These books will make you more cultured
A crash course in the arts — music, language, architecture, and more.
Published on May 12, 2023
The Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language
Steven PinkerWe use language to find clarity, connection, and empowerment. But how does it actually work? Pinker’s groundbreaking book is a fascinating study of language, including its evolution and how our minds formulate and process it. Humans wouldn’t be where we are today without language. Understand it fully to harness its power.
The Independent15 min read
The 40 Greatest Books To Read Before You Die
Books, books, books. They will increase your lifespan, lower your stress and boost your intelligence. They will give you fuller, thicker hair. Whatever the breathless claims about reading, one thing is certain: losing yourself in a great novel is one
Start here for a healthy dose of literary schooling. This article compiles 40 of the most notable and respected novels ever written, from classics like “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” and “Great Expectations” to more modern works like “Wolf Hall.” The authors have included descriptions of each book so you can choose wisely.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
William ShakespeareIf you aspire to be a master of the classics, read one of the most prolific playwrights in history. Shakespeare’s complete works include comedies, tragedies, histories, romances, and more. Pick and choose a few to read (we recommend “Romeo and Juliet” and “Othello” for Shakespeare novices), or get lost in the entire collection.
World Travel: An Irreverent Guide
Anthony BourdainThe late, great Bourdain continues to deliver his infectious enthusiasm to the wondrous world he left all too soon. There’s no better way to explore new locales and broaden your perspective than with Bourdain’s book, where he bestows his best stories and recommendations culled from a lifetime of exploration.
Fluent in 3 Months: How Anyone at Any Age Can Learn to Speak Any Language from Anywhere in the World
Fluent in 3 Months: How Anyone at Any Age Can Learn to Speak Any Language from Anywhere in the World
Benny LewisLewis, founder of language-learning site “Fluent in 3 Months,” has the tips and techniques to help you learn any language — and speak like a native. This myth-busting and confidence-boosting book is a fresh take on language learning, no grammar drills required. Lewis speaks 10 languages himself, so we’re confident his methods work.
The Wok: Recipes and Techniques
J. Kenji López-AltLopez-Alt, author of “The Food Lab” and columnist for the New York Times, returns with a guide that combines essential cooking techniques alongside a culinary history of the wok. In addition to learning everything you need to know about wok cooking, there are 200 recipes to help you recreate favorite takeout dishes like kung pao chicken, pad Thai, and garlic noodles.
Nobu: A Memoir
Nobu MatsuhisaFrench cuisine has long been the gold standard, but more and more foodies, food critics, and world travelers are recognizing Japan as an icon on the world’s culinary stage. Matsuhisa (“Chef Nobu”) has played a huge role in this evolution thanks to his Japanese fusion restaurants. Learn about Japanese cuisine and culture, plus Matsuhisa’s personal journey to one of the most notable restaurateurs in the world.
Koshersoul: The Faith and Food Journey of an African American Jew
Michael W. TwittyTwitty, a James Beard winner and author of “The Cooking Gene,” explores the intersection of being Black, Jewish, and gay, and how his cultural background informs his passion as a chef. A memoir, history lesson, and cookbook in one, “Koshersoul” offers food for thought on identity and legacy — in the kitchen and beyond.
The Geography of Genius: A Search for the World's Most Creative Places from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley
The Geography of Genius: A Search for the World's Most Creative Places from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley
Eric WeinerThroughout history, select cities have exploded with innovation — changing the trajectory of human culture and capability forever. In “The Geography of Genius,” author Weiner undertakes an exploration of time and place to discover the connection between these locations and the genius that emerged from them. This book is the perfect balance of funny and educational.
Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia
Christina ThompsonLong before European explorers and settlers claimed the likes of Hawaii and New Zealand, these and other Polynesian islands were teeming with culture and innovation. Thompson explores the history of Polynesia and its native cultures — often forgotten in modern history books — including their migration patterns and navigational prowess.
How Paris Became Paris: The Invention of the Modern City
Joan DeJeanIn this captivating book on the history and evolution of one of the world’s most beautiful cities, DeJean shows just how much innovation went into the design of the first modern city — and how those innovations forever changed the world’s view on cityscapes.
Romewalks: Four Intimate Walking Tours of Rome's Most Historic and Enchanting Neighborhoods
Romewalks: Four Intimate Walking Tours of Rome's Most Historic and Enchanting Neighborhoods
Anya M. ShetterlyMonuments and museums steal the limelight, but it’s often the quiet streets and neighborhoods that set cities apart. Like a local guide (or even a friend), Shetterly takes us on a tour of the insider’s Rome, including unique details most guidebooks miss. The included maps and photos make it easy to retrace your steps once you arrive in the Eternal City.
