NB: This is a quick draft; there may be major changes RSN.
This is my list of non-fiction books that I think everyone should read. The books are selected based on a combination of my favorite books and the best general interest books I have found on a particular topic that everyone should read about. There may be better books on any topic, but I haven't yet found them. There is a bit of a bias toward the first good book I read on a particular subject. I still need to add history, physical science, and ecology books.
The books are organized by the author's name. This bibliography is available in BibTeX format.
This book has three parts:
The first section is an excellent introduction to the historicity of the Gospels. The third section is a good introduction to Christian thinking.
This is the book on safe motorcycle riding technique. If a complete understanding of the content of this book was a prerequisite for applying for a learners permit for a car, the roads would be much safer for everyone.
Read my review of the second edition.
How to Lie with Statistics is a good introduction the level of statistics that is essential for everyday life. This short, clear book is well written, and has a wide enough audience that it has been in print since 1954. This basic knowledge of statistics is important enough that every high school student should be required to write a paper proving they understand How to Lie with Statistics in order to graduate. I believe that it is irresponsible to vote without grokking the material covered in this book.
I posted a one page summary of this book.
I'm always amazed at how little many people understand about the basic mechanical workings of things around them. This is a good introduction. It was written and drawn as a humorous book for kids, but there are many adults who could benefit from looking at it.
This is Schaeffer’s short (125 pages, including appendices) argument that Christians should treat nature with respect. Schaeffer argues that Christians are the only people who have a reasonable moral background to be environmentalists, and that others have a basis of mere pragmatism. Unfortunately, many who claim to be Christians do not understand this, and instead of leading the green movement, are actively hostile to creation care.
What the Bible says about creation isn't what most people today think it says. A proper historical interpretation to Genesis is critical for the truth of Christianity, but many interpret Genesis in the concretist (which they call literalist or biblicist) view, which is mostly the result of 20th-century misunderstandings.
A good summary of reformed Christian doctrine. Summary of Christian Doctrine by Louis Berkhof is also a good choice, but Sproul's book is easier to read.
The Discovery of Global Warming is an excellent history of climate science. If more people understood the history of science, the misinformers wouldn't be nearly so successful. You can read the latest version online.
This list is for books that didn't quite make the Everyone list, but I recommend frequently. This list is also available in BibTeX format.