Science & Nature

Floyd, editor of Birding magazine, offers a more holistic approach to birding than the traditional field guide, pairing each species with personal anecdotes and practical birding advice, beginning with the basics of bird identification and moving on to the realms of conservation and philosophy. Beautifully illustrated throughout, this is an excellent introduction to the art and science of birdwatching. - Katherine

Haupt deftly interweaves biography, science, music theory, and memoir in this fascinating look at a footnote in music history: Mozart’s pet starling. Previous knowledge of Mozart or love for starlings is not required. Though starlings are often considered the villains of the bird world, Haupt’s compassionate portrait reveals them as the extraordinary creatures that they are. - Katherine

So sharp! I feel like I laughed out loud every paragraph. Flannery looks at the Europe’s unique roles as a bridge between continents, analyzing paleontology, geology, botany, anthropology and more. Europe couldn't be as funny as it is without a backbone of research. Centuries of scholarship are translated with an irreverent wit that brings the past alive. Absolutely delightful reading. - Clara

Casey’s quest to understand more about waves takes her all over the world. Guided by insight from the people who know waves most intimately—surfers, mariners, and wave scientists—Casey discovers that waves have a far larger effect on humanity than most realize. Fun, engaging, and sometimes frightening, Casey takes a rather obscure topic and makes it a truly exciting. - Jade

Sy Montgomery (The Soul of an Octopus) has led a rich life, full of good creatures, and she has generously shared her experiences throughout the years. This lovely book describes some of the most beloved and memorable critters she has known and the lessons and knowledge she has gained from them. We’ve all had our lives enriched by animals and for better or worse, we are intricately tied to the nature around us. Montgomery helps us feel what we gain from those connections to animals. - Rachel

In his last message to the people of Earth, the late Stephen Hawking uses his prodigious intelligence and signature wit to explore the biggest questions we have. As A Brief History of Time painted a picture of the past, Brief Answers to Big Questions projects into the future. Told in an accessible and insightful way, Hawking’s farewell is a terrific read for all Earthlings interested in the fate of the universe. - Aric

Randal Ford’s Animal Kingdom is a collection of 150 animal portraits 2 years in the making. Ford’s use of lighting and composition helps capture the uniqueness of each animal that he photographs. The use of a studio removes any distraction in the background, resulting in a showcase of the personality of his subjects. A great book for any animal or bird lover. - Rechelle

Mathematics professor Dr. Hannah Fry has tackled with numbers Santa Claus and love, so it might seem a retreat to safety for her to write about algorithms…if the algorithms weren’t covering everything crucial about being a modern human, from our everyday interactions to our social justice systems. With intelligence and charm, Fry gives a tour through algorithms and lays out a better understanding of the possibilities before us. - Jocelyn

If you found Astrophysics for People in a Hurry to be a fascinating journey through the cosmos, strap yourself in. The story of the connection between astrophysics and the military—laid out by the amazing Neil DeGrasse Tyson (of Cosmos fame) and Avis Lang—is full of fascinating actors, from lone people to whole governments to Earth itself. - Ian

Yeoman warder Christopher Skaife describes himself as being ornithivorous in relation to his job, inhaling all that there is about ravens, no matter the area of study (science, mythology, art, etc.). And while he covers some of those topics in this book, it’s his personal stories that kept me reading late into the night. Skaife’s voice will rumble in your head and you’ll feel like you’re just swapping stories over a pint with a friend. - Rachel