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Sharks Don't Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist
"The uplifting story of a young Black scientist’s challenging journey to flourish outside the traditional confines of academia, inspired by her innate connection to nature’s most misunderstood animal—the shark.
""Jasmin Graham has that winning combination of talent and grit needed to excel as a scientist. Every girl who wants to be a marine biologist should have this book.""—Hope Jahren, New York Times bestselling author of Lab Girl and The Story of More
Sharks have been on this planet for over 400 million years, so there is a lot they can teach us about survival and adaptability. For how do sharks, which unlike other fish are denser than water, stay afloat? They keep moving. When Jasmin Graham, an award-winning young shark scientist, started to feel that the traditional path to becoming a marine biologist was pulling her under, she remembered this important keep moving forward.
If navigating the choppy waters of traditional academic study was no longer worth it, then that meant creating an ocean of her own. Jasmin joined with three other Black women to form Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), an organization dedicated to providing support and opportunities for other young women of color. She became an independent a rogue shark scientist, seeking ways to keep these extraordinary endangered creatures swimming free—just like her.
Sharks Don’t Sink is a riveting, moving, and ultimately triumphant memoir at the intersection of science and social a guidebook to how we can all learn to respect and protect some of nature’s most misunderstood and vulnerable creatures—and grant the same grace to ourselves.
"
""Jasmin Graham has that winning combination of talent and grit needed to excel as a scientist. Every girl who wants to be a marine biologist should have this book.""—Hope Jahren, New York Times bestselling author of Lab Girl and The Story of More
Sharks have been on this planet for over 400 million years, so there is a lot they can teach us about survival and adaptability. For how do sharks, which unlike other fish are denser than water, stay afloat? They keep moving. When Jasmin Graham, an award-winning young shark scientist, started to feel that the traditional path to becoming a marine biologist was pulling her under, she remembered this important keep moving forward.
If navigating the choppy waters of traditional academic study was no longer worth it, then that meant creating an ocean of her own. Jasmin joined with three other Black women to form Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), an organization dedicated to providing support and opportunities for other young women of color. She became an independent a rogue shark scientist, seeking ways to keep these extraordinary endangered creatures swimming free—just like her.
Sharks Don’t Sink is a riveting, moving, and ultimately triumphant memoir at the intersection of science and social a guidebook to how we can all learn to respect and protect some of nature’s most misunderstood and vulnerable creatures—and grant the same grace to ourselves.
"
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Published July 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 391 reviews
June 9, 2025
We must protect Jasmin Graham at all costs. She is a wonderful amazing human being (and a heck of an engaging, irreverent writer.) I completely enjoyed this book and her love of sharks bubbled with joy. Highly recommend.
I was gifted this wonderful book by Pantheon Books New York in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you, Pantheon!
I was gifted this wonderful book by Pantheon Books New York in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you, Pantheon!
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November 7, 2024
“Negative stereotypes and fear mongering surrounding these creatures felt eerily familiar to me as someone whose grown up black in a country where we were assumed to be threatening when we’re just minding our own business.”
A short memoir of a Black shark scientist finding her place and her peace in the mostly white, mostly male spaces of marine biology.
Being a change agent is hard. Being a change agent while also combating ingrained and unexamined racism and sexism while Black and female? Good fucking luck.
I adored how Graham wrote this as finding her community, both in the science world and within her family—of connecting the world of fishers of color to the science community (something that's been highly overlooked/outright ignored), and her adoration and fascination with sharks. I learned so much about sharks, and I loved it.
Another thing that really hit me was learning when to quit to avoid burn out and protect your peace—that outward appearances of success matter very little if your mental health is suffering due to trying five times as hard to be perceived as half as competent.
That you can define your own success, and make your own path. That success is defined in community and never in isolation.
A short memoir of a Black shark scientist finding her place and her peace in the mostly white, mostly male spaces of marine biology.
Being a change agent is hard. Being a change agent while also combating ingrained and unexamined racism and sexism while Black and female? Good fucking luck.
