The books we have picked out here are what we believe to be the very best books that will teach you something new. They vary hugely in genre, so you have plenty of choice as to which you sink your teeth into first. Are you an adult who wants to rediscover their love for dinosaurs? We’ve got you. Are you eager to learn about space? We’ve got you there too.
If you decide that this isn’t enough and you want to read even more, why not add these books to your reading list? We have a book for everyone so what’re you waiting for? Get stuck in.
How to Be Better at Almost Everything by Pat Flynn
A self-help book that might actually help you, How to Be Better at Almost Anything: Learn Anything Quickly, Stack Your Skills, Dominate is a book by Pat Flynn that makes clear that having just one key skill isn’t enough anymore. In his 2019 book, Flynn explains that in this new world we can’t just be masters of one thing anymore, but must be masters of everything we do.
Pay Flynn is a San Diego-based writer and business owner who owns several online businesses and is a professional speaker, blogger, and best-selling author. His book aims to educate us on how we can quickly learn the skills needed to excel in this fast-paced world that expects us to be increasingly multi-faceted and exceptionally highly skilled.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
A man who needs no introduction, Neil deGrasse Tyson is a scientist, astrophysicist, author, and prolific internet and television show presenter. An author of insane pedigree, Tyson has academic degrees from Harvard University, University of Texas, and Columbia University, as well as 20 honorary doctorates from universities and institutes all over the United States.
His 2007 book Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is a collection of science essays that Tyson had published from the previous 20 years in the Natural History magazine. It was so well received that it immediately went to the top of the New York Times list for books in the Non-Fiction Best Seller category. Over the next year, it sold over 1 million copies.
It should come as no surprise but the book was loved by readers and critics alike. Kirkus Reviews, a popular book review magazine, praised Tyson for his wit and his ability to explain complex and often confusing scientific concepts in a way that is understandable to a majority of his audience. This book could be a great way to expand your scientific knowledge.
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Bill Bryson is an American-British author who was born in Iowa but has spent much of his life in the United Kingdom after moving there when he was 22 years old, having decided to stay whilst there on a book tour. Bryson is a prolific author and is widely celebrated, writing over a dozen books in the travel, language, and science genres; a result of his background.
Published back in 2003 and then re-released in 2009, A Short History of Nearly Everything is a science book that uses accessible and easily digestible language that makes it much more appealing than other general science books. This decision to use simpler language paid off, too, with A Short History of Nearly Everything selling over 300,000 copies in the UK in 2005.
The book was much praised by reviewers, with many noting that the book was highly entertaining whilst also being equally informative and well-written, a testament to how good an author Bill Bryson is. In 2004 Bryson won The Aventis Prizes for Science Books award in the science book category while he also won the EU Descartes Prize in 2005.
A Grown-Up Guide to Dinosaurs by Ben Garrod
Ben Garrod is an English biologist and primatologist who is currently working as a professor of Evolutionary Biology at UEA (University of East Anglia). Garrod has a keen interest in conservation work, and so his involvement with writing and education makes a lot of sense. He first started his career in broadcasting in 2014 when he filmed a series on BBC 4.
This book, A Grown-Up Guide to Dinosaurs, was released back in 2019 and was well received by Garrod’s audience. It aims to rekindle the love that most of us had for dinosaurs when we were children that just fizzled away, for one reason or another. Garrod makes clear that for the majority that didn’t become paleontologists, dinosaurs are just as mystical as dragons.
Garrod is careful not to be condescending while at the same time making the information digestible for an audience who most likely hasn’t given much thought to dinosaurs since they were young. Reviewers praised Garrod for going into great depth without coming across as being “nerdy”, and that sounds like excellent praise. What more could you ask for?
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman is a highly celebrated author who has written books for both adults and children over the span of his career. He is highly decorated with The Graveyard Book winning both the Carnegie and Newbery awards, making him the first author to do so. His 2016 book The Sleeper and the Spindle won the Kate Greenaway award while American Gods is now on TV.
This book, Norse Mythology, was released back in 2017 and is a retelling of numerous tales from Norse mythology in a way that is more accessible for modern audiences. The book was well-received by critics upon release, with many praising his characterization. Gaiman was also praised for the way in which he shone a light on some of the lesser-known Norse tales.
Shortly after its release, Gaiman released an audiobook with narration that the New York Times described as “seductive”. The book was so well received that on Boxing Day in 2018, BBC Radio 4 aired a 90-minute adaptation that featured the likes of Colin Morgan, Natalie Dormer, and Diana Rigg. The book is currently being released as a comic book too.
These are just some of our favorite books out there that can teach you something new. What are your suggestions?
