English 342: Science Writing

Popular science books are written about scientific topics in accessible, easy-to-understand syntax and language. Popular science texts are great avenues to gain an overview of a field or topical area or learn about a niche area of scientific inquiry. These books are typically written by scientific experts or science writers and journalists.

Are you unsure of whether or not the book that you are looking for is a popular or scholarly piece? Are you curious about why the differences are important? Visit this resource by the University of Southern California for more information.

There are many places to search for popular science books, such as:

1. Check science publications with specific popular science review sections.
   • Example: The Smithsonian's "Ten Best Science Books" round up. This roundup occurs annually; 2020 and 2019 can be found here.
2. Search websites that review popular science books.
   • Example: Scientific America provides reviews and recommendations for popular science books.