From the Bookshelf of Science and Inquiry…

Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World

Mark Miodownik

Start date: April 1, 2016

Finish date: April 30, 2016

Discussion: Book Club 2016

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Book Club 2016

* December 2016 - Wizards, Aliens
By Betsy , co-mod · 5 posts · 69 views

last updated Jan 25, 2017 01:23AM

* November 2016 - Neurotribes
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last updated Nov 27, 2016 08:47PM

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What Members Thought

Apr 12, 2016 aPriL does feral sometimes rated it really liked it

Shelves: science, non-fiction

Mark Miodownik, author of 'Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World', writes in a conversational style about materials, using history, personal anecdotes and concise science facts to explain what the everyday stuff we use to eat, sit on, read and work in is made of. Despite the easygoing explanations, he is a man who knows 'stuff'. Miodownik is a professor at University College in London, which has an extensive materials library.

He has logically organized by ...more

20 likes · Like · see review

Aug 25, 2024 CatReader rated it liked it

In Stuff Matters, materials scientist Mark Miodownik humorously tells his life story intermingled with factoids about various materials. As I was reading this book, the Dave Barry-meets-Bill Nye approach strongly reminded me of another book I read...after investigation, I realize it was Miodownik's follow-up book, Liquid Rules: The Delightful and Dangerous Substances That Flow Through Our Lives.

That being said, the storytelling style of this book was not for me (particularly the jarring chapter ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Oct 18, 2015 David Schwan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Initially I would have given this either a 2 or 3 but after the first several materials it got very interesting. The author (a material scientist) has a very unique viewpoint when he talks about the the materials in the book. Overall I would highly recommend this for people who want to know more about who the world around us is built.

2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 25, 2022 Rusty rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: history, prose, science, non-fiction, audiobook

Was this good? I have on idea. Much like the previous book I reviewed. I’ve no memories of it at all. No anecdotes or factoids or trivia. I literally have nothing.
But that also means it didn’t offend. So I am willing to bet I wasn’t bored. So I must have liked it at the time. It’s giving me a real 4-Starish kind of vibe.

But you know, materials are interesting, now that I think of it. If I had my druthers I might be inspired to read a book on the topic, except, apparently, I already have, and g ...more

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Apr 18, 2024 Eric Bingham rated it it was amazing

I loved reading this book! It caused me to develop a new appreciation for the materials all around me that have changed the world. It also caused me to reflect on what life would be like without some of our "modern" materials such as concrete, glass, chocolate, graphite, stainless steel, plastic, etc... The only thing I didn't like about the book was that some of the chapters would focus on a single type of the material (plastic for example) whereas I found myself wanting more information about ...more

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