Columbia University has become notorious for asking applicants to list books that they’ve read not because that’s such a ridiculous request, but because they don’t also give you an opportunity to explain why it is you chose to read them. This has left many applicants scratching their heads, because how much can the application readers really learn from a list of titles and authors?
Turns out, a lot.
What you choose to read — and what you tell other people you read — says a lot about you, which means being strategic about what you include in this list is critical.
Firstly, you don’t need to list everything you’ve ever read, and you also shouldn’t only list books that relate to your major. Instead, aim to include five books from the list below, which is geared specifically towards computer science majors, and five books that are simply fun. If all you say you read is business and tech books, they either won’t believe you or, perhaps even worse, they will believe you and won’t like you for it. Let some fun in, let your fantasy nerd or celebrity memoir addict fly, but tempered by a few of the books we’ve suggested below.
And yes, listening to the audiobook does count.
If the reading list is stressing you out, send us an email. We simplify the college application process, and it may even be enjoyable.
Flatland ()
By Edwin A. Abbott
Written by a teacher in 1884, this short snack of a book went on to shape everything from science fiction to computer science. Routinely included on lists of the best books ever written, at only 110 pages there is no excuse not to give it a try.
The Soul of a New Machine ()
By Tracy Kidder
This Pulitzer Prize-winning nonfiction book brings the early years of computers to life. Full of emotion, excitement, drama, and triumph, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in spending their life engaging with screens.
Snow Crash ()
By Neal Stephenson
An epic by the current reigning king of science-fiction, this book is credited with having predicted the metaverse (and coined the name). This book is fun read regardless of your interest in AI or digital realms, but required reading if going to a nightclub from your couch is something you’re looking forward to.
Algorithms to Live By ()
By Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths
What can a computer do for us? And what do we have to do to get there? In this philosophical book, the authors explore how algorithms can help us solve human dilemmas, but may also create new challenges we will have to face.
Hatching Twitter ()
By Nick Bilton
Twitter was founded by a group of friends who wanted to keep in touch. What it became has influenced humanity on a global scale, heralding revolutions, amplifying unheard voices, increasing transparency, and twisting the truth. This book shares how none of that was part of the original vision, and yet much of it was inevitable.
The Art of Thinking Clearly ()
By Rolf Dobelli
The author asks readers to question how they’ve ended up where they are, and how much of it they created for themselves. In this wide-ranging book, Dobelli explores issues of cognitive biases, something critical to computer science, to help guide readers to making better, more informed choices that are rooted not in emotion or impulse, but in fact and evidence.
iWoz ()
By Steve Wozniak
The man, the myth, the legend — whereas Steve Jobs made Apple cool, Steve Wozniak made it actually exist. A computer wizard with a wicked sense of humor, Wozniak tells the story of how he shaped the technical and visual world we live in today, and made friends along the way.
The Lean Startup ()
By Eric Ries
Many, if not most, students considering a major in computer science are also flirting with the idea of founding a startup or getting involved in a startup during or after college. We get it, startups are fun. This book lays out the ‘how’ of turning an idea into something so much bigger.
The Glass Cage ()
By Nicholas Carr
Humanity is changing, and it’s not by choice. Computers, the things we invented, have literally changed the world — and our daily lives — in ways that would have sounded impossible just a decade ago. In this book, the author explores the benefits and consequences of living in a computerized world.
The Man Who Knew Too Much ()
By David Leavitt
Alan Turing didn’t invent the computer as we know it today, but understanding what he did, and why it was so momentous is critical for any burgeoning computer scientist. This book turns a man who has become a legend back into a man, flaws, and all.
Now go back, and pick one from this list to start with. Buy a hard copy, borrow an ebook from your local library, or listen to the audiobook. This isn’t homework, so let yourself have fun. It’s only reading, after all.
If the stress of getting into a top school has you feeling a little flustered, send us an email. We’re sort of professionals at this.