Discover your next book in EiC’s year of science reading list. And don’t forget to send in your own recommendations
We’re celebrating the National year of reading by producing a list of recommended books. All the books have some science or STEM connection, but that connection may stretch from tenuous to barely believable. The list includes fiction and non-fiction, short stories, novels, graphic novels, comics, essays … suitable for learners, teachers, trainees, teacher trainers and technicians.
We’ll be adding to the list regularly throughout the year. So, check back frequently. And recommend a book by emailing us. We want to celebrate as many books as possible.
Dirk Gently’s holistic detective agency by Douglas Adams
Age: 7+ | Amazon
‘Less famous than Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy, this is my favourite of Douglas Adams’ works, and very different to the two TV series of the same name. Science fiction fantasy, set partially in Cambridge, it weaves in Schrödinger’s cat, hypnosis, time machines, Sir Isaac Newton’s invention of the catflap, and “the fundamental interconnected-ness of all things”.
‘Suitable for all, I first read it around seven-years old, and I reread it nearly 40 years later.’
Recommended by David Sait, RSC Education team
Periodic tales: the curious lives of the elements by Hugh Aldersley Williams
Age: 14+ | Amazon
‘I would recommend this to anyone who is curious about how different things connect together. It cleverly intersects the boundary between art and science through engaging stories about the different chemical elements and their role within our lives, both past and present.
‘Perfect for recommending to young people who are curious or for adults who just want to know more!’
Recommended by Emma Lumb, former chemistry teacher and now RSC Education team
What if…? Serious scientific answers to absurd hypothetical questions by Randall Munroe
Age: 11+ | Amazon
‘A book that answers ridiculous questions with absurdly detailed, scientific answers. A fun way of answering questions such as “If someone’s DNA suddenly vanished, how long would that person last?” with plausible scientific answers. The explanations are clear and detailed with witty responses and a great way of engaging the most curious minds!
‘This is one I used to recommend to students who always asked me ‘why?’ and anyone who was just a bit curious.’
Recommended by Emma Lumb, former chemistry teacher and now RSC Education team
Unreliable: bias, fraud, and the reproducibility crisis in biomedical research by Csaba Szabo
Age: 16+
‘This is great for those interested in academic processes and biomed. It has some quite upsetting health themes (the impact of data hacking on patients), so you need to sensitively consider the reader’s age.’
Recommended by Del McCallum, RSC Education team
The tiger that isn’t: seeing through a world of numbers by Andrew Dilnot and Michael Bastland
Age: 16+ | Amazon
‘Written by the More or Less Radio 4 team (my heroes), this is a great summary of stats literacy for everyday life. Good for lessons around fake news and manipulating stats for media.’
Recommended by Del McCallum, RSC Education team
Outliers: the story of success by Malcolm Gladwell
Age: 16+ | Amazon
‘Basic concepts that make you think about fairness, ambition, access, luck. Love this book for post-16.’
Recommended by Del McCallum, RSC Education team
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