"The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell(01 of12)
Open Image ModalThe king of pop science, Gladwell makes sociological phenomena accessible. The theory behind "The Tipping Point," that trends require a certain amount of followers before blowing up into ubiquity, can be seen in fashion, food and nearly all consumer products. It's one of the most influential marketing books of the last 20 years - just ask a passing Maven.
"The Autobiography of Malcolm X"(02 of12)
Open Image ModalIt's all but impossible to cram the empowering rhetoric of Malcolm X onto the page, but this historical piece comes close, described by The New York Times as "brilliant, painful and important."
"On The Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin(03 of12)
Open Image ModalShowcase your diverse intellectual aptitude with Darwin's pivotal, surprisingly readable classic that changed modern understanding of who and what we might be.
"Arguably" by Christopher Hitchens(04 of12)
Open Image ModalIf Hitchens wasn't well-liked, he was certainly well-respected by anyone who enjoys caustic, vibrant prose. This weighty collection of essays covers such topics as J.K. Rowling, George Orwell and a Darwinian explanation for why women are less funny than men (having read "On The Origin of Species" may come in handy here.)His hilarious and assertive opinions will make for riveting, if inflammatory, conversations over dinner - though a word of warning: any attempts to adopt his often-controversial opinions may be doomed to end with the slightly embarrassed "Well, he argues it better than that."
"Lolita" by Vladimir Nabakov(05 of12)
Open Image ModalThis complex and lyrical tale of attempted empathy, far more complex than the tabloid simplifications its plot, is a less pretentious display choice than the master linguist's lesser-known works. Extra snaps if you can quote the much-loved first paragraph.
"The Elements of Style" by William Strunk, Jr. and E. B. White(06 of12)
Open Image ModalWriter or not, it is never a bad thing to hint at a dislike of improper grammar.
"Midnight's Children" by Salman Rushdie(07 of12)
Open Image Modal"Beloved" by Toni Morrison(08 of12)
Open Image Modal"The Bible"(09 of12)
Open Image Modal"A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn(10 of12)
Open Image ModalThis quintessential chronicle of our country's history is a must-own for anyone who wants to hear very a distinct perspective on American thought.
"The Pale King" by David Foster Wallace(11 of12)
Open Image ModalYes, it's huge. Yes, the fanatics can get annoying. But the late David Foster Wallace, referred to by Esquire as "the unwilling icon," was a fundamentally incredible writer, and it's well worth owning, and dipping into his posthumously published tome. Even if you haven't spent an infinite summer reading "Infinite Jest," the author's final work is in turns funny and intimate, and far more approachable than gloomy liberal arts grads might have you believe.
"The Art Museum" by Phaidon Press(12 of12)
Open Image ModalAt nearly one thousand pages, this book is no space saver, but when you consider the vast coverage of the content, it's pretty compact. Imagining the one perfect museum made up of the best of the world's collections, this is a unique, beautifully printed, gasp-inducing journey through Stone Age relics, medieval manuscripts, Hokusai's woodblock prints, Picasso's political paintings and Pollock's evocative splatterings. Every page contains something to make you stop and stare.