Charbel's 2015 Science Challenge

[Charbel]

The aim of this challenge is to help me read something related to my studies as well as fuel my reading addiction, while still allowing me time to indulge in other books. As the title says, this challenge will contain science books ranging in the various science disciplines.
To make things more interesting, I will establish a quota: At least two science books per month, giving me a total by the end of the year of at least 24.

[Angela M]

Charnel , so nice to see you !

[Charbel]

Nice to see you too Angela! I like the new avatar. Uni got a bit busy this term that I hardly had any time to do anything but read and study.

[Pink]

Great challenge Charbel, that will enable you to read around your studies. I've loved reading science books lately, so I'll be keeping an eye out to see which books you choose.

[Angela M]

I had to change it up a little - got tired of looking at my face - lol .

It's hard having to juggle so many things but studying is why you are there for sure. Hope it's going well .

[Charbel]

@Pink- Feel free to send some recommendations.
@Angela- yes it's going well thank you.

[Paul]

Looking forward to seeing your list Charbel

[Charbel]

Thanks Paul, I'm still working on it.

[Bionic Jean]

What a good idea! This looks interesting, Charbel :)

[Charbel]

Thank you Jean!

[Charbel]

Here are the first few months planned books.

January:
1. The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin(Biology) Read
2. The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicholas Taleb (Mathematics/Philosophy/Probability) Read

February:
1. On The Shoulders Of Giants: The Great Works Of Physics And Astronomy by Stephen Hawking (Physics) Read
2. The Extended Phenotype: The Long Reach of the Gene by Richard Dawkins (Biology/Ethology/Ecology/Genetics). Read

[Monica]

On the Shoulders of Giants looks very good, Charbel...added to my "to read" list, thanks. I've read Hawking's The Grand Design, and found it quite interesting, so I'm curious to read the one you chose.

[Pink]

I attempted The Extended Phenotype recently, but it was too much information for my non-scientific brain. The selfish Gene had given me enough to deal with and this was a more in depth follow up. I have The Blind Watchmaker on reserve at the moment, as I'm trying to work through all of Dawkins books.

I'd like to read The Origin of Species too, but as yet haven't made time for it...one day. Bryan Sykes is very good, if you like genetics topics.

[Charbel]

@Monica- Let's hope I can get through it; it's over 1000 pages long. But The Grand Design is my favourite book by Hawking, I also recommend The Universe in a Nutshell.

@Pink- I've sort of unofficially made it a challenge to read all of Dawkins' books. This challenge will be filled with his name. I'm even thinking of reading The Selfish Gene for the second time. Bryan Sykes sounds interesting, I'll see if i can find something by him in the library.

[Paul]

I have sent you a couple of recommendations Charbel. Different types of science topics too.

[Pink]

The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry by Bryan Sykes This is the book I read of his, very accessible and enjoyable.

Which other Dawkins books have you read and enjoyed?

[Charbel]

@Paul- I've noticed, thank you Paul. Each sounds more fascinating than the last.

@Pink- The Selfish Gene, The God Delusion, and An Appetite for Wonder: The Making of a Scientist. But the best one was The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution, it's the best book on evolution that you could possibly find, and it's easy to read.

[Charbel]

I was going to add The Double Helix by James D. Watson when I first started thinking about this challenge. But I recently read about some rather racist comments that he'd made back in 2007, and now I'm not so sure anymore. I very much want to read about the discovery of DNA, but the whole author-book ethics thing came up again. Any thoughts?

[Pink]

Good to know about The Greatest show on earth, it's on my list! I also recommend The Ancestor's Tale: A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Evolution it's a beast of a book, but so comprehensive and it left me awed.

[Charbel]

Pink wrote: "Good to know about The Greatest show on earth, it's on my list! I also recommend The Ancestor's Tale: A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Evolution it's a beast of a book, but so comprehensive..."

It's on my to-read list!

[Paul]

Charbel wrote: "I was going to add The Double Helix by James D. Watson when I first started thinking about this challenge. But I recently read about some rather racist comments that he..."

Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA by Brenda Maddox then? It is more biography though

[Pink]

Regarding The Double Helix/ James Watson, have you read Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA? I love this book, but it sort of put me off reading more about Watson and Crick in a feminist leaning way. Author/ethics is a concern for me, it wouldn't ultimately put me off reading about Watson, but might make me delay.

