During the years, I developed a routine of reading a lot of books (especially books about mathematics) so taking into account my own experience and the experience of many peers and learners I've spoken with (and who loved the list I'm sharing with you), I compiled a list of the most enjoyable and useful math books that every curious person should read (even if you struggle with math anxiety):
𝟭. 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗺
One of the greatest mathematical adventure stories ever told. Simon Singh traces the 350-year mystery sparked by Fermat's note in the margin and follows Andrew Wiles's astonishing, decade-long effort to finally prove it.
𝟮. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐄𝐫𝐝ő𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡
A brilliant biography of Paul Erdős, one of the most prolific mathematicians ever. Packed with stories of eccentricity, collaboration, and pure mathematical passion, this book shows the deeply human side of mathematics.
𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀
The author Simon Singh uncovers the surprising amount of math hidden inside The Simpsons and Futurama, thanks to writers with math PhDs. A fun, approachable journey through number theory, geometry, and more.
𝟰. 𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝘆
This is an excellent book for getting an intuitive and gentle introduction to Bayesian thinking, using playful examples. One of the most enjoyable and accessible entry points into probability.
𝟱. 𝗜𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲: 𝗔 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆
It is the easiest read of all the books I've listed here, but the most personal one. This part-memoir, part-math-journey follows a young girl, Sarah Flannery's rise from a curious Irish schoolgirl to an award-winning young mathematician.
𝟲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗞𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
A powerful biography of Srinivasa Ramanujan, the self-taught genius whose work continues to amaze mathematicians. A deeply moving story of intuition, hardship, and brilliance.
𝟳. 𝐄𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐏𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬
The author Robin Wilson explains why e^(iπ) + 1 = 0 is considered the most beautiful equation in mathematics. Step by step, you get introduced to counting systems, types of numbers, geometry, infinite series, and even complex numbers.
Check the full list (12 books + honorable mentions) in my free newsletter here:
https://mathmindset.substack.com/p/the-most-enjoyable-and-useful-mathematical