I adored how Graham wrote this as finding her community, both in the science world and within her family—of connecting the world of fishers of color to the science community (something that's been highly overlooked/outright ignored), and her adoration and fascination with sharks. I learned so much about sharks, and I loved it.
Another thing that really hit me was learning when to quit to avoid burn out and protect your peace—that outward appearances of success matter very little if your mental health is suffering due to trying five times as hard to be perceived as half as competent.
That you can define your own success, and make your own path. That success is defined in community and never in isolation.
April 16, 2025
I really wanted to like this book and I don’t like feeling like a hater because Jasmin Graham seems like an incredibly compassionate person and probably a delight to work with professionally, but in terms of serving as a memoir I just don’t think this was successful.
My first criticism is that it jumps back and forth between detailed descriptions of sharks and very introductory social justice concept explanations; these are both important concepts but I feel that they weren’t organized or connected well and the two focuses of the book kept undermining each other.
The bigger point (that I feel mean even for making) is that Graham is so early career that she just doesn’t have enough experience to fill a whole book, even one barely 200 pages long. It’s not so much “adventures of a rogue scientist” and more “anecdotes from a single field season” , and those are more about teaching concepts to younger scientists than they are particularly interesting encounters with sharks or background on discoveries. And even considering that, these anecdotes are padded out with stories of navigating the middle school cafeteria, struggling to balance high school classes with basketball games and school theater, and the challenges of finding a parking spot on her first day of grad school. The work she does to bring equity and inclusion to white male dominated spaces is incredibly important and impactful, but the way it’s described here simply isn’t particularly engaging.
I think as a marketing newsletter for her nonprofit (which sounds like it does excellent work!) this would be a massive success but as a whole book I just didn’t enjoy reading it.
My first criticism is that it jumps back and forth between detailed descriptions of sharks and very introductory social justice concept explanations; these are both important concepts but I feel that they weren’t organized or connected well and the two focuses of the book kept undermining each other.
The bigger point (that I feel mean even for making) is that Graham is so early career that she just doesn’t have enough experience to fill a whole book, even one barely 200 pages long. It’s not so much “adventures of a rogue scientist” and more “anecdotes from a single field season” , and those are more about teaching concepts to younger scientists than they are particularly interesting encounters with sharks or background on discoveries. And even considering that, these anecdotes are padded out with stories of navigating the middle school cafeteria, struggling to balance high school classes with basketball games and school theater, and the challenges of finding a parking spot on her first day of grad school. The work she does to bring equity and inclusion to white male dominated spaces is incredibly important and impactful, but the way it’s described here simply isn’t particularly engaging.
I think as a marketing newsletter for her nonprofit (which sounds like it does excellent work!) this would be a massive success but as a whole book I just didn’t enjoy reading it.
August 13, 2024
Change small pieces of the world; shift the tides. Shark science is a white male dominated field. Shocker, I know. After connecting with other female scientists of color, Graham finds camaraderie and support in her passion, and advocates to change the system, while advocating for these incredible creatures.
February 14, 2025
This was such a good read. I don’t get the lower reviews that complain about it not being scientific enough. Like… this is a memoir… about a scientist…
I think it had a great blend of shark science and the author’s journey as a Black woman in this field. Which, obviously, was a rough road to travel due to underrepresentation and many systemic -isms in the field.
Highly recommended!
I think it had a great blend of shark science and the author’s journey as a Black woman in this field. Which, obviously, was a rough road to travel due to underrepresentation and many systemic -isms in the field.
Highly recommended!
March 22, 2024
I'm not sure there's a better way to begin a review of Jasmin Graham's "Sharks Don't Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist" than to enthusiastically recommend that the folks behind Shark Week snag up this enthusiastic, energized shark devotee for the next season of Shark Week.
I'm quite serious. Whether or not you resonate with Graham's passion for sharks, you'll most assuredly get caught up in her enthusiasm and spirited advocacy for one of nature's most misunderstood animals.
Graham is a marine biologist and co-founder of Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS). "Sharks Don't Sink" is part exploration of Graham's work as a marine biologist and part life-affirming memoir about how this young Black scientist has grown to flourish by placing herself outside the traditional confines of academia.
