- “Contact” by Carl Sagan (1985)
Carl Sagan's public exploration of the cosmos captivated the world. Lucky for us, he was also a master storyteller and “Contact” is the perfect blend of science and fiction. Scientist Eleanor Arroway listens to radio telescopes as part of the Search of Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Weaving together themes of science and faith, readers will be left wondering, "Are we alone?" 2. “Bonobo Handshake: A Memoir of Love and Adventure in the Congo” by Vanessa Woods (2010)
Primate scientist Woods shares her experiences working to save great apes in Congo. Just as Jane Goodall documented the lives of chimpanzees, Woods brings readers into the world of bonobos, recounting the unusual, often humorous challenges that arise while working with a species that famously approaches sex as easily as humans do a handshake. She also exposes an unsettling, and at times, devastating side of Congo in a memorable story of perseverance, love and hope.
3. “Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World” by Tracy Kidder (2003)
Dr. Paul Farmer is a specialist in infectious diseases, working tirelessly to cure the poorest patients of tuberculosis across the globe. In this gripping personal narrative, Tracy Kidder provides a thought-provoking account of traveling alongside the good doctor. This is the rare book that will inspire readers by demonstrating how one individual can make a tremendous difference in the lives of people all around the world.
4. “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot (2010)
Already an immortal bestseller, this book tells the true story of how cells unknowingly taken from a poor African American woman became one of the most important medical tools in history. This touching account converges ethics, race and science in a beautifully crafted, impossible to put down, first-person narrative.
5. “Bossypants” by Tina Fey (2011)
Everyone needs a light summer read and Fey's new book fits the bill. Fey is at her best sharing thoughtful and funny anecdotes from her childhood through “30 Rock.” It's a quick, breezy read that might just make you laugh out loud.
6. “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (1969)
Every time I reread one of Vonnegut's works, I find new insights hidden between the covers. Through a simple narrative and memorable characters, he's able to convey deep truths about humanity. Vonnegut speaks to me like no other author and in “Slaughterhouse-Five” he's at his best: time travel, aliens, war, peace, and of course, Kilgore Trout.
