From fantasy and genomics to analog tools and evolution, Roop Gill recommends some top reads to dive into over the coming months.
The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger
by Stephen King
The genre-defying Dark Tower series published between 1982 and 2012 is widely considered as Stephen King’s magnum opus. After eight volumes and decades of fandom, the first film adaptation of the books is slated for release this year. If you haven’t already, now is the time to read King’s cult series starting with The Gunslinger. It sets up the world-traversing fantasy with one of the best opening lines ever (many Best Opening Lines of Novels lists will agree with me): “The man in black fled across the desert, and the Gunslinger followed.”
Hood: Trailblazer on the genomics age
by Luke Timmerman
Renowned biotech journalist Luke Timmerman chronicles the life of Leroy “Lee” Hood, the pioneer of DNA sequencing, in his new book Hood: Trailblazer on the genomics age. Timmerman’s debut biography opens with Hood resigning from the University of Washington (where he was brought by Bill Gates) to open the Institute of Systems Biology. This book is an apt tribute to the scientist who set in motion a revolution in personalising medicine, but the author doesn’t shy away from writing about Hood’s forceful personality in this historical record.
The Revenge of the Analog
by David Sax
Vinyl record sales are up, polaroid cameras are cool again, and the bullet journaling trend is the new Instagram sensation. One of the lessons we learnt in 2016 is that physical storefronts still matter, even for an online retailer like Amazon. Regarded as one of the best books of last year, The Revenge of the Analog Real Things and Why They Matter tells the story of innovators who take advantage of analog tools. Sax argues analog isn’t going anywhere. He says analog’s current renaissance is not just a byproduct of hipster trends, but here to stay.
The War on Science
by Shawn Otto
US President Donald Trump has said climate change is a hoax. Vice President Mike Pence has strange views on evolution. Trump’s budget chief has questioned the need for government-funded research. These ‘alternative’ opinions are getting a lot of media coverage. Shawn Otto’s book, The War on Science: Who’s Waging It, Why It Matters, What We Can Do About It is a more urgent read now than it probably was last May when it was first released. This book explores ways in which citizens can fight back against the rising tide of non-science nonsense.
This article first appeared on edition 14 of the Tech City News print magazine – The Virtual Reality Issue. Buy your copy here.