Science for Fun

I love science books written for a general audience. Here are a few recent favorites:

1. Color and Light in Nature by Lynch and Livingston
   
   Fabulous pictures and explanations of aurorae, rainbows, sun dogs, glories, mirages and many other light topics. Useful as background material in Intro to PhysChemology 101 courses. Also great for questions asked by 3rd graders. Great coffee table book, for geeks anyway.
   
   
2. Cats Are Not Peas: A Calico History of Genetics by Laura Gould
   
   Good explanation of why almost all calicoes are female. Almost all. Two parts story one part science. Really not recommended if you do not like cats.
   
   
3. The Elements of Murder: A History of Poison by John Emsley
   
   Juicy stuff, this. Murder (obviously), adultery, sex, palace intrigue and actual chemical formulae - what more could one ask for?