Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World – And Why Things are Better Than You Think
by Hans Rosling, with Ola Rosling and Anna Rosling Ronnlund, 2018
Terribly interesting book about the (uplifting) state of the world. Builds on Hans’ famous TED talks. Recommended. Check out this pretest to see how much you really know, and then go watch the moving bubbles.
The Invention of Air: A story of science, faith, revolution, and the birth of America
by Steven Johnson, 2008
Profiles and the work and persecution of Joseph Priestley, a pioneer in chemistry, religion, and politics in the 18th century. Very interesting biographical take, with connections to Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams.
Good to Go: What the athlete in all of us can learn from the strange science of recovery
by Christie Aschwanden, 2019
Your body needs sleep to recover from exertion. Otherwise, there’s no consistent scientific proof that any other common or marketed form of recovery product or recovery activity does any good, outside of a well-documented placebo effect. Even common things like icing or ibuprofen (and other NSAIDs) may actually be doing more harm than good. If you think something is working for you (and it’s definitely not bad for you), keep doing it, but I would definitely suggest not spending money on the latest recovery fads or products.