Books

Big Think Home
A close up of a woman reading a book.
The word "BOOKS" is shown in large white letters, with the two O's replaced by an open-book graphic on a light gray background.
Where books open worlds.
Follow on Substack

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.

with

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.

Full Profile
A man with short gray hair and wearing a plaid shirt is seated at a wooden table in a dimly lit restaurant, smiling at the camera.
Long before FIFA, these brutal folk games gave birth to soccer
Soccer emerged from chaotic folk games, elite school rivalries, and evolving rules that transformed a rough pastime into the beautiful game.

by Brian D. Bunk

Book cover of "The Shortest History of Soccer" by Brian D. Bunk, featuring a green background, white and yellow text, and a soccer ball illustration at the bottom—perfect for those curious about the origin of soccer.
Everything Articles
Microscopic view of green cyanobacteria chains forming spiral and linear patterns against a dark background, highlighting their role within the microbiome.
Books
Why your microbiome may matter more than DNA for your lifelong health
In "The Microbiome Master Key," Brett and Jessica Finlay argue that we need to stop waging war on all germs and start working with the microbes that make us who we are.
Jasna Hodžić
A young armored man consults an elderly bearded man holding a key and a staff, both seated and looking at an open book, as if exploring how stories teach philosophy.
Big Think Books
5 stories that teach you philosophy (better than some philosophy books)
Want to study philosophy but skip some of its heavier tomes? These five novels are a great place to start. (Existential despair guaranteed.)
Scotty Hendricks
A green skull in the background appears to stare through a glass of champagne centered in the foreground, evoking Agatha Christie poisons, all set against a black backdrop.
Big Think Books
Murder, she measured: The impressive science behind Agatha Christie’s poisons
Kathryn Harkup, chemist and author of V Is for Venom, joins Big Think to discuss why Christie isn’t just a brilliant writer but a unique science communicator.
Kevin Dickinson
Two women in historical clothing sit outdoors, one holding a book while the other leans in, both appearing to read together near a tree.
Big Think Books
Deep listening: The 8 steps to revitalize any conversation
Most of us think we're good listeners, but we're wrong — and it's ruining our relationships.
Emily Kasriel
Krel and Hana Koecher celebrate with StB colleagues after returning to the Eastern Bloc.
Big Think Books
Operation TRIGON: How a rookie spy helped change the world of espionage
In this excerpt from "Agents of Change," Christina Hillsberg tells the story of Martha “Marti” Peterson, the first female case officer stationed in Soviet Moscow.
Christina Hillsberg
Book cover of "The Gift of Not Belonging" by Rami Kaminski, featuring one blue chameleon—an Otrovert—on a branch above five green chameleons on a branch below.
Big Think Books
“Otroverts” and why nonconformists often see what others can’t
In "The Gift of Not Belonging," Rami Kaminski explains why group consensus may hinder the original thinkers who help advance society.
Rami Kaminski
A man in a suit looks at the camera with a neutral expression, set against a light green background with abstract black scribble accents.
Big Think Books
John le Carré’s son joins the Circus with his new book
With "Karla's Choice," Nick Harkaway had an impossible mission: maintain his father’s legacy while staying true to his voice.
Kevin Dickinson
A woman, resembling a paranormal investigator, holds a rectangular glass dish above her eyes, which are illuminated by light shining through the dish in a dark setting.
Big Think Books
Why don’t Americans trust experts? Just ask a paranormal investigator.
For his new book, “The Ghost Lab,” Matt Hongoltz-Hetling spent time with paranormal investigators to understand their relationship with science and society.
Ross Pomeroy
A white dinosaur skull silhouette on a black background with red, rough, scribbled lines evokes the intrigue of the dinosaur myth.
Big Think Books
A Mesozoic myth: Dinosaurs didn’t rule the Earth like we think
In "The Shortest History of the Dinosaurs," Riley Black reveals the bold mammals that thrived in the Age of Reptiles.
