While it is not yet officially summer, according to astronomers and horologists, it was approximately the temperature of the Sun here in Niskayuna yesterday, so de facto summer has begun. Accordingly, we have acquired a pool:
Of course, one of the main things you do with a pool is to sit next to it and read in the sun (note the conveniently positioned chair). Of course, then the question becomes “What do you read?
While the obvious answer is How to Teach Physics to Your Dog (now in paperback!), we got a good thread out of non-obvious suggestions for science-related “beach reading” last year. But that was a whole year ago, and there have been lots of books published since then.
So, what should a person who wants something sort of science-y to read at the beach or by the pool be reading this year? Leave your suggestions in the comments.
For non-fiction enjoyment:
anything at all written by Henry Petroski
Why Buildings Fall Down, by Levy and Salvadori,
Why Things Break, by Mark Eberhart
The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives, by Leonard Mlodinow and
Mauve: How One Man Invented a Color That Changed the World, by Simon Garfield.
Ok, so there might be a slight engineering slant here, but these things happen?
Deadly Spin by Wendell Potter
http://wendellpotter.com/deadlyspin/
I initially read this as “Child-of-Scientist approved reading” meaning, books approved by SteelyKid… I’m sure that would be an interesting thread as well.
‘Radioactive: Marie and Pierre Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout’ by Lauren Redniss is a great new graphic novel for adults and kids (over 8yrs maybe). The art is interesting, the writing is engaging and the cover glows in the dark:)
Mary Roach’s books ‘Bonk’, ‘Stiff’, and ‘Packing For Mars’ are light, funny and based on science topics. They are not technical at all, written for everyone (perfect for relaxing by a pool or at a beach).
Roach’s humor reminds me of Sarah Vowell’s writing in some ways. Vowell’s books, too, are great if you’re into History (Its difficult to make New England Puritans funny, but S.V. somehow pulls it off).
I’ve enjoyed going through the nonfiction books nominated for the Cybils award (blogger’s awards for kids books). They have both a picture book and a YA/middle grade category; the one on hive collapse was fascinating. I bet Steelykid would enjoy some of the picture books, especially Bones.
YA/kid books: http://www.cybils.com/2010-finalists-nonfiction-books-middle-grade-young-adult.html#tp
Picture books: http://www.cybils.com/2010-finalists-nonfiction-picture-books.html
For some (not so) light reading about climate, global warming an what to do about it, I suggest the two geoengineering primers “Hack the Planet” by Eli Kintisch and “How to Cool the Planet” by Jeff Goodell.
Then there’s “Hot” by Mark Hertsgaard, “Boiling Point” by Ross Gelbspan.
Once your blood pressure has sufficiently risen you can read Bjorn Lumborg’s “Cool It” or his first book, “The Skeptical Environmentalist”.
By this time, you’ll be wondering how the science is constantly under siege by political forces. Then you are ready to read to eye-openers, “Climate Cover-Up” by James Hoggan and “The Deniers” by Lawrence Solomon.
Non fiction:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – Rebecca Skloot (does NOT read like non-fiction!)
Anatomy of an Epidemic – Robert Whitaker **must read for the educated public**
Fiction:
I really enjoy Kathy Reich’s novels (the initial inspiration for the TV series “Bones”) – she has been putting out at least one a year since 1999! Wow! I would say it’s more “beachy” than the others, but still has a lot of science in it (forensic anthropology, often touching upon police proceedings, other types of forensics, instrumentation & measurements, and that world).
Backroom Boys, by Francis Spufford, about post-war British engineering.
The Demon Under the Microscope, by Thomas Hager, about search for sulfa drugs and their brief reign pre-penicillin.
I don’t really have any science related fiction recommendations; my fiction reading lately has tended more toward the mysterious and historical. Although, I suppose Mistress of the Art of Death, by Ariana Frankln, about a fictional female medieval coroner, might qualify.
I’ve been enjoying Steven Johnson recently, and am currently on The Invention of Air, his book on Joseph Priestley and his work and times. His The Ghost Map on the Broad Street Pump cholera epidemic is also quite good.
The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean is entertaining, if a pretty random assortment of essays about various elements.
Not sure what to recommend for Child-of-Scientist science beach reading. We’ve been getting decent biology mileage out of a discussion of Everyone Poops with our toddler.
If you want something a little reminiscent of Da Vinci Code but with real science and real history, check out “The Sky’s Dark Labyrinth” by Stuart Clark. The story of Tycho, Kepler and Galileo and the problems the church had integrating their ideas without burning people at the stake. A cracking piece of “fiction” that’s essentially true.
I’d second the recommendation of Hoggan’s & Littlemore’s Climate Cover-Up. If you’re not blazing with righteous fury by the time you get to the end of that book, there’s something wrong with you.
Others I’ve enjoyed recently include Niall Shanks’s God, the Devil, and Darwin, James Hansen’s Storms of My Grandchildren and, for light relief, Joe Schwarcz’s Science, Sense and Nonsense.
By the way, I recall about this time last year reading, at your recommendation, Richard Mueller’s book called (I think) Physics for Future Presidents. It proved to be not complete shit but something very close to it. It more or less denied AGW (I gather he’s reversed track on this since, having, oh my gawd, done some actual fucking research), suggested a nuke detonated in Central Park would have little impact (I confess I swallowed this tosh whole until corrected by a physicist); and so on. Had you actually read the book when you recommended it?
If not, or even if so, could you send a lot of money to the folk of Joplin who’re suffering the consequences of far too many Americans believing assholes like Richard Mueller?
Not at all new (published in 1972), but an interesting read: A Report from Group 17 by Robert C. O’Brien. It’s a sci-fi thriller (without being futuristic/fantastic).
I’d second the recommendation of Hoggan’s & Littlemore’s Climate Cover-Up. If you’re not blazing with righteous fury by the time you get to the end of that book, there’s something wrong with you.
Others I’ve enjoyed recently include Niall Shanks’s God, the Devil, and Darwin, James Hansen’s Storms of My Grandchildren and, for light relief, Joe Schwarcz’s Science, Sense and Nonsense.