If you're expecting a straightforward exploration of the world of sharks, "Sharks Don't Sink" may be a tad disappointing as it's as much memoir as it is a journey through the world of sharks. Don't get me wrong. Graham's knowledge of sharks is impressive and her enthusiasm absolutely engaging, however, a good amount of "Sharks Don't Sink" also covers Graham's struggle in the often older white world of shark experts and her conflicts with particular expert she not so affectionately refers to as Dr. Minion.
She might have some unresolved issues there.
Joining with three other Black women, Graham formed MISS, an organization dedicated to providing support and opportunities for other young women of color pursuing the world of marine studies. She dedicated herself as a "rogue scientist," an independent researcher who has still managed to grow impressively in the field.
"Sharks Don't Sink" is a rich, informative, and incredibly moving memoir that delves into social justice along with marine studies. Graham's exploration of how we can learn to respect and protect some of nature's most misunderstood creatures becomes, in turn, a guide to how we can embrace with grace those who are different from us and those who bring different gifts to the table.
Graham writes with an engaging honesty and relentless enthusiasm. It's an enthusiasm that keeps you immersed in her world even when she's using language you may not completely understand. I was captivated. You'll be captivated. Easily one of early 2024's most unexpected joys, "Sharks Don't Sink" is destined to be one of my favorites this year.
I'm quite serious. Whether or not you resonate with Graham's passion for sharks, you'll most assuredly get caught up in her enthusiasm and spirited advocacy for one of nature's most misunderstood animals.
Graham is a marine biologist and co-founder of Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS). "Sharks Don't Sink" is part exploration of Graham's work as a marine biologist and part life-affirming memoir about how this young Black scientist has grown to flourish by placing herself outside the traditional confines of academia.
If you're expecting a straightforward exploration of the world of sharks, "Sharks Don't Sink" may be a tad disappointing as it's as much memoir as it is a journey through the world of sharks. Don't get me wrong. Graham's knowledge of sharks is impressive and her enthusiasm absolutely engaging, however, a good amount of "Sharks Don't Sink" also covers Graham's struggle in the often older white world of shark experts and her conflicts with particular expert she not so affectionately refers to as Dr. Minion.
She might have some unresolved issues there.
Joining with three other Black women, Graham formed MISS, an organization dedicated to providing support and opportunities for other young women of color pursuing the world of marine studies. She dedicated herself as a "rogue scientist," an independent researcher who has still managed to grow impressively in the field.
"Sharks Don't Sink" is a rich, informative, and incredibly moving memoir that delves into social justice along with marine studies. Graham's exploration of how we can learn to respect and protect some of nature's most misunderstood creatures becomes, in turn, a guide to how we can embrace with grace those who are different from us and those who bring different gifts to the table.
Graham writes with an engaging honesty and relentless enthusiasm. It's an enthusiasm that keeps you immersed in her world even when she's using language you may not completely understand. I was captivated. You'll be captivated. Easily one of early 2024's most unexpected joys, "Sharks Don't Sink" is destined to be one of my favorites this year.
May 10, 2024
Jasmin Graham is a rogue shark scientist. Following the traditional path to her dream of becoming a marine biologist was extra challenging as a woman of color. In a field dominated by men Jasmin decided to find her own way. She co-founded Minorities in Shark Sciences which is an organization dedicated to providing support and opportunities for other young women of color pursuing the fascinating and environmentally essential work of marine studies. Jasmin became a rogue shark scientist, learning how to keep those endangered but precious sharks swimming free—just like her. Sharks Don't Sink tells the story of this journey along with an inside look at some of the creatures she's passionate about protecting.
This a short but insightful read. Not only do we learn a little about sharks and the process and importance of researching them, but also a look at the people trying to protect them. Jasmin's journey is interesting and inspiring. There are good lessons about standing up for yourself and pursuing your dream. She's also funny.