Riley Black
A man in glasses and a suit jacket, resembling John Green, stands in front of a light background with a purple rectangle and abstract black lines.
Books
‘Everything is Tuberculosis’ author John Green on writing, anxiety, and illness
John Green opens up about his struggle to remain hopeful while writing about suffering and injustice.
Tim Brinkhof
Book cover with a gray textured background, featuring the title "DE KAI RAISING AI" and the subtitle "An essential guide to raising AI and parenting our future," all in white capital letters.
Big Think Books
Why AI today is more toddler than Terminator
In "Raising AI," De Kai argues that today's AIs are already more like us than we think they are.
De Kai
Silhouette of a person carrying a cross in front of the United States Capitol building, symbolizing cross purposes between faith and politics.
Big Think Books
The price of Christianity’s “broken bargain” with democracy
An atheist's case for why American democracy needs a more Christlike Christianity.
Stephen Johnson
A classical painting of the historical Jesus carrying a cross, with his face obscured by white scribble marks.
Big Think Books
Why historians can only give Jesus a one-sentence biography
The Gospels aren’t historical biographies but genre-defining works that blend myth, theology, and a promise of hope.
Kevin Dickinson
A photograph of an ancient manuscript with Greek text, displayed on a plain background with abstract purple lines drawn around the edges.
Big Think Books
From Gnosticism to Gospel Manga: 6 books to help you unpack the Bible and its history
Experts and Big Think writers recommend their favorite reads for diving deeper into the history and perspectives found in the Book of Books.
Scotty Hendricks & Kevin Dickinson
A man sits with his head resting on his hand, surrounded by crossed-out words like "nonsense," "babble," and "rubbish" in red text.
The Learning Curve
Stephen King’s most misused piece of writing advice
A thesaurus isn’t for finding fancy words; it’s a resource to help you keep your rhythm.
Kevin Dickinson
Book cover for "Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global" by Laura Spinney, featuring contour lines on a beige background, explores the journey of this killer language that reshaped communication worldwide.
Books
Is English a “killer” language — or is it dying?
English could settle into a state of "diglossia" where a gulf exists between the written form and its spoken varieties, but the two are bound into a single tongue.
Laura Spinney
Book cover of "The Never Ending Empire" by Aldo Cazzullo, featuring gold text on a red background with an eagle, SPQR emblem, and nods to the Roman Empire’s influence on British culture. Subtext: The Infinite Impact of Ancient Rome.
Books
The Empire reflects back: Rome’s lasting influence on British culture
From medieval myths to Shakespeare's plays and modern cinema, British culture kept the Roman Empire alive long after its fall.
Aldo Cazzullo
Book cover for "The Creativity Choice" by Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, PhD, featuring a yellow abstract design and a subtitle about decision-making and creativity on a blue background—offering inspiration to find your passion.
Books
The passion trap: The misguided advice that limits creativity and drives burnout
Nurture your passions instead.
Zorana Ivcevic Pringle
Man in a dark shirt smiling against a purple background with black scribbles and a white rectangle, reminiscent of "The Year of Living Biblically," embracing the chaos with serene humor.
Books
What happens when you follow the Bible literally for a whole year?
A.J. Jacobs looks back at what he learned about religion, himself, and modern American culture during “The Year of Living Biblically.”
Tim Brinkhof
A man wearing a beanie and dark clothing sits with one arm resting on his knee, inside a blue rectangular frame on a light background with abstract lines, embodying the cool, thoughtful vibe of King Willonius.
Books
The 6 books that changed King Willonius’ life
The comedian and musician behind the viral hit “BBL Drizzy” shares the books that shaped his thinking and approach to art.
Big Think+
Learn from the world’s biggest thinkers.
© Copyright 2007-2026 & BIG THINK, BIG THINK PLUS, SMARTER FASTER trademarks owned by Freethink Media, Inc. All rights reserved.