Hello all,
Looking for a fiction or non-fiction novel or series that heavily focuses on science, observation, recording logs(?), revisions, progressing failures and or successes etc.,
Genre is “hard science” I think(?)
It can have a story outside of all this but I really would like a focus on the “research” part. Whether a doctor trying to cure a plague or a starship physicist finding a way to make new fuel.
Niche for sure and probably weird but what can I say. I enjoy the academic scientific method. Even in my readings.
Thank you.
by CommanderKerensky
8 Comments
Here are a couple:
Log of the “Sea of Cortez”— John Steinbeck
Song for the Blue Ocean—Carl Safina
“Song of the Dodo: Island Biogeography in an Age of Extinctions—David Quammen
Fluke by Christopher Moore is about a group of scientists studying whales. The second half is bonkers, but the first half is mostly observations and taking samples and sharing theories and snarking at other researchers who’ve “sold out”
Emily Wilde’s Encylopaedia of Fairies. Maybe not exactly what you’re looking for but it’s lovely and certainly about research. And there are 2 more books.
The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson
The Martian and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Personally, I like The Martian way more and feel like PHM is written in a cringy way, but both definitely hit on what you’re looking for.
Some of Ted chiang’s short stories have what you seek
The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of The Oxford English Dictionary
An oldie but goodie is *The Andromeda Strain* by Michael Crichton. Very dated science, but still a great read.