Play Book Tag discussion
January 2022: Science
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Announcing the first tag of 2022
As I figured, I have a LOT of options! Top of the list that is appealing to me right now, though: - Lab Girl / Hope Jahren
- Bleed, Blister, Puke, and Purge / J. Marin Younker
- The Bluebird Effect / Julie Zickefoose
- The Sawbones Book / Justin McElroy
- The Coming Plague / Laurie Garrett
LibraryCin wrote: "As I figured, I have a LOT of options! Top of the list that is appealing to me right now, though: - Lab Girl / Hope Jahren
- Bleed, Blister, Puke, and Purge / J. Marin Younker
- The Bluebird Effe..."
I read the Bluebird Effect, years ago and loved it. I think it might have made my top 10 that year.
No one has yet mentioned Sy Montgomery - I read three of her books last year and they were delightful - The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness, How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals, and Journey of the Pink Dolphins: An Amazon Quest. And she has so many more books I will probably read one of them for January.
Holly R W wrote: "Here are a few books that I can recommend which will fit the tag.Memoir - "Lab Girl" by H. Jahren is a treat to read. She is a botanist who has a passion for her work. This is a PBT favorite.
"M..."
Holly R W wrote: "Here are a few books that I can recommend which will fit the tag.
Memoir - "Lab Girl" by H. Jahren is a treat to read. She is a botanist who has a passion for her work. This is a PBT favorite.
"M..."
I have Happiness on my TBR, it's nice to know it fits the science tag.
Joy D wrote: "Anita wrote: "Have you read Sapiens? Any thoughts on which I might prefer?"I have read Sapiens if you are speaking of the one by Yuval Noah Harari. I liked it but didn't love it (gave it 3 stars)..."
I started this but wasn't impressed so have never gotten back to it.
Perfect, A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth: 4.6 Billion Years in 12 Pithy Chapters has been floating around me in the universe and I am the first hold on the library copy so I'll get it for January.I am always a fan of picking up whatever strikes my fancy in the library, and science is its own section for ease of browsing. Any slight curiosity can probably be indulged: dinosaurs, space, genetics, nutrition, everyday physics, the history of engineering...
For those not too interested in the subject Micheal Pollan and Mary Roach are very engaging and accessible writers.
NancyJ wrote: "Also - When We Cease to Understand the World. I skimmed it a while ago, and I wasn't sure if I would like it. It's getting a lot more attention now, which I think started with Obama..."I truly loved this book, and it's going to make my top 10 this year. It's not an easy read (you've been warned), but I still thought it was amazing.
Nicole R wrote: "Anita, Code Breaker was very good. While it is pretty heavy on the science, it also tells about Doudna and her contemporaries and how we ended up with competing East Coast and West Coast CRISPR ins..."I managed to get it from the library so yay! I have a few other possibilities, so will need to see where the mood takes me.
Anita wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Also - When We Cease to Understand the World. I skimmed it a while ago, and I wasn't sure if I would like it. It's getting a lot more attention now, which I think sta..."I really liked this one too!!!
LibraryCin wrote: "As I figured, I have a LOT of options! Top of the list that is appealing to me right now, though: - Lab Girl / Hope Jahren
- Bleed, Blister, Puke, and Purge / J. Marin Younker
- The Bluebird Effe..."
I highly recommend Lab Girl and I'm a fiction reader - so that's saying something!
Hayjay315 wrote: "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking has been languishing on my TBR for far too long so I'm leaning towards that one, but joy is my word of the year for ..."I really enjoyed Quiet. I have 2 sons and one is very much an introvert and the other is an extrovert who does not understand his brother at all. My introverted son totally understands himself and his brother. The extrovert now has an introvert son! I recommended the book to him! I wish I'd read this when they were growing up. :-)
Barbara M wrote: "Hayjay315 wrote: "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking has been languishing on my TBR for far too long so I'm leaning towards that one, but joy is my wor..."Lol, I have one introvert and one extrovert son as well! Needless to say, they don't exactly get along the best on a day to day basis.
I just thought of another book that can be used for the science tag. It's an unusual, quirky book of essays written by John Green, called The Anthropocene Reviewed. I really enjoyed it.
I can't believe that I never got to vote. It's been a very busy month and I totally missed the prompt to vote. Non-fiction is not my favorite but I have found some good things. I think I'll do fiction thing with The Love Hypothesis since it was recommended in this thread and looks like a good light read to mix in.My recommendations would be
Anything by Mary Roach!
Prodigal Summer - loved it!
Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time Short and enlightening for me.
Lab Girl - along with several others who made this recommendation!
