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Nature and Science August 2026 |
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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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| 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. Read-alike: Virus: Vaccinations, The CDC, and the Hijacking of America’s Response to the Pandemic by Nina Burleigh. |
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| The Infinity Machine: Demis Hassabis, Deepmind, and the Quest for Superintelligence by Sebastian MallabyJournalist and author Sebastian Mallaby’s latest is both a rich examination of the innovations in artificial intelligence being created at Google’s DeepMind project and the story of its enigmatic genius co-founder, Demis Hassabis. Mallaby takes readers inside AI laboratories, filled with relentlessly ambitious researchers and investors chasing the exciting (and for some, terrifying) achievement of artificial general intelligence, or machine “superintelligence.” For fans of: Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT, and the Race That Will Change the World by Parmy Olson. |
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| The Book of Cannabis: The History and Future of the Plant and the Drug by Jeremy NarbyCannabis, a versatile member of the plant kingdom known for its many uses -- recreational and otherwise -- is enjoying a renaissance after more than a century being stigmatized as a social evil. In addition to covering its applications in medicine, agriculture, and as a natural fiber, anthropologist Jeremy Narby discusses cannabis’ intersection with disciplines including religion, sociology, psychology, and geology in a comprehensive and well-researched microhistory. |
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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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On the Origin of Sex: The Weird and Wonderful Science of Reproduction
by Lixing Sun
Biologist Lixing Sun has spent decades researching sexual reproduction and evolution using behavioral experiments, genetic testing, and mathematical and computer modeling. In On the Origin of Sex, he reveals the wild and weird world of how creatures reproduce. In slime molds, sex can involve dozens--or even hundreds--of mating types, or proto-sexes. Among certain algae, nearly every individual can mate with almost any other--a veritable free-for-all. Meanwhile, whiptail lizards and California condors are just two among the many vertebrate species capable of parthenogenesis. Clownfish sequentially change from male to female, and bearded dragons can undergo temperature-dependent sex reversal, all of which challenge the notion that sex is binary and fixed in the natural world. Assiduously researched and narrated with humor and verve, On the Origin of Sex offers an expert and entertaining investigation into the science of how our planet is populated.
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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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Take Me to Your Leader: Perspectives on Your First Alien Encounter
by Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Take Me to Your Leader is the culmination of a lifetime of fascination, speculation, and the amassing of scientific data about the possibility of Aliens visiting Earth. Drawing on a wealth of depictions from history, literature, pop culture, and film, Tyson applies the universal laws of physics to make the case for what Aliens might look like, act like, how they might travel through the universe to reach us, and what they might think of us upon arrival. Should such an event occur, Tyson further offers useful etiquette tips for your first close encounter. If you've ever wondered why there are so many UFO sightings, or whether Aliens might already be among us, Tyson offers an informed perspective that is both factual and fun. Take Me to Your Leader is a tantalizing exploration of what would be the most mind-blowing experience of your life--the book for anyone who has ever wondered: Are we alone?
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Michigan City Public Library
100 E. 4th Street
Michigan City, Indiana 46360
219-873-3044mclib.org/ |
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