p.j. o’rouke once said, “always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle.”
While I believe there is a place for cheesy romances and beach novels, a sharp mind needs the stimulation of a good book. If you love to read and enjoy having your ways of thinking challenged, then you’ll love these 10 books. All of these books will challenge your worldview and spin your mental wheels as new worlds and ways of thinking are illuminated. Plus, they’ll all make you look good if you die in the middle of reading it!
You are reading: Mind blowing non fiction books
1. ‘outliers: the success story’ by malcolm gladwell
“Who we are cannot be separated from where we come from.”
Anything from Malcolm Gladwell is sure to educate you and change the way you think. this particular book is the third non-fiction book in a series. gladwell examines the factors that contribute to success, and his findings will not be as expected! you can buy it here!
2. “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values” by Robert M. pirsig
“When a person suffers from a delusion, it is called insanity. when many people suffer from a delusion it is called religion.”
This great novel is often considered an American cultural icon in literature. The book chronicles a man’s 17-day motorcycle journey with his son Chris from Minnesota to California. During the trip, the anonymous protagonist reflects and philosophizes about the concept of “quality” and struggles with his past. this book isn’t about ‘zen’ in the buddhist sense, and it’s not about motorcycles, but it will certainly make you think! you can buy it here!
3. ‘the awakening’ by kate chopin
“The voice of the sea is seductive, ceaselessly, whispering, crying out, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander in abysses of solitude.”
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This 19th-century novel focuses on protagonist Edna Potellier’s struggle with femininity, motherhood, marriage, and gender roles in a conservative turn-of-the-century South American culture. the surprising ending and contradictory consequences of this still relevant story will make you want to share it with all your feminist friends and see what they think. you can buy it here!
4. “The Unattached Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself” by Michael A. singer
“if you really love someone, your love goes beyond their humanity”
miguel a. singer offers a step-by-step guide through the process of gyana, or yoga of the intellect, to the source. even if he is not completely convinced of yoga or spirituality, this book will undoubtedly expose his mind to new and unique ways of seeing the universe and his identity. you can buy it here!
5. ‘this will make you smarter: new scientific concepts to improve the way you think’ by john brockman
“every aspect of life is an experiment that can be better understood if perceived that way.”
for people who love to think, what book is better than a book that improves your way of thinking! This collection of sharp and brilliant essays written by all the world’s leading thinkers will improve your decision-making skills and sharpen our cognitive toolkits. you can buy it here!
6. ‘the moral imagination: the art and soul of building peace’ by john paul lederach
“reconciliation is understood both as a place we try to get to and as the journey we take with each other.”
john paul lederach is a leading voice in the field of international mediation and conciliation. he has served as a consultant and direct mediator in conflicts around the world. In this book he explores the peacebuilding process and reflects on his experiences in the field. it is a remarkable text that will surely find application in his daily life. you can buy it here!
7. ‘Who Speaks for Islam?: What a Billion Muslims Really Think’ by John L. husband and dahlia mogahed
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“Interestingly, the more Americans report knowing about Muslim countries, the more likely they are to hold positive views of those countries.”
In the post-9/11 America, most Americans associate mainstream Islam with Islamic extremism. This book is the product of a massive six-year study by the Gallup Organization. they interviewed, questioned, and met tens of thousands of Muslims in 35 predominantly Muslim countries. This massive collection of data is distilled into a fascinating book that will challenge and educate current thinking in America. you can buy it here!
8. italo calvino’s ‘invisible cities’
“Unrealized futures are just branches of the past: dead branches. ”
The 1972 novel Invisible Cities explores imagination, reality, and memory through vivid and fantastical descriptions of cities by narrator Marco Polo. The book centers on a surreal conversation between Marco Polo and Emperor Kublai Khan where the two men discuss the Khan’s desire and struggle with his ever-expanding empire. this experimental novel is as beautiful as it is complicated, and some of the descriptions will leave you confused for days. you can buy it here!
9. ‘Philosophy: The Quest for Wisdom’ by Louis P. pojman
“In a sense, philosophy is simply thinking carefully about the important issues in life.”
Luis P. pojman makes this introduction to philosophical thought surprisingly fun and accessible. presents the major philosophical strands of thought in clear, lively writing that is as entertaining as it is informative. If you are looking for an easy yet quality ‘Philosophy 101’ book, then this is the book for you. you can buy it here!
10. ‘a thousand beautiful things’ a collection of marjorie barrows
I inherited my grandmother’s copy of this book and the pages are worn and the twist is falling apart because I’ve gone back to it over and over again. A Thousand Beautiful Things is a collection of poetry, prose, drama, and quotes from all over world literature. it is steeped in thought-provoking wisdom and breath-taking beauty. every book shelf would improve with the presence of this book. you can buy it here!
Featured Photo Credit: Abhi Sharma via flickr.com