Science & Nature from the 2016 Winter Newsletter

Before the big bang, and arguably before the existence of humans, time did not exist. In this brilliant work, UC Berkeley physics professor Richard Muller chronicles the human understanding of time, and its relentless forward momentum through the lens of quantum physics past into its conceptual evolution into the fourth dimension and beyond. Now: The Physics of Time is the perfect read for any aspiring citizen-physicist. —Aric

The audio version of The Tide should be read by that extreme-movie-preview voiceover guy—you know the one—because this writer is More Intense About the Ocean Than You. Melville, eat your heart out! Challenging, intellectual, flowery, and epic, the book opens with 13 hours of the author watching the tide go in and out. Thereafter, The Tide takes us on a tour of Greek mythology, classical history, the art of Andy Goldsworthy, and the linguistics of water…for crying out loud, people die tied to stakes on the shore! Delightful madness.                                                                 —a.c.

Mark your calendars: On August 21st, 2017, a total eclipse of the sun will be visible in America for the first time in 40 years. Over time, eclipses have been interpreted in dramatically different ways across the globe, and this book serves as a tour of that fascinating history. What better way to wait out the year?                                                    —Kat

Although hard to imagine in this future that we call now, the idea of time travel is actually a modern idea. Leading scientific chronicler James Gleick tells the story of this recently invented concept, from its origins in H. G. Wells’ revolutionary fiction to its present state. Told with all the nuance of poetry, Time Travel is a must-read for all fans of speculative science.                             —Aric           

Feeling stressed? Overwhelmed? Generally grumpy? Let Australian photographer Alexandra Cearns help with Zen Dogs, in which she captures the sweet and lovable nature of our beloved canine companions. Tell your troubles to these precious pups and follow their lead! Close your eyes, relax, and breathe (stick your tongue out if it makes you feel better). Read an inspirational zen quote and pretend you’re petting one of these guys’ soft furry heads. So soft, puppy soft.                                —Megan            

Paul Bannick takes an intimate look at North American owls and their lives through the seasons. Owl’s gorgeous photographs and meticulous notes highlight the unique qualities of these specific owl species. For fans of photography and birds alike, Owl emphasizes the need to retain wildlife diversity and natural spaces.                                                                       —Rachel

If there was ever a book to sum up this strange moment we’re in—longing for the natural world as we witness its destruction—this is it. The Moth Snowstorm veers between the rhapsodic and the elegiac, then ties the two together and calls it love. I’ve never read a book like this before, and I can’t stop thinking about it now. —Kat

Great both for beginners and advanced tree folks, The Hidden Life of Trees is an enthralling book, balancing solid introductory information with cutting-edge science. I knew that trees communicate, but finding out that there are fungi that distribute energy and food between young and old members through a root-driven, Social Security–type relationship blew my mind. This is the best type of science writing—the kind that asks new questions and is open to all the potential answers the world has to offer.              —Rachel