This is just as much memoir as information about sharks. I would have liked more shark info but that's partly because Jasmin is so good at relating the facts! Even her diagrams, which she makes fun of, are very helpful. This book makes me feel like I'm reading a show featured on Shark Week. The book ends but Jasmin's story is continuing. An area of research she talks about at the end sounds very interesting and I would enjoy hearing more about it. I'm glad sharks have someone like her on their side.
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read. Sharks Don't Sink will be published July 16th.
This a short but insightful read. Not only do we learn a little about sharks and the process and importance of researching them, but also a look at the people trying to protect them. Jasmin's journey is interesting and inspiring. There are good lessons about standing up for yourself and pursuing your dream. She's also funny.
This is just as much memoir as information about sharks. I would have liked more shark info but that's partly because Jasmin is so good at relating the facts! Even her diagrams, which she makes fun of, are very helpful. This book makes me feel like I'm reading a show featured on Shark Week. The book ends but Jasmin's story is continuing. An area of research she talks about at the end sounds very interesting and I would enjoy hearing more about it. I'm glad sharks have someone like her on their side.
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read. Sharks Don't Sink will be published July 16th.
October 7, 2024
An interesting memoir about shark science, and being a scientist. I did think that it wasn’t entirely sure what kind of memoir it wanted to be; a story about shark science, a story about the demands of academic scientific pathways, or a story about the racist flaws of academic pathways. It wasn’t quite enough of any of these things to truly capture me, although all were relatively interesting. A bit superficial.
March 24, 2024
In Sharks Don't Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist, Jasmin Graham chronicles her academic and scientific career in shark science and contextualizes her experience in the field with broader racial issues in not only academic institutions but also across the United States in general. In my effort to be more kind to creatures that scare me (see: sharks, snakes, spiders), I was excited to pick up this book and see sharks through a shark scientist's eyes. I mean, what better way to appreciate sharks than hear about them from a shark expert?
But Graham's love of and study of sharks is not without obstacles. The field is white male dominated, and she explains how labs, conferences, and other organizations often express a resistance to change (i.e., diversity). At every step, Graham meets a challenge head-on, finding new and exciting ways to get her job done. I love how she emphasized the importance of diverse thinking and how such open-mindedness leads to innovation. Her experiences as a researcher -- and the #BlackInNature hashtag -- pushed her to found MISS, or Minorities in Shark Sciences, with four other Black women.
This memoir is interesting, compelling, and entirely my kind of book, so I enjoyed every second. Graham also writes in such an accessible way: I can tell she knows a lot about her field (obviously!), but she makes some unfamiliar topics (like phylogeny) much easier for me to understand and follow. While I do wish certain topics were a bit more explored, and would've loved more shark facts, this was a great little memoir, and I cannot wait to recommend it for my work's book club once it's published in July.
Thank you NetGalley & Pantheon for the eARC!
But Graham's love of and study of sharks is not without obstacles. The field is white male dominated, and she explains how labs, conferences, and other organizations often express a resistance to change (i.e., diversity). At every step, Graham meets a challenge head-on, finding new and exciting ways to get her job done. I love how she emphasized the importance of diverse thinking and how such open-mindedness leads to innovation. Her experiences as a researcher -- and the #BlackInNature hashtag -- pushed her to found MISS, or Minorities in Shark Sciences, with four other Black women.
This memoir is interesting, compelling, and entirely my kind of book, so I enjoyed every second. Graham also writes in such an accessible way: I can tell she knows a lot about her field (obviously!), but she makes some unfamiliar topics (like phylogeny) much easier for me to understand and follow. While I do wish certain topics were a bit more explored, and would've loved more shark facts, this was a great little memoir, and I cannot wait to recommend it for my work's book club once it's published in July.
Thank you NetGalley & Pantheon for the eARC!
June 23, 2024
The book is not what I expected. I was looking for more experiences in diving and oceanography and did not get that from reading this. It seemed to be more of an autobiographical reading.
March 24, 2025
A perfect read for fellow shark lovers, plus we get much insight on the experience of the scientific field and academia from a Black woman's perspective.
