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Where books open worlds.
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Books are more than stories on a page — they are mirrors, maps, challenges, and companions in understanding ourselves and the world we inhabit.

Big Think Books is a space devoted to the writers and ideas that shape culture, knowledge, and the way we think. Through thoughtful recommendations, deep dives, and engaging commentary, this column guides readers toward books that expand curiosity, provoke insight, and deepen understanding across fields like science, history, psychology, literature, and more. Whether you’re exploring the latest releases or rediscovering timeless classics, here you’ll find ideas worth your time and thought.

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Kevin Dickinson is a staff writer and columnist at Big Think, focusing on the intersection of education, psychology, business, and science. He holds a master’s in English and writing, and his work has appeared in Agenda, RealClearScience, and The Washington Post.

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Big Think’s 5 favorite nonfiction books of 2026 (so far)
Books to expand your perspective on history, philosophy, space exploration, and more this year.

by Kevin Dickinson

Impressionist painting of a young woman in a blue dress sitting on grass and reading a letter, with soft, colorful brushstrokes.
Everything Articles
Book cover titled “Money on Your Mind: The Psychology Behind Your Financial Habits” by Vicky Reynal, featuring a modern black chaise lounge and a quote review at the top, exploring how emotions like greed shape your financial decisions.
Neuropsych
Unmasking greed: The evolution of a complex and innate desire
From King Midas to Gordon Gekko, humanity has struggled to grasp greed's true nature.
Vicky Reynal
Large hall with rows of hospital beds occupied by patients and attended by medical staff, likely during an early 20th-century medical crisis.
Health
The dangers of keeping epidemiology the “hidden science”
Caitlin Rivers wants to tell the story of epidemiology and the public health heroes who keep the world safe and healthy.
Kevin Dickinson
In a black and white illustration, four cartoon characters stand among poppies, set against a fantasy world backdrop. Overlaid text delves into the 19th-century currency debate, highlighting the clash between "Silverites" and "Goldbugs," merging historical intrigue with imaginative charm.
High Culture
5 beloved fantasy novels based on real history
Many beloved fantasy adventures take place in worlds that bear a striking resemblance to our own.
Scotty Hendricks
Close-up of a blue shoelace with silver aglets, transforming ordinary things into art against a plain background featuring black squiggle and circular sketch marks.
High Culture
9 ordinary things you (probably) didn’t know had fascinating names
Have you ever noticed how many things you interact with but can’t name? So did we.
Scotty Hendricks & Kevin Dickinson
Abstract illustration of a partial human head with geometric shapes and interconnected lines extending from the top.
Neuropsych
5 applied psychology books for everyday life
From flow to emotional intelligence, these insightful books feature actionable advice you can try out today.
Scotty Hendricks
A traditional Japanese painting depicts a woman in a colorful kimono seated on the floor, reading a book beside a small wooden table with scrolls and an ink set.
High Culture
5 brilliant novels told from a side character’s perspective
From Nick Carraway to Charles Marlow, these side characters offered truths their scene-stealing protagonists couldn't.
Scotty Hendricks
A person sits in an armchair at a table engaged in digital reading. The person's face is scribbled over with green lines.
The Present
The loss of deep reading: How digital texts impact kids’ reading comprehension
From Hogwarts to hashtags, kids' reading habits have changed drastically in recent decades — but data suggests cause for hope.
Ross Pomeroy
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