I woke up Saturday in a cleaning mood. This hits me every few months. Normally it means I am in the mood to clean out closets and drawers, but this time it meant cleaning! I didn’t just want to wipe down the tub, I wanted to scrub everything inch of my bathroom. I pulled out my steam cleaner and got to work. I cleaned behind the toilet, got the steam into the cracks of the baseboards and doors. I even steamed the walls. Two hours later I had a squeaky clean bathroom. But I wasn’t done yet. I then turned to my room. Living in a dessert, the dust accumulates everywhere and it was time to pull things of shelves and sweep under the bed.
I took all the books off my TBR book shelf. The shelf has three units plus I have my science books on the top of the shelf. I know I do not have as many TBR books as most readers, but for me, who grew up in a one book at a time house, it is a lot. The books were piled up on the shelves and threaten to spill onto the floor. As I looked at them I sighed and once again culled through my pile. I swear I just did this a few months back! I took out all of the books I had started but for one reason or another did not finish.( I now realize I need a new shelf; one for my did not finishes, but will not get rid of). As I went through the books I was horrified to find titles I bought, but completely forgot about! You know you have way to many books when you forget about many of them. I vowed then and there I would no longer accept books to review and stop haunting the library for new reads. I have enough to keep me reading for well over a year. I should have known better, I should have known my vow would not last. I should have known better than to listen to a Guardian Books podcast.
The podcast I listened to today was from August. Back in August The Royal Society Prize for Science books was announced and the podcast talked about the short list and winner. Once again I learned about science books I had no idea had been published. And oh what books they are! Here is a quick rundown:
God’s Philosophers: How the medieval world laid the foundations of modern science by James Hannam (Icon Books)
Revives the forgotten philosophers, scientists, scholars and inventors of medieval Europe, revealing the Medieval Age to be responsible for inventions and ideas that would change the world forever.
Revives the forgotten philosophers, scientists, scholars and inventors of medieval Europe, revealing the Medieval Age to be responsible for inventions and ideas that would change the world forever.
A World Without Ice by Henry Pollack (Avery Books, Penguin Group)
Explores the relationship between ice and people – the impact of ice on Earth, its climate, and its human residents, as well as the reciprocal impact that people are now having on ice and the climate.
Explores the relationship between ice and people – the impact of ice on Earth, its climate, and its human residents, as well as the reciprocal impact that people are now having on ice and the climate.
Everyday Practice of Science: Where Intuition and Passion Meet Objectivity and Logic by Frederick Grinnell (Oxford University Press)
An insiders’ view of real-life scientific practice describing how scientists bring their own interests and passions to their work and illustrating the dynamics between researchers and the research community.
An insiders’ view of real-life scientific practice describing how scientists bring their own interests and passions to their work and illustrating the dynamics between researchers and the research community.
We Need To Talk About Kelvin by Marcus Chown (Faber and Faber)
Takes familiar features of the world we know and shows how they can be used to explain profound truths about the ultimate nature of reality.
Takes familiar features of the world we know and shows how they can be used to explain profound truths about the ultimate nature of reality.
Why Does E=mc2? by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw (Da Capo Press, Perseus Books Group)
An illuminating journey to the frontier of 21st century science to consider the real meaning behind Einstein’s most famous equation, E = mc2.
An illuminating journey to the frontier of 21st century science to consider the real meaning behind Einstein’s most famous equation, E = mc2.
And the winner is:
Life Ascending by Nick Lane (Profile Books)
Charts the history of life on Earth by describing the ten greatest inventions of life, based on their historical impact, their importance in living organisms and their iconic power.
Charts the history of life on Earth by describing the ten greatest inventions of life, based on their historical impact, their importance in living organisms and their iconic power.
The judges said about Life Ascending: “An elegant and adventurous step-by-step guide to what makes life the way it is. With a pleasing overarching structure, it is a beautifully written book and an extremely rewarding read.”
Great, more books to add to my wish list!! I want them all especially the Medieval book. Sigh, maybe I will buy a second TBR bookshelf and accept I will always have a lot of books waiting to be read. What do you think?
The View From Sari's World 
You are asking the wrong one here. The ONLY reason I finally gave away so many of my TBR was because we moved and hubby griped about moving so many books! BUT, I have already managed to replenish! Good news is since I have a nook and kindle he can't see them! Good luck.
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Maybe there are just a few more you could donate…LOL
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@SenoraG When I moved from California I ended up getting about $800.00 for my collection. I found out books cost a lot to move. If I had to move again, I would gladly pay the price as I ended up collecting many of the same books I sold. I can now see one reason to get an e-reader.Diane, yes, I guess I could look. Perhaps I could part with one or two.
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Funny how the cleaning mood strikes, isn't it. I get that to but the last few times, I have been thwarted by other commitments. Your lovely organized bookcase is making me want to 'hop to it'– all my bookcases and everything else needs tending to– desperately!I keep flirting with the idea of reading only my TBR books and new to me classics…
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Oh, Sari! Your science book collection makes me drool!!! But I know what you mean about *culling* the shelves. And yes, I've done the EXACT same thing and *re-collected* certain books down the road again. Usually space/moving/weight is the real culprit. Then again, sometimes the urge to purge is symptomatic of other stresses/weights we carry. Does that make sense? lolTheoretical physics and astronomy are two of my biggies. I'm still struggling to grasp Null physics – gawd. You know, when I read my latest issue of Popular Science it amazes me how brilliant man as a species is. Until nightfall. When I stand outside and contemplate the weight of a trillion suns, a multiverse, string/brane theory and see an ocean of light twinkling back at me with stories of birth & death and achievements from places I'll never reach. Then I am humbled, and realize how far man has yet to go. Maybe someday a handsome, wise extraterrestrial will show up at my door with THE ultimate book of answers AND some of that fancy french hot chocolate you've got me wanting ;D
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