March 27, 2025
I love sharks. I wanted to be a marinebiologist to study sharks back in the day. Shark week wasn't a big thing as it is now (and hate that show now). And you certainly didn't see many women or POC scientists on the show when it did air. But I had a passion for scuba diving and a love for sharks; I just was not big on the science part and never pursued it. There are times I wished I had. So, when I saw this audiobook available now from the library about a black woman shark scientist, I had to borrow. I'm so glad I did. Like her, I didn't know there were black female scientists in this field and it was refreshing to get her take on things. I'm glad she left the scientific world and she opened my eyes to new species of shark. I will say that the audiobook is a little dry and can be boring sounding, but she is a scientist. So, I did catch myself missing things from time to time.
I learned a lot and I think it's a great read/listen to get a fresh perspective on what it's like to be a black female shark scientist. Although, it is sad to know that her initiatives are or in the processing of getting cut due to our government. Oh well.
I learned a lot and I think it's a great read/listen to get a fresh perspective on what it's like to be a black female shark scientist. Although, it is sad to know that her initiatives are or in the processing of getting cut due to our government. Oh well.
July 30, 2025
Mom recommended this to me, and I enjoyed it for the most part. I feel like I missed out on some of it because I am not that interested in ocean science, but that was to be expected. There were intriguing comparisons between the treatment of sharks and her experience as a Black woman, and I liked hearing her perspective. But overall, it was just a little too all over the place for me. It felt like this was a bunch of journal entries shoved into one place that each randomly referenced different events and people that I couldn’t quite piece together. Like it jumped between 3 pages about her experience in high school and then 5 pages about information about sharks and then points on grad school. I just really crave a nice, distinct through-line with non-plot-centered-books and I thought this was missing that. I still think it’s worth the read for more science-y people though
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April 22, 2025i went to Jasmin’s author discussion at e. shavers when this was released and was enthralled by her story! the book read exactly how she spoke so it felt like she was talking to me the whole time. i loved all the nerdy shark science (do i want to be a shark scientist now??) but especially how she related everything to her experience as a black woman in the science field. her role in creating change in the field of shark science is inspiring through helping create MISS and her determination that no one else should experience what she had to. thank you Shannon for buying this book for me :)
March 29, 2025
A fascinating deep dive into the world of sharks and the unconventional scientist Jasmin Graham who studies them. The author’s passion and rebellious approach make for an engaging, sometimes humorous, and always eye-opening read. Whether you’re a marine biology enthusiast or just love a good adventure, this book offers an exciting perspective on one of the ocean’s most misunderstood creatures. Also, shout out to MISS for doing what they do.
Things I learned about sharks:
- Shark skeletons are made of cartilage, which doesn't fossilize well
- Many sharks species are endangered
- Almost anything is more dangerous than sharks
- Shark skin is made up of tiny teeth-like structures called placoid scales, also known as dermal denticles
Things I learned about sharks:
- Shark skeletons are made of cartilage, which doesn't fossilize well
- Many sharks species are endangered
- Almost anything is more dangerous than sharks
- Shark skin is made up of tiny teeth-like structures called placoid scales, also known as dermal denticles
February 19, 2025
I remember spotting Sharks Don’t Sink at a bookstore last year and immediately pulling out my phone to put a hold on it at the library, only to find out it was new and on order. Flash forward to finding out through the New England Aquarium that Jasmin Graham would be doing a book signing in August… obviously Gabby and I went, bought a copy and got it signed. If I’m being completely honest, I knew I would love this book before I even read it. I love a memoir. Plus the cover was gorgeous, and I was interested in reading more nonfiction.
Graham’s writing is full of personality; it’s clear that she truly loves what she does, and it made for a super enjoyable read!! Everything was accessible to someone like me with no scientific background – the fieldwork and academia never felt too technical and I was able to follow along. I thought the way she tied anti-black racism and her personal experiences as a black woman in science to the general public’s perception of sharks was brilliantly done as well.
I normally do not write reviews that are this thought out, but that’s how much I loved Sharks Don’t Sink!!
