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There Are (No) Stupid Questions . . . in Science
There Are (No) Stupid Questions ... In Science was born from Leah's popular web series, 60 Seconds of Science, wherein her avid followers, from all around the world, suggest topics to be explained, within sixty seconds.
In the vein of Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil DeGrasse Tyson and The Complete Manual of Things That Might Kill You: A Guide to Self-Diagnosis for Hypochondriacs by Jen Bilik, There Are (No) Stupid Questions ... In Science provides easy-to-understand, and delightfully cheeky explanations for scientific and medical quandaries, and is appropriate for those with no prior scientific knowledge to colleagues in the scientific field.
In the vein of Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil DeGrasse Tyson and The Complete Manual of Things That Might Kill You: A Guide to Self-Diagnosis for Hypochondriacs by Jen Bilik, There Are (No) Stupid Questions ... In Science provides easy-to-understand, and delightfully cheeky explanations for scientific and medical quandaries, and is appropriate for those with no prior scientific knowledge to colleagues in the scientific field.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published June 27, 2023
About the author
Leah Elson
1 book37 followersLeah Elson is an academically-published clinical development scientist, public science communicator, and non-fiction author. Her research career in human medicine has included subject matter in the fields of orthopedics, oncology, novel tech, and neuroscience.
Leah is the author and illustrator of There Are (No) Stupid Questions... in Science, a wryly written compendium of delightfully bizarre, oftentimes gross, and occasionally poignant answers to the curious scientific questions of adults.
The professional pinnacle of her career was shooting the furthest spitball among her research colleagues. She owns two pit bulls, a cumbersomely large reflection telescope, and 47 houseplants.
Leah is the author and illustrator of There Are (No) Stupid Questions... in Science, a wryly written compendium of delightfully bizarre, oftentimes gross, and occasionally poignant answers to the curious scientific questions of adults.
The professional pinnacle of her career was shooting the furthest spitball among her research colleagues. She owns two pit bulls, a cumbersomely large reflection telescope, and 47 houseplants.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 20, 2023
I've given this book 2, 5-star reviews because I was unsure how Goodreads worked when I signed up. But, as the author, I still stand behind this accidentally maximized rating -- it was a blast to write, and will be a blast to read.
November 23, 2023
How I read this: Free audiobook copy received through Libro.fm
I didn't enjoy this one very much, but I'm still giving it 3 stars because it's a decent book. It's just probably not for me. The narrator (which I think is the author too) was just being too jokey and familiar, ir was very cringe. Like she's expecting you to laugh and using that "sitcom character talks to camera" voice, except it's not funny and you just feel embarrassed. You know what I mean? And most of the facts just so happened to be stuff I knew. But if you're a teen or maybe not as crazy at fact retention as I am, you'll probably like this. I listened to it while falling asleep at night (I struggle to fall asleep) and for that, it was just fine.
I thank the publisher and libro.fm for giving me a free copy of the audiobook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
I didn't enjoy this one very much, but I'm still giving it 3 stars because it's a decent book. It's just probably not for me. The narrator (which I think is the author too) was just being too jokey and familiar, ir was very cringe. Like she's expecting you to laugh and using that "sitcom character talks to camera" voice, except it's not funny and you just feel embarrassed. You know what I mean? And most of the facts just so happened to be stuff I knew. But if you're a teen or maybe not as crazy at fact retention as I am, you'll probably like this. I listened to it while falling asleep at night (I struggle to fall asleep) and for that, it was just fine.
I thank the publisher and libro.fm for giving me a free copy of the audiobook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
December 28, 2023
I listened to this a lot while driving/running errands and it's a great listen for shorter trips. Just quick facts delivered in fun way.
I do think some of the humor was a matter of taste - and often felt forced to me - like, not everything has to be funny and have a joke - but it does make learning more fun and helps with shorter attention spans.
I do think some of the humor was a matter of taste - and often felt forced to me - like, not everything has to be funny and have a joke - but it does make learning more fun and helps with shorter attention spans.
May 9, 2023
Let’s say you’re out walking in your garden watching bees pollinate the flowers and you start worrying about them wondering if they are dying off. And that leads you to ponder, for whatever crazy reason, whether honey was made from bee poo. Well it just so happens that “There are (No) Stupid Questions…in Science” by Leah Elson has answers to both questions and about a hundred more. Written to inform with a breezy style and with a scattershot sense of humor that sometimes might tickle an adolescent’s funny bone and other times would only make sense to an adult.
The topics are wide-ranging and interesting—my favorites were Tardigrades (fascinating little creatures that I’m going to learn more about); finding out that the vacuum of space has an odor (not in a million years would I have thought of that question); and that yes, you can die of a broken heart (not a common death otherwise there be a lot fewer country music singers).
The illustrations, also by Elson, are fun and often funny.
This book is like potato chips in that once you start reading you can’t stop at just one topic!
Recommended at 5 out of 5 stars.
