Ask HN: What non-fiction do you read?
14 points by yanis_t a day ago
Share any fascinating books you've been reading lately.
14 points by yanis_t a day ago
Share any fascinating books you've been reading lately.
> 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.
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.
The Very Short Introduction series is great. ie A Very Short Introduction to Art History, Quantum Theory: A Very Short Introduction etc
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
I've started 'The One Thing' by Gary Keller and it's serving as a helpful reminder to keep my focus undiluted.
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.
"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.
"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.
All Pulitzer price winning non-fiction books — specifically investigative journalism - is always a great read
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.