We also bought Gabby’s dad a copy for Christmas 🦈 (they both love sharks)
Graham’s writing is full of personality; it’s clear that she truly loves what she does, and it made for a super enjoyable read!! Everything was accessible to someone like me with no scientific background – the fieldwork and academia never felt too technical and I was able to follow along. I thought the way she tied anti-black racism and her personal experiences as a black woman in science to the general public’s perception of sharks was brilliantly done as well.
I normally do not write reviews that are this thought out, but that’s how much I loved Sharks Don’t Sink!!
We also bought Gabby’s dad a copy for Christmas 🦈 (they both love sharks)
February 19, 2025
The blend of a young scientist writing about her experiences doing science, the actual field work, and social justice is putting this on the top of my “recommended reading” list at school. I hope I can get a copy or three in our library so that my students have easy access. Science and schools who train them need voices like Jasmin Graham and people like me need to keep asking, who else are we not hearing from.
March 12, 2025
This was great on both a memoir loving level and a shark loving level.
October 8, 2025
What a great story! I loved reading about Jasmin's experiences as a female shark scientist. Sharks have always fascinated me, so this book was right up my alley! It was hard to read about the unfairness she, and other scientists, had to deal with being female scientists and scientists of color. I am glad she was able to find a support system to help her. I also appreciated the MISS program that she started. I would absolutely read more from this author/scientist!
October 20, 2024
Jasmin Graham (b. ~1995) is a young Black female scientist working in marine biology, specifically studying various shark species. In her memoir Sharks Don't Sink, she talks about her work as a citizen/independent scientist, her outreach efforts to make marine biology research more accessible to historically underrepresented groups in science (she cofounded an organization called Minorities in Shark Sciences in 2020), and her own background, career path, and struggles as a Black female in the conventional academic world. Graham earned a Master's of Science degree in 2020 from Florida State University but after an unpleasant incident involving another researcher misusing and publishing her data, opted to not continue her studies to earn a PhD and to forego a traditional academic career path. With the way science research is funded in the US, this means a lot of traditional funding mechanisms are unavailable for her.
As a fellow woman in science (though I am white), I have a lot of empathy and respect for Graham. Academia is still highly insular, political, and frankly much easier for some groups of people than others. At the same time, if I were to give her unsolicited advice, I would urge her to go back and earn a PhD -- she's still so young, and it's a lot easier to affect change from a within a system if you possess the keys that confer credibility (here, a doctorate degree) to have as many doors opened for you as possible. I'm very much a proponent of unconventional careers in the sciences (I'm a PhD with a somewhat unconventional career path, and know many PhDs who have fascinating career paths outside of traditional academia), but the PhD and the politics, ridiculously low living stipends, and seemingly endless and pointless hoops to jump through are unfortunately prerequisites for getting to do those cool things down the road. Graham came across in the book as very discouraged and quick to quit any time she didn't feel an environment was welcoming to her and felt the need to create her own path rather than suck it up and play the game to succeed by conventional means. I also perceived that Graham felt that her perspective as a high school, bachelor's, and master's student was always the correct one, and that more senior people who questioned her or didn't treat as she wanted to be treated were automatically wrong, rather than being able to thoughtfully consider their viewpoints that motivate their actions -- this isn't an uncommon feeling to have when you're young, female, and a minority. But, in my opinion, part of fully growing and maturing is being able to understand others' perspectives -- their actions and behaviors may still be flawed (or outright wrong), but your reactions, ways of navigating situations, and ability to personally succeed and change hearts and minds will likely improve with this understanding.
