Engineers are great at solving problems, but what about understanding people, thinking creatively, or making better decisions? These 6 brilliant books aren’t about engineering, but they might just change the way you engineer everything else.
Every Engineer Should Read These 6 Books
Engineering trains your brain to solve problems, but sometimes it also trains you to see the world in a limited way, through blueprints, rules, and measurable outcomes.
That’s useful, of course, but in today’s world, complexity goes beyond equations. What about navigating ambiguity? Inspiring a team? Understanding how people feel when they use the thing you’ve built? That’s where books like these come in. They pull you out of your comfort zone and stretch your thinking in directions that diagrams can’t.
Cross-disciplinary thinking has been praised by everyone from TED speakers to university deans, and for good reason. The best ideas often come from unexpected places. When engineers read widely (fiction, psychology, history) they tend to make more creative connections and develop more intuitive judgment.
A novel can teach you about leadership. A philosophy book can help you approach uncertainty. A memoir might offer insight into failure, risk, or resilience. These are things no lecture will teach you, but books can.
And don’t worry, this isn’t just about “being inspired.” It’s about perspective. A systems thinker with emotional intelligence is worth their weight in lithium. A designer who understands human behavior makes better products. A team lead who can communicate clearly and empathize with others builds stronger teams.
If you’re ready to recharge your mental batteries and think differently, these books were chosen with that in mind:
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
This isn’t light reading, but it’s essential. Kahneman, a Nobel Prize–winning psychologist, breaks down how your brain makes decisions—and how often it takes shortcuts that lead you astray. It’s the ultimate guide to debugging your own thinking.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Part novel, part thought experiment, this story follows a woman who explores infinite versions of her life based on different choices. It’s touching, strange, and deeply philosophical, a reminder that we’re all designing the systems of our lives as we go.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Written by a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, this short book dives into purpose, suffering, and the will to keep going. It’s heavy, yes, but also deeply motivating. If you’ve ever hit a wall or questioned why your work matters, read this.
Range by David Epstein
This is a must-read for anyone who’s ever felt guilty about not being a specialist. Epstein argues that generalists, those who explore broadly and connect different disciplines, are often more successful in the long run. Perfect for curious engineers with side projects.
The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli
Dobelli lays out 99 cognitive biases in short, sharp chapters. It’s the kind of book you can pick up for five minutes and walk away with a clearer mind. From sunk cost fallacies to decision paralysis, it’s a crash course in thinking better.
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
Engineers who lead people, listen up. This book explores courage, vulnerability, and trust in the workplace, all backed by solid research. It’s not your typical leadership book, but it hits the human side of technical leadership in a way that’s hard to ignore.
Remember: These books won’t teach you how to build a bridge or optimize a network, but they will help you become a sharper thinker, a more grounded leader, and a more well-rounded person.
Because at the end of the day, great engineering isn’t just about solving problems, it’s about understanding people. And that’s exactly what these books are all about.
References
6 books engineers should read | Swizec Teller
