this post was submitted on 08 Apr 2025
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Books

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Preferably:

Available on Libby

Nonfiction

Not a biography/autobiography

Not a self help book or pop phychology

The narrator isn't annoying/breathy

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[–] dandelion@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

not familiar enough with libby or the narrators, but here are some fun non-fiction books that aren't biographies, pop psychology, or self-help, but which might have general appeal:

  • almost anything by Bill Bryson, e.g. At Home, A Walk in the Woods, A Short History of Nearly Everything, basically just science writing at its best
  • 1491 and 1493 by Charles C. Mann, which debunks a lot of the common myths about Columbus, indigenous Americans, and American colonialism. Excellently written, these are enjoyable as well as informative.
  • anything by Michael Pollan (I personally find him repulsive in his mindset, but he's well liked by others): The Botany of Desire, The Omnivore's Dilemma, and How to Change Your Mind are all well received

less likely to have general appeal, but which I enjoyed and found important personally:

  • The Management Myth by Matthew Stewart, a critique of business and management philosophy. I had no idea MBAs were some of the least successful at running businesses and that philosophy majors were some of the most successful - eye opening and particularly relevant if you've ever worked an office job.
  • Disciplined Minds by Jeff Schmidt, a physicist who was fired for writing this book which critiqued the academy for the way it socializes professionals
  • A Mathematician's Lament by Paul Lockhart, this book radically changed my view of mathematics as a discipline and unlocked for me me ways to approach math in a way that was enjoyable and productive
[–] GreyShuck@feddit.uk 4 points 2 weeks ago

1177 B.C. The Year Civilisation Collapsed- Eric H Cline. I think that meets your criteria - although 'narrator isn't annoying' is obviously wildly subjective. I listened a while back and found it very interesting. I will be listening to After 1177 B.C. sometime soon.

[–] mholiv@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I would recommend „Paper : paging through history“ by Mark Kurlansky or his other books on Salt or Cod.

They may sound boring at first glance but they’re very interesting and informative.

[–] GrumpyDuckling@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks! I'm on the waiting list on libby.

[–] Elextra@literature.cafe 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] Devmapall@lemm.ee 3 points 2 weeks ago

Mary Roach is such a fantastic writer and picks really interesting topics

[–] Owell1984@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] GrumpyDuckling@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago

I'm living it

[–] tacocatgoat@lemmy.world -3 points 2 weeks ago

Too many filters, too much brain work for someone that I don’t know, I don’t care and is not paying me.