Further reading: succeeding in STEM as a woman of color:
Life on Other Planets: A Memoir of Finding My Place in the Universe by Aomawa Shields, PhD
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
My Remarkable Journey by Katherine Johnson
Twice as Hard: The Stories of Black Women Who Fought to Become Physicians, from the Civil War to the Twenty-First Century by Jasmine Brown
The Beauty in Breaking by Michele Harper, MD
What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City by Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD
Lifelines: A Doctor's Journey in the Fight for Public Health by Leana Wen, MD
My statistics:
Book 247 for 2024
Book 1850 cumulatively
As a fellow woman in science (though I am white), I have a lot of empathy and respect for Graham. Academia is still highly insular, political, and frankly much easier for some groups of people than others. At the same time, if I were to give her unsolicited advice, I would urge her to go back and earn a PhD -- she's still so young, and it's a lot easier to affect change from a within a system if you possess the keys that confer credibility (here, a doctorate degree) to have as many doors opened for you as possible. I'm very much a proponent of unconventional careers in the sciences (I'm a PhD with a somewhat unconventional career path, and know many PhDs who have fascinating career paths outside of traditional academia), but the PhD and the politics, ridiculously low living stipends, and seemingly endless and pointless hoops to jump through are unfortunately prerequisites for getting to do those cool things down the road. Graham came across in the book as very discouraged and quick to quit any time she didn't feel an environment was welcoming to her and felt the need to create her own path rather than suck it up and play the game to succeed by conventional means. I also perceived that Graham felt that her perspective as a high school, bachelor's, and master's student was always the correct one, and that more senior people who questioned her or didn't treat as she wanted to be treated were automatically wrong, rather than being able to thoughtfully consider their viewpoints that motivate their actions -- this isn't an uncommon feeling to have when you're young, female, and a minority. But, in my opinion, part of fully growing and maturing is being able to understand others' perspectives -- their actions and behaviors may still be flawed (or outright wrong), but your reactions, ways of navigating situations, and ability to personally succeed and change hearts and minds will likely improve with this understanding.
Further reading: succeeding in STEM as a woman of color:
Life on Other Planets: A Memoir of Finding My Place in the Universe by Aomawa Shields, PhD
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
My Remarkable Journey by Katherine Johnson
Twice as Hard: The Stories of Black Women Who Fought to Become Physicians, from the Civil War to the Twenty-First Century by Jasmine Brown
The Beauty in Breaking by Michele Harper, MD
What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City by Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD
Lifelines: A Doctor's Journey in the Fight for Public Health by Leana Wen, MD
My statistics:
Book 247 for 2024
Book 1850 cumulatively
March 24, 2024
This book was enlightening and fun, and shed light on the challenges of being a woman of color in both academia and the world of marine biology - areas heavily filled by white men. I really enjoyed learning about sharks and the connections the author made between the world of misunderstood marine life and her own experiences in these areas. I learned a lot about marine life, and I am really impressed by this rogue scientist!
Parts of the book were repetitive and the timeline seemed to jump around a lot, but I really enjoyed the nerding-out over sharks and learning about MISS.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy of this book!
Parts of the book were repetitive and the timeline seemed to jump around a lot, but I really enjoyed the nerding-out over sharks and learning about MISS.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy of this book!
May 25, 2024
Starts out okay and interesting about sharks. Then goes off the rails. If your looking for info on sharks you won’t find much here as it’s a memoir not a shark book.
July 6, 2025
I loved the blend of sharks, marine biology/research process, anti-racism, incivility/aggression in academia, and women uplifting women. The blend of (a) true joy and love for sharks and science and (b) criticism for racism in academia, unethical scientific practices, and the ways in which academic spaces often do not protect students, especially students of color, made this a really wonderful read. The ending is also just so full-circle magic. Of course this critical, energetic, optimistic shark scientist ends her book with a qualitative study of local fishermen with her fisherman father. Oh, my heart!! So, this is thoughtfully critical while still centering joy, love, and optimism for the future. The metaphors for how sharks' resilience and Black people's resilience parallel were also creative and moving.
I recommend for people interested in sharks, the process of research (tagging sharks! developing cheaper marine research methods! sharing data across research boats!), pursuing an independent research career, or leaving academia/quitting grad school. What a cool blend! I also enjoyed learning about sharks and MISS (the gender-sensitive, inclusive shark research education group that the author founded) - what a good reminder that when we love what we study but are bogged down by all the distractions of poor research/teaching practices, one big answer is collective action and lifting others up.
Sometimes, I wasn't sure about how the mix of shark science and memoir were structured, but this book is so short I didn't mind.
