It’s time to dive into some more great sci-fi and science releases that will hopefully lighten your load in this, the month of lurve. So why not curl up on the couch, indulge in some hot chocolate (spiked if you like,) and fall in love with a good read. Get inspired by scientific research from some heavy-hitters in the field or escape into some memorable fictional worlds of the sci-fi variety.
The Genome Odyssey: The Promise of Precision Medicine to Define, Detect, and Defeat Disease by Euan Angus Ashley
Written by a renowned Stanford professor who led the team that was the first to analyze and interpret a complete human genome. Mixing compelling human stories with scientific explanation, Dr. Ashley looks at the history of genetics and how this rapidly expanding field of research is being used to solve current-day medical mysteries.
Out Past the Stars by K.B. Wagers
Book three in the Farian War series, a fast-paced space opera trilogy, featuring a gunrunning renegade princess! Plenty of political intrigue and action combined with strong characterization make this a good pick for SF fans.
What Is Life? Five Great Ideas in Biology by Paul Nurse
More genetics on offer here. Nurse, a Nobel-prize winning biologist, explores five of the big ideas in his field: cells, genes, natural selection, “life as chemistry,” and “life as information.” Incorporating stories from Nurse’s own life and career, this is an accessible, very readable introduction to modern biology.
Speculative Los Angeles edited by Denise Hamilton
As my first Joe Ballen book is set in a near-future Baltimore, the prospect of a sci-fi take on Los Angeles is intriguing. Here we have 14 writers from that city weaving speculative stories of changelings, black holes, robot nursemaids and much more weirdness besides. Fans of sci-fi mysteries, look out for a story in here from Ben H. Winters, author of the Last Policeman series.
Resetting the Table: Straight Talk About the Food We Grow and Eat by Robert Paarlberg
Is local and organic not the answer we thought it was? Perhaps not, according to Paarlberg, as he takes a science-based look at the food chain and attempts to find a path forward that will be a win-win for farmers and consumers. Although focused on the US, this will be of interest to everyone who cares about their health and how their food is produced.
Amid the Crowd of Stars by Stephen Leigh
This timely novel, focused around a rescue mission to a stranded colony with sentient alien life, is certainly not a comfort read! It raises plenty of interesting questions about the ethical implications of interstellar travel and the potential for infection as humanity mixes with alien species. You can read an excerpt at the Tor web site.
Hope you found one or two suggestions here to add to your TBR list. I’ll be back next month as we begin the approach towards spring and hopefully more cheerful times ahead. Take care!
Need to catch up?
New reads for January
New reads for December
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