Nature and Science October 2018 Recent Releases The World in a Grain: The Story of Sand and How It Transformed Civilization by Vince Beiser What it is: the story of sand. (Yes, sand.) Why you should read it: From concrete to glass to computer chips, sand is the "literal foundation of modern civilization." Fun fact: Due to increasing demand and dwindling supply, there now exists a black market for sand, run by ruthless sand cartels who control the supply to industry. The Disordered Mind: What Unusual Brains Tell Us About Ourselves by Eric R. Kandel What it's about: Bridging psychology and neuroscience, this illuminating book reveals what we can learn about human cognition by studying brain disorders. Includes: discussions of autism, mood disorders, schizophrenia, dementia, PTSD, and addiction, to name just a few. About the author: Eric R. Kandel is a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist. The Tangled Tree: A Radical New History of Life by David Quammen What it's about: molecular phylogenetics, which uses biopolymers (DNA, RNA, and proteins) to study the evolutionary history of organisms and determine relationships between species. Contains: three "big surprises" that will make you rethink your understanding of evolution: the domain of Archaea, the process of horizontal gene transfer, and a probable ancestor of humans previously unknown to science. Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military by Neil deGrasse Tyson and Avis Lang What it is: a thought-provoking examination of the long-standing relationship between science and the military-industrial complex, with a special focus on astrophysics and the aerospace industry. Who it's for: readers interested in the intersection of science, industry, and politics; anyone who wonders what the proposed U.S. Space Force might look like. Author alert: Well-known astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson teams up with longtime editor and frequent collaborator Avis Lang for this eye-opening book. Illinois State Parks by Lee Mandrell Discover the breathtaking beauty and unforgettable adventures that await in Illinois state parks. Lee Mandrell and DeeDee Niederhouse-Mandrell highlight the incredible diversity and natural beauty of the landscapes, flora, and fauna of the state. How to grow mushrooms from scratch : a practical guide to cultivating portobellos, shiitakes, truffles, and other edible mushrooms by Magdalena Wurth Mushrooms are a joy to grow—for food, as a garden feature, or just for fun—and it’s easier than you think! How to Grow Mushrooms from Scratch covers 19 varieties, from button (always versatile) to reishi (a medicinal powerhouse). Plus, here are delicious recipes, preserving methods, and more. Experts Magdalena and Herbert Wurth explain every step of cultivation—whether starting from a kit, a culture, or a grown mushroom you’d like to propagate.  Do-it-yourself Projects to Get You Off the Grid : Rain Barrels, Chicken Coops, Solar Panels, and More by Instructables.com Instructables is back with this inspiring book focused on a series of projects designed to get you thinking creatively about going green. Twenty Instructables illustrate just how simple it can be to make your own backyard chicken coop, or turn a wine barrel into a rainwater collector. Climate justice : hope, resilience, and the fight for a sustainable future by Mary Robinson A former president of Ireland and U.S. special envoy on climate change describes the impact of climate change and offers uplifting stories of ordinary people who have stepped up to help save our planet, including a Mississippi hair dresser and a Ugandan farmer. The molecule of more : how a single molecule in your brain drives love, sex, and creativity-and will determine the fate of the human race by Daniel Z. Lieberman SUPERANNO George Washington University professor and psychiatrist Daniel Z. Lieberman, MD, and Georgetown University lecturer Michael E. Long present a potentially life-changing proposal: Much of human life has an unconsidered component that explains an array of behaviors previously thought to be unrelated, including why winners cheat, why geniuses often suffer with mental illness, why nearly all diets fail and why the brains of liberals and conservatives really are different. Conceivability : what I learned exploring the frontiers of fertility by Elizabeth L. Katkin A deeply informative account traces the author's gripping journey through the global fertility industry in search of an answer to her own unexplained infertility, a quest that was shaped by key medical, financial, legal, scientific, emotional and ethical challenges. Illinois across the land by Lee Mandrell Join photographers Lee Mandrell and DeeDee Niederhouse-Mandrell on a visual journey across the Prairie state, as they travel from the beaches of Lake Michigan over rolling forested hills and picturesque farmland, through covered bridges, past historic barns and windmills, andup to the edge of the awe-inspiring rocky cliffs of the Garden of the Gods.  This is the way the world ends : how droughts and die-offs, heat waves and hurricanes are converging on America by Jeffrey Asher Nesbit Telling real stories of substantial impacts to Earth’s systems across each continent, an environmental expert presents a unique view of climate change as seen through the world’s resources that are disappearing and describes what we can do to stop it. The poison squad : one chemist's single-minded crusade for food safety at the turn of the twentieth century by Deborah Blum A Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times best-selling author tells the dramatic true story of how food was made safe in the United States and the heroes, led by the inimitable Dr. Harvey Washington Wiley, who fought for change. Math with bad drawings : ideas + stick figures = enlightenment by Ben Orlin The creator of the blog of the same name explains how math works in everyday life and how it can be better understood, using lighthearted cartoon illustrations, jokes and anecdotes that demystify essential concepts. How to invent everything : a survival guide for the stranded time traveler by Ryan North A best-selling author and time-travel enthusiast details the science, engineering, mathematics, art, music, philosophy, facts and figures required for even the most clueless time traveler to build a civilization from the ground up. Count girls in : empowering girls to combine any interests with STEM to open up a world of opportunity by Karen Panetta Provides accessible information and advice for parents of female students who are interested in perusing careers in STEM fields to help them raise and foster happy, confident girls who take advantage of all the opportunities the future holds.  The dinosaur artist : obsession, betrayal, and the quest for Earth's ultimate trophy by Paige Williams A New Yorker staff writer analyzes the perilous world of the international fossil trade through the story of one man's devastating effort to sell a Gobi Desert dinosaur skeleton from a nation that forbids natural-history trafficking. Endangered and disappearing birds of the Midwest by Matt Williams In Endangered and Disappearing Birds of the Midwest, Matt Williams profiles forty of the most beautiful and interesting birds who winter, breed, or migrate through the Midwest and whose populations are most in danger of disappearing from the region. Each profile includes the current endangered status of the species, a description of the bird's vocal and nesting patterns, and tips to help readers identify them, along with stunning color images and detailed migration maps. Bitwise : a life in code by David Auerbach An ode to the computer codes and languages that captured the author's imagination as a child demonstrates how computers and algorithms shape, and sometimes compromise, human understandings of identity and the greater world. Sleepyhead : the neuroscience of a good night's rest by Henry Nicholls A science writer recounts his life dealing with chronic narcolepsy and explores the world of sleeping disorders and its victims—including insomniacs, fellow narcoleptics and sleep-apnea sufferers—and uncovers the secrets of a good night's rest. 20,000 first printing. Autonomy : the quest to build the driverless car and how it will reshape our world by Lawrence D Burns A veteran insider chronicles the race to develop and perfect the driverless car, sharing insights into how self-driving innovations will create profound changes in commuting, employment, safety and environmental responsibility. 200,000 first printing. Contact your librarian for more great books! Bloomington Public Library 205 E. Olive St. Bloomington, Illinois 61701 309-557-8940 www.bloomingtonlibrary.org/