NON-FICTION STUDY RESOURCES:
What it’s about: MacArthur “genius” grant-winning psychologist, Angela Duckworth, writes about how “grit” - a mixture of passion and long-term perseverance - not IQ or “talent” is the best predictor of success.
Why you should read it: Growing up, I was always the “smart kid” and for a long time I internalised that as my most valuable trait. Reading this book really reframed the way I thought about “success” and “hard work”. For the first time, I realised that how I reacted to failure was far more important than desperately trying to avoid it.
Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise - K. Anders Ericsson
What it’s about: From famous violinists to champion chess players, Swedish psychologist K. Anders Ericsson explores the importance of “deliberate practice” in becoming a master in any field.
Why you should read it: In a similar vein to “Grit”, Ericsson helps to reframe the way we think about nature vs. nurture and “talent”. He also gives some pretty helpful tips on what exactly “deliberate practice” is and how you can apply it.
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning - Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, Mark A. McDaniel
What it’s about: Everyone says “study smart not hard” - but what actually is “studying smart”? “Make It Stick” draws on scientific evidence to present the most effective study techniques for long-term retention.
Why you should read it: The most practically useful book on this list. “Make it Stick” dismisses “fashionable” ideas about studying and highlights evidence-based methods that are proven to yield better results. Would highly recommend for any student.
Breaking Night - Liz Murray
What it’s about: Homeless girl gets into Harvard.
In Order to Live - Yeonmi Park
What it’s about: North Korean girl crosses the Gobi desert, is human trafficked in China and finally finds a home and education in America.
I Am Malala: The Story of a Young Girl Who Stood Up For Education And Was Shot By the Taliban - Malala Yousafzai, Christina Lamb
What it’s about: Girl gets shot in the head by the Taliban for wanting an education. Girl lives and wins the Nobel Peace Prize.
Why you should read these books: Reading memoirs like these is always a little surreal because it feels as if the stories are too incredible to have actually happened. Yet, it’s undeniable that they did. Hearing about these experiences puts into perspective how lucky I am. It motivates me to be more appreciative, and make the most out of what I’ve been given.
What it’s about: From playing in classroom labs in rural Minnesota to opening her own on the shores of Hawaii, Geobiologist Hope Jahren writes about her life-long love affair with science.
Why you should read it: There’s often a clear distinction between “scientific” and “creative” writing, but Jahren writes in a way that blurs the lines beautifully. As a computer scientist, I could care less about dirt and leaves. Yet, the way Jahren describes her craft and interweaves it with personal stories is nothing short of magical.
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