I’m looking for a fun, engaging book to buy for my friend who usually reads heavy, thoughtful philosophy but might enjoy something different; maybe about botany, insects, or another interesting scientific topic that links to nature. I want something that’s intellectually stimulating and well-researched, but not too simple or childish. Some good reads for when he wants a break from Sartre or Camus before bed.
If you know any scientifically sound books on plants, bugs, or similar subjects that fit this vibe, I’d love your recommendations. I realise this is a bit vague, but hopefully you get what I mean!
by konrado2000
1 Comment
I personally enjoyed The Light Eater by Zoe Schlanger. She is not a botanist but a journalist, who has had a series of articles in The Atlantic interviewing researching botanists and their focus of plant physiology. This is her fleshing out the topic into a full book. Very easy read, that goes into discussing the validity (or lack there of) of plant nervous systems, ability to see, decision making centers (pop science would call this plant “brains”) and the probalmatic highly used idea around “plant consciousness”.
Not too simple i feel because its a 304 page book with 11 chapters that fleshes out one particular topic each. But also like I said very very easy to ready. And as someone who also enjoys scientific books (but not as cool and in depth as your friend) it is so so nice to have one written by an English major who knows how to write a coherent book haha