Best tech books 2018: 6 that will expand your mind

The books sure to expand your mind 
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Amelia Heathman5 December 2018

When it comes to buying tech Christmas presents, you could go for a new smartphone or tablet, or even one of the hot trends for 2018 like a smart ring.

If you’re looking for more of a stocking thriller though, then luckily for you this year has been a big year for tech books.

From the latest Yuval Noah Harai book to insights into one of the biggest tech scandals ever, invite your favourite techie to switch off their devices and deep dive into these titles.

The top tech book releases in 2018

1. Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup

John Carreyrou’s comprehensive take-down of the blood-testing start-up Theranos may read like the ultimate dystopian novel for the Silicon Valley age, but unfortunately, it’s all true.

Theranos touted it had the breakthrough technology to make blood testing faster and easier, and with a prodigal founder (Elizabeth Holmes was only 19 when she founded the company in 2003), it had all the makings of a ground-breaking company. But after Carreyrou’s investigation into Holmes’s claims, all was not what it seemed. You will not be able to put this down.

2. Hello World: how to be human in the age of the machine

Alongside her day job as an associate professor in mathematics of Cities at UCL, Hannah Fry has published one of this year’s most interesting examinations of how algorithms rule our world.

Hello World explores the power and limitations of the algorithms around us and the implications of their actions as well as the much-debated question, will they eventually replace humans? An interesting read for tech-heads and those interested in the human effects of tech.

3. MIT Press Essential Knowledge Series

Want to learn something but don’t have the time (or money) to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology? The university’s essential knowledge series breaks down important topics such as the technological singularity, machine learning, and data science into slim, digestible reads.

Be prepared for the future with MIT.

4. Technically Wrong: Sexist Apps, Biased Algorithms, and Other Threats of Toxic Tech

Bias in algorithms is a major topic at the moment and, for that reason alone, everyone should read Sara Wachter-Boettcher’s book.

Technically Wrong looks at the blind spots in the industry and how that affects all the humans that come into contact with the products being built, whether that’s shopping online, using health trackers or even interacting with other people on the internet.

A must-read in the post-Cambridge Analytica world.

5. Upscale

Earlier this month, Tech Nation published its first book: Upscale. It’s a look at the ins and outs of the UK tech industry, with interviews from some of the country’s most well-known tech entrepreneurs and investors.

Perfect for any budding founder, the book includes advice and insights from the likes of Founder’s Factory’s Brent Hoberman, Unruly’s Sarah Wood and Seedcamp co-founder Reshma Sohoni.

6. 21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Yuval Noah Harari’s publications always attract the tech crowd and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is no exception. It’s a collection of essays covering topics such as war, fake news, religion, meditation, and all the big ethical questions you can get your head around.

If you know someone looking for a deep meaning to world events, then Harari is here for them.

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