Suggestions from a nerd: summer holiday edition

By Wisley Lau

Summer is back ON after a tough semester! For the nerds out there who want to read something relaxing or learn something new, here are some interesting options for your summer beach reading! (Or couch reading if yet another wave occurs; please wear a mask and socially distance yourself from others if you are really reading a book on the beach).

If you want to read a War-Thriller based on a possible future… read 2034 by Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis

Recently, with tensions between the US and China running high, and the situation in places like the South China Sea becoming tenser by the day, it is quite possible to imagine a full-on war igniting between the two nations. If you want to read about a terrifying future possibility, two military experts have written a thrilling novel about how things will (in their minds) play out. With their years-worth of knowledge and some vivid imagination, this could certainly lie quite close to reality! The unnerving part of the story is how tangible the story is compared to reality, so let’s hope this cautionary tale is only fiction and not future fact!

If you want to read a thriller story based on real events… read The Premonition by Michael Lewis

If you have read Michael Lewis’s work, you might be familiar with his books! Ranging from The Big Short to The Fifth Risk. All of their real-life stories are portrayed with the same level of intrigue as every thrilling fiction book! For his latest book, The Premonition, Michael focuses on the pandemic, and more specifically, the experts who saw the pandemic coming when it was still in its infancy in Wuhan. It is an excellent story of how the world screwed up the pandemic collectively and a cautionary tale of why expert knowledge is something not to scoff at.

If you are a geography buff… read The Power Of Geography by Tim Marshall

For both geography and politics lovers, this geopolitics book is the sequel to the superb Prisoners of Geography, which analyses how geography affects the political decisions of leaders. For this book, the author writes ten stories based on ten less-known maps that could shape our world. From the UK, Australia, Iran… all the way to outer space! Each story tells of a unique region, and how recent events can change the entire fabric of geopolitics! This is an informative and particularly deep book for all the knowledge obsessionistas.

If you want to make sense in a crazy world… read The World A Brief Introduction by Richard Haass

The world is a crazy, chaotic, ludicrously complicated mess. And if you want to know the background context of what’s happening in the world, this book is for you! From detailing recent history, to describing the terrible situations happening all over the world, this book is a must-read for all students and concerned citizens! So if your ever confused about the Israeli-Palestinian crisis or what led to the conflict that could cause nuclear war between two countries, this book can be your trusted guide.

If you want to relax and enjoy comics while learning about science… read Flash Facts by DC and edited by Mayim Bialik

Lots of students I know are fans of DC superheroes. And recently, the comic book giant gathered a team of comic book artists and the acclaimed neurobiologist/Big Bang Theory actor Mayim Bialik to create Flash Facts! Learn how VR works with characters from Teen Titans Go, while the Flash will teach you forensic science, and Supergirl will give you a tour through space. It is an enjoyable read for all superhero lovers and kids who are interested in science.

If you want to read a companion book to accompany a Netflix series… read Breaking Boundaries by Johan Rockström and Owen Gaffney

From June 6, a new documentary starring David Attenborough and Johan Rockström will be airing on Netflix. This fascinating film discusses all about the biodiversity problem facing the environment. But before watching this documentary or as a guide while watching, this book makes the perfect companion. With captivating stories of climate change and detailed graphs and data about climate change, this book is one that nerds like myself will be engaged in reading. Breaking Boundaries is one of the few great environmental science books that could be helpful in the IBDP Environmental Systems and Science class (ESS) or as your reference source to I&S lessons in the MYP!