Popular science has always been among the most popular nonfiction at our libraries, but these days, as everyone is becoming amateur infectious disease specialists, we are also seeing an uptick in all leisure science reading and listening.
Thankfully, popular science books have also been improving over the last few years to be as fun to read as they are informative. And there are a plethora of great science based podcasts.
One of the experts in this field of Nonfiction RA is Library Journal Associate Editor Stephanie Sendaula. And, thankfully for all of us, you can easily hear her share her favorites on Science Friday. Here is the link for all of Science Friday's books coverage. Sendaula's recs are always spot on!
In fact, Science Friday's podcast, as well as Radio Lab, [both production of WNYC] are my go-to resources for all things popular science. Whether I am listening to learn some armchair science or to get reading recs [either directly or because they interview an author]; these podcasts are a resource I pass on to patrons frequently.
For more books only suggestions I would start with this Library Journal archive of "Sciences" reviews.
If you have access to NoveList, you can also use the left gutter Recommended Reads list to pull up Adult Nonfiction for Science and Nature to find some sure bet titles. [see screen shot]
And because I always remind my readers that we need to balance our professional reviews and resources with resources that take the reader into account [because ultimately we are helping actual readers find titles, NOT library workers], look up popular science titles on Goodreads and see where readers "shelve" them.
You can use this link to go to the Goodreads page for all books tagged "Science." And there you can find this direct link to "related genres." [screen shot]
Also here is a link to the "Nature" page. And my favorite page to help readers "Popular Science" which also includes a Goodreads user generated list of all books mentioned on Science Friday. [I love how the resources work together!]
There are many resources where you can suggest science related books and podcasts to your patrons to help fill the exploding interest in this nonfiction subgenre among a larger audience of readers.
I hope this post gets you started down your own popular science rabbit hole. It would make a great display anytime of year!
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