Academia & Publishing

15 Holiday Reads for the Intellectually Curious

The Editors | 04.12.2023

Ready to relax while keeping those neurons active? Wrap up the year on an intellectual high note with our brainy book recommendations.

Another tumultuous year on planet Earth is coming to a close. And while you might be looking forward to some quiet time during the holidays, you may yet want to tickle that brain of yours with a compelling book.

That’s why we’ve got you covered with 15 neatly wrapped reading recommendations from various disciplines. Better still, some of our titles don’t even need to be unwrapped – they’re open access already!

Now grab a cup of tea and a blanket. It’s time to get cozy with a great read from our selection!

1. Hey Computer!

Hey Computer! Icons of Architecture, Rebuilt by AIArtificial neural networks open radical new pathways for image creation. Graphic designer Floyd Erol Schulze uses this rapidly developing technology to recreate architectural icons.

2. Money Has No Value

Money Has No ValueThe predominant theory of money as taught in introductory textbooks is over 100 years old. It’s also totally wrong, as Samuel A. Chambers explains in his book, unveiling fresh perspectives. 

If you’re intrigued by the mystery of money, don’t miss this interview with the book’s author: “Money Has Always Been an Enigma”: An Interview with Samuel A. Chambers.

3. Top Ten Fictional Narratives in Early Modern Europe

Open AccessTop Ten Fictional Narratives in Early Modern Europe: Translation, Dissemination and MedialitySome stories transcend languages and borders and have done so for centuries. This Open Access volume examines the ten most popular fictional narratives in early modern Europe between 1470 and 1800.

4. The Gay Girl in Damascus Hoax

The Gay Girl in Damascus Hoax: Progressive Orientalism and the Arab SpringWho was Amina Arraf? Historian Andrew Orr explores the story of an elaborate internet hoax surrounding the (fictional) life of a Syrian-American lesbian woman during the Arab spring.

Earlier this year, we interviewed Andrew Orr in one of our book talks – you can find the conversation as a video and podcast here: Andrew Orr on “The Gay Girl in Damascus Hoax”.

5. The Encounter of Chinese and Western Philosophies

Open AccessThe Encounter of Chinese and Western Philosophies: A CritiqueHow do Chinese and Western philosophies differ, and how can we engage in cross-cultural philosophical dialogue today? Benoît Vermander explores these questions in his Open Access book.

6. 30 Trees

30 Trees And Why Landscape Architects Love ThemFrom bigleaf maple to common fig and Chinese tallow, 30 internationally renowned landscape architects present their favorite trees, and discuss how they have incorporated them into their projects.

7. The Oligarchs’ Grip

The Oligarchs’ Grip: Fusing Wealth and PowerThey affect our daily lives, yet remain a mystery. David Lingelbach and Valentina Rodríguez Guerra shed light on the control mechanisms oligarchs use to exploit an increasingly uncertain world.

We interviewed David Lingelbach and Valentina Rodríguez Guerra in our latest book talk – you can find the conversation as a video and podcast here: David Lingelbach and Valentina Rodríguez Guerra on “The Oligarchs’ Grip”.

8. Playing American

Open AccessPlaying American: Open-World Videogames and the Reproduction of American CultureIn this Open Access book, Sören Schoppmeier explores how popular open-world video games such as Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption reflect and shape American culture.

9. The Crooked Timber of Democracy in Israel

The Crooked Timber of Democracy in Israel: Promise UnfulfilledPolitical scientist Dahlia Scheindlin traces the history of democracy in Israel, exposing its flaws while highlighting its capacity and responsibility to fulfill the democratic promise.

10. Fashion and Environmental Sustainability

Open AccessFashion and Environmental Sustainability: Entrepreneurship, Innovation and TechnologyHow can we advance environmental sustainability in the fashion sector? This Open Access volume looks to innovative approaches and new technologies aiming to put the brakes on fast fashion.

11. Kälte-Pop (“Cold Pop”)

German-language titleKälte-Pop: Die Geschichte des erfolgreichsten deutschen Popmusik-ExportsAt the end of the 1970s, a musical ice age descended on West Germany. In his book, Florian Völker unravels the success story of ‘cold pop’ bands like Kraftwerk and DAF.

What made ‘cold pop’ so cool? To find out, we interviewed the book’s author: Glorifizierung einer kalten Welt: Florian Völker im Interview über ‚Kälte-Pop‘.

12. Loriot und die Bundesrepublik (“Loriot and the Federal Republic of Germany”)

German-language titleLoriot und die BundesrepublikHe was not only one of the country’s most popular comedians, but an observer and critic of his time. This volume collects 15 interpretations of Loriot and his relationship with the Federal Republic.

To mark Loriot’s 100th birthday, we published an interview with one of his long-time companions: director and author Stefan Lukschy. The conversation is available as a video and text excerpt here: „Loriot war am ehesten ein Melancholiker“: Stefan Lukschy im Interview.

13. Gestalterinnen (“Women Designers”)

Open Access, German-language titleGestalterinnen: Frauen, Design und Gesellschaft im Wien der ZwischenkriegszeitWomen designers played a decisive role in the development of modernism in interwar Vienna. This Open Access volume restores their contributions to center stage.

14. Unterwegs im Cyber-Camper (“On the Road in the Cyber Camper”)

German-language titleUnterwegs im Cybercamper: Annas Reise in die digitale WeltWhat if 19th-century software pioneer Ada Lovelace landed in 2023 and wrote letters on digitization to her friend Charles Babbage? In their book, Magdalena Kayser-Meiller und Dieter Meiller explore this thought experiment.

We recently interviewed both authors in one of our book talks – you can find the conversation as a video and podcast here: Dieter Meiller und Magdalena Kayser-Meiller über “Unterwegs im Cybercamper”.

15. Popliteratur 3.0 (“Pop Literature 3.0”)

Open Access, German-language titlePopliteratur 3.0: Social Media and Contemporary LiteratureFrom emojis to poetry bots, pop literature 3.0 is defined by an aesthetic and intellectual reaction to the rise of social media. This Open Access volume sounds out its manifestations across different channels and formats, as well as its impact on pop theory.

[Title image by CemSelvi/iStock/Getty Images Plus]

The Editors

Articles signed by the editors were written in a collective effort.

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