Skip to content

College Reading

Essential textbooks and assigned reading for college, organized by subject. Whether you're cramming for finals or building your shelf, Jim's got you covered.

Biology

Biology Reading List

From cells to ecosystems, these are the books that biology students need on their shelves. Jim's picks cover the core textbook plus fascinating reads that'll make you see the living world differently.

9 books
Computer Science

Computer Science Essentials

The foundational textbooks and must-reads for any CS major. From algorithms to programming paradigms, these books will turn you into a real computer scientist — not just someone who can Google Stack Overflow answers.

9 books
Economics

Economics Reading List

From supply and demand to the hidden side of everything, these are the books that every econ student needs. Jim's picks include the standard textbook plus the fun stuff that makes economics feel less like homework.

8 books
English Literature

English Literature Classics

The novels that every English major will read (and write papers about) at least twice. These are the books that define the literary canon and show up on every college syllabus for a reason — they're just that good.

20 books
History

History Essentials

From ancient Rome to the American Revolution, these are the history books that make the past feel alive. No dry textbooks here — just brilliant storytelling that'll make you understand why the world is the way it is.

10 books
Mathematics

Mathematics Essentials

The textbooks that will make or break your math career. Whether you're grinding through Calc I or diving into proofs, these are the books that math students swear by (and sometimes swear at).

10 books
Philosophy

Philosophy Essentials

From ancient Greek thought to modern existentialism — the books that teach you how to think about thinking. Whether you're wrestling with ethics, questioning reality, or just trying to figure out what it all means, start here.

7 books
Physics

Physics Essentials

The books that make physics click — from Feynman's legendary lectures to Hawking's cosmic tour. Whether you're a physics major or just curious about how the universe works, these reads will light up your brain like a particle accelerator.

8 books
Political Science

Political Science Essentials

Power, liberty, democracy, and why nations rise and fall. These are the books that political science professors actually want you to read — the ones that'll sharpen your thinking about how the world is governed and why it matters.

8 books
Psychology

Psychology Reading List

The essential books for understanding the human mind. Whether you're a psych major or just curious about why people do what they do, these picks cover the foundations of psychological science and beyond.

8 books