Disclaimer: This book is an advance review copy (ARC) that I was given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The topics are wide-ranging and interesting—my favorites were Tardigrades (fascinating little creatures that I’m going to learn more about); finding out that the vacuum of space has an odor (not in a million years would I have thought of that question); and that yes, you can die of a broken heart (not a common death otherwise there be a lot fewer country music singers).
The illustrations, also by Elson, are fun and often funny.
This book is like potato chips in that once you start reading you can’t stop at just one topic!
Recommended at 5 out of 5 stars.
Disclaimer: This book is an advance review copy (ARC) that I was given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 19, 2023
Πώς λειτουργεί το DNA; Πώς μεταλλάσσονται οι ιοί; Είναι δυνατή η τηλεμεταφορά; Γιατί το αίμα είναι κόκκινο; Πόσοι γαλαξίες υπάρχουν στο σύμπαν; Γιατί επιπλέει ο πάγος; Πώς λειτουργεί η βαρύτητα; Γιατί γερνάμε; Αυτά και άλλα ερωτήματα απαντώνται με τον πιο διασκεδαστικό και εύληπτο τρόπο που μπορείτε να φανταστείτε χάρη στο στυλ γραφής και στη φροντίδα της Leah Elson.
Η συγγραφέας σπούδασε Προϊατρική, Βιοτεχνολογία και Επιδημιολογία και ξεκίνησε να πειραματίζεται για το κοινό που την παρακολουθούσε στα μέσα κοινωνικής δικτύωσης με διάφορες περιπτώσεις, προσπαθώντας να δείξει και να εξηγήσει περίπλοκες έννοιες και απόψεις. Το ένα έφερε το άλλο και τελικά η αυξανόμενη θέαση, επισκεψιμότητα και ακολουθία την οδήγησε σε αυτό το βιβλίο που είναι χωρισμένο σε ενότητες (Βιολογία, Χημεία, Φυσική, Φυσιολογία του ανθρώπου και Διάστημα) και μου χάρισε χιλιάδες πληροφορίες και επεξηγήσεις για έννοιες, καταστάσεις και αντικείμενα που ποτέ δεν ήξερα ότι θα βρω συγκεντρωμένα σε ένα βιβλίο μα πάνω απ’ όλα θα κατανοήσω. Η αλήθεια είναι ότι δυσκολεύτηκα σε κάποια θέματα, ακόμη και με την απλότητα με την οποία παρατίθενται τα σχετικά κεφάλαια, τα περισσότερα όμως τα απόλαυσα και πιστεύω πως κέρδισα πολλά διαβάζοντας αυτό το βιβλίο. Άλλωστε είναι έτσι δομημένο που ο καθένας θα διαβάσει αυτό που τον ιντριγκάρει περισσότερο και είναι πιο κοντά στα δικά του γνωστικά ενδιαφέροντα.
Για παράδειγμα, δε θα σκεφτόμουν ποτέ πως η θεραπεία του κρυολογήματος μέσω της κοτόσουπας θα γινόταν αντικείμενο κλινικής έρευνας με σωστά και έγκυρα αποτελέσματα! Στη συνέχεια, ξετρελάθηκ�� όταν διαπίστωσα πως το DNA λειτουργεί σαν μια καλά οργανωμένη, πλούσια και μεγάλη σε έκταση και περιεχόμενο βιβλιοθήκη! Επιτέλους κατάλαβα τη διαφορά μεταξύ μπέικιν πάουντερ και σόδας! Δε θα φανταζόμουν ποτέ πως το γουργούρισμα της γάτας προέρχεται από δόνηση του αέρα στον λάρυγγα και στο διάφραγμα. Με αφορμή τον τρόπο δράσης των εμβολίων έμαθα, κατανόησα και ανακάλυψα πώς λειτουργεί το ανοσοποιητικό σύστημα (ενδογενές και επίκτητο) και αναπαρέστησα τον πόλεμο των κυττάρων του ανοσοποιητικού με τους ιούς και τα βακτήρια ως κανονικό πόλεμο αλλά σε μικρογραφία! Εξίσου ευφάνταστος είναι ο παραλληλισμός της αναμονής των σπερματοζωαρίων για γονιμοποίηση με ένα λυπητερό ρωσικό μυθιστόρημα (όταν διαβάσετε το σχετικό κεφάλαιο θα καταλάβετε τι εννοώ και θα γελάσετε όσο κι εγώ).
