Today I’ve got an interview posted over at Yale Environment 360 with Tony Barnosky, a paleontologist who’s just written a very interesting book called Heatstroke: Nature in an Age of Global Warming. He gazes into a fossiliferous crystal ball to get an idea of what global warming will do to the world’s biodiversity. Short answer: it won’t be pretty.
Which brings me to the subject of books. I love books about science. That’s why I can’t stop writing them. I also like to get my hands on science books, in order to keep up with new ideas. In some cases I even turn a book into the subject of an article. But it always give me a pang to get a book that an author has worked hard on for a long time and realize that I won’t have time to spread the word about it. What little time I have left over when I’m not writing or reading for my own projects goes to my family or to my 20-year project to finish reading War and Peace all the way to the end. I’m jealous of speed readers who sit down for a cup of coffee and a book, and who stand up a little while later finished with both. That’s why I shy away from book reviews–to pass judgment on someone’s book demands a lot of time that I can’t spare.
And yet the pile of books just keeps getting taller. These are the books I got over the past month. I’ll donate the hardcover copies to the public library, but that doesn’t seem like enough. So I’ve been pondering some realistic possibilities for getting more books into the blog. I’m just wondering what would be most useful for you readers. I’ve laid out a few possibilities below in a poll. Please cast your vote. Thanks.
How Should The Loom Handle Books?(opinion poll)
Go Further
Animals
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
Science
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
- The unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and MounjaroThe unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and Mounjaro
- Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.
- Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of yearsJupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of years
Travel
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- On the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migrationOn the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migration
- Everything you need to know about Everglades National ParkEverything you need to know about Everglades National Park