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Must-Read Science Books of 2026: New Releases by Naomi Klein, Rebecca Solnit, and Zand van Turreken

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Tricolor readers sitting on a bench

plainpicture/Michiru Nakayama

Numerous scientific books are set to release throughout the coming year, and a vast selection awaits. After reviewing a multitude of catalogs from various publishers, I curated a list of the science books I’m most eager to dive into, organized by category to help you easily discover your next favorite read. Whether you’re a voracious reader like me or just exploring, you can wrap up this year with newfound expertise, exploring topics ranging from detecting psychopaths to captivating numerical insights.

Space

Let’s embark on an enlightening journey with environmental historian Dagomar DeGroot. He presents Ripples in the Cosmic Ocean, analyzing how our solar system has influenced humanity. This includes fascinating insights into Martian dust storms that have sparked alien narratives and a comet impact on Jupiter that led to the inception of planetary defense strategies. DeGroot advocates for “interplanetary environmentalism,” a compelling concept indeed.

Our exploration continues with astrophysicist Emma Chapman. In her work, Radio Universe, she unveils how we harness radio waves to probe the cosmos, guiding readers on a journey from Earth to the expansive reaches of the Milky Way, traversing through black holes and pulsars.

New Scientist columnist Chanda Prescod Weinstein extends this journey, merging poetry and culture in The End of Space and Time, to elucidate theoretical physics and the quantum fabric of space-time.

Health

In 2026, I’m particularly excited about two critical health themes. The first focuses on leveraging science for better health. In Age Code, health journalist David Cox delves into nutritional science, illustrating how it can decelerate biological aging. In another compelling read, surgeon Charles Knowles, a clinical research director and recovering alcoholic, writes Why Do You Drink Too Much?, while Bill Gifford’s Hot Wired discusses utilizing heat for health improvement, emphasizing our evolutionary adaptation to high temperatures.

On the investigative front, physician Zand van Tulleken aims to expose the realities of the medical industry in Make Me Well, while journalist Deborah Cohen shares insights on the interplay of influencers and AI-powered diagnostics in Bad Influence. Amy Donnellan’s work probes the GLP-1 drug Ozempic’s stories in Fall Off the Scale, while Alev Scott dives into the commodification of motherhood with Dollar Box.

Mathematics

This year in mathematics, Richard Elwes’s Huge Numbers examines how expanding our counting capabilities has influenced human thought. Meanwhile, Ian Stewart’s Reaching the Limit delicately navigates through the complexities of mathematics, unraveling some of its most intriguing puzzles.

Technology and AI

Emergent Mind features computational neuroscientist Gaurav Suri and psychology professor Jay McClelland, discussing the emergence of complex systems from simpler interactions, applicable to both the human brain and AI. Their insights are complemented by Tom Griffiths’ Laws of Thinking, which uses mathematics to decode thought processes while contrasting AI mechanisms with human cognition.

Sociologist James Muldoon takes on the technology-human relationship in Love Machine, exploring chatbots, and attempting to converse with the deceased. Journalists Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor’s Apocalyptic Fascism and the Fight for a Living World unearth the rise of far-right, capturing an “apocalyptic alliance” among various factions while offering pathways for resistance.

Two notable technical books include Little Blue Dot by journalist Katherine Dunn, chronicling the transformation of GPS from military origins to everyday necessity, and Mega Build by construction influencer Fred Mills, which focuses on ten megaprojects set to reshape the world.

Environment

In a hopeful message, author Rebecca Solnit captivates readers with The Beginning Comes After the End, reflecting on revolutionary thoughts over the past five decades concerning racial, gender, and environmental paradigms. Simultaneously, journalist Fred Pearce’s Nevertheless offers a “handbook for optimal climate engagement,” advocating that effective changes are within our grasp.

Biology professor Dave Golson’s Eat the Earth Well tackles the toxic food system while journalist Jeevan Basagar’s The Surge investigates rising flooding issues, addressing that 150 million people will live below high tide lines by 2050 and presenting groundbreaking engineering solutions.

