You know what they say: knowledge is power.
Exploring literary realms outside of your course reading list has a load of benefits, from keeping a healthy mind to picking up all-important pub quiz knowledge.
And there are some real treats out there for you to devour.
We’ve teamed up with the keen readers over at Perlego to see what’s hot at the moment. They’re all over the book scene, with 300,000+ titles spanning a huge range of subjects.
And it’s all online, so you can do your bit for the environment AND have convenient collections at your fingertips.
Not sure where to start?
Here’s their list of books to read around your course, which are sure to boost your knowledge on a range of critical issues.
The Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of Mass Unemployment
Worried about your chances in the world of work? This might not put you at ease.
But it will give you an idea of jobs to avoid as the robots steadily take over.
Author Martin Ford investigates the possible implosion of the capitalist economy. And he’s got a point – what are we going to do when we suddenly live in a world we’re not equipped to navigate?
It’s a terrifying thought. But it’s good to get ahead of these things.
Capital in the Twenty-First Century
The way our society is designed perpetuates inequality. There’s a trickle-down effect coming from the top that results in an unfair distribution of opportunities and resources in almost every corner of life.
The economy is one of the main issues, particularly when returns on capital exceed the rate of economic growth.
It’s like a black hole of misery.
The author, Thomas Picketty, has laid the foundations of this debate, successfully setting the agenda for the next school of thought about wealth and inequality.
It affects us all, so it’s something to get clued up on.
The Happiness Project
Looking for happiness? So was Gretchen Rubin.
What began as a passing thought about what Rubin wanted from life eventually became a reality. But this wasn't purely by accident - it required conscious effort on her part.
This New York Times bestseller, credited with launching the Happiness Movement, is a combination of scientific research and wisdom. Happiness Project groups, where people meet to discuss (you guessed it) their happiness projects, have sprung up across the world. That’s something to smile about.
So if you want to make a deliberate effort to be happy and spread positive vibes, why not try out The Happiness Project?
Testosterone Rex: Unmaking the Myths of Our Gendered Minds
The traditional binary of our gendered world is being questioned and dismantled. There’s no better time to learn more about the myths we've been taught to believe since birth, and to think critically about our assumptions.
A lot of people believe biological sex is a fundamental force in human development. But that doesn’t mean it’s true.
Cordelia Fine draws on evolutionary science, psychology, neuroscience, endocrinology and philosophy to debunk this ingrained myth. She calls for a more equal society based on the full potential of humans as individuals.
As our society becomes more fluid, this is your chance to discover the scientific side of things.
Other Minds: The Octopus and the Evolution of Intelligent Life
Do you remember Paul the Octopus, who predicted the World Cup results in 2010? That was weird.
With this interrogation of intelligent life conducted by Peter Godfrey-Smith, an esteemed philosopher of science and a passionate diver, you might be able to comprehend why anyone thought trusting an octopus to predict the future was a good idea.
All joking aside, this is an astonishing piece of literature that explores how nature became self-aware. Going back to where life began - the ocean - prepare yourself for a mind-blowing journey.
Want to nerd out on cool things that aren’t required for your course? Give Perlego a try for free – simply sign up here and get reading!