Good reads ~ Economics in Our Daily Lives
When people hear “economics” book, they usually assume the books all analyze inflation trends or speak in convoluted language about GDP. While those kinds of books exist, the full reality is that many economics books include much more familiar, relatable, and digestible topics. After all, economics and the decision-making decisions that come from it surrounds us daily. Even if you are not interested in economics, it is important to understand the basics of how it is present in our daily life, so I wanted to bring to you some favorite reads that do just that. From talking about coffee chops to explaining the way humans fall prey to incentives, the books below include all kinds of topics and considers the way in which economics interacts with them.
Thinking Fast and Slow
This classic contemporary gives insight into how two systems in our brains are constantly in battle over control of our behavior, actions, and decisions, and it teaches you to understand how to sharpen your judgement skills around these two systems.
Freakonomics
By making apparent how incentives affects our tendency to do certain things, Freakonomics shows readers how they can understand circumstances not just through morals but also through hidden nudges.
Factfulness
This read proposes 10 instincts which distort the way we perceive things and explains how we exaggerate the negative sin our lives.
Doughnut Economics
This book urges people to shift their priorities from endless growth to sustainable development, and it seeks to provide a perspective on how the economy can become fairer.
The Undercover Economist
From looking into coffee shop tendencies to contemplating why poor countries are poor, this book explores the presence of economics in a wide range of topics.
The Armchair Economist
This book furthers the perspective that economists view everything as material costs, whether it be a literal purchase or an intangible decision.
The History of Economic Thought A Reader
While the other books listed are more casual and conversational, this one is a bit more dense. It combines the work of philosophers and economists over the past two millennia and provides inside into the intellectual debates over policy and theory.
While this list is by no means exhaustive, I think it is a good place to start. The books included are super introductory and an easy read for people unfamiliar with complex economics concepts. I hope you enjoy the suggestions and hopefully gain a new outlook on how to make better decisions and understand the economics behind our day-to-day activities!
