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Nature and Science April 2026 |
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Gemini: Stepping Stone to the Moon, the Untold Story
by Jeffrey Kluger
After we first launched Americans into space but before we touched down on the moon's surface, there was the Gemini program. It was no easy jump from manned missions in low-Earth orbit to a successful moon landing, and the ten-flight, twenty-month celestial story of the Gemini program is an extraordinary one. There was unavoidable darkness in the program --the deaths and near-deaths that defined it, and the blood feud with the Soviet Union that animated it. But there were undeniable and previously inconceivable successes. With a war raging in Vietnam and lawmakers calling for cuts to NASA's budget, the success of the Gemini program--or the space program in general--was never guaranteed. Yet against all odds, the remarkable scientists and astronauts behind the project persevered, and their efforts paid off. Later, with the knowledge gained from the Gemini flights, NASA would launch the legendary Apollo program.
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| The Company of Owls by Polly AtkinThe Company of Owls is a book about birdwatching, and yet author and poet Polly Atkin is no bird expert. Rather, she has written a thoughtful, lyrical memoir about observing the different species of owls around her home in England’s Lake District. Her interactions with these beings stir ruminations about chronic illness, solitude, and how intimacy with nature can enhance our understanding of ourselves. Try this next: The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl. |
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| Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives by Daisy FancourtPsychologist and epidemiologist Daisy Fancourt’s debut touts the importance of the arts and creativity in a healthy lifestyle, even for the non-artistic. Fancourt’s inspiring book provides statistics and examples showing that an hour of art-related activity per week can improve mental health, memory, movement, and longevity, and can alleviate the symptoms of numerous ailments. For fans of: The Well-Gardened Mind: The Restorative Power of Nature by Sue Stuart-Smith. |
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| How Flowers Made Our World: The Story of Nature's Revolutionaries by David George HaskellFlowers are so much more than aesthetically pleasing, asserts biologist David George Haskell: they are nature’s true survivors. In addition to providing food and shelter for insects and birds, they adapt incredibly quickly to environmental changes, foster biodiversity, act as catalysts between different species, and are even capable of things like self-reproduction and “chromosome doubling” when the chips are down. For fans of: The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger. |
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The IVF Blueprint: Everything You Need to Know about In Vitro Fertilization, Egg Freezing, and Embryo Transfer
by Abby Eblen
Currently, 6.7 million people or about 1 in 8 couples in the United States are estimated to experience infertility. With their expertise and candid approach, the brains behind the Fertility Docs Uncensored podcast demystify the IVF process and the rising trend of egg freezing, addressing common myths and misconceptions along the way. In a landscape filled with confusing and often inaccurate online information, this authoritative resource stands out. Written by board-certified physicians who perform hundreds of IVF treatments each year-and who have experienced the journey themselves-this guide simplifies the complex world of fertility. It covers everything you need to know before, during, and after the IVF process. Whether you're just starting your fertility journey or seeking to deepen your understanding of your options, this book is your trusted resource. This book fulfills a significant unmet need, tackling a complex subject with clarity, warmth, and a commitment to helping you succeed in your path to parenthood. Empower yourself with knowledge and take control of your reproductive health, with guidance from three experts who know it best.
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| The Feather Wars and the Great Crusade to Save America's Birds by James H. McCommonsIn the late 19th century, America’s bird populations were under serious threat, with many species hunted to near extinction for sport, biological research, and (wait for it...) the ladies’ hat industry. Luckily for the birds, a concerted conservation effort took hold, led by an unlikely alliance between academics, wardens, hunters, docents, artists, and politicians. James H. McCommons’ book serves as a happy example of what is achievable when concerned parties come together. Read alike: The Birds That Audubon Missed by Kenn Kaufman. |
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How to Be Bold: The Surprising Science of Everyday Courage
by Ranjay Gulati
In How to Be Bold, Ranjay Gulati offers a powerful playbook for becoming bolder and braver than we ever thought possible. Rather than leaving brave deeds to mythological heroes and resigning ourselves to apathy or cowardice, we can train ourselves to step up and act in the face of uncertainty. The key, Gulati argues, is to adopt ways of thinking that allow us to neutralize or moderate our fears. By shifting how we see ourselves and the world, we can lower the odds that we'll freeze up in the moment while also sustaining courage over prolonged periods. We also can inspire others around us to display what Gulati calls collective courage.Gulati shares vivid accounts of extraordinary courageous behavior, taking readers inside a nuclear reactor under threat of meltdown, to the front lines of a war zone, and into space with NASA astronauts. Connecting these stories with more mundane examples, such as the bravery shown by health care workers during the height of the COVID pandemic and by a whistleblower who took the bold step to expose their employer, Gulati reveals that what all of these people have in common isn't fearlessness. It's the ability to think in ways that help them manage their fears and make courageous action possible.We all dream of being heroes, and some of us actually live those dreams. Whether you're a leader steering your organization through uncertainty, an activist standing up for your beliefs, or a young person simply looking to live your best, most fulfilling life, How to Be Bold gives you the science-based insight and strategies you need to take more action, do more good, and leave an inspiring legacy.
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| Winter: The Story of a Season by Val McDermidAs we brace for another “hottest ever” summer, readers wistful for winter coziness will want to immerse themselves in Scottish crime novelist Val McDermid’s ode to the season of cold, rest, and reflection. McDermid’s beloved Edinburgh comes to life with her vivid childhood recollections of busy street scenes, sprinkled with Scottish holiday traditions and a few soup recipes. For fans of: The Light in the Dark: A Winter Journal by Horatio Clare. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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