Books to read

The Trouble with Physics

by Lee Smolin.

Theoretical physics has a problem. The Standard Model of particle physics hasn't greatly advanced since the late 80's yet it has important gaps. 

These gaps should be filled with new models of particle physics. The leading contender to supersede the Standard Model is String Theory. Yet, in String Theory's 35 years of existence it has not made any interesting predictions. String Theory has also had some big misses-- failing to predict dark energy for example. 

Other contending models, such as Loop Quantum Gravity, haven't faired much better. 

This book digs into the why's and the what's behind this problem. 

Solutions and other Problems

By Allie Brosh.

"Nobody should have to feel like a pointless weirdo. Especially if they are."

Brosh may not have realized it, but she has discovered nihilism. This discovery sends her life into a downward spiral. 

There are parts of this book where I couldn't turn away. I won't give the details away. Part of the effectiveness of the story is the sudden wallop of reality.

The Gene: An Intimate History

 By Siddhartha Mukherjee

Mukherjee covers the history, the discovery, the exploration, the complexities and some of the future of our genes.