlein. As a Mensa member, biochemistry professor, and author of an entire math-focused sci-fi series, it’s safe to say he’s a pretty well-respected nerd.
i, robot is a collection of short stories following robopsychologist susan calvin and her experiences in researching the aberrant behaviors of robots and the use of “robopsychology” to correct these anomalies. focuses on the morality involved in human-robot interactions as robots become more and more human-like. this is the book that introduced the three laws of robotics, a set of fictional laws that influenced how robots are portrayed in various media.
2. the hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy by douglas adams
Originally starting out as a radio broadcast, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy quickly became something of a bible for the nerd community. Delving into the world of science with quirky mad scientist humor, this book is a romp around the universe in an attempt to find the answer to life, the universe, and everything. the answer? 42.
arthur dent finds himself suddenly homeless (and planetless) when the vogons, an alien species, demolish the earth to make way for an intergalactic beltway. what follows is a whimsical adventure involving different alien cultures, various characters (who, let’s be honest, seem to be in a state of perpetual insanity) and, of course, lunch at the restaurant at the end of the universe.
3. ready player one by ernest cline
A fairly recent addition to the nerd archives, ready player one is set in the oasis, a massive virtual world where anything can happen and anyone can be anyone. the environment itself is one big nerd’s dream, with places where magic, robots, dragons, and every nerd’s dream are available.
wade watts is your average teenager. He lives with his aunt in the slums, attends school in the oasis, and spends the rest of his time researching ’80s and ’90s pop culture in hopes of finding clues about the egg hunt, left behind by the creator of the game. oasis after his death. everything changes when he finds the first clue and becomes famous throughout the oasis.
4. snow crash by neal thompson
snow crash is distinguished as one of time magazine’s all-time top 100 English novels written since 1923. Covering history, linguistics, computer science, politics, and philosophy, it’s a pretty daunting, but very enjoyable read. He is credited with popularizing the term “avatar” to describe virtual characters online and is claimed to be the inspiration for Google Earth.
Protagonist hiro is a hacker and pizza delivery man, for the mafia no less. When a computer virus appears that can seemingly affect the real world and control people, Hiro takes it upon himself to investigate and eradicate the growing threat of it.
5. gardens of the moon by steven erikson
gardens of the moon is the first book in the malazán series, an epic dark fantasy with strong military overtones. Malazan’s world is grim and unforgiving, but it never becomes grim or nihilistic. Although difficult to read due to frequent in media res scene settings and complex world building, the payoff is huge when everything starts to click as you read along.
Gardens of the Moon focuses on the Malazan Empire’s conquest of the free cities of Pale and Darujhistan, and the experiences of the Bridgeburners, a legendary infantry unit. Substantial subplots including certain individuals, gods, and a host of betrayals and underhand plots run parallel to the main story, creating a riveting story that’s hard to put down.
6. the color of magic by terry pratchett
The Color of Magic is the first book in the Discworld series and a longtime favorite of the nerd community. this is a book that often gleefully pokes fun at fantasy clichés and subgenres, but also provides serious thoughts on real-world topics like racial bias, religion, business, and politics.
rincewind is a cynical wizard with no ability and no interest in heroism. a series of events finds him bonded to two flowers, a naive insurance clerk for a powerful empire. they embark on a journey, unaware that their adventures are, in fact, a board game played by the gods of the other world.
7. Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Jules Verne was ahead of his time when he conjured the Nautilus, a fearsome submarine that could be compared to today’s submarines. This story was written at a time when most of the technology described in the book (eg, Captain Nemo’s diving gear, electricity, and the submarine) did not exist or was still an innovation in development. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea could be considered a foundational work of science fiction.
Professor Pierre Aronnax and his companions find themselves imprisoned on the Nautilus, created and commanded by Captain Nemo, who has exiled himself from Earth civilization. the novel follows their adventures, misadventures, and eventual escape and reintroduction into society.
8. brave new world by aldous huxley
Often compared to George Orwell’s 1984, Brave New World addresses a dystopian society where reproduction and social class have become something akin to an assembly line. from birth, some people are indoctrinated to believe that their class is superior, while other classes perform essential functions, and any unnecessary emotion is suppressed by drugs.
The novel follows characters from wildly different backgrounds as they try to cope with a life forced upon them. Bernard is a psychologist and part of the Alpha class, but he suffers from an inferiority complex because he is shorter than the average Alpha. lenina is a promiscuous and beautiful “fetus technique” and is part of the 30% of women who are not sterile. John is considered a savage, having grown up on a “wild reservation” that closely resembles contemporary Native American culture.
9. frank herbert dune
dune is one of those books considered as a “gateway” to the science fiction genre. is set in the distant future, in a feudal interstellar society where nobles have fiefdoms consisting of entire planets.
paul atreides and his family receive the administration of the planet arrakis. Though dangerous and inhospitable, the Arrakis is the only source of a drug that can extend life, enhance mental abilities, and is necessary for space navigation. stewardship of the arrakis is therefore a dangerous and coveted position. the novel follows the political, religious, technological, and ecological struggle that occurs as various factions vie for control of the arrakis and the drug.
