Science Quickly Scientific American Picks the Best Reads of the Year
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Dec 3, 2025 Brie Kane, the associate books editor at Scientific American, shares her insights on the magazine's first-ever curated lists of best fiction and nonfiction books. She discusses standout selections like 'Human Nature,' which merges climate science with history and emotion, and Mariah Blake's investigation of PFAS that highlights corporate accountability. Brie also delves into Daniel H. Wilson's 'Hole in the Sky,' offering a unique view on alien contact, and gushes over the heartfelt romance in Taylor Jenkins-Reid's 'Atmosphere,' set in a real NASA backdrop.
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What Made Books Qualify For The Lists
- Scientific American's first best-fiction and nonfiction lists prioritized exceptional voice and compelling stories across genres.
- Every selected book needed a clear scientific connection and a distinctive sparkle that made editors keep recommending it.
How To Pick Science-Friendly Reads
- Read broadly and consider science in a wide sense when evaluating books for a science-minded audience.
- Look for books with strong narrative voice and that spark conversation long after reading.
A Personal Reaction To Human Nature
- Brie Kane described being deeply moved by Kate Marvel's Human Nature and how it connected climate science to literature and archaeology.
- She said the book mixed anger, sadness, hope, and humor in a way that kept her talking about it long after reading.
