BY JESSICA STILLMAN, CONTRIBUTOR, INC.COM

@ENTRYLEVELREBEL

25 Books by TED Speakers That Will ExpandYour Mind This Summer

Thanks to Covid, many of us have had tonarrow our focus to just getting ourselves, our families, and our businessesthrough the next week or month (or even, on bad days, just the next Zoom call).

But while the pandemic is far from overglobally, in America we are starting to lift our heads, survey the world aroundus, and wonder what comes next. If that sounds like you and you're ready toexpand your mind and start dreaming big again, then the folks behind popularlecture series TED have some reading suggestions for you.

The TED Ideas blog recently rounded up newbooks by popular TED speakers that are guaranteed to serve up new ideas torefresh your thinking this summer. Here are some from the list that are mostrelevant to Inc.com readers. (I removed niche topics like dealing withmenopause or advice for college kids, though check out the complete list ifyou're looking for more specialized suggestions.)  

1.《The Handshake》 by Ella Al-Shamahi

You probably never thought much about thehandshake until the pandemic, but since the coronavirus upended our lives manyof us have become hyper aware of the potentially germ-spreading custom. TheHandshake, by paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi, explores its millennia-longhistory across the globe.

2. 《Whole Brain Living》by Jill Bolte-Taylor

Jill Bolte-Taylor understands the marvelousstrangeness of the human brain both academically and experientially -- she's aneuroscientist and the survivor of a massive stroke that left her unable tomove or speak but filled her with euphoria. In her book, she tells her storyand discusses how better understanding your own brain can lead to a wiser,happier life.

3. 《You Are Your Best Thing》by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown

A collection of essays on the experienceand impact of racism edited by founder of #MeToo and the famed vulnerabilityresearcher and TED star, You Are Your Best Thing explores the lived experienceof injustice and digs into the trauma, shame, healing, and hope experienced bydiverse Black Americans.

4. 《Leading From Anywhere》by David Burkus

This book from organizational psychologistDavid Burkus sounds incredibly timely. It offers "research-based insightsabout how organizations can grow and keep their employees happy and motivated,even when we're all online," TED Ideas explains.

5. 《Remember》by Lisa Genova

This reassuring read from neuroscientistLisa Genova digs into the science of memory and explains why small memoryslips, like forgetting where you parked your car, are more likely a sign of awell-functioning brain than early dementia.

6.《Women and Leadership》 by Julia Gillard and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

For this book, the powerhouse authorial duo(Gillard was Australia's first female prime minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala isdirector general of the WTO) interviewed eight remarkable female leaders, fromNew Zealand's Jacinda Arden to Hillary Clinton, about the barriers to femaleempowerment and what we should do to overcome them.

7. 《Think Again》by Adam Grant

The latest book from star Wharton professorAdam Grant argues for embracing doubt and thinking like a scientist, as well asoffering tips for those who would like to be more curious, humble, andopen-minded in their thinking. My Inc.com colleague Lindsay Blakely wrote up asneak preview.

8. 《The Data Detective》by Tim Harford

Our data-driven world is making statisticalliteracy ever more important. In The Data Detective, economist Tim Harfordoffers 10 simple rules to help you better understand and use all the numbersthat surround you. Again, a quick sneak peak is available here on Inc.com ifyou're trying to decide if this book is for you.

9. 《The Lonely Century》by Noreena Hertz

Research shows that loneliness can be asbad for you as a pack-a-day smoking habit. It also suggests we're currently inthe midst of a loneliness epidemic. In this book, academic Noreena Hertzsuggests ways to counteract our disconnection and form stronger communities.

10. 《Professional Troublemaker》by Luvvie Ajayi Jones

"This book is a middle finger up tofear," declares writer Luvvie Ajayi Jones. "You'll read, you'll laugh-- and you'll leave feeling inspired to cause some trouble of your own,"promises TED Ideas of Professional Troublemaker.