10. neuromancer by william gibson
neuromancer is an early and defining work of the cyberpunk genre, frequently detailing the fusion of technology with the human body. the book won the nebula prize, philip k. Dick Award and Hugo Award, which was an unprecedented achievement at the time.
the case of henry dorsett was once a gifted hacker who was caught stealing from his employer, causing his central nervous system to become damaged and leaving him unable to access the “matrix”, a space of reality data virtual as punishment. the opportunity to fix his central nervous system makes him accept an assignment that plunges him into a world of murder and intrigue.
11. brandon sanderson’s final empire
The first book in the mistborn series, the final empire introduces the concept of magic based on solid scientific knowledge, often referring to scientific rules (albeit in a more fanciful description). magic in the world of scadrial is represented as physical and mental abilities tied to different metals. for example, brass deadens emotions, while zinc is used to inflame them; steel and iron are used to push and pull metal respectively, and so on.
The book follows Kelsier, the “Survivor of Hathsin”, and his group of “Allomancers”, people who gain powers by ingesting metal, and their quest to destroy the ruling lord, an oppressive and almost mythical figure.
12. orson scott card’s ender’s game
ender’s game is a military science fiction novel set in the distant future where humanity is in constant conflict with an insectoid alien race called the Formics. In preparation for a third invasion, the boys are recruited and trained at a young age to become commanders capable of defeating the “infidels”.
ender wiggins is one such child, who quickly establishes his genius in tactical warfare. The novel chronicles his growth as a child and as a soldier, emphasizing the depression he feels when his trainers constantly manipulate and isolate him in his belief to create a person capable of ending the war.
13. 1984 by george orwell
if brave new world focuses on pleasure, then 1984 is about pain and the use of brute force to control the population. represents a society where the “party” hides the truth and non-conformists are brutally repressed in the name of the “well-being” of all.
The novel recounts the journey of Winston Smith, a rank-and-file worker at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to fit the ideals of the state. he secretly hates party rule and often dreams of rebellion, even going so far as to seek out people who are willing to overthrow the state.
14. the fellowship of the ring by j.r.r. tolkien
The Lord of the Rings has shaped fantasy, and by extension science fiction, to what it is today. is the biggest nerd bible in the nerd archives. although it was published in 1954, it is still considered a must-read and a standard for the genre.
The book follows the journey of the fellowship on their quest to destroy the One Ring and stop the Dark Lord Sauron from consolidating his power and bringing darkness to Middle-earth. In particular, it features Frodo, an average hobbit suddenly thrust into a conflict more suited to kings, wizards, and other powers.
15. harry potter by j.k. paddle
Who doesn’t know Harry Potter? is the book series that sparked a modern fantasy renaissance, spawning a billion-dollar franchise of movies, plays, and merchandise. he is also responsible for a whole generation of children growing up wanting to be wizards.
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chronicles the main character’s adventures and his growth and maturity as he learns more about the wizarding world, as well as his constant struggle against voldemort and the dark arts.
16. Arthur C’s Childhood’s End clarke
In a time when the general population was still caught up in the cold war and violence was the standard practice of conquest, the end of childhood makes a bold statement of using kindness as a way to kill.
In the story, aliens take over the earth, ushering in a golden age of prosperity and peace. after countless wars, utopia is finally achieved. but things quickly get boring as human creativity and innovation stalls, as there really is no point in fighting for a living.
17. robert jordan’s eye of the world
The first book in the Wheel of Time series, The Eye of the World draws heavily from European and Asian concepts, including Christianity and the cyclical nature of time (hence the series’ title). in it is a great cosmic loom that weaves the great pattern, where light is always destined to collide with darkness.
rand al’thor, a simple village boy is drawn into an ancient conflict that spans the cosmos when he is identified as the dragon reborn, the champion of light in the war against darkness.
18. philip pullman’s golden compass
The first in his dark materials series, this book offers a fairly realistic allegory of the real world. the deep and brutal insights into politics and religion make it a difficult read for most, but the solid world-building and character development make it a great book for dystopian enthusiasts. if you like harry potter but are looking for something darker then this is it.
the series follows the coming of age of lyra belacqua and will stop while they travel through parallel worlds, while being persecuted by the magisterium, the series version of the church.
19. stephen king’s booth
A post-apocalyptic dark fantasy, Booth is the King’s attempt to write an epic on a par with Lord of the Rings, and it certainly delivers.
Set in contemporary America, a weaponized strain of influenza causes an epidemic that decimates the world’s population. the book is about various groups of survivors, who create new social systems and go to war with each other.
20. game of thrones george r.r. martin
The first in the Song of Ice and Fire series (considered by many to be on a par with The Lord of the Rings), this book is about a darker world filled with violence, backstabbing, and another level of realism. this is a fantasy read without rose-colored glasses regularly killing your favorite characters. don’t let that put you off, because the plot and world building more than make up for it.
Game of Thrones juggles many stories, from the war for the Iron Throne to the return of a long-exiled family and the resurgence of a mundane threat from the north.
science fiction and fantasy
You’ll notice that these books are mostly in the sci-fi and fantasy genre because, let’s face it, that’s long been the domain of nerds. Though quirky and unrealistic to some, many of these books deal with extremely deep topics related to science, history, philosophy, and the general meaning of life.
It’s no surprise to find that many nerds are academics, scientists, historians, or work in related fields. one characteristic they share is a curiosity about what once was and what will be. these types of books give them the opportunity to exercise that curiosity.
Whether you’re a self-proclaimed nerd, geek, or idiot, these books will keep you thinking of worlds of possibilities.
Do you have a favorite book to read? Share your picks in the comments below!
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