? The Biggest Ideas in the Universe: Space, Time, and Motion by Sean Michael Carroll
“A porthole into another world.” —Scientific American
“Brings science dissemination to a new level.” —Science
The most trusted explainer of the most mind-boggling concepts pulls back the veil of mystery that has too long cloaked the most valuable building blocks of modern science. Sean Carroll, with his genius for making complex notions entertaining, presents in his uniquely lucid voice the fundamental ideas informing the modern physics of reality.
Physics offers deep insights into the workings of the universe but those insights come in the form of equations that often look like gobbledygook. Sean Carroll shows that they are really like meaningful poems that can help us fly over sierras to discover a miraculous multidimensional landscape alive with radiant giants, warped space-time, and bewilderingly powerful forces. High school calculus is itself a centuries-old marvel as worthy of our gaze as the Mona Lisa. And it may come as a surprise the extent to which all our most cutting-edge ideas about black holes are built on the math calculus enables.
No one else could so smoothly guide readers toward grasping the very equation Einstein used to describe his theory of general relativity. In the tradition of the legendary Richard Feynman lectures presented sixty years ago, this book is an inspiring, dazzling introduction to a way of seeing that will resonate across cultural and generational boundaries for many years to come.
? The Power of Not Thinking: How Our Bodies Learn and Why We Should Trust Them by Simon Roberts
Ask someone to point to the part of their body responsible for their intelligence and it is highly likely that they will point at their head. This assumption is understandable, given that, for centuries, from Descartes’ “cogito ergo sum” to the computer age, this is what we have been told to think.
And yet we all share common experiences that have revealed the incomparable power of “not thinking.” Have you ever struggled to remember your pin number only to hold your fingers out and type it correctly with your hands, played the piano without focusing on remembering the correct notes, or listened to your gut feeling when under the pressure of a big decision? All these instances prove that it is time to stop neglecting the role the body plays in our acquisition of knowledge and to explore how it is that brain and body combine to deliver what we view as uniquely human intelligence.
In this unique new book, Simon Roberts looks at the pivotal role that our body plays in how we learn. Drawing upon an incredible range of cutting-edge science, real-life examples, and personal experience, Roberts explores the complexity of even the simplest of tasks that humans perform every day and goes on to explain how, with a greater awareness of the processes at work, we can tap into our full potential and excel in any area of our lives.
? Reasons Not to Worry : How to Be Stoic in Chaotic Times by Brigid Delaney
Reasons Not to Worry is an accessible introduction to Stoic principles of virtue, moderation and self-discipline, adapting this ancient knowledge to inspire practical advice for everyday life.
We’re all searching for answers to the biggest questions: How can we be good? Find calm? Properly grieve? Beat FOMO? Work out what truly matters? Well, the good news is that the wisest minds in history asked the exact same questions – and they found answers. The ancient philosophy of Stoicism shows us that we are already in possession of the very tools we need to excavate this much-needed wisdom for ourselves.
So into the past we go with Brigid Delaney, to a time not unlike our own: one full of pandemonium, war, plagues, pestilence, treachery, corruption, anxiety, overindulgence, and – even back then – the fear of a climate apocalypse. By living and learning the teachings of three ancient guides, Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, Brigid shows us how we can apply their lessons to our modern lives in a way that allows us to regain a sense of agency and tranquillity.
Stoicism can be a tough medicine to swallow, but no longer – this book is awash with insight, humour and compassion. Timely, so very useful, and filled to the brim with ways you can wrest back control, here are all the reasons not to worry.
‘Brigid has the most incredible gift of taking seemingly complex and esoteric concepts and explaining them to the reader in a way that is generous and clear, but above all, relatable. Reading this book is like having a long walk with your cool big sister while she just happens to be giving you the skinny on Greco-Roman philosophy.’ Ben Lee
‘Reasons Not to Worry is both an introduction and an interrogation of Stoicism. With acute thoughtfulness and a genial lightness, Delaney convinces us that this ancient philosophy is still relevant and necessary. I appreciated the kindness in this book and I was grateful for the care and commitment and joy of the writing and argument.’ Christos Tsiolkas, bestselling author of Damascus and Seven and a Half
? On the Tip of My Tongue: The perfect word for every life moment by Tom Read Wilson
Navigate every situation in modern life with eloquence and grace with this curated list of words featuring witty analysis of their origins, meanings and practical applications.
In On the Tip of My Tongue, logophile and television star Tom Read Wilson takes a delicious dive into the etymology and usage of all kinds of words, euphemisms and bon mots.
Divided into sections spanning dating, personal development, show business, compliments, curses, complaining without being a Karen and more, discover words and phrases like:
Companion: Panis is the Latin root meaning “bread”. At first glance, companion seems to be no companion of our root. However, etymologically, we have a “person one breaks bread with”. Companion, as we use it today, may seem adrift from its root but it is not the only word that metamorphosed, over time, from mere dining partner to chum: Mate comes from the Old English mete, which once meant all food – not just animal flesh. So your mate was the person with whom you shared your meat. Isn’t that lovely?
I have become the Bayeux Tapestry: There are, naturally, occasions – though they are of course rare – where one is just too tired to attend a party. Tired, fatigued, flat, all sound so beige and drear-full that I always find myself leaning toward euphemism instead. My favourite is “threadbare”. However, sometimes even threadbare gets a bit threadbare so I plump for the most famous of all threadbare pieces to demonstrate the point.
JOMO: Acronyms tend to be quite bold. The reduction of a phrase to single initials is often an endeavour to soften it while retaining your core assertion. Acronyms remove the sting. Somehow, telling your chum that you experienced JOMO missing that dinner party when you were rather threadbare is a lot more innocuous than saying you felt the Joy Of Missing Out, which I experience a great deal more than its counterpart, FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).
With Tom’s wit and lifelong love of words by your side, you’ll never be lost for words again, whether you are trying to understand the many metaphors for sex or trying to tell your mother you love her.
This is a delightful and hilarious etymological solution to the Dear Mary dilemmas and conundrums of modern life and a must-read for every budding vocabularian.
? Everyday Plant Magic by Rachael Cohen
Everyday Plant Magic is a modern guide to enhancing your life through the magical energy of nature, from choosing the right plant for your spiritual needs to understanding where best to place it and how to harness its power.
Featuring 45 plant profiles, which will showcase each plant’s magical properties, from healing to stimulating and purifying to energizing, learn how they can be used to cleanse a space of bad energy or added to a potion to help calm the mind.
Also discover how their placement in the home can enhance magical energies like prosperity, good health, success, and relationships. Feng shui tips, along with a highlight on crystal companions for harnessing additional magical energies from nature, are also included.
Whether you position a Snake Plant by the door to ward off bad energy, use Aloe Vera leaves to calm a burn, or add a rose quartz to your Rose Plant to call in more love, this practical guide will equip you with all you need to hardness the transformative power of your plants.