Χάρη στη δουλειά της Leah Elson κατανόησα τι είναι τα γενετικά τροποποιημένα τρόφιμα και πόσο επικίνδυνα είναι καθώς και γιατί σπάνε τα κρύα ποτήρια αν τους βάλουμε καυτό νερό! Επίσης, δεν ήξερα ότι οι ιοί δεν είναι ζωντανοί οργανισμοί! Έπαθα σοκ με τις φυσικές συνέπειες στη γη και στους κατοίκους της αν ο πλανήτης σταματούσε μια μέρα να περιστρέφεται! Στα κείμενα υπάρχει και χιούμορ: «Με ανακούφιση θα ακούσεις, αγαπητέ μου αναγνώστη, ότι το μέλι δεν είναι τα κακά των μελισσών. Είναι πιο πολύ σαν τον εμετό τους. Είδες; Δεν σου ‘φυγε ένα βάρος;» (σελ. 59). Πολύ ενδιαφέρουσα βρήκα την ανάλυση για τον ρόλο και τον σκοπό της κλωνοποίησης, τις συνθήκες υπό τις οποίες πραγματοποιείται και τους λόγους για τους οποίους προτείνεται. Και πόση «επιστημονική μαγεία» υπάρχει στο κατακόκκινο αίμα, αφού ο σίδηρος κάνει τα μαγικά του, όπως και με τη σκουριά! Επίσης με συγκίνησε ο απλουστευμένος ορισμός του καρκίνου: «…ένα κύτταρο που ξεχάστηκε στο βιολογικό φωτοτυπικό μηχάνημα και γεμίζει το σώμα σου με αντίγραφα του βλαμμένου εαυτού σου» (σελ. 187).
Η επιστήμη εξελίσσεται συνεχώς, προχωράει, εμπλουτίζεται με διαρκείς γνώσεις, μελέτες και έρευνες και το «(Δεν) Υπάρχουν χαζές ερωτήσεις στην επιστήμη» συμβάλλει τα μέγιστα σε αυτόν τον αγώνα με τις χιλιάδες κατανοητές πληροφορίες που περιέχει για πολλά θέματα που γενικότερα και κατά μεγάλο ποσοστό απωθούν το ευρύτερο αναγνωστικό κοινό, εδώ όμως γίνονται κτήμα του με υποδειγματικό τρόπο. Έξυπνοι παραλληλισμοί, απλή και όχι απλοϊκή γλώσσα, άφθονα παραδείγματα, ποικιλία θεμάτων και αντικειμένων μελέτης, ζητήματα βιοηθικής και δυνατές, συγκλονιστικές απόψεις: «Αλλά μόνο και μόνο επειδή μπορούμε να το κάνουμε, αυτό σημαίνει και ότι πρέπει; Είμαστε βρέφη του σύμπαντος, τυφλωμένα από τον ενθουσιασμό για αυτό που ονομάζουμε μεγαλείο μας. Πόσα ακόμα έχουμε να μάθουμε και πόσο μικρό είναι το αποτύπωμά μας στ’ αστέρια!» (σελ. 71). Γέλασα, έμαθα, έψαξα, το ευχαριστήθηκα!
Πρώτη δημοσίευση στο site μου: https://www.vivliokritikes.com/%ce%b4...
Η συγγραφέας σπούδασε Προϊατρική, Βιοτεχνολογία και Επιδημιολογία και ξεκίνησε να πειραματίζεται για το κοινό που την παρακολουθούσε στα μέσα κοινωνικής δικτύωσης με διάφορες περιπτώσεις, προσπαθώντας να δείξει και να εξηγήσει περίπλοκες έννοιες και απόψεις. Το ένα έφερε το άλλο και τελικά η αυξανόμενη θέαση, επισκεψιμότητα και ακολουθία την οδήγησε σε αυτό το βιβλίο που είναι χωρισμένο σε ενότητες (Βιολογία, Χημεία, Φυσική, Φυσιολογία του ανθρώπου και Διάστημα) και μου χάρισε χιλιάδες πληροφορίες και επεξηγήσεις για έννοιες, καταστάσεις και αντικείμενα που ποτέ δεν ήξερα ότι θα βρω συγκεντρωμένα σε ένα βιβλίο μα πάνω απ’ όλα θα κατανοήσω. Η αλήθεια είναι ότι δυσκολεύτηκα σε κάποια θέματα, ακόμη και με την απλότητα με την οποία παρατίθενται τα σχετικά κεφάλαια, τα περισσότερα όμως τα απόλαυσα και πιστεύω πως κέρδισα πολλά διαβάζοντας αυτό το βιβλίο. Άλλωστε είναι έτσι δομημένο που ο καθένας θα διαβάσει αυτό που τον ιντριγκάρει περισσότερο και είναι πιο κοντά στα δικά του γνωστικά ενδιαφέροντα.
Για παράδειγμα, δε θα σκεφτόμουν ποτέ πως η θεραπεία του κρυολογήματος μέσω της κοτόσουπας θα γινόταν αντικείμενο κλινικής έρευνας με σωστά και έγκυρα αποτελέσματα! Στη συνέχεια, ξετρελάθηκ�� όταν διαπίστωσα πως το DNA λειτουργεί σαν μια καλά οργανωμένη, πλούσια και μεγάλη σε έκταση και περιεχόμενο βιβλιοθήκη! Επιτέλους κατάλαβα τη διαφορά μεταξύ μπέικιν πάουντερ και σόδας! Δε θα φανταζόμουν ποτέ πως το γουργούρισμα της γάτας προέρχεται από δόνηση του αέρα στον λάρυγγα και στο διάφραγμα. Με αφορμή τον τρόπο δράσης των εμβολίων έμαθα, κατανόησα και ανακάλυψα πώς λειτουργεί το ανοσοποιητικό σύστημα (ενδογενές και επίκτητο) και αναπαρέστησα τον πόλεμο των κυττάρων του ανοσοποιητικού με τους ιούς και τα βακτήρια ως κανονικό πόλεμο αλλά σε μικρογραφία! Εξίσου ευφάνταστος είναι ο παραλληλισμός της αναμονής των σπερματοζωαρίων για γονιμοποίηση με ένα λυπητερό ρωσικό μυθιστόρημα (όταν διαβάσετε το σχετικό κεφάλαιο θα καταλάβετε τι εννοώ και θα γελάσετε όσο κι εγώ).
