18 pointsby yanis_t18 days ago13 comments
  • 0xmattf17 days ago
    I only read non-fiction; mostly philosophy. Here are some books off the top of my head:

    * The Inner Citadel/Philosophy as a Way of Life by Pierre Hadot

    * Plato's dialogues (someone already mentioned a few of them, but the Republic was missing from their list).

    * Epictetus (Discourses and Enchiridion)

    * The various essays/letters of Seneca

    * Matter and Consciousness by Churchland (older, but fascinating)

    * The Mediations of Marcus Aurelius

    * (mostly) any Buddhist texts

    * What a Plant Knows

    * Moonwalking with Einstein

    There are tons of fascinating books, way too many to list.

    • vunderba17 days ago
      Second the recommendation for "Moonwalking with Einstein." Ed Cooke (the memory coach and world memory champion featured prominently in the book) is also a really nice chap.

      If you have any interest in memorization or mnemonics, it's a great read.

      • 0xmattf17 days ago
        > If you have any interest in memorization or mnemonics, it's a great read.

        Absolutely. Even if you don't have an interest in the subject, it's worth a read. I honestly picked that book up out of random; I had no idea such a world of memory existed. Brilliant book.

        • vunderba17 days ago
          Totally agree. If you like this style of memoir + deep subject dive, I also highly recommend anything by A.J. Jacobs - his "Year of Living Biblically", and "The Know-It-All" are great reads in the same vein.
  • baranmelik17 days ago
    The Very Short Introduction series is great. ie A Very Short Introduction to Art History, Quantum Theory: A Very Short Introduction etc
  • jbrockwork18 days ago
    Your Inner Fish: A Journey Into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body - Really cool account of human evolutionary history

    Stolen Focus (Johann Hari) - About how we've lost (and can regain) the ability to focus due to technological distraction (currently social media, etc. but hasn't always been)

    Chip War - History and geopolitical significance of the semiconductor industry

    • Blackstrat16 days ago
      Second Chip War. That and Breakneck by Dan Wang do a good job of broadening one’s perspective on the global situation
  • gushogg-blake18 days ago
    Jaws: The Story of a Hidden Epidemic

    Modern environments and lifestyles have changed our jaw development dramatically, contributing to the high prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (snoring through to obstructive sleep apnea), chronic tension, jaw joint problems, and orthodontic need.

  • ProtosGalaxias18 days ago
    "The Molecule of More" by Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long.

    A bit naive but fascinating narrative about how dopamine controls our feelings, addictions, and, basically, happiness.

  • HardwareLust18 days ago
    "Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner" by Paul Sammon

    A deep history of the making of the movie "Blade Runner". Very enjoyable if you liked the movie.

  • DataDaoDe18 days ago
    Plato's works surrounding Socrates' death: Phaedo, Crito, Euthyphro, The Apology.

    Its fascinating to discover how many thoughts and ideas they had which are still relevant in our societies today. Also, they are incredibly readable, its like taking part in on a conversation among friends.

  • undopamine17 days ago
    I've started 'The One Thing' by Gary Keller and it's serving as a helpful reminder to keep my focus undiluted.
  • constantinum17 days ago
    All Pulitzer price winning non-fiction books — specifically investigative journalism - is always a great read
  • 17 days ago
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  • kello18 days ago
    Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
  • cafard17 days ago
    History: about halfway through The New Roman Empire: A History of Byzantium by Anthony Kaldellis. (About halfway through 918 pages, not counting notes etc., so you will see that it holds the interest.)

    Philosophy: about halfway through A Reading of Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit by Quentin Lauer.

    Memoir: last year read Journeys of the Mind: A Life in History by Peter Brown, The Story of a Life by Konstantin Paustofsky.