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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.

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.

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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.
Pompeii wasn’t frozen in time. Its lost voices are still speaking to us.
Historian Jess Venner discusses how “critical fabulation” can help reveal the lived experiences of Pompeii’s voiceless residents.

by Tim Brinkhof

Ancient wall fresco depicting a standing human figure, surrounded by red, green, and brown decorative panels—an evocative remnant bearing the marks of history’s lost voices and the passage of time.
Everything Articles
Abstract black and white image of two figures embracing, with swirling line patterns and contrasting shadows evoking a textured effect that subtly hints at negative emotions.
Neuropsych
Embrace your dark side: A new perspective on negative emotions
Ethan Kross, psychologist and author of "Shift," explains how negative emotions help us live safely and well.
Kevin Dickinson
A hand writes on a piece of paper over an open book, next to Nathan Thrall's evocative orange-toned illustration of a face with a tear.
High Culture
Nathan Thrall on how to immerse readers in nonfiction writing
“The only requisite for nonfiction is that it’s true," says Nathan Thrall, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book "A Day in the Life of Abed Salama."
Tim Brinkhof
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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