Science & Nature from our 2018 Summer Newsletter

Nine years ago, the British Museum of Natural History was robbed of almost 300 birds from its collection. Two years later, Kirk Johnson heard about it while fly-fishing in New Mexico, and decided to look into it, leading him down a rabbit hole of people’s dark obsession with nature. The Feather Thief falls in the very center of my “Books that make my heart sing” Venn diagram. There are microhistories about feathers and fly-tying, bits of Internet drama and true crime, and exotic wildlife and the search to right wrongs. One of my favorite books this year. - Rachel

Once just an obscure scientist mostly forgotten after his death, the inventor Nikola Tesla has reemerged and his legacy has captured the imagination of those who see the magic in scientific discovery. Munson’s intensively researched biography of the legendary inventor shows us the man behind the myth—an eccentric genius who required 9 napkins at every meal, spoke 8 languages, and devised world-changing devices in his head on his regular strolls through Central Park. - Aric

In July 2015, the New Horizons probe reached Pluto after a 10-year voyage and sent back the first clear pictures of our solar system’s outermost neighbor. This is the inside story of how that journey happened, written by the scientists involved. You don’t need to be an astronomer to enjoy this book; it is easy to read and understand and provides fantastic insight into what it actually took to get this unlikely space mission off the ground. - Stuart

We all dream big with our friends, of outlandish trips and life-changing goals. But in Shark Drunk Stroksnes and his friend Hugo Aasjord make it happen, setting out to catch a Greenland shark (roughly 26 feet long and weighing about a ton). Balancing the excursion with tales of family and science, etymology and myth, this is a beautiful narrative of our relationships with nature, the world, and ourselves. - Rachel

You will not want to miss this fun and fascinating romp through natural history with the cheeky, smart, and side-bustingly funny Lucy Cooke, who takes us on a tour de force of animals who have been (hilariously) misunderstood by naturalists. Each chapter is a delight. From the mysterious mating practices of eels (still not fully understood), to the overestimated social structures of beavers (humans and their anthropomorphism!), to the politics of pandas (it’s complicated), Cooke’s The Truth About Animals will make you reconsider the world around you—as well as shed some tears of laughter over her incredible photo captions. Read and enjoy! - Chorel

This book instantly took me back to my childhood, full of dinosaur books, toys, clothes, and the mind-blowing idea that these critters had lived where I lived. The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs has all of your favorite dinos, along with a whole lot more. (New species are discovered all the time! Still! Like 50 a year!) Paleontology is evolving and Brusatte helps clarify past assumptions and shines a light on the groundbreaking achievements happening now. An inspiring book for inquisitive minds of all ages. - Rachel

High on my list of new releases is BirdNote: Chirps, Quirks, and Stories of 100 Birds from the popular public radio show featuring the Seattle-based program’s best stories about our friends in the avian realm. Author Ellen Blackstone, who is a main force behind the show, offers brief essays on birds’ lives, habits, and songs that are illuminating and fascinating. The charming flock of illustrations are by Rhode Island School of Design’s Emily Poole. The book also features a foreword by John W. Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Bird and nature lovers are sure to enjoy this delightful volume. - Dave I.

How do wrist fitness monitors keep track of our steps? And how does GPS really work? In his totally readable, super-engaging book, physics professor James Kakalios reveals the mind-bending science behind the seemingly basic things that keep our daily lives running, from our smart phones and digital “clouds” to X ray machines and hybrid vehicles. “You won’t find a better, more enjoyable tour guide to how the laws of physics explain the world all around us.” —Sean Carroll, Caltech physicist