As a scientist, or at least someone who is trying to become a scientist, there are several tomes on my bookcase that would be found under the category ‘Popular Science’ in any good bookshop.
I was reading an article in The Independent yesterday about books that attempt to capture and explain great scientific questions and ideas into slim novels accessible to the average reader in the general public. It also said how these books largely remain unread.
It hit me with great clarity that I have several of these aforementioned books sat on my bookcases with their pages as yet unturned! Admittedly some of them I bought because I thought I should, but the majority were bought with the best of intentions. To read and be astounded at the vision of their authors; to understand those great scientific concepts; and to fill my brain with knowledge.
Many were started and put down due to outside distractions. Others have just been sat, waiting patiently and passed by for a read less demanding.
But this will be the case no more! In a challenge to myself, I will read these items of Popular Science, all the way through, and I WILL learn something! 🙂
So watch this space for discussion, reviews and my thoughts on just how accessible they really are.
Wish me luck! In the meantime, please feel free to tell me which books you think of as popular science and more importantly, how you got on with reading them!
♥
confusedbob 
Hmm, I’d say you should read:
Fermat’s Last Theorem – Simon Singh (assumes no mathematical knowledge)
The Cracking Code Book – Simon Singh (if cryptography interests you at all)
QED – Richard Feynman (currently reading, it’s a non-technical introduction to Quantumelectrodynamics :D)
then on my list to read I have
Why does E=mc^2 – Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw
How to teach Quantum Physics to your dog – Chad Orzel