Review: The Universe in Verse - Maria Popova and Illustrated by Ofra Amit -October 2024 In Maria Popova's "The Universe in Verse," the marriage of science and poetry takes center stage, orchestrating a symphony where the left and right brain work in unison. This captivating exploration transcends conventional boundaries, offering an exquisite ode to wonder and a poignant journey through humanity's pursuit of truth and significance. At the heart of Maria Popova's narrative lies the belief that both poetry and science serve as instruments for delving into the depths of our world, fostering a profound intimacy and love for it. Across fifteen succinct essays, she delves into a spectrum of subjects, from the enigmatic realms of dark matter and the infinite elegance of pi to the enduring resilience of trees and the intricate intelligence of octopuses. What sets Popova's work apart is her seamless integration of scientific inquiry with the human narratives behind it...

Review: Magical Elements of the Periodic Table Presented Alphabetically By The Elemental Dragons by Sybrine Durant and Illustrated by Pranavva etc - March 2024 "Magical Elements of the Periodic Table Presented Alphabetically By The Elemental Dragons" is a captivating fusion of science and fantasy, tailored perfectly for enthusiasts of both dragons and chemistry. Authored by Sybrine Durant and embellished with enchanting illustrations by Pranavva, this book delivers an innovative approach to acquainting readers with the elements of the periodic table. Structured alphabetically, each element is introduced by a member of the Elemental Dragon Clan, whose tails are tipped with the respective metal. This clever personification adds a delightful charm to the learning experience, as readers are guided through the properties and magical powers associated with each element. From Antz's introduction of Antimony to Zora's elucidation on Zirconium, every page is brimming with intr...

Review: Anomaly - Book #1 Anomaly - Krista McGee - July 2013 Around the time this book was written, we were still living in a world populated with dystopian novels and then slowly, it started to fade into a new trend. It had been years since I read a good dystopian novel and the new Hunger Games movie is still fresh in my mind. I decided to read Anomaly which had been sitting on my Kindle for at least ten years. This book was great as it also does reference God aka The Designer and Creator as Krista McGee is known more so for her YA Christian fiction reads. In Anomaly, Thalli has been raised in a compound and she knows that they must perform a particular way and not show any signs of imperfection they are raised to be like robots to survive. If they were to show imperfections, they would be considered anomalies and flawed and immediately annihilated. Seventeen-year-old Thalli has always known she was different and now her imperfections are starting to show. What happens though when h...

Review: Love On The Brain - Book #2 Love STEM Series - Ali Hazelwood - August 2022 I had read earlier this year The Love Hypothesis and enjoyed that one, but Love on the Brain has trumped it for me. As usual, I loved the geekiness of our characters and Dr. Bee reminded me a bit of myself as she dyed her hair bright colors, had piercings and she just seemed despite being a scientist - she had character and was quirky. She showed readers that smart women don't have to appear boring and stuck-up females who are uptight. Bee has worked for years as a neuroscientist and has finally gotten her chance to work on a collaboration project with NASA/NHI. The only downside for Bee is that the man she is co-leading with is Levi. He is her arch-nemesis as when they were in the same college, every time she tried to present - he made a snarky comment, ignored her, and even told the professor at the time he would never work with her and to top it off - he told her fiance at the same time, not to...

Review: The Love Hypothesis - Book #1 Love Series -Ali Hazelwood - September 2021 The last few months, I have been trying harder to get back into reading print books as for the past two years all I read was ebooks and my bookshelf kept stacking up with new books and sitting there forgotten about. I have been enjoying clearing it and finally got around to the first book in Ali Hazelwood's series. I have been excited to read this one as the cover etc gave me off Lessons in Chemistry and The Theory of Physics from Penny Reid vibes which are two series I loved of hers. I also am a sucker for the geeky, nerdy, and socially awkward characters as in a way I see myself in them. I may not be a scientist like these characters, but I recognize some of the qualities as I went the writing and arts side of degrees and qualifications. In The Love Hypothesis, we meet Olive who is studying for her Ph.D. in pancreatic cancer and looking for a cure as her mum died from the disease. Olive finds hers...