Setting an intent to read a Nonfiction in the genre of Science can be intimidating. Don’t let labels like Nonfiction, or Science, fool yourself into thinking that such books could never spark joy. In this blog on How to Choose Nonfiction: Science, you will be introduced to the reasons to read Nonfiction Science for leisure and some authors that you could bet your money on. Know thyself and learn how to choose YOUR Nonfiction: Science below.
If you are more interested to find out How to Read Nonfiction: Strategic Business Books, you may find it here.
Reason to Read Nonfiction Science #1: It is the base to your Sci-Fi novels.
Truth be told, it isn’t peculiar that anybody who had freely chosen to read nonfiction from the Science section would freely pick up more and more of the same kind. I have found reading books of this genre particularly interesting and difficult to put down. Never mistake science nonfiction books as boring and difficult to read. That’s because, movies like Star Wars, Planet of the Apes all stem from the creative use of science knowledge.
Reason to Read Nonfiction Science #2: Intellectuals have mad story-telling skills!
The essence of choosing a great science nonfiction heavily depends on the author’s storytelling skills. The writings of great scientists paired with their knack for storytelling, creates magic of a book that I often find myself spellbound amidst reading. I would not be exaggerating to say that there is a sense of ‘lift’ after completing such book. Naturally, from just having experienced an upheaval of my mediocre science knowledge to its application level.
Probably the brain just loves new triggers for ideas or the fact that reading such genre would always trace back to A Higher Order or An Invisible Hand or A Creator or in any other name, God.
Reason to Read Nonfiction Science #3: The ideas generated as a byproduct of your knowledge.
Although science authors rarely state this facts such as the existence of An Invisible Hand, it would require your own train of thoughts to develop your own ideas as you read science nonfiction effectively. By reading more Nonfiction Science, you would digest information that feeds your wisdom.
Here below, my recommendation on How to Choose Nonfiction: Science by the most compelling Nonfiction: Science writers I have experienced.
NONFICTION: SCIENCE AUTHOR YOU CAN BET YOUR MONEY ON – STEPHEN HAWKING
Most famous for his book A Brief History of Time, but I choose The Grand Design as the best I’ve read of his work. I chose so, because I can’t remember how much I smiled while reading it. Nope, I didn’t smile sarcastically because I thought his theories were absurd, I smiled/chuckled because it was really funny and I totally enjoyed going through the pages. In the nonfiction genre of Science, I would further categorise Hawking’s books to Cosmology. If you are interested in Cosmology, try picking up a Stephen Hawking book – you would be surprised that Hawking had a great personality that is reflected from his writing.
NONFICTION SCIENCE AUTHOR YOU CAN BET YOUR MONEY ON – RICHARD DAWKINS
Richard Dawkin’s works are always controversial because his thoughts are so advanced and new, it is difficult for people to accept. Acceptance of an idea is a different ballgame when it comes to reading. In my opinion, reading critical thoughts of a highly intellectual person allows yourself the freedom to weigh his opinion and then, for you to form your own opinion.
Reading books by a man who purportedly claimed that there is no such thing as God in all the unguided process that happens, in all humanly or worldly, whether intrinsic or extrinsic – would surely rub off a little on you in terms of critical thinking. Richard Dawkins has written a plethora of books which I would further catogerise as Nonfiction Science: Biology.
NONFICTION: SCIENCE BOOK YOU CAN BET YOUR MONEY ON – THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD OF THE HUMAN GENOME BY FRANK RYAN
Although Frank Ryan is the least famous of the authors I have listed, I must say that his book, The Mysterious World of the Human Genome is one of its kind. I would describe my experience reading this book as an intellectual adventure.
Never had I ever read a book that covers the history of evolution with all the theories and personnel involved in it be captured in a way a novel would. A box in my head imagined DNA, proteins, bacteria, virus, all at play when reading this book. Definitely not something you get from a science textbook.
I would recommend this book to anybody who would like to understand the works of genetics without its intimidating terms. In my opinion, I would categorise Frank Ryan’s book as Nonfiction Science: Genetics.
I hope my list above helps you loosen up around the Nonfiction: Science shelf. The books are there to teach and entertain, not to create an elite section for superior readers only. Especially Stephen Hawking books with all his hilarious toons in his explanation. Go on, give it a try!
Have you ever shied away from a book you’re interested in because you are intimidated by the authors’ intellect? Is it because you were afraid the book would feel like a lecture? Or, is it because you were afraid that you won’t be able to finish the book? Let me know in the Comment section below. Or you may reply to me if you are a Baini Mustafa Weekly Email subscriber. I am excited to hear from you!
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