Category Archives: Books

books: enjoyed, reviewed, otherwise

One thing I want: not to be a toad

Posted on May 19, 2007 by cicada

“How many twigs in a bird’s nest?” asked the enchantress suddenly. “Answer quickly. There, you see,” she added. “Poor chicks, you don’t even know that. How could you be expected to know what you really want out of life?” “One … Continue reading →

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Excerpt from “Rethinking Thin”

Posted on May 8, 2007 by cicada

There is an excerpt from Gina Kolata’s new book, Rethinking Thin (Amazon), in today’s NYT Science section: The implications were clear. There is a reason that fat people cannot stay thin after they diet and that thin people cannot stay … Continue reading →

Posted in Books | 3 Comments

The battle between art and science begins (its US run)

Posted on May 7, 2007 by cicada

“Science-in-fiction” novelist/chemist Carl Djerassi’s play Phallacy marks its American premiere this month, hosted by Redshift Productions. The play’s teaser? “The battle between art and science begins.” If I were in NYC I’d definitely go see this, although I’m not sure … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Destinations, Science, Science in culture & policy | Comments Off

Whose fault is fat?

Posted on May 1, 2007 by cicada

A few months back, Slate ran a tongue-in-cheek story on caloric restriction, a controversial diet plan which sharply reduces total caloric intake. It was entitled “My Starvation Diet: I’ve cut back to 1,500 calories a day. Will it help me … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Books, Science | 3 Comments

Poem of the Week: because love waits

Posted on April 28, 2007 by cicada

Jessica Fisher named Yale younger poet (Yale Bulletin) Poet Jessica Fisher’s first book, Frail-Craft (Amazon) (Yale Press), has just been released as a paperback in the Yale Series of Younger Poets. This is quite an honor, and it couldn’t happen … Continue reading →

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How NOT to write a science book

Posted on April 14, 2007 by cicada

Cognitive Daily has a funny post on “how NOT to write a science book.” Incidentally, for those of you who avoid science books precisely because of the problems Dave bemoans, consider trying the Best Science Writing and Best Science and … Continue reading →

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I hear such different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly

Posted on April 9, 2007 by cicada

So Odd a Mixture: Along the Autistic Spectrum in ‘Pride and Prejudice': Perhaps it is high-functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome that provides an explanation for some characters’ awkward behaviour at crowded balls, their frequent silences or their tendency to lapse … Continue reading →

Posted in Books | 2 Comments

More British book cover madness

Posted on April 5, 2007 by cicada

What is going on across the Atlantic? Thanks to Zen of Writing, I find that Jane Austen is ‘too ugly’ for book covers (BBC News). Basically, they took the only authenticated Jane portrait, by her sister Cassandra, and ran it … Continue reading →

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What should the female brain look like?

Posted on April 4, 2007 by cicada

Language Log notes that the British softcover edition of Louann Brizendine’s The Female Brain is out, and the cover art differs significantly from the US hardcover edition. Such differences are not unusual, but what is interesting here is the change … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Books, Science | 10 Comments

A barrage of art/book links

Posted on April 3, 2007 by cicada

Le Mont Solaire Mont Saint-Michel, 2006 Things are getting away from me, so here’s a list of especially good art & book links I’ve collected from the past week. One of my favorite blogs, Proceedings of the Athanasius Kircher Society, … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Books, Littademia, Museum Lust | 2 Comments