Category Archives: Books

Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid

Posted on March 12, 2023 by Harry Katz

We know that climate change is having a devastating impact on our planet: rising sea levels, more intense forest fires, more frequent and more powerful storms. We also know that many plant and animal species are going extinct or suffering … Continue reading →

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Mozart’s Starling

Posted on February 19, 2023 by Harry Katz

On the 27th of May 1784, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wandered into a Vienna pet shop not far from his home and heard a starling singing a near-perfect imitation of a theme from his Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major … Continue reading →

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Life Is Hard

Posted on February 12, 2023 by Harry Katz

Recently, I’ve read a couple of books about how you can take greater control of your life, particularly your time and your health. But there are lots of things in life you just can’t control. We all face adversity and … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Health and wellness | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Younger Next Year

Posted on January 29, 2023 by Harry Katz

The authors of Younger Next Year boldly claim you can turn back your biological clock. By following their suggestions, a person in their sixties or seventies can be fitter and healthier than they were in their fifties. The book is … Continue reading →

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The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating

Posted on January 22, 2023 by Harry Katz

While bedridden and convalescing from a long and mysterious illness, author Elisabeth Tova Bailey adopts a snail. A visiting friend brings her some potted violets and, living among them, a common forest snail. Bailey is barely able to sit up … Continue reading →

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The Disordered Cosmos

Posted on January 16, 2023 by Harry Katz

From a very young age, Chanda Prescod-Weinstein knew she wanted to be a scientist. By sixth grade, she’s reading about things called quarks that make up everything we can see in the universe. At 13, her mother drives her away … Continue reading →

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Four Thousand Weeks

Posted on December 30, 2022 by Harry Katz

On the cusp of a new year, it’s natural to reflect on our lives, to take stock of the things we’ve accomplished and the dreams we have yet to fulfill. Are we living our life the way we really want … Continue reading →

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The Hidden Habits of Genius

Posted on December 17, 2022 by Harry Katz

Geniuses are among the most admired people in human history. Geniuses like Albert Einstein, Ludwig van Beethoven, Nikola Tesla, Marie Curie, and Toni Morrison all stand way out there on the extreme edges of achievement in their respective fields. But … Continue reading →

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Nonfiction November 2022 Week 5: New to My TBR

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Harry Katz

It’s been a wonderful month of sharing and celebrating with nonfiction bloggers! Now it’s time to wrap it all up with Jaymi @ The OC BookGirl hosting this final week. “It’s been a month full of amazing nonfiction books! Which … Continue reading →

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The Book of Roads and Kingdoms

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Harry Katz

The Book of Roads and Kingdoms was a total impulse buy. On a recent vacation to Australia, I saw it prominently displayed in a Dymocks book shop. I’d never heard of the author and it’s about a topic I know … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments