Recs if you like Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language...

Language is so much more than words. It’s our culture, our identity, and our history rolled into one. These books show how the way we speak shapes, and is shaped by, who we are.

Linguistics is one of my special interests so I’ve read TONS of linguistics books and am going to round up the good ones here for anyone who might be interested in dipping their toes into this pond! I’m defining linguistics very loosely here and am also including books generally about language!

A list of books that fit the prompts for the 2026 Polymath Training Challenge. (Egypt / Sleep, dreams / Astronomy and space exploration / Gastronomy and foods / Interior design, furniture / Chemistry / Mines and mining / Exploration and explorers / Art and nature /Agriculture /Economics) plus the "choose 1" prompts (Microbiome / Chocolate and coffee / Cultural history / Boardgames and role-playing games / Linguistics / Ethology / History of science / Cosmetics / Empathy). Open to suggestions!

Non-fiction books about linguistics and fiction which relates to linguistics in some way (disclaimer: some connections are looser than others and I have not read all of these books)

a compilation of books surrounding personal identity and its intersection with language.