Throughout the pandemic, many of us have cultivated a particular kind of laziness. Naturally we’ve all been physically lazy, as there haven’t been many places to go. But along with that often comes a certain cognitive idleness, the kind born of countless Netflix binges that, while enjoyable, don’t exactly stimulate the smart, curious side of our brain.
So if you’re ready to give your mind a fun, invigorating workout, we recommend the eight new books below. They may not turn you into a rocket scientist overnight, but they will definitely help get you up to speed on the past, present, and future of scientific thinking.
The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race
By Walter Isaacson
The bestselling author of Leonardo da Vinci and Steve Jobs returns with a gripping account of how Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna and her colleagues launched a revolution that will allow us to cure diseases, fend off viruses, and have healthier babies. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain
By Lisa Feldman Barrett
Renowned neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett reveals where brains came from, how they’re structured, and how yours works in tandem with other brains to create everything you experience. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred
By Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein shares her love for physics, from the Standard Model of Particle Physics and what lies beyond it, to the physics of melanin in skin, to the latest theories of dark matter—all with a new spin informed by history, politics, and the wisdom of Star Trek. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Fundamentals: Ten Keys to Reality
By Frank Wilczek
Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek shares a simple yet profound exploration of reality. With an infectious sense of joy, Wilczek investigates the ideas that form our understanding of the universe, such as time, space, matter, energy, complexity, and complementarity. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
The Hidden Spring: A Journey to the Source of Consciousness
By Mark Solms
Neuropsychologist Mark Solms proposes a revelatory new theory of consciousness. In The Hidden Spring, he helps readers recognize the workings of their own minds for what they really are, including every stray thought, pulse of emotion, and shift of attention. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
The Light Ages: The Surprising Story of Medieval Science
By Seb Falk
Cambridge science historian Seb Falk takes us on a tour of medieval science through the eyes of a fourteenth-century monk named John of Westwyk, showing how medieval ideas continue to color how we see the world today. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
When Brains Dream: Exploring the Science and Mystery of Sleep
By Antonio Zadra and Robert Stickgold
Two sleep researchers reveal recent discoveries about why dreams are psychologically and neurologically meaningful experiences. They also explore a host of dream-related disorders, and explain how dreams can facilitate creativity and be a source of personal insight. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Think Like a Rocket Scientist: Simple Strategies You Can Use to Make Giant Leaps in Work and Life
By Ozan Varol
Former rocket scientist Ozan Varol reveals nine simple strategies from rocket science that you can use to reach your goals—whether it’s landing your dream job, accelerating your business, learning a new skill, or creating the next breakthrough product. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
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