For the first time since I started doing a purposeful science survey, challenging myself to read from twelve different scientific disciplines, I didn’t quite make it last year. I did, however, draw up a list of next year’s science prospects, some of which I already own.
What’s coming in 2020:
The Pluto Files (Local Astronomy), Why Does E = mc2 and Why Does it Matter (Astrophysics and Cosmology), Caesar’s Last Breath (Chemistry and Physics), DNA is Not Destiny (Biology), Aerial Geology (Geology), The Weather Machine (Weather and Climate), Spying on Whales (Flora and Fauna), Your Mind On Music or How Emotions are Made (Neurology and Psychology), Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance between Astrophysics and the Military (Science and Society), Suspicious Minds (Thinking Scientifically) and Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worse (Anthropology). There’s also a wildcard category that I’ve not filled, which will serve natural history, history of science, or science and health.
What the list actually looks like in December 2020…well, we’ll have to see!
2019’s Science Survey
Previous years’ science surveys may be viewed here (2017) and here (2018).
Cosmology and Astrophysics
Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, Carlo Rovelli
Local Astronomy
The Wonders of the Solar System, Brian Cox
Geology
The Big Ones, Lucy Jones
Chemistry and Physics
What Einstein Told His Cook: Kitchen Science Explained, Robert Wolke
Biology
She Has Her Mother’s Laugh, Carl Zimmer
Flora and Fauna
The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben
Anthropology
—TheMoralAnimal– – Owned but not managed in time.
Neurology and Psychology
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, John Ratey
Weather and Climate
The Ice at the End of the World, Jon Gertner
Science and Society
Heavens on Earth, Michael Shermer
Thinking Scientifically
The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe, Dr. Steven Novella et. al
Wildcard (History of Science, Natural History, or Science and Health)
Survival of the Sickest, Sharon Moalem
The Cancer Chronicles, George Johnson
Reading Freely 
Cool. I’ll look forward to your discoveries. Spying on Whales is on my Amazon Wish List along with a few books on my other favourite creature – Wolves. I don’t think I read enough Science in 2019 so I’m going to try for some more this year – and try also to move away from my heavy focus on Biology. Although I do have a few Genetics books you might like…. [grin]
I saw your wolf book on Sarah’s blog. Animal domestication is one of my pet interests (hurr hurr), so I’ll look forward to seeing it! I’ve got one on cows that I will probably tackle this month, and may work some pig and horse books in, too.
If you’re interested on Domestication you should read – Tamed: Ten Species that Changed our World by Alice Roberts. I haven’t read it (yet) but she’s REALLY good.
Oooh, looks promising. Will shortlist it for sure — right now I have 3 science books which have come in from holds simultaneously. O__O