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7. A Plannet of Viruses
We often do not realise how we are surrounded by viruses until a freaking pandemic starts. Carl Zimmer's A Planet of Viruses is a popular science book which tells the stories of some viruses among us.
A Planet of Viruses is an easy to read book. It tells some amazing stories about viruses. After reading this book I found the chapter about microorganisms in my Botany textbook interesting.
6. Post Office
Post Office by Charles Bukowski is an autobiographical account of his working for the United States Postal Service. The novel introduces Bukowski's autobiographical anti-hero, Henry Chinaski. In this novel, Bukowski honestly speaks about the events of his life.
I really enjoyed Bukowski's lucid writing style. The novel was a real page-turner.
5. The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA
How do scientists conduct a research? How do they invent something? Do the scientists constantly think while bathing and suddenly start yelling "Eureka! Eureka!"?
Well, James D Watson's The Double Helix will give you an idea about how the double helix model of DNA was discovered. The book gives us an insight of the hard work of Crick and Watson. The sheer competition between different groups of scientists is also present in the book. To me, this book is like a thriller. The author said some negative comments about Rosalind Franklin in the book which I found annoying. This book will give you an idea about the actions of people behind the discovery of the structure of DNA and that's why I like this book.
4. Everything Is F*cked: A Book About Hope
Mark Manson's Everything Is F*cked did not get that much praise like the previous book of the same author from readers. But I personally liked the book. I am a fan of Manson's writing.
The book is divided into two parts. Part one describes why hope is overrated. In part two the author suggests how to survive in a world where everything is f*cked. This book shook my mind during this pandemic. A few ideas of mine changed after reading this book.
3. Mother Nature Is Trying to Kill You: A Lively Tour Through the Dark Side of the Natural World
How often you see advertisings calling products natural and safe? We often think if something is natural then it must be safe for us. But this notion is not right. Look at the example of the novel coronavirus. It’s a natural virus (until you start believing conspiracy theories on YouTube) and affecting millions throughout the world.
Some of us want a society according to the rules of nature as if there was no foul play in nature. But nature is full of things which are unaccountable in a civilized society. In this popular science book, Dan Riskin shows that greed, lust, sloth, gluttony, envy, wrath, and pride: the seven deadly sins according to the Catholic Church are prevalent in nature. The book is easy to read and it is written with great humour. To be honest, I enjoyed the book very much. Some concepts of the book are quite dark, so I don't suggest anyone below 16 to read this book.
2. The Godfather
The Godfather, Mario Puzo's magnum opus, is one of the best books I have read till date. It portrays the 1940s criminal underworld, the rise and fall of the Corleone family.
This novel is a great thriller, moves at breakneck speed. Mario Puzo's character development and storytelling are just awesome. After finishing the book, I was in a reader's block.
1. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Sapiens is also one of the best books I have ever read. Yuval Noah Harari's popular science book is highly thought provocative.
What explains our success as a species in the battle of dominance? Why did the other species of human wipe out over the course of time? What makes our species unique? How and when did the idea of God, nation, money, arise? Was the agricultural revolution really good for our species? How did empires contribute to the progress of science? What might happen to our species in time to come? Well, these are some of the questions this book tries to answer.
The book covers the events and outcomes of the cognitive revolution, the agricultural revolution, the unification of humankind, the industrial revolution and the scientific revolution. This book really challenges everything we thought we knew about being human. Harari is a brilliant storyteller. Sapiens is a really enjoyable and thought-provoking book.
Making this list was not easy for me. Apart from these seven books, I have read some other good books last year (e.g. Animal Farm by George Orwell, Art of War by Sun Tzu, The Sicilian by Mario Puzo, How to Lie With Statistics by Darrell Huff) which are equally worthy to be in this list. Thanks for reading. Wish you a happy new year.