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
As for me:
Leonardo da Vinci
Hidden Figures
Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law
Salt: A World History
Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canaland, as mentioned above: The Love Hypothesis
I haven't checked the book's tags, but these fiction works would definitely fit SCIENCEThe Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley ( or any of the books in this series)
I haven't had a chance to truly check the lists but I'm pretty sure I have a few options. So far I'm thinking:
Uncanny Valley
Death's End
Lab Girl
Migrations
The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Oh, and Dark Matter
Jen K wrote: "I haven't had a chance to truly check the lists but I'm pretty sure I have a few options. So far I'm thinking:
Uncanny Valley
Death's End
Lab Girl
..."
I really liked the examples and stories in the Power of Habit. Migrations and Lab Girl are strong favorites. I'd like to reread Migrations, but I'll wait until the Spring when my local bookclub reads it.
NancyJ wrote: "Jen K wrote: "I haven't had a chance to truly check the lists but I'm pretty sure I have a few options. So far I'm thinking:
Uncanny Valley
Death's End
[book:Lab G..."
Excited to read these!
Joanne wrote: "Well, not sure it would fly with many, but I have nothing else-actually do not have this one yet, but expecting it as a gift from my daughter. Move on Motherf*cker: Live, Laugh, and Let Sh*t I hope you love it. I like positive psychology books when I need a push in a new direction.
Have you read Migrations yet? The romantic part reminds me of What the Wind Knows.
There are some historical fiction with science tags:
Remarkable Creatures
A Fierce Radiance by Lauren Belfer - Historical fiction/thriller about a woman who gets involved in a race to develop antibiotics. I loved it. (I'm partial to the author who has local ties. I loved her book City of LIght.)
Rose Code
Hanna's War
NancyJ wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Well, not sure it would fly with many, but I have nothing else-actually do not have this one yet, but expecting it as a gift from my daughter. Move on Motherf*cker: Live, Laugh, and ..."Oh, thanks! I have A Fierce Radiance on my shelf. I got it because I liked City of Light.
Robin P wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Well, not sure it would fly with many, but I have nothing else-actually do not have this one yet, but expecting it as a gift from my daughter. Move on Motherf*cker: Li..."I hope you like it too. I almost re-read City of Light for FlytheSkies because it was the only book with enough Buffalo tags, but I already read it twice and saw the Play.
Thanks for the suggestions Nancy, going to stick with my therapists book, as I have to get it done for our next session-I am thinking only 1 PBT tag a month for the first few months(and if the wheel of tags still keeps spitting out things I don't like *sigh*) as I have some chunksters up in January/February for other groups
I ordered several from the library and am not yet sure which one(s) I am going to read. My reading will be dropping considerably this year due to many upcoming things, but 2020 was a huge record for me and even this year was a lot more books than normal. I thought If I borrowed 3 or 4 then I could read whichever one most appeals to me at the time.
Anita wrote: "Nicole R wrote: "I read it!"Worth it?
Have you read Sapiens? Any thoughts on which I might prefer?"
Sapiens is great, everybody should read it
Nicole D. wrote: "Anita wrote: "Nicole R wrote: "I read it!"Worth it?
Have you read Sapiens? Any thoughts on which I might prefer?"
Sapiens is great, everybody should read it"
Lol, this is not helping me narrow my options!!
I didn't get the chance to vote on the tag, but it's perfect for the start of my new year. I'm focusing on my health in 2022, so I'll be reading Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker.If I have time, I have Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond on my physical shelf.
Science has never really been my thing. I'm going to try to read The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History.
I recommend either The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness or A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future.
WPF Author's books with more than 5 Science tags.Margaret Atwood - trilogy
Oryx and Crake - 102 science tags
The Year of the Flood -48 science tags
MaddAddam -17
Rachel Joyce - Miss Benson's Beetle - 18 science tags
Mary Doria Russell - The Sparrow - 46 science tags
Barbara Kingsolver -
Flight Behavior - 110
Prodigal Summer - 30
Unsheltered - 42
Animal Vegetable Miracle -87
others?
Ruth Ozeki - A Tale for the Time Being - 13 science tags
My year of meats -6 tags
All over creation - 2
NancyJ wrote: "WPF Author's books with more than 5 Science tags.Margaret Atwood - trilogy
Oryx and Crake - 102 science tags,
The Year of the Flood -57
MaddAddam
Ra..."
Also:
Ray Bradbury- The Martian Chronicles - 77 tags
Barbara Kingsolver - Flight Behavior - 110 tags
Mary Doria Russell - The Sparrow - 46 tags
Ann Patchett - State of Wonder - 84 tags
Jen K wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "WPF Author's books with more than 5 Science tags.Margaret Atwood - trilogy
Oryx and Crake - 102 science tags,
The Year of the Flood -57
[book:MaddAdda..."
Thanks Nancy and Jen - I was just about to look for this exact information!
Thanks, Nancy & Jen. On the Beach, Nevil Shute also has 23 science tags.
My first try playing tag. I think I will read This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession. I hope I am doing this right.
Dänah wrote: "My first try playing tag. I think I will read This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession. I hope I am doing this right."Danah, I am interested in hearing your thoughts on this one. I thought about first reading it myself and then passing it on to my husband-And Welcome to group! Always nice to have fresh faces and thoughts join the party!
