Discover the math books that should be on your bookshelf.

Christmas is coming, and books are a great gift choice. And for those who love mathematics, there are excellent options to learn more about the history behind this science that is practically everywhere.

Rest assured, these aren't technical books. They tell stories about mathematics (or mathematicians) in an objective, fun, and inspiring way. And there are so many books like this that this is just the first part of a list of books on the subject that are worth reading. Check it out:

The Man Who Counted – Malba Tahan (pseudonym of Julio César de Mello Souza) (Record)

A classic of children's literature, the book recounts the mathematical feats of the Persian calculator Beremiz Samir and his incredible adventures in finding fantastic solutions to seemingly unsolvable problems. It blends science and fiction.

The War of Calculation – Jason Socrates Bardi (Record)

The book recounts the dispute, lasting more than ten years, between Isaac Newton (1643-1727) and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716) at the beginning of the 18th century. The giants of German and British mathematics fought fiercely and publicly over the authorship of infinitesimal calculus.

A Lady Takes Tea… – David Salsburg (Zahar)

In a lighthearted manner and using biographical elements, the author recounts how statistics transformed research methods in science, increasing the credibility of investigations in various fields of knowledge, such as medicine, politics, and advertising.

In Search of Infinity – Ian Stewart (Zahar)

The author presents the history of mathematics in a clear and simple way, going from the first numerical symbols of Mesopotamia to the great, still unsolved problems that challenge the minds of the greatest scientists of our time. With the help of more than 100 illustrations, he demystifies essential mathematical ideas, explaining one topic at a time.

Fermat's Last Theorem – Simon Singh (Bestbolso)

Fermat's Last Theorem, one of the world's most intriguing mathematical enigmas, remained unsolved for 358 years and was finally solved in 1993 by Andrew Wiles. However, before him, researchers from all over the world devoted their lives to finding this answer. The book recounts precisely this search for the solution to the greatest mathematical problem of all time.

The Mathematics of Love – Hannah Fry (Lute)

The author proves that there is more mathematics in love than our vain philosophy might suggest. In an engaging way, she leads the reader on a journey through the patterns that govern love life and demonstrates with wisdom and a good dose of humor that mathematics is a powerful tool for unraveling the complicated, irritating, enigmatic, and intriguing patterns of love.

The Parrot Theorem – Denis Guedj (Companhia das Letras)

When a group consisting of a philosopher in a wheelchair, a deaf boy, a pair of teenage twins, and a parrot suffering from amnesia comes together, anything can happen. In this suspenseful story, a web of intrigue involving the mafia, kidnappings, and intellectual enigmas leads the characters to understand the history of mathematical thought from antiquity to the present day.

Euclid's Window – Leonard Mlodinow (Generation)

The aim of this book is to tell the story of geometry in a clear and entertaining way, a subject that often leaves students somewhat confused. The highlight is the author's ability to transform the history of geometry, parallel lines, and the curved lines of the Universe into a story full of charm and fascination.

The Equation That Nobody Could Solve – Mario Livio (Record)

For centuries, an equation tormented the world's most brilliant mathematicians, but the seemingly impossible task was solved by two young men, Évariste Galois (1811-1832) and the Norwegian Niels Henrik Abel (1802-1829). The work is a fascinating account of the symmetry and tenacity of the human intellect in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

The Laws of Chance – Robert Matthews (Zahar)

Understanding chance becomes easier when we know the laws of probability. This book will help the reader understand whether insurance policies are worthwhile, whether a scientific argument is progress or nonsense, when it makes sense to place a bet, and more, in a clear and simple way.