I feel far behind in knowledge when talking to my peers (early 20s). I don't know much about anything, even things people would call "everyday stuff", like how taxes work.
I mostly look for encyclopedia type of books that would give me a start point info about anything and everything. Things that I could use in life or have conversations with people about it.
I'd also appreciate some key words, things considered "general knowledge", like historical events, geographical knowledge, pop culture happenings, basic physics/biology/any other science, "must know" literary works.
by cryptiquarian
5 Comments
A Short History of Nearly Everything, by Bill Bryson
There is no one single source of common knowledge, even the term is misleading. As for books, read the ones you find interesting, that’s all. Graphic novels, biographies, mysteries, books on fly-tying; find something you like, read that, and then read more like that.
If you’re looking for general knowledge, DK books (Big ideas, simply explained ) are amazing! They have books on philosophy, Shakespeare, literature, science, design, etc. They’re usually easily acquired through thrift books for cheap as well.
Areas of my expertise by John hogdman
A History of Knowledge by Charles Van Doren.