The bookshelf · 1000 books

Big books, distilled❦

The world's best non-fiction, re-told in our own words — a handful of ideas per book, minutes per idea. Read the summary, then buy the ones that deserve your shelf.

Parasite RexCarl Zimmer9 ideas · 9 min Paper: Paging Through HistoryMark Kurlansky9 ideas · 9 min Pale Blue DotCarl Sagan9 ideas · 9 min Packing for MarsMary Roach8 ideas · 8 min PacificSimon Winchester8 ideas · 8 min OxygenNick Lane10 ideas · 10 min Over the Edge of the WorldLaurence Bergreen8 ideas · 8 min OutlivePeter Attia10 ideas · 10 min OutliersMalcolm Gladwell10 ideas · 10 min Our Band Could Be Your LifeMichael Azerrad9 ideas · 9 min OriginalsAdam Grant10 ideas · 10 min OrientalismEdward W. Said9 ideas · 9 min Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding JoySheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant10 ideas · 10 min Opening Skinner's BoxLauren Slater9 ideas · 9 min One Up On Wall StreetPeter Lynch10 ideas · 10 min One Summer: America 1927Bill Bryson8 ideas · 8 min On WritingStephen King10 ideas · 10 min On Writing WellWilliam Zinsser10 ideas · 10 min On TyrannyTimothy Snyder9 ideas · 9 min On the Shortness of LifeSeneca8 ideas · 8 min On the MapSimon Garfield10 ideas · 10 min On the Genealogy of MoralsFriedrich Nietzsche9 ideas · 9 min On PhotographySusan Sontag8 ideas · 8 min On LookingAlexandra Horowitz9 ideas · 9 min