Nature and Science
December 2022

Welcome to the December Nature & Science Newsletter!  Books this month include titles featuring the ocean, geology, space, places, health, animal garden and farms.
 


The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human
by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Under the microscope: the tiny but immensely powerful cell, the basic structural unit of all living organisms.

Read it for: an accessible overview of cell biology, as well as a historical survey of cytology, which has spawned numerous fields of study and made possible many modern medical breakthroughs.

About the author: Oncologist Siddhartha Mukherjee is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Emperor of All Maladies.
Nature's wild ideas : how the natural world is inspiring scientific innovation
by Kristy Hamilton

Going behind-the-scenes of some of our most unexpected innovations, a noted science journalist shows how people have taken inspiration from nature to tackle human challenges and also presents a deep message of conservation: if we are to continue learning from the creatures around us, we must protect their untamed homelands.
Ocean : the definitive visual guide
by Fabien Cousteau

Thoroughly updated to include the latest research on ocean science and profiles of newly discovered species, this visually stunning guide to the marine world takes readers deep underwater where they will learn about both physical oceanography and marine life.
What if? 2 : additional serious scientific answers to absurd hypothetical questions
by Randall Munroe

Filled with crazy science, endless curiosity and the authors signature stick-figure comics, this practical guide for impractical ideas consults the latest research to concisely answer readers questions, demonstrating you can learn a lot from examining how the world might work in very specific extreme circumstances.
Sacred nature : restoring our ancient bond with the natural world
by Karen Armstrong

A best-selling historian of religion, drawing on her vast knowledge of the worlds religious traditions, describes natures central place in spirituality across the centuries, showing modern readers how to rediscover natures potency and form a connection to something greater than ourselves.
Around the world in 80 birds
by Mike Unwin

"This beautiful and inspiring book tells the stories of eighty birds around the world: from the sociable weaver bird in Namibia which constructs huge, multi-nest 'apartment blocks' in the desert, to the bar-headed goose of China, one of the highest-flying migrants which crosses the Himalayas twice a year. Many birds come steeped in folklore and myth, some are national emblems and a few have inspired scientific revelation or daring conservation projects. Each has a story to tell that sheds a light on our relationship with the natural world and reveals just how deeply birds matter to us"
The science of plants : inside their secret world  by Helen Fewster

In this visually stunning celebration of the trees, flowers and foliage that share our planet, readers can explore the plant kingdom from the ground up and learn, through fascinating stories, about its mysteries and mechanics.
Sinkable : obsession, the deep sea, and the shipwreck of the Titanic
by Daniel Stone

In this fascinating work of personal journalism, the author discusses the Titanic as a shipwreck, exploring generations of eccentrics who attempted to raise it, and then turns inward to his own obsession with the Titanic and shipwrecks in general.
Geology & Space
Travels with trilobites : adventures in the paleozoic
by Andy Secher

"Trilobites hold the distinction of being among the world's first dominant forms of complex animal life, arthropods that rank second only to the hallowed dinosaur in terms of their paleontological appeal. These bizarrely beautiful three-lobed creatures initially appeared in the seas more than 520 million years ago, emerging when the oceans had become ripe for the blossoming of biodiversity.
Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization
by Neil deGrasse Tyson

What it does: "unabashedly wades into the political and cultural fray, using a 'cosmic perspective'" (Booklist) to advocate for evidence-based, scientific approaches to controversial topics.

About the author: Neil deGrasse Tyson (Astrophysics for People in a Hurry) is the director of the American Museum of Natural History's Hayden Planetarium.
Fossils
by David J. Ward

Packed with more than 1,000 crystal-clear photographs with precise annotations to make identification easy and accurate. In this fully revised and updated edition, jargon-free text pinpoints the key characteristics of each fossil and provides quick, accessible information.
Places
Life on the Mississippi : an epic American adventure
by Rinker Buck