[dely]

Very personal and interesting challenge. Wish you good luck ;-)

[Charbel]

It was a group read at some point wasn't it? I would still like to read it, but if it's more biography than science then it might not belong in this challenge.

[Charbel]

Thanks dely!

[Bionic Jean]

I think Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA was a group read here once, yes. I remember being disappointed that it's not on Kindle.

[Alannah]

Good luck Charbel.

[Alannah]

Jean wrote: "I think Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA was a group read here once, yes. I remember being disappointed that it's not on Kindle."

No, but I managed to get a really cheap used copy off amazon. Looked brand new.

[Charbel]

Thanks Alannah!

[Pink]

The Dark Lady of DNA is a biography of Rosalind Franklin, so it depends what you're looking for really. It's very science based if that helps and also mentions several other scientists she worked with, along with her actual scientific work.

[Paulfozz]

Interesting challenge Charbel, should make for an enlightening year!

Charbel wrote: "I was going to add The Double Helix by James D. Watson when I first started thinking about this challenge. But I recently read about some rather racist comments that he..."

I don't know about his world view but I did read The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA a while back and it was certainly worth reading - it gives an interesting picture of the UK science establishment of the time, as well as the background to the search for the shape of the DNA molecule, and also some biography of his and Crick's activities over those years. I'm glad I read it, though I'd certainly like to read some alternative views since Watson's memories are likely to be rather biased.

I would certainly commend Niko Tinbergen's books on Ethology (the study of animal behaviour in natural environments) having read The Herring Gull's World this year. Tim Birkhead's book Bird Sense: What It's Like to Be a Bird is also very good as it covers the current (and major past) research on the senses of birds; it was, if you'll excuse the pun, eye-opening.

[Bionic Jean]

Alannah - I'm pleased for you, but that's no good for those of us who need accessible formats such as Large Print. I often get ex-library large print books from firms using Amazon, but Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA isn't available in that format either - boo! (Sorry to intrude on your slot, Charbel.)

[Charbel]

Now I'm starting to think that I should read both books just to see the various perspectives. Might as well make up a DNA themed month.

@Jean, No problem :)

[Charbel]

@Paulfozz- thanks for the recommendations. I don't think I've read any Ethology books before, but I am interested in Ecology and Zoology so I'm sure I would enjoy the subject.

[Paulfozz]

You're welcome - good luck with the challenge.

[Charbel]

March:
1. X-Events: The Collapse of Everything by John L. Casti (Mathematics/Probability) Read
2. The Magic of Reality: How We Know What's Really True by Richard Dawkins (General Science/Biology) Read

[Charbel]

April:

1. The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins (Biology/Sociology/General Science) Read
2. Unweaving the Rainbow: Science, Delusion and the Appetite for Wonder by Richard Dawkins(General Science/Biology) Read

[Charbel]

May:
1.Silent Spring by Rachel Carson (Environmental Science/Chemistry) Read

2.The Blind Watchmaker: Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe Without Design by Richard Dawkins (Biology)

[Charbel]

I thought it would be fitting to read Silent Spring in the beginning of Spring.

[Paulfozz]

Some deep reading there!

[Eric]

Charbel what r u studying to be?

[Charbel]

Yes it's not exactly beach reading.

[Charbel]

Eric wrote: "Charbel what r u studying to be?"

I'm pre-med majoring in environmental science.

[Eric]

Doctor charbel lol

[Charbel]

Fingers crossed.

[Greg]

Charbel wrote: "I thought it would be fitting to read Silent Spring in the beginning of Spring."

Sounds very fitting, and I've heard wonderful things about that book. Good luck in your challenges and studies in 2015!

[Paulfozz]

Greg wrote: "Charbel wrote: "I thought it would be fitting to read Silent Spring in the beginning of Spring."

Sounds very fitting, and I've heard wonderful things about that book. Good luck in your challenges ..."

It's not an easy read, inevitable given the subject, but it's as relevant today as it was when published; I've often thought it should be required reading for anyone wanting to use poisons to control pests, whether industrially or in the home.

[Charbel]

Thanks Greg.
@Paulfuzz- we actually read a chapter from it in an environmental class as an example of how to communicate important scientific ideas to the general public, and ever since I've wanted to read the whole book. This challenge is the perfect opportunity to do just that.

[Pink]

You've added some more great books to your challenge, they look very interesting. Like the new pic by the way!

[Bionic Jean]

I've been meaning to read Silent Spring for ... ever it seems! Maybe this is the year I'll get around to it.