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Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor team up to narrate the emergence of the far right in their new book.
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Nature

The vast repercussions of climate change manifest universally in Where Earth and Sky Meet, authored by conservation biologist Louise K. Bright. Her exploration into the Antarctic wilderness reveals how global warming is reshaping this unique region.

Marine biologist Ruth Searle’s Intertidal Zone immerses readers in the fragile ecosystem where land intertwines with sea, and the dynamic reshaping by human actions. Zoologist Joe Winpenny advocates for “nature’s least loved animals” in Beauty of the Beast, emphasizing the need to defend these creatures amid critical biodiversity declines.

Psychology

This year, our focus on psychology uncovers tremendous insights. I highly recommend Art Cure by psychobiologist Daisy Fancourt, who showcases how the arts can enhance health and well-being, drawing from various scientific fields.

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Celebrity doctor Zand van Tulleken pledges to unveil the “world of health” in Make Me Well.
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Furthermore, neuroscientists tackle the socio-technological nuances we confront. Hannah Critchlow explores resilience in 21st Century Brain, while Paul Goldsmith examines how ancient cognition adapts to modern landscapes in Evolving Brain.

Rian ten Brinke analyzes interpersonal complexities in Toxic People, helping us identify harmful relationships. Others, like Michael Pollan in The World Appears, delve into the intricate realms of consciousness from multiple perspectives.

Overall, this year presents a spectacular opportunity to refresh your bookshelves with transformative reads!

Best of the Best: Top 4 Picks of 2026

A Brief History of the Universe (And Our Place in It)
Written by Sarah Alam Malik
This book takes readers on an exhilarating journey, highlighting pivotal discoveries that transformed our comprehension of the universe, tracing from Babylonian astronomy to the Copernican Revolution.

Savage Landscape
Written by Cal Flynn
In her captivating work, Flynn travels through remote wilderness areas, exploring the intricacies of conservation and nature’s preservation.

I Am Not a Robot
Written by Joanna Stern
In a bold exploration, technology reporter Joanna Stern investigates the implications of AI replacing human roles within society.

Bird Story
Written by Steve Brusatte
In this enlightening narrative, paleontologist Steve Brusatte explores the evolutionary story of birds, often referred to as “the dinosaurs among us.” Curious fact: is a penguin larger than a gorilla? Is a duck heavier than a cow? Find out in this captivating read.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Jael van der Woden Shines: Exploring Cultural Highlights | Culture

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BBorn in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1987, Yael van der Woeden is a writer and teacher of creative writing and comparative literature in the Netherlands. Her work has appeared in publications such as LitHub, Electric Literature, and Elle.com, and she writes the David Attenborough-themed advice column “Dear David” for the online literary magazine Longleaf Review. Her essay on Dutch identity and Jewishness, “Reading (Not) Anne Frank,” received a notable mention in the 2018 Best American Essays collection. safepublished by Viking earlier this year, is van der Woden’s debut novel and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

1.Book

idol wild Written by James Frankie Thomas

A friend gave this to me and said, “Your genetic makeup has changed.” You might think that a novel given with the promise of a life-changing experience would only disappoint, but still! intention idol wild Will it disturb the mental equilibrium of all readers? Not likely. Does this send some of us into a survival spiral for about a week? surely. This novel is at once a well-known and well-written three-act Bildungsroman, and unlike anything I’ve ever read before. I’ve pitched this to people: Imagine a teenage love triangle. Instead of love, the three axes are obsession, sexuality, and gender envy. A scary and fun ride.

2. YouTube Channel

Dashner Design and Restoration




Mid-century renovation by Dashner Design & Restoration.

During vacation this summer, my girlfriend peeked over my shoulder in bed, saw me watching my wardrobe repair job for 45 minutes, and started teasing me badly. That’s what grandma does, she said. Surely grandma wouldn’t restore the entire wardrobe, I said. It is very physically demanding and requires years of study. I didn’t convince her, but I’ve been trying to convince her. There’s a sense in craftsmanship of doing something very well and applying that skill to undoing entropy that people do know things and mistakes can be undone. It will remain. Or maybe I just couldn’t get over my surprise at the successful transformation.

