What to Read in Winter: TED Speaker Tips

Non-fiction

“The mistakes that were made (but not by me). Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs ", Carol Tevris and Elliot Aronson

This book explains the phenomenon of self-justification, when we make a mistake, but we compose a legend that frees us from responsibility. Its authors, social psychologists Carol Tevris and Elliot Aronson, analyze this property of the psyche and teach to recognize and stop self-justification in order to avoid immoral acts.

Tavris and Aronson brilliantly show the reader how to detect cognitive dissonance in their actions in order to make the right decisions and improve relationships.

Kelly Richmond Pope

Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

This is the real story of how an amateur rowing team from the United States won the gold medal at the 1936 Olympics, which was an attempt by Hitlerite Germany to prove to everyone the superiority of the Aryan race. A touching, sometimes funny, but very motivating story.

Walks in the Woods by Bill Bryson

One day Bill Bryson decided that his life had become too boring. Then he set off on a journey along the Apache Trail 3,379 kilometers long. Here Bill encountered bears, wild boars, lack of water and food, but his story about it was surprisingly funny and inspiring for new adventures.

"Sapiens. A Brief History of Humanity ", Yuval Noah Harari

Even 100 thousand years ago, at least six human species lived on earth, and Homo sapiens was not the most remarkable among them. But 70 thousand years ago, his cognitive abilities somehow changed - and he conquered the planet. Yuval Noah Harari in his book tells how Homo sapiens subjugated the world and our history developed. The book contains answers to many questions: why did money appear, how did religions arise, why women were always ranked lower than men.

From it you will learn how minor details of the past affect human behavior in the present and what awaits us in the future.

"Alibaba. The history of world ascent from the first person ", Duncan Clarke

This book is a real revelation from Jack Ma, who in just 10 years created the Alibaba Group, which now includes AliExpress, Alibaba, Taobao and other subsidiaries. In 2014, his company's shares reached $ 25 billion. And Jack started out as a simple English teacher in China.

Ma's pleasant personality makes the book very inspiring and engaging, and also provides interesting insights into how he managed to create one of the most valuable companies in China and the world.

Pierre Barrot

“Magic cleaning. The Japanese art of putting things in order at home and in life ", Marie Kondo

This book will teach you a method that will allow you to clean up once and never do a spring cleaning again. It is about order not only in the house, but also in the head. After reading, you will get rid of chaos, become more productive and stop depending on material things. The book contains a lot of both general guidelines and specific step-by-step advice, for example, how to fold things or avoid clutter.

“Innovators. How a few geniuses, hackers and geeks made the digital revolution”, Walter Isaacson

This story of the digital revolution follows Ada Lovelace, Vannevar Bush, Alan Turing, Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs and Larry Page. Perhaps it is thanks to these people that the Internet, smartphones, Lifehacker and our article exist.

Feynman Lectures on Physics, Richard Feynman

The physics lecture book looks strange on this list only to those who have never read Feynman. His amazing language, humor and ability to explain anything in simple language make the book fascinating and understandable even for people with a "humanitarian" mindset.

In general, Feynman has a lot of lectures, but we chose a collection for beginners. After that, it will be possible to proceed to others in order to dive deeper into the world of modern physics.

“I mean hawk”, Helen MacDonald

This autobiographical book tells how Helen MacDonald tried to cope with the loss of her father by raising a goshawk. A woman and a bird of prey together comprehend the beauty of the world around them, resign themselves to grief and learn to live on.

A beautifully written memoir, a mixture of philosophy and a poignant story about the training of a domestic hawk. A great gift for someone, especially a bird of prey lover.

Jan Firth

“Blue dot. The Cosmic Future of Humanity ", Carl Sagan

This inspiring book tells about the most important discoveries of mankind, about space and other planets. It is imbued with the philosophy of love, admiration and the desire to protect our planet, so tiny in the scale of the universe.

The earth, this place we call our home, is just a tiny spot in the vastness of space, and the book shows us that the little pale blue dot we live in is a dot full of life and love.

