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You've probably heard one or two scientific theories about the end of the universe. Maybe you've heard about the Big Crunch or the Big Rip. Maybe you Haven't. In any case, Katie walks you through multiple possibilities and makes it very clear that the ultimate fate of the universe is still up for debate.

What do you do when you're a computer simulation, but everyone you care about is flesh and blood? The people you know are ephemeral, but your love for them is not. You can never be human again, and yet, you care anyway. Perhaps being immortal isn't all it's cracked up to be.

A story of growing up transgender and in denial, this book is unremarkable in a good way. It's a coming of age story where the protagonist is married with children. This is the kind of book you should read if you're finally feeling up to the task of imagining yourself in the shoes of a transgender person. This is the story of trying to choose a lie for forty years and finally giving up.

A book about negotiation, it is in some ways also a book about conflict resolution. This is the kind of book you buy, annotate, and bookmark heavily. If you find yourself stuck playing games of chicken or constantly feeling stressed or cheated by the deals you make, whether in your personal or professional life, this book is worth a look.

What makes a pest? Is such a label even fair? A fantastic blend of narrative and science, this book looks at different animals across time and space and our relationship to them. Prepare to have your assumptions challenged, no matter what your current viewpoint.

A quick look at the political tools of fascism, this book is a great starting point if you've never really bothered to take a look at what fascism is and how it works. Much of the extreme rhetoric you're hearing today will make a whole lot more sense in the context of this book.

I hate giving bad reviews but this book was very 50/50, almost literally so. I suggest you skip the first half and enjoy the second half, if you're still interested. The first half was too disjointed and thin, but the second half finally settled into more of a narrative thread with deeper explanations and ideas.

All about bird migration and how we learn about it.

In a flash fiction sci-fi adventure, Bob Johansson is turned into an artificial intelligence and set to roam the stars as a Von Neumann probe. His assignment is to further the interests of a totalitarian theocracy, but things don't go exactly according to plan. The first book in a series, this is a great read for anyone who loves high stakes and big ideas.

A look at the increased amount of bullshit in the world, where it comes from, and how it impacts our lives. If you've ever had a bullshit job, or raged at all the bullshit getting in the way of your real job, this book is for you. You'll find good company in the real-world examples David shows off, and gain understanding in how you ended up in this predicament in the first place.

A world history missing the usual places, Salt is nevertheless an engaging look into the many different cultures and contexts in which salt has featured in our past. From China to the Americas, humans have been making salt as long as we've been farming, if not longer, and our relationship to the simple little rock is anything but simple.

Mill makes the case that individual liberties should be as great as possible up until the point where they infringe on other people's liberties. He readily admits that defining exactly where the line is is a difficult task, and ultimately says very little of value except when providing concrete examples. When he does provide his personal opinion, however, it is usually fairly reasonable and does not over simplify things.

We owe society an unpayable debt, but we should still try our best to pay it back anyway. Reich makes the case that we can, and should, consciously work to improve our nation for the benefit of all, not just ourselves. The selfish must be named, shamed, and punished, the virtuous must be held up as heros, and you must help make it happen.

Learn how to reject a proposal while still leaving the other feeling respected. Learn how to be a better human being. Learn how to set and manage boundaries. Not just for people who can't say no, this book is useful to anyone looking to make conflict an opportunity for connection.

The first airplane was such a big deal you learned about it in elementary school. But hang on, you didn't learn hardly anything about it! Never fear. David takes you through the infancy of aviation and all its heros, not just Wilbur and Orville. A story of character, grit, determination, and meticulous research, the airplane was far from a guarantee, but the Wrights made it seem inevitable.