Ready for some book recommendations?
The first book analyzes how internet slang is changing the way we talk. The second read provides tips on how to make your ideas and stories stick (in a good way). They’re both quick reads, with great examples, and I bet you’ll laugh out loud.
Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language
Adam Aleksic
Knopf (July 2025)
“In this era of information overload, influencers are turning to the same floor-holding strategies we use to entertain toddlers.”
In his debut book, Algospeak, Adam Aleksic—better known online as @etymologynerd—combines his background in linguistics with a talent for explaining internet quirks.
It’s an enjoyable journey through the ways social media and algorithms are changing the way we think and communicate. Aleksic discusses the fast-changing nature of online language—from emojis to euphemisms like “unalive“—with a healthy dose of humor and curiosity.
For anyone working in localization, this book is an intriguing peek at how the internet turbocharges the way we bend, blend, and birth new words.
3 reasons to read this book
- Linguistics with a wink: Aleksic makes linguistic analysis approachable and entertaining, even when he’s digging into niche trends.
- A Kodak moment capturing internet speak: If you’ve ever wondered why people say “rizz,” or use skull emojis to mean something’s hilarious, this book offers insights.
- Real examples, real fun: The book includes data, screenshots, and personal stories that make it feel like a scroll through a well-curated feed.
3 reasons to skip it
- Heavy on Gen Z vibes: If you don’t spend much time online, you may feel as though you’ve walked into a group chat, mid-conversation.
- Some déjà vu moments: Several chapters rehash ideas or reuse the same pop culture examples, which could wear thin.
- Shallow waters: If you’re looking for a discussion of digital culture’s bigger social questions, this book could feel like one long meme.
Also worth checking out:
Curious if swearing helps teamwork? Try Swearing is Good for You by Emma Byrne.
Want to understand the language of cults and influencers? I recommend Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell.
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Dan and Chip Heath
Random House (January 2007)
“People tend to overuse any idea or concept that delivers an emotional kick.”
Brothers Chip and Dan Heath wrote Made to Stick back in 2007. Their goal was to figure out why some ideas catch on, while others fade away.
The Brothers Heath looked at examples from real life, psychology, and business to find out what makes messages memorable. The result? A handy checklist they call SUCCES: keep it Simple, make it Unexpected, use Concrete details, build Credibility, stir up Emotions, and tell Stories. And with storytelling as popular as ever—especially in business and branding—this book may well feel just as useful today as it did way back in ‘07.
3 reasons to read this book
- Communication cheat sheet: SUCCES gives you a simple checklist for making your ideas more memorable.
- Unexpected case studies: The book uses fun stories (one example for all: a scientist drinking bacteria. Don’t try this at home!) to show how the principles of “stickiness” actually work.
- Tools you’ll actually use: The book shares simple tools to help you think like your audience—and avoid overexplaining.
3 reasons to skip it
- Repetitions galore: The key ideas are repeated many times, frequently, a lot—molto. (You get the picture.) And while the repetitions help with memory, you may feel as though you’re in an echo chamber.
- U.S.-centric examples: The references may not click with those of us from other regions and cultures.
- Not deeply academic: It’s light on theory and more focused on being practical than scholarly.
Also worth checking out:
Want more real-world, relevant stories with a touch of tech? Try the podcast Should This Exist? by Caterina Fake.