Χάρη στη δουλειά της Leah Elson κατανόησα τι είναι τα γενετικά τροποποιημένα τρόφιμα και πόσο επικίνδυνα είναι καθώς και γιατί σπάνε τα κρύα ποτήρια αν τους βάλουμε καυτό νερό! Επίσης, δεν ήξερα ότι οι ιοί δεν είναι ζωντανοί οργανισμοί! Έπαθα σοκ με τις φυσικές συνέπειες στη γη και στους κατοίκους της αν ο πλανήτης σταματούσε μια μέρα να περιστρέφεται! Στα κείμενα υπάρχει και χιούμορ: «Με ανακούφιση θα ακούσεις, αγαπητέ μου αναγνώστη, ότι το μέλι δεν είναι τα κακά των μελισσών. Είναι πιο πολύ σαν τον εμετό τους. Είδες; Δεν σου ‘φυγε ένα βάρος;» (σελ. 59). Πολύ ενδιαφέρουσα βρήκα την ανάλυση για τον ρόλο και τον σκοπό της κλωνοποίησης, τις συνθήκες υπό τις οποίες πραγματοποιείται και τους λόγους για τους οποίους προτείνεται. Και πόση «επιστημονική μαγεία» υπάρχει στο κατακόκκινο αίμα, αφού ο σίδηρος κάνει τα μαγικά του, όπως και με τη σκουριά! Επίσης με συγκίνησε ο απλουστευμένος ορισμός του καρκίνου: «…ένα κύτταρο που ξεχάστηκε στο βιολογικό φωτοτυπικό μηχάνημα και γεμίζει το σώμα σου με αντίγραφα του βλαμμένου εαυτού σου» (σελ. 187).
Η επιστήμη εξελίσσεται συνεχώς, προχωράει, εμπλουτίζεται με διαρκείς γνώσεις, μελέτες και έρευνες και το «(Δεν) Υπάρχουν χαζές ερωτήσεις στην επιστήμη» συμβάλλει τα μέγιστα σε αυτόν τον αγώνα με τις χιλιάδες κατανοητές πληροφορίες που περιέχει για πολλά θέματα που γενικότερα και κατά μεγάλο ποσοστό απωθούν το ευρύτερο αναγνωστικό κοινό, εδώ όμως γίνονται κτήμα του με υποδειγματικό τρόπο. Έξυπνοι παραλληλισμοί, απλή και όχι απλοϊκή γλώσσα, άφθονα παραδείγματα, ποικιλία θεμάτων και αντικειμένων μελέτης, ζητήματα βιοηθικής και δυνατές, συγκλονιστικές απόψεις: «Αλλά μόνο και μόνο επειδή μπορούμε να το κάνουμε, αυτό σημαίνει και ότι πρέπει; Είμαστε βρέφη του σύμπαντος, τυφλωμένα από τον ενθουσιασμό για αυτό που ονομάζουμε μεγαλείο μας. Πόσα ακόμα έχουμε να μάθουμε και πόσο μικρό είναι το αποτύπωμά μας στ’ αστέρια!» (σελ. 71). Γέλασα, έμαθα, έψαξα, το ευχαριστήθηκα!
Πρώτη δημοσίευση στο site μου: https://www.vivliokritikes.com/%ce%b4...
February 26, 2023
There Are (No) Stupid Questions … in Science is written and illustrated by Leah Elson.
With a quick glance at the book, the illustrations kind of give the sense of the book being written for children; but the book is categorized as: Health, Mind & Body, Nonfiction (Adult), Science.
The format of the book is to provide a science related question and then for the author to answer the question in a page or two. Included in the answer is an illustration. The author typically includes a some sort of personal tidbit (usually at the very end of the answer). In answering the question, "Does singing to plants really help them grow?" the author includes a comment asking if singing perfectly pitched Journey vocal is dating herself; I thought about what age group would not grasp that reference (definitely not children). But the book isn’t aimed for children.
And then a question or so later, “Why are men taller than women” is concluded with “(name)- you six-foot-eight bastard.” (referring to someone she went to school with)
The questions are answered pretty thoroughly (in as much as you can in a couple pages), but I found the quirky personal commentary a bit weird. I would recommend that you read a question and answer and if you enjoy that question, you will probably like the book.
