Some very readable popular science books for research: Paranormality, Richard Wiseman - the physical, mental and evolutionary reasons why we believe in the supernatural. Everything from the science behind ghost sightings to how psychics persuade us they can read our future. Why Does E=mc2? by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw; introduction to particle physics, astrophysics, and everything in between, in (mostly!) comprehensible form. Guns, Germs and Steel, Jared Diamond: why civilisations develop in different ways, and why some develop high technology while some remain hunter-gatherers. All fascinating general reading, and full of tidbits for future/ alien world-building.

Confused a little by this category (what the heck is non-fiction Science Fiction ?!?) Anyway, assuming no one here is going to read Morse & Feshbach, Landau & Lifshitz, or Wheeler, Misner & Thorne, here are two lists: one of books that try to explain science to the layman, and the second is a list of more biographical/historical books about the people. Approachable Science books: Cosmos, The Demon-Haunted World -- Carl Sagan The Selfish Gene -- Richard Dawkins A Brief History of Time -- Stephen Hawking Mathematics for the Non Mathematician -- Morris Kline The Road to Reality -- Roger Penrose The Structure of Evolutionary Theory -- Steven Jay Gould Character of Physical Law, Six Easy Pieces -- Richard Feynman The Elegant Universe -- Brian Greene How the Mind Works -- Steven Pinker Mr Tompkins in Wonderland -- George Gamow The Visual Display of Quantitative Information -- Edward Tufte Science history/bio: Fermat's Enigma -- Simon Singh Quantum -- Manjit Kumar Skunk Works -- Ben Rich Longitude -- Dava Sobel Logicomix -- Apostolos Doxiadis & Christos Papadimitriou (graphic novel) The Pleasure of Finding Things Out -- Richard Feynman Hackers -- Steven Levy The Making of the Atomic Bomb, Dark Sun -- Richard Rhodes A Short History of Nearly Everything -- Bill Bryson The Ascent of Man -- Jacob Bronowski The Strangest Man -- Graham Farmelo

What fantastic lists, pliny and Debbie. How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card (which Stacy Chambers recommended for the fantasy list)

Our list so far. Surely there are more books out there on writing sci fi, critical analysis of sci fi, the history of sci fi, and the psychology of sci fi. What else have you got? Popular Science Books A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking Character of Physical Law, Six Easy Pieces by Richard Feynman Cosmos, The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond: why civilisations develop in different ways, and why some develop high technology while some remain hunter-gatherers. How the Mind Works by Steven Pinker Mathematics for the Non Mathematician by Morris Kline Mr Tompkins in Wonderland by George Gamow Paranormality by Richard Wiseman: the physical, mental and evolutionary reasons why we believe in the supernatural. Everything from the science behind ghost sightings to how psychics persuade us they can read our future. The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene The Road to Reality by Roger Penrose The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins The Structure of Evolutionary Theory by Steven Jay Gould The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward Tufte Why Does E=mc2? by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw: introduction to particle physics, astrophysics, and everything in between, in (mostly!) comprehensible form. Science History & Biography A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson Fermat’s Enigma by Simon Singh Hackers by Steven Levy Logicomix by Apostolos Doxiadis & Christos Papadimitriou (graphic novel) Longitude by Dava Sobel Quantum by Manjit Kumar Skunk Works by Ben Rich The Ascent of Man by Jacob Bronowski The Making of the Atomic Bomb, Dark Sun by Richard Rhodes The Pleasure of Finding Things Out by Richard Feynman The Strangest Man by Graham Farmelo   Writing Science Fiction How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card