Lee Mcintyre
[isbn]
This book made me a better communicator.
Whether it be recent vaccine conspiracies or the nearly one-hundred-year war against biological evolution, we have all been witness to the ubiquity of science denial in the U.S.A. (and elsewhere). While it may seem that those who deny scientific consensus are a lost cause, author Lee McIntyre has concluded otherwise. Drawing on both personal experience as well as several political and psychological... (read more)
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Hal Duncan and Ruth Veevers
[isbn]
An excellent game of deduction, which plays well in both quiet and talkative groups. Two built-in skill levels make it easy to adjust the difficulty for new and/or younger players.
My family bought this game on a whim, but it's become a fast favorite. From the way the game encourages you to deceive other players (and see through the deception of others), from the often shocking revelation of the solution, Cryptid is fun way to practice your... (read more)
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Neil Shubin
[isbn]
While it's easy to imagine how simple adaptations occur in nature, the question "how do BIG evolutionary changes happen?" can be difficult to grasp for the average layperson. Author Neil Shubin, with his talent for revealing the intuitiveness of hard science, unveils life's capabilities for change beyond variation, and does so in a way both engaging and accessible.
More than just "interesting," I had several "wow!" and "oh my gosh, of course!"... (read more)
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Martin Duberman
[isbn]
I was looking for a book to "teach me my history" (and then some) and this book was it!
Expanding well beyond the famous event itself, author Duberman explores not only Stonewall and the pre-Stonewall queer rights movement, but also the day-to-day life of LGBTQ+ individuals in a pre-Stonewall world. The details of these events are shown through the eyes of six people who lived through it all. In making this work part-history and part-biography,... (read more)
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Willa Cather
[isbn]
Willa Cather's The Song of the Lark is, to me, an overlooked classic. It is a work that sticks with you. The novel tells the story of protagonist Thea's struggle toward fulfilling her dream of being an opera singer, and in doing so, the novel explores what it means to become, and to be, an artist. The sacrifices, the doubt, the tumultuous and uncertain journey toward discovering one's artistic voice are here captured in a way that any... (read more)
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Frans de Waal
[isbn]
Gender has become one of the most ubiquitous topics in both popular and academic discourse. While much has been written on the psychological and biological aspects of human gender, what might gender expression among humanity's closest living relatives, the other great apes, tell us about our own experiences with the topic?
Frans de Waal seeks to answer that question in this multifaceted and accessible work of science writing. De Waal draws on... (read more)
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Thomas Halliday
[isbn]
Otherlands is a voyage through the bygone menageries of Earth's past. But this book is more than a simple exploration of Earth's history — built firmly on the fascinating sciences of geology, paleontology, and evolutionary biology — it is also a passionate love letter to this strange little planet we call home. What makes Otherlands unique is the touch of poetry author Thomas Halliday weaves into the text, evoking a sense of the... (read more)
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Jean Rhys
[isbn]
An uncompromising prequel to Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre. Rhys explores madness and betrayal, class and culture, all told from the perspective of Brontë's mysterious "Madwoman in the Attic."
Lovers of Brontë's work will enjoy a new look into her most famous story; however, Wide Sargasso Sea works as a stand-alone novel, so don't worry if you've never read Jane Eyre.
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Sylvia Plath
[isbn]
Daring, unique, thoughtful, and inventive. Plath's "I Am Vertical" holds the honor of being one of my all-time favorite poems. Like beekeepers for the honey, you'll find yourself returning to Plath for a harvest of rich verse, again and again.
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Richard Dawkins
[isbn]
The Greatest Show on Earth is a fun, engaging, and informative read. You'll find the expertise and passion of Dawkins shining bright on every page as he takes you on a journey of discovery. This is an excellent book both for biology enthusiasts and for those new to this field of science. Simply put, I'd recommend this work to anyone and everyone wanting to know more about the intriguing world of evolutionary biology.
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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William Shakespeare, Paul Werstine, Barbara A Mowat
[isbn]
Does it truly matter, if it doesn't last? King Lear is a story of loyalty, love, and loss, following the aging Lear as he grapples with the fleetingness of power and praise. A must read for any Shakespeare fan and my personal favorite out of all the Bard's tragedies; this one is the most harrowing... and graphic (careful if you're squeamish about eyes).
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Sagan, Carl and Druyan, Ann
[isbn]
The Demon Haunted World is one of those books with the power to truly change your perspective of the world. In this incisive yet emotionally engaging treatise, Carl Sagan not only shines a light on our darkest superstitions and fears but also demonstrates why science and reason are not simply the best way toward a brighter future, but the only way. A must read for every scientist, skeptic, and human being.
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Tomie dePaola
[isbn]
When I was a child, I checked this book out from the library endlessly. With an adorable art design, a nice little message, a hilarious plot, and more spaghetti than you can eat, this tale is sure to become a family favorite. The perfect bedtime story for all kids and pasta lovers alike.
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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John Steinbeck
[isbn]
Cannery Row is a strange, episodic tale about the misadventures of the curious people who live in and around the eponymous town. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loved Steinbeck's other works, or who wants to read more classic novels from U.S. authors. Steinbeck is one of my favorite writers, and I consider Cannery Row to be as indispensable as The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, and Of Mice and Men.
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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