Nine Books to Reset Your View of the World
The Atlantic
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Nine books that transform the ordinary into extraordinary, offering fresh insights and expanding readers' worldviews. These titles take seemingly mundane subjects—like swimming or octopuses—and infuse them with deeper meaning, challenging readers to see life through new lenses. Frommemoirs to philosophical explorations, each book recontextualizes its topic in ways that spark curiosity and reflection.
Leanne Shapton’s *Swimming Studies* reimagines the monotonous act of lap swimming as a window into her formative years as a competitive swimmer. Through fragmented essays, photos, and paintings, Shapton captures the textures of her youth—blurry teammates, eerie swim caps, and the relentless pursuit of Olympic glory. Her work transforms repetitive pool routines into a mosaic of memory and identity.
Peter Godfrey-Smith’s *Other Minds* delves into the consciousness of octopuses, offering a philosophical exploration of these intelligent creatures. Drawing from decades of underwater observation, Godfrey-Smith challenges readers to consider how similar their minds might be to ours. His vivid descriptions of octopus behavior—like a mesmerizing tangent on cuttlefish—reveal the intricate nature of animal cognition and even hint at universal truths about mortality.
Tanya Tagaq’s *Split Tooth* blurs the line between fiction and reality, presenting a collage of essays, poems, and drawings inspired by her Inuk heritage. The book explores themes of Arctic life, violence, and spirituality while questioning humanity’s place in the world. Tagaq’s unique storytelling decenters humans, inviting readers to reflect on their role in the broader ecosystem.
These books matter because they encourage critical thinking about familiar concepts, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding
Verticals
politicsculture
Originally published on The Atlantic on 2/25/2026