About

Shelf Evidence is a small directory of book recommendations. Every entry links to where the recommendation was made.

Lists of "books famous people recommend" are everywhere, but they often blur the difference between a book someone loved and one they happened to mention. This site keeps that difference visible. Each recommendation is labelled by how strong the evidence is, and it sits next to the source it came from.

Editorial focus

The first release focuses on books for understanding how the world works: history, science, computing, economics and ideas. The recommendations come from founders, scientists, writers and public figures who have published their own reading lists. 301 people, 2016 books and 2469 recommendations are listed today.

Independence

This is an independent hobby project. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any person or organisation listed. There are no ads, affiliate links, sponsored placements or paid tiers. Book links go to Open Library and WorldCat, and the “Order this book” links open a plain search at retailers such as Amazon, Bookshop.org and Barnes & Noble. None of them carries an affiliate tag or tracking code, and we earn nothing from them.

Get involved

Know a well-sourced recommendation we're missing, or spotted an error? Send it in. Read the methodology to see what qualifies.