The book that was reviewed is the advance review copy and was about 236 pages. Over 30 pages were blank; not sure why, maybe because you wouldn't want to start a question on an odd page ... or maybe so that the author could add additional information to further answer some of the questions ... or maybe space to add additional illustrations.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author Leah Elson, MS, MPH and the publisher Blackstone Publishing. Publication date of 27 June 2023 is expected.
With a quick glance at the book, the illustrations kind of give the sense of the book being written for children; but the book is categorized as: Health, Mind & Body, Nonfiction (Adult), Science.
The format of the book is to provide a science related question and then for the author to answer the question in a page or two. Included in the answer is an illustration. The author typically includes a some sort of personal tidbit (usually at the very end of the answer). In answering the question, "Does singing to plants really help them grow?" the author includes a comment asking if singing perfectly pitched Journey vocal is dating herself; I thought about what age group would not grasp that reference (definitely not children). But the book isn’t aimed for children.
And then a question or so later, “Why are men taller than women” is concluded with “(name)- you six-foot-eight bastard.” (referring to someone she went to school with)
The questions are answered pretty thoroughly (in as much as you can in a couple pages), but I found the quirky personal commentary a bit weird. I would recommend that you read a question and answer and if you enjoy that question, you will probably like the book.
The book that was reviewed is the advance review copy and was about 236 pages. Over 30 pages were blank; not sure why, maybe because you wouldn't want to start a question on an odd page ... or maybe so that the author could add additional information to further answer some of the questions ... or maybe space to add additional illustrations.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author Leah Elson, MS, MPH and the publisher Blackstone Publishing. Publication date of 27 June 2023 is expected.
February 16, 2024
This is a fun romp through a collection of answers to questions that science communicator Leah Elson has collected over the course of running her instagram show, "Reel Science." It's broken out more or less by discipline, from human biology to space. (Frankly, I was overjoyed to finally get a satisfying answer to how the purring mechanism in cats work.)
Leah's style is accessible, friendly and a little cheeky. She genuinely loves her work and it shows, from the evident glee she takes in answering all of these random queries to the fun little illustrations, also done by her, that pepper the margins of the pages. This book comes from the mind of someone who clearly loves learning, but also loves making science digestible and understandable to a popular audience without talking down to them.
The age range for this book is really wide: it's friendly enough that a middle-grade reader could probably handle it with a little effort, but it's also fun and varied enough that it would be a perfectly fine coffee table book for adults. There's something really delightful about the idea of a bunch of grownups flipping through this book and asking each other: "Hey, did you know this?"
So do yourself a favor. Get your hands on it. Leave it around, pick it up, leaf through it when you're just hanging or zoning out or eating breakfast. You'll learn stuff. It'll be fun.
And if you're curious, check out the fab little chat that Leah and I had on my podcast about her process, how all the pieces of her life and work come together to create this terrific book, and get a first-hand taste of the incredible energy and passion she has for making science cool again. Spoiler alert: she's succeeding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDRtJ...
Leah's style is accessible, friendly and a little cheeky. She genuinely loves her work and it shows, from the evident glee she takes in answering all of these random queries to the fun little illustrations, also done by her, that pepper the margins of the pages. This book comes from the mind of someone who clearly loves learning, but also loves making science digestible and understandable to a popular audience without talking down to them.
The age range for this book is really wide: it's friendly enough that a middle-grade reader could probably handle it with a little effort, but it's also fun and varied enough that it would be a perfectly fine coffee table book for adults. There's something really delightful about the idea of a bunch of grownups flipping through this book and asking each other: "Hey, did you know this?"
So do yourself a favor. Get your hands on it. Leave it around, pick it up, leaf through it when you're just hanging or zoning out or eating breakfast. You'll learn stuff. It'll be fun.
And if you're curious, check out the fab little chat that Leah and I had on my podcast about her process, how all the pieces of her life and work come together to create this terrific book, and get a first-hand taste of the incredible energy and passion she has for making science cool again. Spoiler alert: she's succeeding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDRtJ...
October 16, 2024
Author Leah Elson, scientist and science communicator, answers questions posed to her through an online community. The 103 questions she answers are grouped into five categories (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Physiology, and Space) and range from 'What is the function of nipples on men?' to 'Why isn't Pluto a planet anymore?'. Her replies are short, concise, and humerus... (ha, ha, see what I did there?). She has also provided an illustration for each response which she drew herself... in crayon. The questions vary from the simple to the complex, yet Leah always makes a good attempt to provide explanations accessible to non-scientists. There are a few, however, that are either too complex to be dealt with in the short one or two pages she has allotted for each one, and in some cases (really only a couple that I came across) obvious errors or 'mis-explanations'. One of these is her answer to why a feather and a hammer hit the ground at the same time when dropped on the moon (there is no mention of the importance of inertia). Another is her illustration for electric current in the very next question (she has not distinguished between electric current and electron flow).
