As we get ready to close out 2024, we’re taking a break from our usual science marketing content to highlight ten science nonfiction books from the past year.
These titles explore a wide range of topics from varied STEM disciplines. Readers can discover the mysteries of plant communication, learn how refrigeration has changed our world, and more. Check out these titles if you enjoy excellent science writing, fresh insights, and surprising connections.
Alien Earths: The New Science of Planet Hunting in the Cosmos
by Lisa Kaltenegger
Lisa Kaltenegger explores the vast universe beyond our solar system, focusing on the search for exoplanets and the possibility of finding life. This book reviews the latest astronomical discoveries, blending scientific exploration with philosophical questions about humanity’s place in the cosmos.
How to Win Friends and Influence Fungi: Collected Quirks of Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math from Nerd Nite
by Chris Balakrishnan and Matt Wasowski
Need a laugh? This offbeat and informative book is a collection of fascinating and funny stories from the popular Nerd Nite series. In this STEM-forward collection, Balakrishnan and Wasowski present engaging narratives and infographics on topics ranging from maggots to math. Nerd out and laugh out loud with this one.
Love Triangle: How Trigonometry Shapes the World
by Matt Parker
Matt Parker offers a fresh perspective on trigonometry, uncovering its remarkable influence on various aspects of the modern world. From architecture to technology, Parker illustrates how this ancient branch of mathematics is far from abstract theory — it’s a tool that shapes our environment and our daily lives.
The Power of Hormones: The New Science of How Hormones Shape Every Aspect of Our Lives
by Max Nieuwdorp
Max Nieuwdorp explores the ways hormones impact our bodies and minds. Spanning the effects on mood regulation, growth, and behavior, Nieuwdorp presents groundbreaking research revealing these biochemical messengers’ significant influence.
Our Moon: How Earth’s Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution, and Made Us Who We Are
by Rebecca Boyle
Rebecca Boyle’s book investigates the Moon’s critical role in shaping Earth’s history and evolution. From influencing tides to stabilizing our planet’s climate, Our Moon shows how Earth’s closest celestial companion has been integral to the development of life.
Twelve Trees: The Deep Roots of Our Future
by Daniel Lewis
Daniel Lewis takes readers on a journey through the stories of twelve essential tree species and their ecological, cultural, and economic importance. Twelve Trees highlights the deep-rooted connections between forests and human society, exploring how trees can be both a reflection of our past and a key to a more sustainable future.
Birding to Change the World: A Memoir
by Trish O’Kane
In this memoir, Trish O’Kane shares her journey from an urban academic to a passionate advocate for environmental conservation through birdwatching. Her story illustrates how a simple hobby can lead to broader ecological awareness and activism.
Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves
by Nicola Twilley
Nicola Twilley explores the technological evolution of refrigeration and its impact on global food systems, climate, and daily life. Frostbite examines the hidden infrastructure that keeps our world cool and the environmental implications of this modern convenience.
Nexus
by Yuval Noah Harari
Yuval Noah Harari’s latest work, Nexus, explores the interconnected nature of the digital and physical realms in our modern age. Examining how technology, society, and biology are converging, Harari provides insights into the future of human evolution in a digitally augmented world.
The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth
by Zoë Schlanger
Schlanger’s book takes readers into the hidden world of plant communication and adaptation, offering a fresh perspective on how understanding plant behavior could reshape our view of life on Earth and our relationship with nature.
As you prepare to turn the page to 2025, we hope you get a chance to enjoy one of these fascinating reads!
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