Recommend a book

[thesummerqueen]

The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World


This was my introduction to Michael Pollan, who has written several food and plant related books that had interesting ideas and perspective shifts for me. The chapters on apples (sweetness) and marijuana (intoxication) were particularly intriguing.

Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex


Highly entertaining read - especially when people try to look over your shoulder. If you want a preview, Neil deGrasse Tyson did a very funny Star Talk episode interviewing her and Dr. Ruth.

The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York

FANTASTIC historical read. She brings the '20's to life, but also early chemistry. Sounds like dry stuff? (hahah, that was sort of a Prohibition pun...you'll get it if you read the book) It's not. It's a quick read, and full of personality. Consumer skeptics especially should enjoy it.

The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World

Slightly less easy of a read, but no less interesting. I soon got caught up in fascination with how this man studied cholera.