This book may appeal most to the under-20 crowd... Leah seems personable, funny, and also uses some 'colourful' language from time to time (inconsistently blocking out letters but then using the full spelling in other places). It is a quick read, and overall a good effort at promoting science as an important way of answering common questions that many of us have.
This book may appeal most to the under-20 crowd... Leah seems personable, funny, and also uses some 'colourful' language from time to time (inconsistently blocking out letters but then using the full spelling in other places). It is a quick read, and overall a good effort at promoting science as an important way of answering common questions that many of us have.
June 20, 2023
Can you die from heartbreak? Why do we age? What the hell is dark matter?
Leah Elson is a scientist with a gift for communication that enables her to take esoteric concepts and make them engaging. Her web series “60 Seconds of Science” serves as a springboard to her first book, “There Are (No) Stupid Questions . . . In Science”, which tackles the above questions, as well as dozens of others. In between references to The Big Lebowski and The Princess Bride, the answers come in easily digestible chunks of knowledge that make for an enjoyable read.
Elson’s success in imparting information to others is derived from both her personality and her breadth of interests. Her writing captures her vivacious and whimsical temperament, which is infectious. Rather than some dork in a labcoat locked away in a dark laboratory, she’s a tattooed powerlifter who works out to Viking death metal and owns pit bulls. Okay, she’s still a nerd – she has a tattoo of a tardigrade (read the book) – but she’s a cool nerd.
After finishing the book, I turned it over to my two teenaged sons, who ripped through it after initially looking askance at anything recommended by their dad. The book did leave me with questions – my own questions wondering about life, the universe, and everything. Maybe Elson will answer those questions next time.
Leah Elson is a scientist with a gift for communication that enables her to take esoteric concepts and make them engaging. Her web series “60 Seconds of Science” serves as a springboard to her first book, “There Are (No) Stupid Questions . . . In Science”, which tackles the above questions, as well as dozens of others. In between references to The Big Lebowski and The Princess Bride, the answers come in easily digestible chunks of knowledge that make for an enjoyable read.
Elson’s success in imparting information to others is derived from both her personality and her breadth of interests. Her writing captures her vivacious and whimsical temperament, which is infectious. Rather than some dork in a labcoat locked away in a dark laboratory, she’s a tattooed powerlifter who works out to Viking death metal and owns pit bulls. Okay, she’s still a nerd – she has a tattoo of a tardigrade (read the book) – but she’s a cool nerd.
After finishing the book, I turned it over to my two teenaged sons, who ripped through it after initially looking askance at anything recommended by their dad. The book did leave me with questions – my own questions wondering about life, the universe, and everything. Maybe Elson will answer those questions next time.
June 30, 2023
Leah Elson's rapid fire, yet satisfying pleas to a plethora of pointed perplexities is fun and educational. I listened to the audio book, read by her, and she has a natural cadence and timbre for narration. My only issue was the bit about color perception (@ ~ 2hours 40 minutes) where I would have liked to hear a more comprehensive explanation - as it somewhat contradicts the facts about vision she describes afterward... a minor quibble on my end.
Overall, the book is very entertaining and she really does take care to answer so many questions put forth by her audience. It's obvious she did her homework and I look forward to reading and/or hearing future books by this author. Finally, this is a great book for older kids, though, she does throw out some 'F' bombs - However, as a dad of two, I never discouraged them from reading anything with "adult" language... especially when it's science related.
I highly recommend this book for the science curious!
There Are (No) Stupid Questions . . . In Science Leah Elson
Overall, the book is very entertaining and she really does take care to answer so many questions put forth by her audience. It's obvious she did her homework and I look forward to reading and/or hearing future books by this author. Finally, this is a great book for older kids, though, she does throw out some 'F' bombs - However, as a dad of two, I never discouraged them from reading anything with "adult" language... especially when it's science related.
I highly recommend this book for the science curious!
There Are (No) Stupid Questions . . . In Science Leah Elson
May 20, 2023
This is one of those books I just couldn't put down, and as a business professional in a technical field and the father of a 5 year old I didnt have too. Even though men and 5 year olds are close in maturity level lol I find it hard to find books that interest both myself and my son. The topics in each chapter of There Are No Stupid Questions In Science, are questions that surprisingly interest both of us. There are chapters that really delve into the science and reason for many of lifes tough questions about the universe. And things a kid would enjoy. For instance, is honey really bee poop? (It's not) Or are viruses living organisms? (Who knew they werent!?) The way the author takes the complex scientific information and breaks it down in way that is easy enough for my son to understand is one of the reasons I really love this book. She usually ends each chapter with a funny joke and the hand drawn elaborate drawings keep both myself and my sons interest. They say you dont really know something until you can explain it simply. This book will allow you to explain things we have all pondered scientifically whether you are at a business dinner or reading a child a bedtime story.
June 21, 2023
If there is one thing you need to know about me, it's that I ask some dumb questions. It's just in my nature. But the fact that some of the questions in this book are ones that I have asked myself on occasion really brought me a lot of solace knowing that I wasn't alone in wondering.
