10 Science Books We’re Reading

New titles explore the workings of the human body, the lives of animals big and small, the past and future of planet earth and how it’s all connected

New titles explore the workings of the human body, the lives of animals big and small, the past and future of planet earth and how it’s all connected

As Content Chief for The What I consume an extraordinary amount of content and so does Amy Parker, our Chief Exec, who is tapped into the zeitgeist of lifestyle and wellness trends—from apps that promote mental health to transformative travel experiences that increase empathy, as well as productivity.

My main beat is books. I’m the resident reader of over a hundred fiction books every year to produce our Best Books Lists. When I'm not reading fiction (or reviewing cable shows, films, restaurants, spas, learning platforms, beauty products, and pop culture phenomena) I’m catching up on what’s happening in the cosmos. And I don’t mean metaphorically in a psychedelic manner. I mean literally. I have been an avid follower of cosmological physics since 1999, after listening to a radio interview about string theory with physicist Brian Greene on The Forum, a KQED morning news and show hosted by Michael Krasny. I was so taken with the idea that space—whether outer space or the seemingly empty space around us—is not only made up of loops of energy (strings) invisible to the naked eye but that it also has a shape caused by gravity AND this shape is fused to time (spacetime). It may sound dramatic but I had to pull over on the side of the road to continue listening. My heart was pounding as I wrapped my brain around this new shift in how I saw reality—how I saw the micro/macro universe and my place in it. Mind blown is an understatement.

My love for physics is not widely known outside of my inner circle but Kate Goldstein Breyer, a personal friend and the Executive Director at City Arts & Lectures, remembered the zeal (mania, really) with which I spoke about Brian Greene’s books. And here’s the kicker … she asked if I would interview him about his new book Until The End of Time: Mind, Matter, and Our Search for Meaning in an Evolving Universe at City Arts & Lectures on February 25th. Talk about mind blown. Tickets go on sale next month. Hardcover available 2/20/20 but you can preorder here.

In the interim, if you’re looking for great books on science here’s what we’re ordering based on the Smithsonian’s suggestions. Take a look.

-Gina Pell

Popular, Books, ScienceGina Pell