Best science books: Popular science books for you

The best science book will not just educate; it will also enlighten and entertain. It has the power to transform a dry subject that you dreaded in school into a mind-boggling and captivating story. And it will give you a different perspective on the world around you. However, there are thousands of science books available on a huge variety of topics — which one to choose? Luckily for you, we have curated a list of the best science books that you should not miss out on — from captivating accounts of the history of the planet and universe, to illuminating insights into the human mind and body. These books make science accessible to all and we think that the list will have something for everyone, whether you are interested in understanding how everyday objects work or the intricacies of how the universe came to be. We've included a mix of bestselling popular science classics as well as modern releases. This list isn’t a ranking, since each of the books covers a different topic, but each one has something special and unique to offer. So, be prepared to get your mind blown with our list of the best science books. If you’re after some more specific science knowledge, then our guides to the best physics books and best astronomy books will enlighten you. Or, if you fancy some fiction, then peruse our list of the best sci-fi books. 1. A Short History of Nearly Everything "A sometimes profound, sometimes funny, and always supremely clear and entertaining adventure in the realms of human knowledge" SPECIFICATIONS Price: $15.95 / £16.79Author: Bill BrysonPublisher: Broadway BooksRelease date: February 4, 2003 TODAY'S BEST DEALS Visit Site REASONS TO BUY +A fascinating and riveting quest into the realms of human knowledge +Explains a variety of scientific topics in a vivid and comprehensive way +No science knowledge assumed REASONS TO AVOID -Quite a long read How did it all begin? And how did we get here? Combining history and science, A Short History of Nearly Everything offers a comprehensive yet entertaining answer to these questions. Written out of dissatisfaction with his own scientific knowledge, Bill Bryson takes the reader on a dazzling journey through the greatest scientific discoveries in history. Armed with his poignant wit and dry humor, Bryson infuses dry topics with color by telling the stories of discovery through the lives of the scientists who made them. Those quirky, eccentric, competitive, sometimes tragic, but resilient scientists bring the story to life. Even if you are not interested in science, this book will evoke a sense of wonder about the universe, encourage you to think big, and make you marvel at the incredible world we live in. This book is for anyone eager to learn more about our world and how it came to be. Book cover of Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words by Randall Munroe (Image credit: Randall Munroe) 2. Thing Explainer Complicated Stuff in Simple Words SPECIFICATIONS Price: $19.84 / £11.69Author: Randall MunroePublisher: Houghton Mifflin HarcourtRelease date: November 24, 2015 TODAY'S BEST DEALS Visit Site REASONS TO BUY +Explains complex concepts using illustrations and only the most common words in the English language +Entertaining and easily to understand +A few of the topics (e.g. the periodic table) also include detailed fold-out diagrams REASONS TO AVOID -Additionally providing the “proper” vocabulary (i.e. more technical term) might have enhanced the understanding and learning experience How do helicopters work? Or elevators? Or cells? Randall Munroe, the creator of the XKCD webcomic(opens in new tab), explains how things work using illustrations and only the most common 1,000 words in the English language. Washing machines become “boxes that make clothes smell better,” airplanes are “sky boats,” and microwaves are “food-heating radio boxes”. Thing Explainer is an informative and entertaining guide to the science and technology that surrounds us, devoid of confusing jargon. This book will shift your perspective and approach to explanation. So, next time you’ll try to explain how something works rather than merely calling it by its name. A fun must-read for the curious minds who are wondering how things actually work and why.