Science is about discovering the untold stories of the universe. Sometimes the most interesting stories come from unlikely places, a pocket calculator (in Empire of the Sun), the world of fungi (in Meeting with Remarkable Mushrooms) or how roads affect the world around them (in Crossings). When we look hard enough, everything has a story to tell! Discover great stories in our new science books.
Empire of the sum / Houston, Keith
“The hidden history of the pocket calculator — a device that ushered in modern mathematics, helped build the atomic bomb, and went with us to the moon — and the mathematicians, designers, and inventors who brought it to life.” (Catalogue)
Meetings with remarkable mushrooms : forays with fungi across hemispheres / Pouliot, Alison
“In this book, Pouliot uses visits around the world to show readers the diversity of this life-and makes the case that appreciating fungi is a key to understanding the power and fragility of our planet. Pouliot’s focus on the global community of fungus experts, the importance of local knowledge, and the historic and current contributions of women in mycology all reinforce her message that understanding fungi is fundamental for us all.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Crossings : how road ecology is shaping the future of our planet / Goldfarb, Ben
“An eye-opening and witty account of the global ecological transformations wrought by roads, from an award-winning author. In Crossings, Ben Goldfarb delves into the new science of road ecology to explore how roads have transformed our world. A sweeping, spirited and timely investigation into how humans have altered the natural world, Crossings also shows us how to create a better future for all living beings.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
A naturalist’s guide to the birds of New Zealand / Thomas, Oscar
“A Naturalist’s Guide to the Birds of New Zealand is an introductory photographic identification guide to 250 bird species, including the most commonly seen, unique and endemic species. High-quality photographs from one of New Zealand’s youngest nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions. The fully revised second edition has 13 new species and over 200 new photos.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
White holes : inside the horizon / Rovelli, Carlo
“Let us journey, with beloved physicist Carlo Rovelli, into the heart of a black hole. With lightness and magic, here Rovelli traces the ongoing adventure of his own cutting-edge research, of the uncertainty and joy of going where we’ve not yet been. Guiding us to the edge of theory and experiment, he invites us to go beyond, to experience the fever and the disquiet of science. Here is the extraordinary life of a white hole.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Native shells of Aotearoa / Marshall, Bruce
“Features over 160 species, from chitons and mussels to snails and limpets and also offers insights into the museum’s fieldwork and collections.” (Catalogue)
Native insects of Aotearoa / Kasper, Julia
“This accessible introduction to a range of the native insects encountered in New Zealand is written by two expert entomologists from our national museum, Te Papa. The book is charmingly illustrated with scientific drawings by Des Helmore and reproductions of the entomological paintings of George Vernon Hudson.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
The comfort of crows : a backyard year / Renkl, Margaret
“In The Comfort of Crows, Margaret Renkl presents a literary devotional: fifty-two chapters that follow the creatures and plants in her backyard over the course of a year. As we move through the seasons what develops is a portrait of joy and grief. With fifty-two original color artworks by the author’s brother, Billy Renkl, The Comfort of Crows is a lovely and deeply moving book from a cherished observer of the natural world.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
