For my 2012 reading endeavors I am thinking I’d like to read some nonfiction science books written by women. By science I mean, not social science or behavioral science (though I have nothing against these) but science as in physics, neuroscience, biology, computer / information science. I’ve got Brian Greene’s newest book on parallel universes, The Hidden Reality on my Kindle and earlier this year I read and very much enjoyed James Gleick’s massive book on information science, The Information: a History, a Theory, a Flood.
I’ve been perusing my TBR shelves and find – forgot I had these! – Ray Kurzweil’s The Singularity is Near and I Am a Strange Loop by Douglas Hofstadter. I also have a book on code breaking and a few other science and tech books as well as several books by John McPhee, Carl Sagan, and E.O. Wilson. All are by men. The only woman authored science book I could find on my shelves is Warped Passages: Unravelling the Universe’s Hidden Dimensions by Lisa Randall. I have a number of biographies written by women about scientific men, and while these will, I’m sure, provide an interesting perspective on both the men and the science, the books are not about the science.
My hope is that you all can help me. Do you know of any good nonfiction science books by women? If so, please leave a comment. If I end up with a good list, I’ll put it into one post to share with everyone. Thanks for your help!
I’m not sure whether it’s quite what you’re looking for, but you might consider Deborah Blum, whose books are about niche areas of science history. I liked the audiobook of Ghost Hunters, which is about the 19th-century study of life after death (lots of spiritualism). And The Poisoner’s Handbook, which I haven’t read, has gotten good reviews.
The Poisoner’s Handbook was going to be on my list! So I second it.
(And Ghost Hunters, which I loved, and just reread. But it’s not quite as science-y.)
Susan Greenfield (neuroscience) comes immediately to mind, whose lectures I have attended, and has published several books,recently on the effect that the Internet and technology is having on the brain.
Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks got a lot of attention though I have yet to read it.
Glancing over my science shelf, I’ve read enjoyable science books by Gabrielle Walker and Lisa Randall. Unread is Angela Saini’s Geek Nation and Mary Roach’s Cadavers.
Elizabeth Kolbert writes for The New Yorker
Sue Halpern writes for The New York Review of Books.
Both have published a small number of books on topics of current interest–climate change and memory.
This piece in The Guardian may be of interest here.. – Also, the science writer Ed Yong gives some recommendations in the comment section.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2011/oct/04/popular-science-books-women
Thanks. Might I suggest my new book Knocking on Heaven’s Door: How Physics and Scientific Thinking Illuminate the Universe and the Modern World. Alison Gopnik’s The Philosophical Baby is very good (completely different subject of course.)
Natalie Angier’s The Canon and Woman are both absolutely wonderful – passionate, informative and well-written. There’s also Cordelia Fine’s Delusions of Gender, which is both a book about gender and an excellent science book. Plus anything by Anne Fausto-Sterling is worth reading. Also Cynthia Eagle Russett!
They are definitely pop science, but Mary Roach is fantastic. I recommend Stiff.
I highly recommend K. C. Cole, who has written “The Universe and the Teacup” and “First You Build a Cloud” among others. She writes mainly about physics and mathematics.
Also, check out Jennifer Ouellette. She has written three books, I believe, about physics and math. She also has a blog at http://www.twistedphysics.typepad.com, which is called “Cocktail Party Physics”.
By the way, I have read and enjoyed your blog for a few years now, since stumbling upon it during a search for a vegan madeleine recipe. I enjoy reading your comments about books, vegan food, cats and Minneapolis (I am from Fargo, and visit Mpls frequently). Thank you!
Hello,
I highly recommend Rebecca Skloot’s “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” – one of the best books that read this year. It is rare to see an author approach a subject with so much attention and consideration. The book is also beautifully written.
Years ago I read “Passionate Minds: Emilie du Chatelet, Voltaire, and the Great Love Affair of the Enlightenment” by David Bodanis. Although I didn’t like the writing, I would still recommend the book, because of how informative it is about the life of Émilie du Châtelet – mathematician, physicist, translator, author in 18th century France.
I hope this helps.
On another note, I like your blog very much and I am looking forward in 2012 to more shared moments from the life of a reader.
Happy holidays!
Lina
The Midnight Disease by Alice Weaver Flaherty
The Poisoner’s Handbook by Deborah Blum
Another Day in the Frontal Lobe by Katrina Firlik
These aren’t “hard science” but nevertheless they get you into the world of science almost despite yourself! Great reads.
I’m seconding Ana’s rec of Woman: an Intimate Geography. SO good!
Some authors: Marlene Zuk, Gabrielle Walker, Sy Montgomery
Some titles: Proust and the Squid, Dr. Tatiana’s Sex Advice to All Creation, The Bone Woman, Baby Catcher
It is frustrating how male-dominated science writing tends to be!
Teresa, thanks for the suggestions! They all look good.
Anthony, thanks for the suggestions. I completely forgot about Skloot. The other authors you suggested look like they have some good books too.
Richard, thanks! It appears they both have some really interesting looking books.
Lokesh, thanks for the link to the Guardian article. Not only was the article interesting but you are right, there are some good suggestions in it!
Lisa, thanks for leaving a comment and letting me know about your new book and suggesting a couple others!
Nymeth, how could I have forgotten about Angier? I read her Woman book a number of years ago and liked it a lot. Thanks for the reminder and for the additional recommendations!
Laura, I’ve heard lots about Roach but didn’t think of her. Thanks!
Jenn, thanks for the recommendations, they look really good! And thanks for reading too. I hope those vegan madeleines came out for you. And I hope the winter in Fargo has been as mild as it has been in Minneapolis this far!
Lina, thanks for the suggestions and your kind words! Happy holidays to you too!
Ellen, thanks for the suggestions! I read Midnight Disease a few years ago. Interesting book, isn’t it? Will definitely investigate the others.
Eva, I read Woman soon after it came out and liked it very much. Don’t know why I didn’t think of it! it is frustrating how male dominated science is, but you have given me lots of good suggestions to investigate so thanks!
Hi, What a great question you’ve raised. You got me wondering about what’s available. I found a blog with a list of female science bloggers: http://interrobangsanon.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/female-science-writers-worth-reading/
Other writers that haven’t been mentioned by other responders:
Rachael Carson and Jane Goodall. I found a fascinating link to a 19th century science writer: Arabella Buckley who wrote natural science. Also, Barbara Kingsolver’s book: Prodigal Summer, although a novel, is very science based. I felt like I had a short course in biology and botany as I read it.
I’ll be looking forward to seeing what you come up with. As far as the other posts, I didn’t think Mary Roach’s book on Packing for Mars was worth the time. It is definitely ‘pop’ science.
Such amazingly knowledgeable folk, our book blogging friends! Awesome list evolving here!
Kathleen, you must have been commenting while I was putting up the list. I will add you suggestions. I can’t believe I forgot about Rachel Carson and Jane Goodall! And thanks for the warning about Raoach’s mars book.
Look up Lynn Margulis. I’ve just added her to my own list. What is Life? is one titles that looks fascinating.
Also, are you at all interested in critiques of science? Evelyn Fox Keller’s Reflectlons on Gender and Science is excellent.
My recommendation is K. C. Cole, who has written “The Universe and the Teacup” and “First You Build a Cloud” among others. She writes mainly about physics and mathematics.