3. Music

Fountain Baby by Amaarae




“Addiction and anxiety”: Amarase. Photo: Sonya Horsman

The last few years have been great for pop. And my favorite genre to come out of it is the weird, naughty side of queer hyperpop. The great Chapel Lawn was brewed in these waters, but also consider Peach PRC, Ashnikko, Cobra and Lil Marico. I’ve been obsessed with Amaarae’s latest album for a while now. fountain babyespecially the song antisocial dance queen. A pop-creepy, devilish dance club hit with a Minogueian refrain of “Touch, touch, touch!” Lyrics include “I buried all the bodies in the pool.'' It’s addictive and anxiety-provoking.

4. Interior design

pottery fish




Photo: shoppingiro.com

Two things are tied together in this piece. The fact that I’m moving soon and the fact that I’m fully engaged in researching the former Zuiderzee (‘southern sea’), which is now the IJsselmeer. Water cascading down like a big thumb in the middle of the Netherlands. I’ve been researching what types of fish survived the transition from salty to sweet water, and how that affected coastal life and people’s relationships with water. . Actually, I’ve been thinking about fish lately. So when I started looking for things to put in my new home, I just kept being drawn to fish. Fish plates, fish art, fish shower curtains. I’ve been staring blankly at fish and found most of them to be terrifying, but I believe this collection of Italian ceramic fish is perfect in every way. Especially the anchovies and sardines, the cool blue color and big eyes. they make me happy. I have come to understand that this is not a universal opinion. However, I ended up buying 6 of them. Will probably buy more.




“For lovers of oak, honey and baked apples…” Photo: Amazon.De

5. Drinks

Calvados Dauphin Fine

I have recently been writing in Giethoorn, perhaps the most picturesque town in the Netherlands. Canals, bridges and thatched roofs. My hosts were a wonderful couple who took me sightseeing and boating. And most importantly, he emailed me at the end of every other day of writing. Question mark on wine glass emoji? And when I got off, there was food and wine and laughter, and on my last night there I had a glass of Calvados Dauphin Fine. It had a story. When they were young, an older couple allowed them to try the drink, and then they kept saving up for months to buy their own bottles. From then on, they made sure to always have them on hand. I was skeptical, took a sip, and have been planning to buy one for myself ever since. Not too sweet, not too spicy. For those who love oak, honey, baked apples, and the fantasy of a life that welcomes a weary writer in his spare room.

6. Museum

Zuiderzee Museum




Zuiderzee Museum in the Netherlands. Photo: Christophe Cappelli/Alamy

This is one of the most impressive heritage museums I’ve ever seen. Its history is as follows. In 1932, the Ahu Water Embankment, a weir dam that effectively cut off the Zuiderzee and turned it into a large, shallow, sweet-water lake, was completed. As traditional marine life dwindled along the coast and on the islands, the museum served as a living archive, with abandoned homes being transported en masse to the museum grounds. Desks, beds, chairs, fishing nets, sheets, the entire store. The museum is a large village with original and recreated houses. You can go inside these houses and touch objects, and historians dressed in traditional costumes will tell you the stories. It’s both magical and tragic. The fact that we are witnessing traces of life being carefully selected and contained also means that it has disappeared.
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7. Podcast

death, sex, money




Hugh and Crystal Hefner at the Playboy Mansion in 2014. Photo: Charlie Galley/Getty Images

Anna Sale is one of my favorite interviewers. I listened to almost every episode before heading to my first hosting gig. death, sex, moneyjust to see if there’s something about her inquisitive attitude with other people that might affect me. I wish I could laugh like her. One of my favorite recent episodes is the one about life at the Playboy Mansion. Crystal Hefner talks about life in the claustrophobic house and under Hefner’s control, his childish tyranny. She tells the story of living there as a young woman, then marrying Hefner as an adult, and how she sought and found agency in small, secret ways. A gorgeous interview.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Pokemon Chaos: Did the Van Gogh Museum Make the Right Moves?

