Science and Inquiry discussion

What was your favorite science book (or books) you read in 2011? Any science-related books--not necessarily books discussed in the Science and Inquiry Group.

I don't have a single favorite, but at the top of the list: Both
At Home in the Universe: The Search for the Laws of Self-Organization and Complexity
and The Mathematics of Life combine biology and mathematics.

I'm not sure how to reconcile these two books:
Fool Me Twice: Fighting the Assault on Science in America made me feel very pessimistic about our future. But The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves made me feel quite optimistic.

I'd like to name three:

The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World and The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York, because they were so enjoyable to read and they brought science to life for me, a nonscientist.

But I think Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming was the most important science book I read this year.

I read a bunch that I liked:

The Post Carbon Reader: Managing the 21st Century's Sustainability Crises
How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming
Strange New Worlds: The Search for Alien Planets and Life beyond Our Solar System
The Flooded Earth: Our Future In a World Without Ice Caps
Dry Run: Preventing the Next Urban Water Crisis

Not quite a science book, but there were elements of science involved (and my fave book of the year) 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created

I would have to say the most enjoyable read for me this year was How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming by Mike Brown

Mine were The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void.

I loved that book, Kathy. Really funny and informative all at once.

Kirsten wrote: "I loved that book, Kathy. Really funny and informative all at once."

I agree. Also with everyone else listing their favorite books, now I've got more on my TBR shelf!

My top three for 2011 were: 1)Gen-e-sis: The Scientific Quest for Life's Origins (I'll have to read it again), 2) How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming I agree with Kirsten & Kathy, and 3) Only a Theory: Evolution and the Battle for America's Soul

Kirsten, your The Flooded Earth: Our Future In a World Without Ice Caps interests me because I have visited and have friends on several low-lying islands in the South Pacific. I'll check it out.

Steve-I liked that book, I think he's an archeologist or something similar, so it was written from a slightly different perspective than the usual meteorologist one (while interesting, is common). It's also pretty short and to the point.

With Betsy on The Merchants of Doubt. An absolute must read for all of us who want to promote legitimate science in society.

I was shocked to discover I only read two science books in 2011. Seems I was more into History. But the two I read were The Poisoner's Handbook and Absolutely Small, both of which were top notch.

Susanna wrote: "Mine were The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void."

I also loved Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void. Actually all of the Mary Roach books I read this year were a both informative and hoot.

Trilobites!: An eye witness to Evolution by Richard Fortey, also, The Magic of Reality by Richard Dawkins.

The Poisoner's Handbook, The Ghost Map, Stiff, and The Disappearing Spoon as enjoyable and informative, and Wonderful Life for exercising my brain. Did I list too many? If not, I can list some more.....