Some Nerds share what they’ve been reading over the summer, and we’d love to hear from you!
Summer reading is a joy. And it’s also a privilege that many folks don’t have. Not everyone has easy access to books, which can be expensive, maybe a language someone speaks isn’t easily available in print. Maybe work and life are so busy that there is no time for it.
We want to acknowledge that and share something that might help folks:
📚Libraries!!! Libraries are amazing!!! 📚
Although sadly on the decline and under threat in many places, libraries are great community hubs that provide free resources – not only books, but also audiobooks, foreign language books, newspapers and magazines. Often, they also provide free internet and access to many educational resources that might otherwise not be easy to come by. Some libraries also have classes (from crafting to resume writing) and kid’s groups. You can talk with your local librarian about your library’s offerings. And on that note, let’s also give a shout out to librarians! Without their knowledge, expertise and passion, these hubs would basically not exist!
What about rural communities I hear you ask? Good point! There are apps or internet-based library services that are free to use, like Libby or Hoopla. Some places have Bookmobiles, and some neighborhoods run their own small box-of-books setups. And if none of this exists in your area, here is a great resource on how you can build your own little free library for your community.
But now to the fun part!
Some Nerds share what they’ve been reading over the summer, and we’d love to hear from you!
Nerdy Girl Sara: Not health or science-related, but I’ve been (slowly) reading a 500-page Mozart biography that was deemed controversial because of the liberties it takes analyzing Mozart’s psyche. It’s not exactly a beach read (it’s quite thick) but it’s an interesting read if you’re curious about the life of one of the greatest composers. It’s called Mozart: A Life by Maynard Solomon.
Nerd MK: Dave and I are reading a book out loud before bed called Woodworking by Emily St. James.
It’s about a trans high school teacher in small town South Dakota who is trying to figure out how to be herself, how and if to come out. She is very scared. Her biggest advocate ends up being one of her students who is also trans and has been living as full herself for 3 years. Each chapter is told from one of their perspectives. It is a very good book. Funny and insightful and so darn humanizing!
Nerdy Girl Sandy: I’ve just finished reading Orbital by Samantha Harvey. It’s a mesmerizing short book about the International Space Station as it circles around Earth 16 times a day (!!) It follows the astronauts on board and reflects on what happens on Earth in the most beautiful way. I found a passage about how we occupy only the tiniest flicker of time in the universe really fascinating and oddly comforting. Even for non-space nerds, this is a lovely awe-inspiring read.
Nerdy Girl Rebecca: I’m reading End Emotional Outsourcing by Beatriz Victoria Albina, NP, MPH, which talks about overfunctioning in relationships (not just romantic relationships) as a mechanism to feel worthy. The writing style really feels like a warm hug. I love that it’s both about how to feel more grounded in yourself and practical solutions for showing up differently, in a way that honors your capacity while also recognizing the importance of community.
And finally, a bunch of us – together with some much beloved fellow science communicators – are reading Monica Guzman’s I Never Thought Of It That Way for a new nerdy book club we are a part of. It explores how curiosity and asking questions, rather than making assumptions, can be a great way to connect with people who think and see the world differently.
