Every so often we like to post about interesting new nonfiction books that have caught our attention. Today, I want to highlight some thought-provoking new science books, each of which offers a unique look at a different scientific field. All four books are accessible, highly engaging, and perfect for anyone curious about the world and their place in it. To see our previous book lists check out the links below:
- Four best-selling books with interesting science ideas
- 5 Exciting Non-fiction Science Books for you Summer Reading List
- Summer Reading: Science Edition
- An Updated Holiday Reading List
1. Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green
In his first nonfiction book, bestselling author John Green takes on an unlikely subject: tuberculosis (TB). While many think of TB as a disease of the past, Green reveals it is still the world’s deadliest infectious illness today, killing more people annually than HIV or malaria. Through vivid storytelling, he blends science, history, and a personal narrative, introducing readers to Henry, a young man from Sierra Leone who shaped Green’s understanding of TB. The book explores the bacterium’s biology, the long history of its cultural and medical impact, and the social inequities that allow it to persist despite being both curable and preventable. Green frames tuberculosis not just as a disease, but as a mechanism to examine broader global health disparities, the failures of political will, and the resilience of those affected. The result is a book that’s both heartbreaking and hopeful, calling for a renewed commitment to ending one of humanity’s oldest killers.
2. Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane
Robert Macfarlane, known for his previous writings on nature and language, asks a deceptively simple question: is a river alive? In this sweeping exploration, he travels across continents to meet communities and activists who are changing how rivers are perceived—not as resources to be owned, but as beings with rights. From the Whanganui River in New Zealand, which was granted legal personhood, to court cases in Ecuador and India, Macfarlane shows how movements for river rights are challenging Western legal and ecological frameworks. At the same time, he weaves in lyrical reflections on the poetry, myths, and languages that have long described rivers as lifeforces. The book is part travelogue, part political manifesto, and part meditation on human responsibility in an age of environmental crisis. Macfarlane’s central insight is that recognizing rivers as living beings could transform not just conservation practices, but our entire relationship with the natural world.
3. The Mind Electric: A Neurologist on the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains by Pria Anand
Pria Anand, a practicing neurologist, delivers a mesmerizing debut that examines recent discoveries on the human brain. Through a series of case studies, essays, and reflections, she explores the fascinating ways our brains shape our sense of reality. Patients in her stories experience symptoms that blur the line between myth and neurology: a girl who believes her blindness is a punishment for breaking a taboo, a mother who insists her children have been replaced by changelings, and individuals who interpret neurological disorders through cultural stories. Anand demonstrates how neurological conditions are never just biological—they are also cultural, psychological, and narrative. Each chapter illuminates how the brain’s electrical activity gives rise not only to consciousness but also to the deeply human need for meaning. By using humor and philosophical curiosity, The Mind Electric invites readers to marvel at both the fragility and resilience of the organ that makes us who we are.
4. Vanished: An Unnatural History of Extinction by Sadiah Qureshi
Historian Sadiah Qureshi reimagines the story of extinction, moving beyond simple tales of human carelessness or natural inevitability. She argues that extinction is not just a biological event—it is a cultural and political one, shaped by empire, colonialism, and global inequality. Drawing from historical records, Qureshi examines how European expansion and the rise of natural history coincided with the disappearance of countless species, from the dodo to the passenger pigeon. She also critiques contemporary debates around “de-extinction” and conservation, pointing out that efforts to bring species back often reinforce the same hierarchies that caused their disappearance in the first place. By weaving together natural history, anthropology, and political critique, Vanished challenges readers to think about extinction as part of human history and moral responsibility. Rather than framing conservation as a heroic battle to save species, Qureshi argues for a humbler, justice-centered approach that acknowledges past wrongs and seeks a more equitable future.
Together, these books matter because they highlight four urgent frontiers of science and society: Global health inequities (disease & medicine), Environmental ethics (living with nature), Human identity & neuroscience (the brain and its mysteries), and Biodiversity & justice (our responsibility to other species). They remind us that science isn’t just about data — it’s about meaning, morality, and choices for the future. Let us know if you have any recommendations for books that the Edvotek scientists should check out for our next book update!
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