As an avid reader, my light reading whilst in Cambridge is mostly fiction (for escapism). Out of term though, I tend to be in the mood for popular science books – they remind me of why I fell in love with science in the first place. With their contagious enthusiasm and accessible writing, I find PopSci books help me get into the mood for learning now that the start of term is looming, and not to mention, they’re fun to read! Here are some of my recent favourites, inspired by my summer activities.

A trip to the beach

Gazing upon water that stretches to the horizon, I’ve often wondered about what lies beneath the surface. In The Brilliant Abyss, Helen Scales dives into the fascinating world of the deep sea. This mysterious realm is not just home to strange creatures like ultra-black fish and gossamer worms, but is also useful to humans, offering medicinal compounds and mineral sources, as well as mitigating climate change. I found the book helped me appreciate the importance of the ocean and the variety of organisms, including humans, that depend upon it.

“Out of term, popular science books remind me why I fell in love with science in the first place”

With gulls soaring overhead, I’d think back to Thor Hanson’s book Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle. With great enthusiasm, the author explores how feathers help birds find mates, keep warm, and fly. He delves into some of the properties of feathers which have inspired technological innovations, allowing for the development of more efficient and quieter planes. Moreover, the book explores the relationship of humans with feathers through history, literature and cultures. While not always flashy or colourful, the book illustrates how feathers are natural miracles deserving of our appreciation.

Visiting a cafe

For me, summer is the time to catch up with home friends in a café outdoors. Out of the corner of my eye, I’d often spot pigeons strutting close to my feet. This got me thinking: how do naturally rock dwelling pigeons manage to thrive in cities? Menno Schilthuizen’s Darwin Comes to Town explores interesting examples of organisms adapting to urban environments. For example, urban birds are more curious about unfamiliar objects than other birds, while plants can adapt to poor roadside soil. The author takes you on a journey exploring the organisms that live alongside us, highlighting the adaptations that allow them to survive, and even thrive, in human-made environments.

“The author guides us into the fascinating world of fungi and their many roles, including the fungus that turns ants into zombies”

A few tables away, I might notice someone engrossed in an Agatha Christie book.  A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie, written by Kathryn Harkup, is a fascinating book about the compounds Christie used in her books, how they affect the body and the potential antidotes, including the real-life cases that may have inspired Christie. Written in an engaging and spoiler-free way, it is the perfect book for Agatha Christie fans, chemists, or both!

A walk in the woods

I find there’s something special about walking in the woods in the evening: the dappled shade, birdsong, blackberries starting to ripen, and stillness all around except your own footsteps. Less obvious are the extensive mycorrhizal networks beneath your feet. In Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake guides us into the fascinating world of fungi and their many roles: nutrient distributors, decomposers, and parasites (including the fungus that turns ants into zombies!). There’s growing interest in mycological research, such as developing biodegradable materials and medicine from fungi. However, much is still unknown about them, and Entangled Life serves as an accessible introduction to this exciting field.

Despite staying in the shade, I’d often find myself sweating. Drinking tea from my flask, I’d idly wonder why we need water so much. Mark Miodownik’s Liquid Rules explores the properties and stories of different liquids. From water to soap, fuel oil, ink, and even non-Newtonian fluids like quicksand and toothpaste, the author introduces us to these liquids with illuminating details and personal anecdotes. For example, how does your body make tears and saliva with different viscosities? The book even attempts to answer the age-old question: how to make a perfect cup of tea.

An afternoon nap

For many of us, the summer holidays represent a chance for a well-deserved rest. Sometimes after napping all afternoon, I’d wake up groggy, with fragments of dreams still swirling in my head. Matthew Walker offers a neuroscientist’s answer to the question of Why We Sleep, exploring the importance of sleep for human health, what goes on in your body while you sleep, and even how to improve your sleeping habits. This book is useful for anyone who’d like to achieve better sleep quality, whether in the holidays or during term.

Although October is creeping nearer, there’s still time to enjoy the last days of the holidays. Whether it’s going to the beach, taking a coffee break, forest trekking, or catching up on sleep, there is a PopSci book for every occasion, helping to (re)kindle your interest in science, regardless of what subject you’re taking.