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IIn early November, I was standing in a long line at Van Gogh’s gift shop in Amsterdam to buy a Pokemon ballpoint pen. It was one of the few items left in the store – this was in its second month of establishment Pokemon collaboration, but the craze for limited edition merchandise continued. Everything from T-shirts with pictures of Pikachu on the front to notebooks to shoulder bags was stripped away, leaving only prints and postcards behind the cash register. It was just after noon, but the number of people inside the store quickly led to the area being cordoned off and other people being denied access until things calmed down.

This has become a familiar sight for participants and staff alike. Launched in September to commemorate the museum’s 50th anniversary, the collaboration aims to introduce the Dutch artist’s work to a new audience, and since its inception, the collaboration has had enthusiasts and scalpers clamoring for the best. It caused a commotion and caused a huge mess of Pokemon goods. But the main culprit was in one item – limited edition. “Pikachu wearing a gray felt hat” trading card. The card sold out online as soon as it went on sale, with desperate gallery visitors having to scrum to get their hands on the card. Footage of the poke riot was quickly posted to Twitter. (now known as X), the card has since sold for up to $900 in eBay listings. This card was discontinued in mid-October.




“Bedroom” at the Pokemon x Van Gogh Museum exhibition, Munchillax and Snorlax inspired by Sow (1988). Photo: Pokemon International Co., Ltd.

So, what was it like actually working there? “Her first week was pretty bad,” recalls one of her employee girlfriends. “It’s just been too busy. A lot of people are trying to come four times a day just to get their cards.” The cards are aimed at children aged 6 to 12 and will be on display. Awarded after the conclusion of a Pokémon treasure hunt where participants learned about Van Gogh’s history from a new set of Van Gogh-inspired Pokémon drawings that were temporarily added to the Society.

“In the morning, people were rushing to the store at once, even though there was only one item per person,'' the employee said. They describe the scene as more like a “theme park” than a museum, with at least 2,000 of the 5,500 tickets sold by card alone. Many people who came that day had to be turned away.

“It was total chaos,” explains another. “What did people expect? You’re taking out something from the ’90s that people were fans of. You get the idea, but it doesn’t work with Pokémon.”

To meet demand without compromising the experience, trading cards were replaced with postcards. Additionally, in order to prevent scalpers, limited edition items were moved from the gift shop on the first floor to the first floor, a rule of one item per person was introduced, and customers were required to wait in line. However, when I visited, the Pokémon Adventures treasure hunt flyer was also out of stock, and I was told it would be reprinted. When I told him I was a journalist, he found me behind the counter. The Van Gogh Museum later told me that they had enough treasure hunt leaflets (in Dutch and English) until the end of the collaboration, but that’s not what I found.




Pokemon Adventure Treasure Hunt Leaflet. Photo: Matt Poskitt

In any case, shortages and overcrowding led to an increase in dissatisfied visitors. “Usually a month he gets two complaints,” says one of his staff members. “Most of the time, it’s important to have a lot of people here. [During the Pokémon exhibition] There were 12 pieces a day. First, it was about the line.after that [because] We didn’t hand out any more cards…so they felt like they bought a ticket and thought they didn’t get anything.”

The situation has improved somewhat with the removal of trading cards from the Van Gogh Museum. “I think we drew the wrong crowd for the first few weeks,” the staffer says. “[Afterwards] I was happy. All the kids would do was come and leave with a postcard and happy.”

“I think it’s been that way for the last few weeks.” [successful], yes,” they say. “There were a lot of families who wanted to go on a treasure hunt. Even though there are no more treasure hunts, regular art treasure hunts are still held. Usually we give out about 20 or 30 tickets, but yesterday we handed out about 50. I did. The kids are in.”