Science and Inquiry discussion

Please post a comment below to nominate a book for the group to read for September 2019.

Please use the "add book/author" link just above the comment box to insert a link to the Goodreads book page for the book you are nominating, so other members can more easily assess it.

You may nominate a book which has been suggested previously and did not win. You may nominate more than one book, but we might not include all of your nominations in the voting.

Please do not nominate a book which is unlikely to be available to all members, such as one which was just published within the last three months or which is only available on Kindle in the U.S.

Nominations will close on July 21 or when we have about 10 good nominations, whichever occurs first.

Discovery: Alaska to Hawaii and the Pacific A science book that reads like a travelogue. Using navigation stars, paths of wildlife and DNA the author discovers that the Hawaiian Islands were first discovered from Alaska over 2200 years ago. Travels from Alaska the Great Land all the way to Tahiti the Distant Land and Aotearoa New Zealand. Tells the story of Captain Cook whose voyages began exactly 250 years ago. The group will enjoy reading Discovery.

Darwin Comes to Town by Menno Schilthuizen

The Agile Gene: How Nature Turns on Nurture by Matt Ridley.

L. wrote: "Discovery: Alaska to Hawaii and the Pacific A science book that reads like a travelogue. Using navigation stars, paths of wildlife and DNA the author discovers that the Hawaiian Isl..."

First, we don't permit nominations by the author. Second this book does not seem to be widely available. And it certainly isn't widely read.

Has the group read Genome: the Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters ?
I understand it is very good. If not, I would like to nominate that one.

I nominate the following books.

The Promise of the Grand Canyon: John Wesley Powell's Perilous Journey and His Vision for the American West

Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter

The Dialogues: Conversations about the Nature of the Universe

Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore

Chesapeake Requiem: A Year with the Watermen of Vanishing Tangier Island

Nancy wrote: "Has the group read Genome: the Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters ?
I understand it is very good. If not, I would like to nominate that one."

Excellent choice! Can feel a little outdated in bits considering how fast the field has progressed but still makes a great read.

I'll nominate Caesar's Last Breath: Decoding the Secrets of the Air Around Us by Sam Kean.

I will nominate The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/sho...

Sorry I can’t link it properly from the app.

The book explores the elaborate systems for communication and interaction among communities of trees.

Carrie wrote: "I will nominate The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/sho...."

We read The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World in May 2017. One of my personal favorites.

Susan wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Has the group read Genome: the Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters ?
I understand it is very good. If not, I would like to nominate that one."

Excellent choice! Can..."
I hear it's great. I don't know how I've managed not to read it this long!

Nancy wrote: "Susan wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Has the group read Genome: the Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters ?
I understand it is very good. If not, I would like to nominate that one."

Excelle..."

I'd like to second that. I was so interested in the first choice of The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World because I recently finished the illustrated version and found out that was just the teaser for the original book. I am itching to start it soon, and I'd love to see it win so that I could discuss it with you all. I notice that comments have been a little scarce recently. Let's try to fix that. Wouldn't it be more fun? Isn't it why we're here?
C'mon, folks. It's summer. Are we really that busy?

What? Too rah-rah?

I will happily read the second choice, since the first is done.

JZ wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Susan wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Has the group read Genome: the Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters ?
I understand it is very good. If not, I would like to nominate that ..."

I would love to discuss The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World ... I gave it 5 stars and it really had a profound effect on my views of plants and nature!
Well, I'm pretty busy ... trying to get caught up on my reading, which is impossible if every time you return a library book you come out with 3! But I am enjoying this month's Steven Pinker book.

Here is the discussion thread for The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World from May 2017:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Please feel free to add to it.

Hayley wrote: "I nominate the following books.

The Promise of the Grand Canyon: John Wesley Powell's Perilous Journey and His Vision for the American West."

I think The Promise of the Grand Canyon and Chesapeake Requiem are a little more travelogue than science.

Nominations are closed. Please vote for your choice at the following poll, which will be open through July 27:

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...