I will never be an expert in any of the subjects these books explore. That’s part of what makes these books so interesting — they let me into their secret worlds and change the way I think about things I encounter every day. They remind me of what’s so wonderful about being a human: that we share the world with so many incredible creatures, places, and materials, and that sometimes, we make pretty cool things, too. Many of the books on this list are pure fun. Some of them tackle big themes — race, culture, colonization, environmental destruction, the history of science. But all of them hone in on the specific. I guarantee that every one of them will teach you something new that will totally blow your mind. If you’re looking for more deep dives into the ordinary wonders (and terrors) of the world, check out these fantastic books about bees, and these books about the history of women’s writing. You might find something that peaks your interest on this list of the best science books of all time, or in this roundup of nonfiction books about weird jobs.