The Future of Architecture in 100 Buildings
Marc KushnerBuildings are more than just utilitarian shelters from the elements, they also tell stories, solve global problems, and instill a sense of wonder. In this clever, insightful book, Kushner uses 100 buildings from across the world to explore the future of architecture — and our future as a whole. Learn how we’re combating climate change, creating communities, and more through innovative design.
The Philosophy of Modern Song
Bob DylanDylan, famed singer-songwriter and Nobel Prize winner, explores the power of music as a means of clarity, reflection, and acceptance. This collection of essays dissects popular songs spanning the decades, including works by Willie Nelson, Cher, The Eagles, and more, along with how they impacted Dylan personally and what they communicate about life and art. “The Philosophy of Modern Song” is meditative in tone and melodic in prose.
Anatomy of a Song: The Oral History of 45 Iconic Hits That Changed Rock, R&B and Pop
Marc MyersYou’ve heard the songs — now hear their origin stories. Myers’ journalism skills shine in this evocative collection of interviews. Discover how classics like “Shout” and “Proud Mary” became the hits they are today, with singers, songwriters, producers, and music executives across all genres offering insiders’ perspectives on what catapulted these songs to fame.
Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions
Francesca T. RoysterRoyster centers the Black experience in country music, which has been overlooked for far too long. This rich history chronicles the Black musicians who created the genre and continue to shape it today, along with the Black fans who’ve loved the music every step along the way. From Tina Turner (whose first solo album was “Tina Turns the Country On!” in 1974) to Valerie June, this eye-opening account will have you listening to, and appreciating, country music at a deeper level.
Broad Strokes: 15 Women Who Made Art and Made History (in That Order)
Bridget QuinnHistory books of yore may lean heavily (if not exclusively) male, but art historian Quinn goes against the grain with “Broad Strokes.” Learn about the women who should have made art history, including their notable works and the challenges that kept them out of the public eye. Quinn takes representation a step further by profiling women from across the globe.
The Great Women Artists
18 podcast episodes
The Great Women Artists
18 podcast episodesDiscover and celebrate more great women artists with this captivating podcast. Host Hessel is an art historian, the creator of @thegreatwomenartists on Instagram, and the author of “The Story of Art Without Men” (Waterstones’ Book of the Year in 2022), so she knows a lot about art. She interviews artists and experts, like Mary Beard and Ali Smith, who share their knowledge and infectious love for the artists you need to know.
African American Arts: Activism, Aesthetics, and Futurity
Sharrell D. LuckettBlack artists and scholars explore the role of African-American art in activism, race relations, politics, and mainstream media in this series of intellectually-stirring essays. Challenging and eye-opening, “African American Arts” studies the intersection of Black artists and the cultural backdrop they create in.
Breakfast with Lucian: The Astounding Life and Outrageous Times of Britain's Great Modern Painter
Breakfast with Lucian: The Astounding Life and Outrageous Times of Britain's Great Modern Painter
Geordie GreigThe talented and complex Lucian Freud was one of Britain’s preeminent painters of the 20th century. He was also extremely private. “Breakfast with Lucian” offers a rare glimpse into the late artist’s life. Greig, who studied Lucian and knew him personally, includes details both extraordinary and scandalous in this portrait of a portraitist.
Read Dangerously: The Subversive Power of Literature in Troubled Times
Azar Nafisi“I really believe that books might not save us from death, but they help us live,” says Azar Nafisi in “Read Dangerously.” Throughout history, fiction has served as a way to combat oppressive forces and help people believe in a better tomorrow. By evoking the wisdom found in the works of James Baldwin, Zora Neale Hurston, and Margaret Atwood, and coupling it with her expert analysis, Nafisi’s excellent collection about the power of fiction ignites a much-needed flicker of hope, especially amid the current alarming increase in attempts to ban books.
Nerd: Adventures in Fandom from This Universe to the Multiverse
Maya PhillipsPhillips, writer and arts critic for The New York Times, offers an entertaining essay collection reminiscing over 1990s pop culture (Saturday morning cartoons, anyone?) and flowing into present day mega universes like Marvel and “Star Wars.” Her sharp observations and cultural criticisms cover the evolution of fandom, lack of diversity in media, and how “nerdy” interests shaped her coming of age.
Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?
Michael J. SandelIf you’re weary of having to staunchly defend a side in political debates, take a deeper look at why many people feel the way they do about issues like immigration reform, same-sex marriage, and abortion with Harvard professor Sandel’s guide to political philosophy.