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As a stereotypical, artistic, nerdy kid, I didn’t do much “science” at all. As an adult, I looked for books on science for a wider audience to broaden my horizons. RuthAnn, a friend of mine, introduced me to Science September. The books I found from Science September helped me appreciate science in a whole new way.
I’ve listened to so many books since I discovered my love for science books. Here are some of my favorites on audio.
Lab Girl from Hope Years, Narrated by the Author
In one of my favorite memories of the past decade, Hope Jahre describes her experiences as a scientist and lifelong plant lover. I really appreciated it when she described her relationship with her lab assistant and best friend. It’s such a nice relationship. She also tells the audio book herself, giving it an additional personal touch.
Braid Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Lessons of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer, narrated by the author
Braiding Sweetgrass, another of my favorites, is an incredible collection of essays by botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer. She uses a combination of her inherited knowledge from her indigenous culture and her background as a botanist to educate the collection. Each essay is unique and brilliant in many ways. And their audiobook narration is amazing.
The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime and Dreams Deferred by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, Narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt
The scientific background of Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein focuses on the black feminist theory. She is one of fewer than 100 black women to graduate from a physics faculty. Prescod-Weinstein points out that science, like other fields, is built on the foundations of sexism, racism, and other systems of marginalization. Joniece Abbott-Pratt is a fantastic storyteller and I can’t wait to hear more of her work.
The emperor of all diseases: A biography of cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee, told by Fred Sanders
Siddhartha Mukherjee tells the story of cancer from early civilization to the present day. While most people have had cancer themselves or know loved ones with the disease, few of us know the history of one of the most ubiquitous diseases in the world. Fred Sanders narrates the audiobook with a clarity that helps listeners follow this engaging story.
I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong, as told by Charlie Anson
I never really wanted to know about all of the living microbes in my body, or anyone else’s. While most people view microbes (like germs) as something that needs to be eradicated from the planet, Ed Yong describes the way these tiny organisms play an incredibly important role in nature in this way. Charlie Anson performs the audiobook so well, which makes this book even more fascinating than it already is.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, told by Cassandra Campbell and Bahni Turpin
Henrietta Lacks’ cells had the unique ability to regenerate and played a major role in scientific discoveries. But scientists used them for decades without them or their family ever knowing. This book is brilliantly narrated by Cassandra Campbell and Bahni Turpin, which makes it a must have for any audiobook lover.
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural Story by Elizabeth Kolbert, told by Anne Twomey
There have been five major extinctions in the history of the earth. Kolbert gives the audience an insight into the scientists who are currently observing the great extinction. It describes species that are already extinct, including the Sumatran rhinoceros, Panamanian golden frog, and staghorn coral. Anne Twohey narrates the audio book, creating the perfect balance: keeping the audience interested and at the same time presenting the facts.
