Griftopia: Bubble Machines, Vampire Squids, and the Long Con that is Breaking America   Matt Taibbi
Taibbi’s irreverent, highly intelligent analysis and history of the financial crisis of 2008 and the division of America into the grifter (obtains money illicitly and illegally) class and the rest of us. To call the current construction of the U.S. economy deeply troubling would be a gross understatement. Made me angry and disgusted, the game is incredibly rigged. Everyone should read this book.

Introducing Semiotics   Paul Cobley and Litza Jansz
Excellent introduction to the “study of signs and systems of signs.” Very thorough, from Saussure and Pearce to Eco, including even the Soviets, the Prague school, anthroposemiosis, zoosemiosis, and the British. Plenty of good information well presented.