Science & Nature

Texts in this collection explore topics like climate change, energy, and humanity's place in the environment through a variety of genres, whether the science fiction of Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake or the scientific journalism of Dan Egan's The Death and Life of the Great Lakes.

Why Fish Don't Exist

by Lulu Miller

Publication year 2020

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Race, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Equality, Justice, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses, Conflict

Tags Science & Nature, Philosophy, Animals, Race & Racism, World History, Philosophy, Biography

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Why Nations Fail

by Daron Acemoglu, James A. Robinson

Publication year 2012

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Economics, Nation, Politics & Government, Community

Tags Business & Economics, Politics & Government, World History, Science & Nature, Sociology

Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty (2012) is a nonfiction book co-authored by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson. Acemoglu, an MIT economist renowned for his work on political economy, and Robinson, a political scientist and economist, combine their expertise to examine the reasons behind the varying levels of success and failure among nations. This interdisciplinary work, situated at the intersection of institutional economics, developmental economics, and economic history, examines a... Read Why Nations Fail Summary

Why We Sleep

by Matthew Walker

Publication year 2017

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Science & Technology, Environment

Tags Science & Nature, Health, Psychology, Psychology, Self-Improvement

British-American neuroscientist Matthew Walker’s Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams (2017) provides an in-depth exploration of the science of sleep health. Walker argues that sleep loss is an epidemic and one of the most serious public health issues of the 21st century. Drawing from a wealth of data and scientific studies, including his own innovative scientific breakthroughs during his time as a professor at the University of California-Berkeley, Walker illustrates the... Read Why We Sleep Summary

Wild

by Cheryl Strayed

Publication year 2012

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Forgiveness, Memory, Hate & Anger, Love, Shame & Pride, Fear, Grief, Perseverance, Conflict, Loneliness, Hope, Safety & Danger, Environment, Place, Mothers

Tags Grief & Death, Travel Literature, Relationships, Love & Sexuality, Science & Nature, Action & Adventure, Biography

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Wildoak

by C. C. Harrington

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Environment, Community

Tags Children`s Literature, Animals, Science & Nature, Realistic Fiction, World History, Historical Fiction

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Wild Wings

by Gill Lewis

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Nature Versus Nurture, Love, Animals, Community, Family

Tags Animals, Realistic Fiction, Action & Adventure, Grief & Death, Children`s Literature, Science & Nature

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Winnie-the-Pooh

by A. A. Milne

Publication year 1926

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Joy, Order & Chaos, Appearance & Reality, Place, Community

Tags Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Fantasy, Animals, Food, Relationships, Science & Nature

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Winterdance

by Gary Paulsen

Publication year 1994

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Animals, Teamwork, Beauty

Tags Science & Nature, Sports, Travel Literature, Biography, Action & Adventure, Animals

First published in 1994, Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod is a nonfiction young adult book by Gary Paulsen, who has won several awards for his outdoor adventure stories. The first-person narrative recounts Paulsen’s life as a novice dog-sled runner who takes on the challenge of Alaska’s iconic Iditarod race. The special cross-species relationship between Paulsen and his canine companions steers him through the perils of Alaska’s harsh terrain as he overcomes his... Read Winterdance Summary