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Nature and Science August 2026 |
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Naming Nature: A Cabinet of Natural Curiosities for Word Lovers
by T. A. Barron
An exploration of how human cultures across time and geography have described the living world around them. From the poetic to the practical, the reverent to the resourceful, every language holds unique insights into how we relate to nature. Drawing on etymology, folklore, and linguistic nuance, this richly illustrated volume uncovers the meanings behind the names we give to animals and plants, revealing the deep interconnection between language and landscape.
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| Nightfaring: In Search of the Disappearing Darkness by Megan Eaves-EgenesThere is nothing much simpler, more beautiful, or more terrifying in nature than darkness, yet Earth is increasingly bathed in 24-hour artificial light, disrupting circadian rhythms, invading habitats, and obscuring our view of the stars. Travel writer Megan Eaves-Egenes, following a year marked by personal trauma, journeys to dark-sky locations around the globe, sees the Milky Way in all its glory, learns about Indigenous astronomy, and discovers the healing power of the dark, expressed with “sumptuous, confessional storytelling” (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| In Defense of Sunlight: The Surprising Science of Sun Exposure by Rowan JacobsenThe inherited wisdom concerning sunlight on skin these days is the less the better. Not so, according to science writer Rowan Jacobsen. He argues that while sun exposure has been linked to some skin cancers, the most recent studies indicate that UV rays are less harmful to skin than we thought and, furthermore, moderate daily sun exposure is good for you, triggering production of vitamin D, increasing alertness, and improving mood. The big takeaway: just try not to burn! |
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Earth and Life: A Four Billion Year Conversation
by Andrew H. Knoll
From the world-renowned geobiologist and bestselling author of A Brief History of Earth, the epic story of a planetary conversation four billion years in the making. How did the world as we know it--from the soil beneath our feet to the air we breathe and the life that surrounds us--come to be? Geologists have proposed one set of answers while biologists have proposed another. Earth and Life is the first book to reveal why we need to listen to both voices--the physical and the biological--to understand how we and our planet became possible.
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| A Pox on Fools: The True Believers, Grifters, and Cynics Who Convinced Us to Reject... by Thomas LevensonEven a glance at the data on vaccines -- increasing life expectancy by 30 years since 1900; an estimated 150+ million lives saved in the last 50 years -- would seem to negate any argument against their use. And yet… Science writer and MIT professor Thomas Levenson’s diatribe against modern-day antivaxxers reveals that the playbook hasn’t changed much since vaccines were introduced, except that today’s influencers often cynically accept payouts from powerful interests. |
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A Brief History of the Universe (and Our Place in It)
by Sarah Alam Malik
An elegant exploration of humanity's continuous search to find the hidden truths of the universe and comprehend our place in the cosmos. We have always looked up at the night sky and wondered. Ever since the ancient Babylonians began to track celestial objects on clay tablets, scientific inquiry has been driven by the innate human desire to understand what is out there, and where we fit into it all. Particle physicist Dr. Sarah Alam Malik takes us on a journey through the discoveries that have at once propelled and overturned our perception of the cosmos.
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| Trail Work: Restoring the Paths and Stories of America's Public Lands by Dillon OslegerMany people don’t know that there were once thousands of miles of trails connecting public lands throughout the American West. Unfortunately, more than two-thirds of them have disappeared over the centuries. Geologist, naturalist, and mountain biker Dillon Osleger’s “thoughtful and passionate” (Library Journal) debut discusses his work to rediscover, repair, and foster awareness of these trails that were once considered a public investment that has been gradually eroded by both resource extraction and neglect. |
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Unlearn Your Pain: The Science of Recovering from Chronic Pain, Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression
by Howard Schubiner, MD
In Unlearn Your Pain, Dr. Schubiner shares in inspiring and step-by-step detail the program that has proven to be effective in reversing chronic pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Using the latest research and mind-body practices all confirmed by clinical trials and studies, he leads readers to a new understanding of how the mind affects pain and physical and emotional health, and how we can live healthier and better lives.
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| In Deep Water: A True Story of Sharks, Survival, and Courage by Michael J. TougiasNonfiction author Michael J. Tougias (Fatal Forecast) tells a terrifying cautionary tale of survival on the open ocean. In 2022, three friends in coastal Louisiana embark on a fishing trip on the Gulf of Mexico in a recently purchased boat that suddenly proves un-seaworthy. The vessel sinks so quickly that the fishermen barely have time to don life vests and cling to a cooler for dear life. They spend the next 28 hours facing down stinging jellyfish, circling sharks, and their own exhaustion before being rescued. For fans of: harrowing ocean rescue stories like A Speck in the Sea by John Aldridge. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Carrollton Public Library 1700 Keller Springs Road, Carrollton Texas 75006 4220 North Josey Lane, Carrollton Texas 75010 |
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