This book is unique in a few ways. Leah has such an amazing way of bringing fun to science and having you learn in a way that doesn't feel like being back in a classroom. Don't get me wrong, I loved science class (I'm a geek as much as Leah herself....she's just way smarter than me), but I'm not nearly as knowledgable as I would like to be, hence the stupid questions. On top of all the knowledge she lays on you with her signature style, the illustrations she provides (which she did herself, how cool!) are the icing on the cake.
All in all, Leah has provided something STEM girls dream of: a successful approach to knowledge and science. She has solidified her place in the book world and I'm looking forward to seeing where her mind takes us next! Thank you, Leah, for the chance to read an early copy!
This book is unique in a few ways. Leah has such an amazing way of bringing fun to science and having you learn in a way that doesn't feel like being back in a classroom. Don't get me wrong, I loved science class (I'm a geek as much as Leah herself....she's just way smarter than me), but I'm not nearly as knowledgable as I would like to be, hence the stupid questions. On top of all the knowledge she lays on you with her signature style, the illustrations she provides (which she did herself, how cool!) are the icing on the cake.
All in all, Leah has provided something STEM girls dream of: a successful approach to knowledge and science. She has solidified her place in the book world and I'm looking forward to seeing where her mind takes us next! Thank you, Leah, for the chance to read an early copy!
March 11, 2023
I loved this book. It’s highly informative and amusing. The explanations are great as are the illustrations. Leah Elson shows great creativity. There are a lot of jokes, some very funny, some groaners. I think that people new to science will really appreciate this book. However even with a science background, which I have, the writing is so good and clever, I found the book interesting from cover to cover. Great science writing is an artform which Elson has obviously mastered, and reading her book was a joy. It shows that one should not be afraid of incorporating humor or lightness into their science writing. Thank you to Edelweiss and Blackstone Publishing for the digital review copy.
July 19, 2023
I wish I had a science teacher as engaging and intelligent as the author of this book. Leah Elson takes FAQs of science and explains them in a way that is both easy to understand and fun to listen to. I actually found myself interested in learning more about science - and I’ve always disliked that subject for the most part.
My favorite section was the one on space, but she covers a wide range of scientific topics. This is a great book for anyone who loves science or is a novice learner like me!
I would recommend the audio book, the narration is really great. This is a science book that I not only enjoyed, but also plan to re-read.
My favorite section was the one on space, but she covers a wide range of scientific topics. This is a great book for anyone who loves science or is a novice learner like me!
I would recommend the audio book, the narration is really great. This is a science book that I not only enjoyed, but also plan to re-read.
July 19, 2023
This is a great book!
I consider myself very well read/researched and over all knowledgeable, and this book contained a ton of new information for me. The author has a really good way of simplifying complex ideas. A highly recommended read.
My only issue with this book is, to be honest, the author's attempt at humor/quirk. Where other author's (Think Mr. DeGrasse for example) quirk is born into them, it is evident that Ms. Elson is working too hard to create humor for which she lacks the inborn talent. It is fine in the first few chapters, but it started getting on my nerve the more I read almost to the point of making me stop reading.
I consider myself very well read/researched and over all knowledgeable, and this book contained a ton of new information for me. The author has a really good way of simplifying complex ideas. A highly recommended read.
My only issue with this book is, to be honest, the author's attempt at humor/quirk. Where other author's (Think Mr. DeGrasse for example) quirk is born into them, it is evident that Ms. Elson is working too hard to create humor for which she lacks the inborn talent. It is fine in the first few chapters, but it started getting on my nerve the more I read almost to the point of making me stop reading.
May 15, 2023
Great book to both remind you of what you learned in high school science AND to teach you what is new in science and what you might have learned if you had been paying better attention. The author has a conversational tone, and understands that some of the concepts are hard and that a scientific use of “theoretical” is not the same as a kid trying to explain away a dent in the car. Also answers are short enough that you could read a few while waiting for a kid to finish a piano lesson, or while waiting for a pot of water to boil or have a few minutes to spare.
June 28, 2023
Thank you to LibroFM for the advanced listener copy. These opinion are my own.
I appreciated this book for tackling a large variety of scientific topics. The humorous inserts were fun and made the answers more relatable. The tone was great in terms of speaking at a basic level.
I didn't find that I learned much new, as each topic was reviewed so quickly. And I'm not sure audio was the best format for this book. It regularly assumed we were jumping around from one question to another and not reading in order. That doesn't make as much sense for audio format without clear questions and contents as it might in the physical book.
I appreciated this book for tackling a large variety of scientific topics. The humorous inserts were fun and made the answers more relatable. The tone was great in terms of speaking at a basic level.
I didn't find that I learned much new, as each topic was reviewed so quickly. And I'm not sure audio was the best format for this book. It regularly assumed we were jumping around from one question to another and not reading in order. That doesn't make as much sense for audio format without clear questions and contents as it might in the physical book.