11. 《Extra Life》by Steven Johnson

In 1880, life expectancy in wealthycountries was just 40 years. Now it's around 80. What happened to make thatextraordinary progress possible? That's the topic of the latest book byrespected science writer Steven Johnson. For a preview, check out This New YorkTimes Magazine article by the author.

12. 《Noise》by Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony, and Cass R. Sunstein

This much-chattered-about book from anall-star writing team, including a Harvard professor and a Nobel Laureate, digsinto a common flaw that messes up our decision making and offers tips to helpreaders make smarter choices.

13. 《Dusk, Night, Dawn》by Anne Lamott

The essays in this latest book from thebeloved writer take on everything from being a first time newlywed at age 65 toCalifornia's wildfires and the Trump presidency.

14.《You're Invited》 by Jon Levy

"What did 1960's white, self-described'formerly fat housewife' Jean Nidetch, the founder of Weight WatchersInternational, have in common with Black 19th-century formerly enslavedabolitionists Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas and Sojourner Truth? All ofthem were able to catalyze lasting change as a result of the connections theyhad forged with other people," claims TED Ideas. This book from businessprofessor Jon Levy explains how to build your influence too.

15. 《The Sum of Us》by Heather McGhee

Some Americans fear that social justice isa zero-sum game -- what one group gains another must lose. This book is policyanalyst Heather McGhee's argument against that way of thinking, offeringsuggestions for how we can create a society that is equitable and prosperousfor all.

16.《Wild Souls》 by Emma Marris

Thanks to human activity, we are now in themidst of the sixth extinction with earth losing species at an alarming rate. InWild Souls environmental journalist Emma Marris explores what we can do to haltthis catastrophe.

17.《A World Without Email》 by Cal Newport

As of 2019, the average professionalreceived 120 emails a day (and that's not even considering Slack, Zoom, and allthe rest). In A World Without Email computer science professor Cal Newportargues that amounts to a productivity disaster and offers alternative ways towork.  

18. 《The Extended Mind》by Annie Murphy Paul

"Science writer Annie Murphy Paul usesresearch to explore and explain how we can increase our knowledge andunderstanding by using our physical movements, the space that surrounds us andthe minds of others around us, rather than relying solely on our ownbrains," says TED Ideas of The Extended Mind.  

19. 《This Is Your Mind on Plants》by Michael Pollan

In this book, journalist Michael Pollanoffers a deep dive into how three plant-derived substances -- opium, caffeineand mescaline -- have changed the world. "A perfect read to accompany amorning cup of coffee or tea," claims TED Ideas.

20.《No One Succeeds Alone》 by Robert Reffkin

In No One Succeeds Alone, entrepreneurRobert Reffkin shares his secrets for building relationships with those fromvery different backgrounds, as well as dispensing advice on overcoming yourfears to achieve your goals.

21. 《Futureproof》by Kevin Roose

Forget worrying whether a robot will stealyour job. In Futureproof, tech journalist Kevin Roose argues we should insteadcalm down and focus on how best to work productively together with artificialintelligence.  

22. 《Finding the Mother Tree》by Suzanne Simard

In this book, ecologist Suzanne Simard"compares the forest floor to a human brain's neural network,"explains TED Ideas. "Simard's discoveries are not only awe-inspiring, butthey also challenge assumptions of how to preserve forests and what we can doto create a more sustainable future."

23. 《The Empathy Diaries》by Sherry Turkle

In The Empathy Diaries, MIT professorSherry Turkle takes a less academic, more personal approach to investigatingthe role of empathy in our lives. In this memoir, Turkle traces the impact onher life of her relationships with two men who lacked the quality.  

24. 《As a Woman》by Paula Stone Williams

As a Woman offers a candid, eye-openingaccount of a remarkable life. Paula Stone Williams came out as transgenderwhile serving as pastor at an evangelical church. This memoir details herostracism, transition, and what she learned about the differences in howsociety treats men and women.

25. 《You Are What You Risk》by Michele Wucker

In this book, policy analyst Michele Wuckerwalks readers through identifying their own "personal riskfingerprint," or attitude and appetite for risk, so they make betterdecisions about personal, professional and financial risk in their own lives.