Tag Archives: science

Mary Roach in bed, Frank Underwood’s crib notes, and a love story for libraries

Posted on November 13, 2020 by smellincoffee

It’s been a week of …very different books here. First up, Mary Roach’s Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex. All of Roach’s previous other works, all mostly-humorous attempts to review the science of taboo or often overlooked subject, … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Civic Interest, Reviews, science | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

COVID Reviews #4: Persians, Nukes, and Bugs

Posted on October 5, 2020 by smellincoffee

On Wednesday I will have my COVID retest, annnnd I hope to have an answer by Thursday or Friday if I am fit for public consumption. I hope so: being in quarantine is a bit like being in a nursing … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Forest Unseen

Posted on September 20, 2020 by smellincoffee

In his Becoming Wild, Carl Safina remarked, “How long and rich a morning can be if you bring yourself fully to it. Come to a decent place. Bring nothing to tempt your attention away. Immerse in the timelessness of reality. … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Becoming Wild

Posted on September 17, 2020 by smellincoffee

Becoming Wild: How Animal Cultures Raise Families, Create Beauty, and Achieve Peace© 2020 Carl Safina375 pages In Becoming Wild, ecologist Carl Safina recounts his time spent with field scientists studying cetaceans, macaws, and chimpanzees, to share insights and speculation about … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Lives in Ruins

Posted on September 10, 2020 by smellincoffee

Lives in Ruins: Archaeologists and the Seductive Lure of Human Rubble© 2014 Marilyn Johnson272 pages Archaeology’s blend of history and science, topped off with a bit of danger, is a winsome combination. For those curious about it, Marilyn Johnson’s account … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science | Tagged , | 4 Comments

An Elegant Defense

Posted on August 31, 2020 by smellincoffee

An Elegant Defense: The Extraordinary New Science of the Immune System © 2019  Matt Ritchel 488 pages Back in January, long before the pandemic was on my mind (or anyone else’s outside of China),  I watched a charming and educational … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Of stars and saints (again)

Posted on August 24, 2020 by smellincoffee

(“Again” because last year I had a similar post called ‘Of stars and saints‘.) Recently I’ve finished two books which were aimed at more youthful audiences (middle/high school, not sure), so I’m presenting them together. The first is Hands of … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Aerial Geology

Posted on June 26, 2020 by smellincoffee

Aerial Geology: A High Altitude Tour of North America’s Spectacular Volcanoes, Canyons, Glaciers, Lakes, Craters, and Peaks © 2017 Mary Caperton Morton 308 pages   It was love at first sight, me and this book. There  I was, cruising BooksAMillion … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

The Thing with the Feathers

Posted on May 28, 2020 by smellincoffee

The Thing with Feathers: The Surprising Lvies of Birds and What They Reveal About Being Human © 2015  Noah Strycker 304 pages One of the blessings of living in a semi-rural area like myself is the daily sightings of birds … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Never Home Alone

Posted on May 27, 2020 by smellincoffee

Never Home Alone: From Microbes to Millipedes, Camel Crickets, and Honeybees, the Natural History of Where We Live © 2018 Rob Dunn 278 pages They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky — – they’re your new roomates. Or rather, … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science | Tagged , , | 3 Comments