Does reading make you smarter?

Of course, I answer with an emphatic YES! And not just because I’m a book person. Reading makes you smarter because it increases the connectivity in your brain, forging new pathways to make your brain even stronger.

While I think all reading has its benefits, if you are looking for books that will make you smarter, these easy-to-read nonfiction books are a great starting point.

From books on science to intellectual books about the universe or just books that make you think differently, I’ve compiled my list of the best books to make you smarter.

A Short History of Nearly Everything

BILL BRYSON

If you are looking for books that make you smarter, your first stop should be Bill Bryson’s easy-to-read tome covering … well, nearly everything. In his quest to expand his knowledge, Bryson sets out to interview and study with some of the greatest minds. Covering the big bang theory, the rise of civilization, and everything in between, Bryson’s humorous adventures into the depths of human knowledge is one not to miss.

Brief Answers to the Big Questions

STEPHEN HAWKING

Considered one of the greatest minds of our time, Stephen Hawking was working on a final project when he died: answers to all the “big” questions in life. Giving his thoughts on the biggest challenges facing mankind, Hawking uses his dry wit to give the reader a basic understanding of complex topics.

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON

I love how Neil deGrasse Tyson carefully labeled his book as Astrophysics for People in a Hurry instead of “Astrophysics explained to the ignorant layman,” which is what I would have called it. Just so you are aware, even though this book is tiny, it is not a quick read. Although Tyson does an excellent job bringing the topic down to a beginner’s level, the concepts are so deep that it takes some thought to wrap your head around everything. A great primer on a fascinating subject, Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is one of the best books that will make you smarter and a must-read for all the science lovers out there.

what If?

RANDALL MUNROE

What if your cells suddenly stopped dividing? What if everyone only had one soulmate? Randall Munroe, the creator of the comic xkcd, answers all the not-so-important questions in life, using humor and a whole lot of science. An enjoyable read, What If? is a book that will make you smarter … but not necessarily wiser.

Brainiac

KEN JENNINGS

In 2004, Ken Jennings won 74 consecutive games of the trivia show Jeopardy!, a record that still stands today. In Brainiac, Jennings shares his journey to becoming trivia king as well as his explorations into the world of trivia buffs. From college quiz bowls to Boston pubs, Jennings parses out what makes trivia so much more than just meaningless facts.

Smarter Faster Better

CHARLES DUHIGG

Do you want to make smarter decisions quicker? Journalist Charles Duhigg focuses on eight key productivity concepts that will help you become smarter and illustrates them with fascinating anecdotes and interesting statistics. You’ll learn how to find motivation, set goals, make decisions, and manage others in his bestselling book.

Thinking, Fast and Slow

DANIEL KAHNEMAN

If you really want to study books which make you smarter, you can’t go wrong learning how the mind works. In his groundbreaking work, Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel winner in economics, explains the two systems your mind uses. He shows the advantages and pitfalls of thinking fast, with emotion and intuition, versus thinking slow, with deliberation and logic. Learning to balance these two systems will help you improve your decision-making process.

Blink

MALCOLM GLADWELL

In Blink, Malcolm Gladwell dives into those choices we make without thinking – the split-second decisions that can have lasting consequences. With fascinating anecdotes, such as experts who can spot a fake in a glance and why New Coke was such a failure, Gladwell will make you rethink how you think.

Speed Reading

KAM KNIGHT

When looking for books to read to get smarter, why not try a book that will help you read faster? Kam Knight explains the tools and tricks you need to begin speed reading. With short chapters and practice exercises, Knight teaches you how to retrain your brain to read faster without sacrificing your reading comprehension.

Atomic Habits

JAMES CLEAR

One trick to becoming “smarter” is to establish solid habits that increase your knowledge. In Atomic Habits, Clear outlines in detail the steps you can take to build good habits and break bad ones. With excellent insights and workable tips, Clear’s methodology will allow you to design your habits to improve your life.