July 15, 2023
I abandoned just over halfway through. There was a forgivable, but classically wrong/oversimplified explanation of airplane flight using Bernoulli's Principle. However, it was followed by several anecdote stories that have been verified or refuted (depending on the story) that were presented improperly. [These include Edison's use of AC for executions, the discovery of the microwave for heating food, and one other that slips my mind right now]. For a book of random science trivia, over a variety of topics, for the casual learner it is alright, but there are many better ones out there.
June 13, 2024
Delightfully fun answers to both common and unusual scientific questions by scientist Leah Elson, suitable for curious young adult readers. Answers are sprinkled with quirky humor and cartoonish yet informative illustrations. Questions cover biology, chemistry, physics, human physiology, and space. Examples: "Is honey really bee poop? How to batteries store electricity? Why is the sky blue? Why do we age? What does space smell like?" This is the sort of book you can browse at random, or look up specific questions your child asks about.
May 11, 2023
Highly recommend this book!
Leah is a walking encyclopedia of science knowledge! She makes it fun to learn about science, keeps you engaged so you want to learn more, and it’s a great book for the whole family of any age to enjoy!
If you want to know many interesting “tidbits” about science delivered in a down-to-earth, charismatic, quirky way by a beautiful, upcoming scientist / author…BUY THIS BOOK, you won’t regret it!
Leah is a walking encyclopedia of science knowledge! She makes it fun to learn about science, keeps you engaged so you want to learn more, and it’s a great book for the whole family of any age to enjoy!
If you want to know many interesting “tidbits” about science delivered in a down-to-earth, charismatic, quirky way by a beautiful, upcoming scientist / author…BUY THIS BOOK, you won’t regret it!
June 16, 2023
OMG... Love this... I couldn't not stop reading all this interesting science Leah has put down on paper and illustrated with her own amazing art! I am NOT a science buff however, eagerly I just kept learning! My husband has a science brain so I asked him if he knew about some of this books topics he said no, and boy did I fill him in! So proud of this woman in this achievement it makes me want to expand my brain more and more with learning about science. WHOOP! 💖
July 4, 2023
It’s an awesome book and is a definite must read for anyone curious about the world around them. The author Leah Elson does a great job explaining topics in a fun (I am loving the hand drawn art) and engaging way. The numerous science topics discussed are in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Physiology and Space. So if you’ve ever wondered things like how bees make honey, or what would happen if the world stopped turning, or why stars flicker, then this book is for you. I highly recommend.
July 7, 2023
thanks to libro.fm for providing me with the ALC copy
3,5*
I got the ALC blindly when I saw it's a science nonfiction book and...
...yes -- this was interesting, no -- I won't remember much from it. I think it's more of me being unable to read endless 'fun fact' types of things in a row, especially in an audio form. It's nicely constructed and answers interesting questions -- I might have enjoyed it more in a physical book format that I would read in little bits though.
3,5*
I got the ALC blindly when I saw it's a science nonfiction book and...
...yes -- this was interesting, no -- I won't remember much from it. I think it's more of me being unable to read endless 'fun fact' types of things in a row, especially in an audio form. It's nicely constructed and answers interesting questions -- I might have enjoyed it more in a physical book format that I would read in little bits though.
November 5, 2024
The biology and chemistry sections answered some pretty basic/boring questions so the beginning dragged a bit and made me worry this wouldn’t be very interesting. Thankfully it started to pick up with Physics and human physiology. The key seemed to be answering more uncommon and specific questions rather than general ones that kicked off the book that you should be able to answer simply by halfway paying attention in Bio 101. The author did a pretty good job narrating as well.
May 6, 2023
This book is so fun! Leah answers some of the questions of the universe from what is dark matter, what does space smell like and why does asparagus make my pee smell bad. She uses humor and science to explain all of our burning questions. I've read the pdf version but I will get the paper book too for my house.
May 10, 2023
Science made easy!!! This is a wonderful book for anyone who wants to learn more about science. The author has done a wonderful job at taking complex subjects and breaking them down and making the information very easy to understand. I really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait until the audio version drops. Highly recommend this book!!!
May 12, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! Leah makes it fun (and easy) to learn about a wide range of science topics. The question and answer format of this book keeps it engaging. Leah's sense of humor and sparkly personality translates well on to the page. I flew through this and learned a lot. I think readers of all ages will enjoy this book.
June 17, 2023
I absolutely LOVED every minute of this book. Whether you’re one of the worlds top scholars or simply scientifically curious layman (me) the author makes super fun, digestible subjects and explains answers to some questions I’ve always wondered about and some I’ve never even though to ask! The fun, quirky illustrations are the cherry on top!
July 3, 2023
I like this book. I thought the questions were interesting. I love the artwork on each question. I think this book isn't for everyone. I understand a lot of what Leah was talking about, but I can see some people getting lost in some of the terminology. But overall, I recommend this book.
January 7, 2024
A lot of knowledge and fun in short bite sized pieces. Very much like Randall Munroe's 'What If...' series but in 2 to 5 page chunks...but focussing more on individual science questions instead of hypotheticals - and with fewer illustrations. All in all, a fun educational read...
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