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Super Agers: An Evidence-based Approach to Longevity
by Eric J. Topol
"One of the most respected, celebrated, and influential medical researchers in the world gives a guided tour of the revolution in longevity science that is exploding now. Eric Topol doesn't promise a silver bullet to magically stop the aging process, but he does show how preventing the development of killer chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, cancer and neurodegeneration is completely changing what 'old age' can be. And we can start long before middle age—or long after."
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The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog and Other Serious Discoveries of Silly Science
by Carly Anne York
"Why would anyone research how elephants pee? Or study worms who tie themselves into a communal knot? Or quantify the squishability of a cockroach? It all sounds pointless, silly, or even disgusting. Maybe it is. But here, Carly Anne York shows how unappreciated, overlooked, and simply curiosity-driven science has led to breakthroughs big and small. Got wind power? You might have humpback whales to thank. Know anything about particle physics? Turns out there is a ferret close to the heart of it all. And if you want to keep salmon around, be thankful for that cannon! The research itself can seem bizarre. But it drives our economy. And what's more, this stuff is simply cool."
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Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine: The New Science of Achieving a Healthy Weight
by David A. Kessler
"In America, body weight has become a pain point shrouded in self-recrimination and shame, not to mention bias from the medical community. For many, this battle not only takes a mental toll but also becomes a physical threat: three-quarters of American adults struggle with weight-related health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. We know that diets don't work, and yet we also know that excess weight starves us of years and quality of life. (...) Former FDA Commissioner Dr. David A. Kesslerun packs the mystery of weight in the most comprehensive work to date on this topic, giving readers the power to dramatically improve their health. Kessler suggests the new class of GLP-1 weight loss drugs have radically altered our understanding of weight loss. They make lasting change possible, but they also have real disadvantages and must be considered as part of a comprehensive approach together with nutrition, behavior, and physical activity."
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| More Everything Forever: AI Overlords, Space Empires, and Silicon Valley's Crusade to... by Adam BeckerMany of today’s tech industry leaders advance wildly optimistic visions of a future in which people will live on Mars, become immortal, and exist in simulation. Interrogating these scenarios with real science, journalist Adam Becker runs through the multitude of reasons why they aren’t achievable, and why we wouldn’t want them to be. Try this next: Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism by Yanis Varoufakis. |
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| Fatal Abstraction: Why the Managerial Class Loses Control of Software by Darryl CampbellTech insider Darryl Campbell concludes that the era of ubiquitous computing has so far failed to deliver on its promise to humanity due to lack of oversight and profit-obsessed executives. Without sweeping industry regulations, Campbell foresees a time when applications actually impede human well-being in this “disturbing look at the evolution of digital technology” (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance by Laura DelanoLaura Delano shares her experiences as an over-prescribed psychiatric patient. After being diagnosed with several psychiatric “conditions” starting in her teens, Delano came to the stark realization in her late twenties that the combination of psychotropic drugs that she was taking was causing a cascade of interrelated symptoms. Unshrunk is an emotionally powerful cautionary tale, suitable for readers who enjoyed Sociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne. |
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| The Neck: A Natural and Cultural History by Kent DunlapAnatomist Kent Dunlap relates an exhaustive history of this peculiar body part that first appeared some 375 million years ago. Filled with amusing cultural references and covering human and animal necks in their wide variety of shapes and functions, Dunlap’s well-researched book illustrates how having a neck presents both evolutionary advantages and vulnerabilities. For similar anatomical musings, take a look at Bite: An Incisive History of Teeth, from Hagfish to Humans by Bill Schutt. |
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| Slither: How Nature's Most Maligned Creatures Illuminate Our World by Stephen S. HallScience writer Stephen S. Hall has been fascinated by snakes since childhood, and his enthusiasm comes through in this sweeping overview of all things herpetological. Hall covers topics including people’s fear of snakes, snake venom, locomotion, evolutionary history, religious symbolism, and the ease with which snakes adapt to their surroundings. An enticing choice for snake lovers (and haters!). |
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| Nine Minds: Inner Lives on the Spectrum by Daniel TammetEssayist and memoirist Daniel Tammet, a writer who is himself on the autism spectrum, focuses on the lives of nine autistic individuals, highlighting the diversity of their various talents. It’s a sweeping and inspiring own voices journey that “captures the unique modes of autistic thought with sensitivity and lyrical flair” (Publishers Weekly). For fans of: We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation by Eric Garcia. |
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| Supermassive: Black Holes at the Beginning and End of the Universe by James Trefil and Shobita SatyapalPhysicists James Trefil and Shobita Satyapal do an admirable job of explaining the complex astronomical phenomena known as black holes, as well as the astrophysical theories that underpin them and the advancements that led to their discovery. The authors’ evident passion for this difficult subject matter brings their “thrilling tour of the universe” (School Library Journal) to life. For another accessible yet informative read on this topic, try Einstein’s Monsters: The Life and Times of Black Holes by Chris Impey. |
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Our next discussion:
Thursday, September 18, 6:30 pm
Library Conference Room on Lower Level
If you're a regular reader of non-fiction about nature and science, consider joining our Eco-centric Book Club! The club usually meets on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30, but we do recommend confirming details on our events calendar in case of changes. Copies of our next book will be on reserve at the Circulation Desk. We hope to see you there!
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