The author of the New York Times best-seller The Oregon Trail, building an authentic wooden flatboat from a bygone era, casts off down the Mississippi river, charting his own geographical and emotional journey, while providing a satisfying work of history.
BuzzFeed bring me! : the travel-lover's guide to the world's most unlikely destinations, remarkable exeriences, and spectacular sights
by Louise Khong

From BuzzFeeds Bring Me!the #1 most viewed travel publisher on the webcomes this insiders guide to hundreds of incredible places to see, explore, and experience around the globe. 10,000 first printing.
The World Almanac road trippers' guide to national parks : 5,001 things to do, learn, and see for yourself
by John Rosenthal

"From the rugged, rocky coasts of Acadia to the geysers and hot springs of Yellowstone to the in-your-face beauty of the Grand Canyon, the national parks of North America offer visitors a new sight or bucket-list-worthy experience at every turn. The World Almanac Road Trippers' Guide to National Parks provides detailed history, itineraries, visitor information, gorgeous photography, recommended hiking routes, and other not-to-be-missed sites and activities for anyone seeking to make the most out of the many resources of the national parks systems of the United States and Canada. Divided into travel regions for convenient research and planning whether the trip length is a day or a year, this is a tool eager travelers will use to discover new sites and off-the-beaten-path destinations again and again"
Health
Glucose revolution : the life-changing power of balancing your blood sugar
by Jessie Inchauspé

A scientist and researcher provides information for lowering blood glucose levels quickly and permanently without dieting through eating the right foods, choosing a dessert over sweet snacks and a secret ingredient to aid in enjoying starchy foods.
The great age reboot : cracking the longevity code for a younger tomorrow
by Michael F. Roizen

As the human lifespan increases, a New York Times best-selling author offers an inspiring look into the future of longevity--and reveals how to prepare for a longer, healthier future.
Mayo Clinic on osteoporosis : keep your bones strong and reduce your risk of fractures
by Ann E. Kearns

Filled with an abundance of vital information on Osteoporosis, including symptoms, risks, prevention, and treatment, a comprehensive guide partners current medical research with a simple diet and exercise program that promotes bone health.
Animals
The rise and reign of the mammals : a new history, from the shadow of the dinosaurs to us
by Stephen Brusatte

"Renowned paleontologist and New York times bestselling author of 'The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs' Steve Brusatte charts the extraordinary story of the dinosaurs' successor: mammals, which emerged from the shadows to rule the Earth."
The dog behavior answer book : understanding and communicating with your dog to build a strong and happy relationship    by Arden Moore

"This completely updated 2nd edition, in a new, larger format, features the latest science and recommended techniques for training, caring for, and understanding dogs."
For the Love of Cats
by Dena Harris

A guide to all things cats, this book is a lively and fascinating read, celebrating cats and the place they have in our lives.
Historical anecdotes, endearing photos, quotations, personal stories, and fascinating facts pay homage to our furry feline friends. Cat lovers of all ages will be delighted by the breadth of information included, touched by the heartwarming stories, and charmed by the gorgeous artwork and irresistible photos.
The Year of the Puppy: How Dogs Become Themselves
by Alexandra Horowitz

What it is: a week-by-week, pup's-eye-view of a dog's first year, from birth through adolescence.

Starring: Quiddity (Quid" for short), the lively mixed-breed puppy that author and canine behavior expert Alexandra Horowitz and her family adopted during the pandemic.

About the author: Cognitive scientist Horowitz, head of Barnard College's Dog Cognition Lab, is the author of Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know.
Farm & Garden
The first-time homesteader : a complete beginner's guide to starting and loving your new homestead    by Jessica Sowards

A seasoned homesteader provides an abundance of information for starting a homestead in the city, country or suburbia, guiding you through the process and helping you strive for a more sustainable life and a greater connection to the cycles of nature and the foods and goods we consume.
Holistic homesteading : a guide to a sustainable and regenerative lifestyle
by Roxanne Ahern

"Make healthier life choices to heal yourself and the environment through self-sufficiency. Holistic Homesteading by Roxanne Ahern provides the tools for living slowly, intentionally, and better through permaculture, edible gardening, and organic farming."

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