Lina Mariet Hoyos

Runner with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

All books on the list are universal, but this one is more for women. It teaches a connection with the inner feminine power that we have lost in the modern world, and helps to live more consciously. The book reveals in detail the female archetypes from fairy tales, starting with "Bluebeard" and ending with "Match Girl", and psychology is closely intertwined with philosophy, parables and practical techniques that will help every woman to become herself.

Great Daring by Brené Brown

This book is not just a TED Speaker Recommended - it is also written by a TED Speaker. In her video The Power of Vulnerability, Brené Brown shares how our ability to love and empathize makes us stronger. And in her book she continues this theme. Teaches us to be strong, successful and happy, relying on our own vulnerability and imperfection.

“Book of Joy. How to be happy in a changing world ", Dalai Lama XIV

If there is any authority in the world on happiness, it is the Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama. This book is a recording of his dialogue with the Archbishop of Cape Town Desmond Tutu. It will take you to a meeting of two of the greatest spiritual leaders of our time, who will tell you how to become truly happy.

This book teaches that our happiness is inextricably linked to the happiness of others. True happiness is when we work hard, internally and externally, to make it a reality for all of us.

Rola Hallam

Fiction

Dirk Gently Detective Agency, Douglas Adams

Douglas Adams is better known for his book "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", but his work "Dirk Gently's Detective Agency" is no less original and funny. It tells the story of a somewhat insane detective who seeks and finds connections between completely unrelated things, solves unsolvable riddles and uncovers crimes that are beyond the power of ordinary people.

By the way, there are two more little-known series: "Dirk Gently" is strictly according to the book, and "Dirk Gently's Detective Agency" is a more free interpretation, retaining only the main idea. Both series are not finished and closed, but it will be interesting to watch them after reading the book.

The Worcester Family Honor by Pelam Grenville Woodhouse

Woodhouse is not a deep writer, but he made his readers happy. The entire Jeeves & Worcester series is worth reading, but Worcester Family Honor is definitely the best. She will make you laugh and wonder at the incredible plot twists of a simple story about the theft of an antique cream jug.

Jonathan Livingston The Seagull by Richard Bach

This short classic novel follows a seagull that learned to fly. But in fact, it is not about a bird, but about each of us, about self-improvement, creativity and true freedom.

If you think that you do not know where to go, that you are lost, broken, or have forgotten how to dream - check out this book. And if you have already read it a few years ago - reread it, you will definitely discover a lot of new things.

"From the Earth to the Moon in a direct way in 97 hours and 20 minutes", Jules Verne

Jules Verne was a science fiction writer even before the science fiction genre existed. His novel "From Earth to the Moon" immerses you in incredible events - the organization of the world's first space expedition in a cannonball.

This book has everything you need to inspire: curiosity, challenge, impossible travel, faith in scientific knowledge, and unwavering courage. I read this book when I was 12 years old and it really inspired me to search for the stars.

Fabio Pacucci

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

You have most likely heard of this book. Now is the time to read it. The path of the shepherd Santiago to the treasure is the path of each of us to our dreams. "Alchemist" teaches to overcome fears and doubts, and even though many consider him frivolous - he influenced many people and continues to lead them to their goal.

The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery

This book is considered a child's book, but try reading it now that you are older. You will discover the amazing facets of the story of love, friendship, beauty and goodness. If you feel that you have lost the unique children's view of the world, then you definitely need to immerse yourself in the story of the little prince once again.

7 tips to read in original language and stay motivated

Foreign literature, of course, is better to read in the original - this way the author's thought will be available to you directly, in the original and more precise expression. We will show you how to make the process of reading in a foreign language as simple and enjoyable as possible

How to read profitably: 6 tips from successful people

The benefits of reading are undeniable. Lifehacker has compiled a list of recommendations based on the statements of the most successful people in the world that will make reading more effective

How to Prepare for a Public Speech: 8 Tips from a GitHub Speaker

"Imagine the audience naked" is idiotic advice. It is simple, but rarely works. We've picked eight of the best tips from a GitHub employee who has spoken at dozens of conferences and is willing to share his experience. Recently we came across a service.