Listened on audio: loved that it was read by the author, clear and easy-to-listen to, conversational narration (especially once sped up).
I recommend for people interested in sharks, the process of research (tagging sharks! developing cheaper marine research methods! sharing data across research boats!), pursuing an independent research career, or leaving academia/quitting grad school. What a cool blend! I also enjoyed learning about sharks and MISS (the gender-sensitive, inclusive shark research education group that the author founded) - what a good reminder that when we love what we study but are bogged down by all the distractions of poor research/teaching practices, one big answer is collective action and lifting others up.
Sometimes, I wasn't sure about how the mix of shark science and memoir were structured, but this book is so short I didn't mind.
Listened on audio: loved that it was read by the author, clear and easy-to-listen to, conversational narration (especially once sped up).
November 22, 2024
CW: racism, sexism, anxiety/panic attacks
What a fantastic science memoir! Jasmin Graham is a marine biologist that is currently not affiliated with an institution (a “rogue” scientist)
I loved reading about her field work tagging and studying sharks! Jasmin weaves together the science of sharks with some of the barriers she has faced as a Black scientist.
“Science is all about following your curiosity. That's what I love about it: it's a systematic way of asking questions and figuring out the answers, and that's it. But science, like faith, can be used as a tool of manipulation and oppression.”
Notes: takes place in Tampa Florida, Miami Florida, Charleston and also Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
A quick and impactful read—highly recommend!
What a fantastic science memoir! Jasmin Graham is a marine biologist that is currently not affiliated with an institution (a “rogue” scientist)
I loved reading about her field work tagging and studying sharks! Jasmin weaves together the science of sharks with some of the barriers she has faced as a Black scientist.
“Science is all about following your curiosity. That's what I love about it: it's a systematic way of asking questions and figuring out the answers, and that's it. But science, like faith, can be used as a tool of manipulation and oppression.”
Notes: takes place in Tampa Florida, Miami Florida, Charleston and also Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
A quick and impactful read—highly recommend!
April 13, 2025
Oh boy did I LOVE this book! Jasmine is a treasure and I really appreciated how she smattered plenty of science and research terminology but always provided a definition for the non academic. I will now identify as a person with "shark energy" rather than rbf. This book was a balm, I wanted to be a marine biologists studying sharks while growing up. After years of "that's so weird you like sharks" all it took was a a soul crushing 75% score on my 8th grade science test on marine life to convince me I should give it up. I wish I hadn't. Thank you Jasmine for this amazing book and supporting others! Thank you addressing the difference experiences scientists and grad student experience dependent on their race and sex. Thank you for sharing yours.
April 27, 2025
Jasmin Graham crafted a compelling read that is part memoir/part science writing about sharks and the marine ecosystem. Graham spent her childhood in love with the water, her interest in sharks and marine biology cemented by her experience at a summer camp. In Sharks Don't Sink, you get a memoir of her experiences working in marine biology both within the academic world as well as outside and an intro into the science around her work. which was fascinating. Graham also speaks openly about her experiences working as a Black woman in a very white male dominated field and I appreciated her insight. These experiences led to her efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive environment for other scientists through the founding of MISS (minorities in shark science) as well as through her work with various professional organizations. I liked Graham's writing style and her openness about her experiences.
January 10, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. Jasmin Graham has totally convinced me sharks are awesome! I also loved the way she told her story. It was engaging and full of personality.
Some of the information was a bit repetitive in the beginning, but all in all, the way she wove her passion for ocean life and her struggles with social justice was beautiful. I can't wait to see how she continues to grow her scientific career! I'm officially a fan.
Some of the information was a bit repetitive in the beginning, but all in all, the way she wove her passion for ocean life and her struggles with social justice was beautiful. I can't wait to see how she continues to grow her scientific career! I'm officially a fan.
November 15, 2024
This book is short enough to be a quick read, and just absolutely fascinating. Def. recommend.
June 18, 2025
solid 4.5 one of the best memoirs i’ve ever read
April 2, 2025
I was very impressed by this book, I liked learning about her experience in shark science as much as hearing about her experiences as a black woman in science.
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