Helpful Resources

📚 Introductory Economics Readings

A friendly guide for future economists at the Sorbonne School of Economics

Welcome! If you’re reading this, you’re probably getting ready to start your studies in the Licence of Economics – International Track at the Sorbonne School of Economics. Whether or not you’ve studied economics before, these books and articles will give you a taste of the kinds of ideas and questions that economists explore — in a fun, accessible, and sometimes surprising way.

This list isn’t required reading — it’s just here to inspire you, get you thinking like an economist, and make the transition into university life a bit smoother.

💡 What is economics, really?

Economics isn’t just about money, markets or graphs. At its heart, it’s about understanding how people make decisions, how societies allocate resources, and how we can improve the world we live in. These books offer a variety of perspectives — from everyday mysteries to global poverty.  You will of course see in your courses how we model the economy using formulas, graphs and equations but we want you to understand the concepts beyond the math! 

🌍 Recommended Readings (in English)

1. The Undercover Economist

by Tim Harford

Why are coffee prices so different from one café to another? Why is health care so expensive? Harford explains everyday life through the lens of economics — clearly and cleverly.

2. Freakonomics

by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner

An economist and a journalist team up to explore unexpected questions — like what schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common, or how names might (or might not) influence life outcomes.

3. Poor Economics

by Abhijit V. Banerjee & Esther Duflo

Written by two Nobel Prize-winning economists, this book looks at poverty in a new way — asking small, specific questions to understand big problems.

4. The Armchair Economist

by Steven E. Landsburg

A collection of short essays with quirky thought experiments and clear economic reasoning. Playful but thought-provoking.

5. Doughnut Economics 

by Kate Raworth

For students interested in sustainability and the future of the planet, this book explores how economics might need to evolve in the 21st century. A more ambitious read, but inspiring.

6. Principles of Economics (available for free online)

📰 Articles & Podcasts (if you prefer shorter formats)

• Planet Money (NPR Podcast)
  Economics explained through stories — fun, fast, and super accessible. Episodes are short and ideal for summer walks or train rides.
• The Economist “Graphic Detail” section
  Browse short data stories and visual explanations of current events and economic trends.

🔁 No need to read everything!

Think of this list as a buffet — choose what interests you most. If you only read one book, great! If you only listen to one podcast episode, that’s a perfect start. The goal is just to get your mind warmed up and curious.