With summer dwindling to its last few days, it’s time to put away the beach reads and get the mind back in gear with heartier fare. Why not start with some of the amazing books written by recent TED speakers? Here, some picks.

Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer
Retells the tale of a forgetful writer’s journey to becoming U.S. Memory champion, exploring the singular importance of memory in our lives along the way. Watch Joshua’s talk >>

Wired for Culture by Mark Pagel
For the past 80,000 years, culture has played an integral role in shaping the lives humans lead. Evolutionary biologist Mark Pagel explains the evolutionary processes that are so ingrained into our culture, and explores its effects on life today. Watch Mark’s talk >>

Quiet by Susan Cain
A look into the life and contributions of introverts in a society that favors loud and bold personalities, and how our current value system may be stifling their innovation and leadership. Watch Susan’s talk >>

The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker
We may be living in the most peaceful time in human history. Steven Pinker explores the root causes of this surprising and hotly debated claim, and the implications it has for average citizens and military personnel. Watch Steven’s talk >>

That is All by John Hodgman 
The last installment of Hodgman’s trilogy of fictitious trivia, wrapping up his history of made-up facts just in time for the 2012 apocalypse. Watch John’s talk >>

Batman: Death by Design by Chip Kidd
Graphic novel imaginings of foul play during the architectural boom and bust in Gotham City. Watch Chip’s talk >>

And below, Bruno Giussani — TED’s European Director — picks five essential books from TEDGlobal 2012 speakers.

Stealth of Nations by Rob Neuwirth
If you haven’t read this book yet, you may be ignoring a massive and essential portion of the functioning of the real global economy. It’s mandatory reading for anyone thinking or acting globally.

The Philosophical Breakfast Club by Laura Snyder
The previously untold story of four men who met at Cambridge University in the early 19th century and brought about a revolution in science, in the process inventing the word “scientist.”

Hybrid Reality by Parag and Ayesha Khanna
A rapid yet deep excursion in the emerging reality of fading boundaries and increasing human-technology hybridization. (Parag Khanna was a guest host at TEDGlobal.)

World 3.0 by Pankaj Ghemawat
Despite the popularity of the idea in recent years, the world is actually not “flat”, and this data-rich book persuasively proves it. Ghemawat has the data to back it up.

Factory Girls by Leslie T. Chang
A rare and eye-opening exploration of the lives of Chinese migrant assembly line workers — those who populate the “factory of the world” — told from their own perspective.