I'm starting with Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants and would also like to get to I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life.For recommendations:
I really liked A Short History of Nearly Everything in audio format, and Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind in print.
Lab Girl and The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World were strong, memorable reads for me as well.
I like the phenolphthalein (we use it for titration comps but if those pics are from titration they won't be winning any comps with the end point so inconsistent) picture!
Kimber wrote: "I'm starting with Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants and would also like to get to [book:I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Wi..."Sweetgrass and Multitudes have been on my radar forever, so I will be happy to read your take on them.
Dänah wrote: "My first try playing tag. I think I will read This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession. I hope I am doing this right."That sounds interesting! Looking forward to your review. 😊
Kimber wrote: "I'm starting with Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants and would also like to get to [book:I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Wi..."The Botany of Desire has been on my tbr for forever since I really liked The Omnivore's Dilemma. I'll definitely have to move it up the list. 👍🏼
I bought a paper copy of Braiding Sweetgrass last spring to support my favorite bookstore. I've pulled it off the shelf. I've also got Mind of the Raven: Investigations and Adventures with Wolf-Birds cued on my kindle.
For those of you who are science shy, here are a few great reads:—The Hot Zone (about Ebola)by Richard Preston
— The Demon in the Freezer (about anthrax) by Richard Preston
Sorry, my phone went rogue and posted without me finishing. ** I will be reading: Age of Wonder: The Romantic Generation and the Discovery of the Beauty and Terror of Science by Richard Holmes
In reference to my other post: Richard Preston is amazing. His nonfiction books read like thriller novels.
Some other quick and fun science reads:
— Plants That Kill: A Natural History of the World’s Most Poisonous Plants by Elizabeth A. Dauncey
— Napoleon’s Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History by Jenny Lecouteur
— The Sirens of Mars: Searching for Life on Another World by Sarah Stewart Johnson
— Get Well Soon: History’s Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them by Jennifer Wright
— The Royal Art of Poison: Filthy Palaces, Fatal Cosmetics, Deadly Medicine, and Murder Most Foul by Eleanor Herman
Those sound interesting. The poison book might be fun for the historical fiction game. For those who read The Overstory by RIchard Powers, are there any real people or events that would make this books suitable for the historical fiction books for Walking down history lane?
Care wrote: "For those of you who are science shy, here are a few great reads:—The Hot Zone (about Ebola)by Richard Preston
— The Demon in the Freezer (about anthrax) by Richard Preston"
Care!!! It's so nice to see you here for a visit. We've missed your literary presence!!
Care wrote: "Sorry, my phone went rogue and posted without me finishing. ** I will be reading: Age of Wonder: The Romantic Generation and the Discovery of the Beauty and Terror of Science by Richard Holmes
I..."
Care, it is great to see you here and hope to see you more.
Anita wrote: "Has anyone read The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race? It sounds science-y. I really did not plan for science lol!!"I read The Code Breaker... and I thought it was very good. It is chunked into 3 sections. In the first I learned a lot about how scientific research happens in our world, with competing scientists going after the 'big' stuff, and collaborating and/or competing etc. Some of that was a bit long, in my opinion. I couldn't keep all the players straight, but interesting nonetheless and a few anecdotes made me go 'yikes, really?!' The second section discusses the use of CRISPR technology and gene repairing vs gene editing, which was very interesting and lots of ethical questions presented. The final section about how covid-19 was quickly and vigorousy attacked by the CRISPR technology/RNA experts, as they raced to learn about the virus & develop testing and the vaccine; that was interesting and gives hope in our abilities.
Care wrote: "For those of you who are science shy, here are a few great reads:—The Hot Zone (about Ebola)by Richard Preston
— The Demon in the Freezer (about anthrax) by Richard Preston"
Hi, Care! Great to see you back! :-)
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
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How You Say It: Why You Talk the Way You Do—and What It Says About You (other topics)
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
John Green (other topics)Mary Roach (other topics)
Linda Greenlaw (other topics)
Sam Kean (other topics)
Michael Pollan (other topics)
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Memoir - "Lab Girl" by H. Jahren is a treat to read. She is a botanist who has a passion for her work. This is a PBT favorite.
"My Family and Other Animals" by G. Durrell. Quirky and charming, this is Durrell's account of falling in love with all types of birds, beasts and insects on the Isle of Corfu as a boy. He grew up to be a zoologist.
Fiction - "Happiness" by A. Forna. Two people from dissimilar backgrounds become friends in London. Jean studies the adaptation of foxes to living in a city. Attila is a psychiatrist who has studied the effects of war-time trauma upon people.
"Rules for Visiting" by J. Kane. Mary is a 40 year old horticulturist who seeks to reconnect with old friends. Her work has become too all-encompassing for her. A lovely feature of the story are the illustrations of special trees found throughout the book.