The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

15.7 -- Lab Lit
Albert Einstein was born March 14, 1879 and he died April 18, 1955. In honor of this great scientist, read a novel in which a scientist plays a major role. Examples: Prodigal Summer (biologist), Talk Nerdy to Me (chemical engineer), Cannery Row (marine biologist), Jurassic Park or Mendel's Dwarf (geneticists), etc. Required: If the scientist's role in the story is not obvious from the GR description of the book, state how a scientist plays a major role in the book.

Approved:
Revolution
The Janus Stone
Tensleep
Intuition
The Queen Geek Social Club
Frankenstein
Fortuna
Ape House
When the Killing's Done by T.C. Boyle
The Alchemist's Secret
The Andromeda Strain
Deception Point
The Blind Contessa's New Machine
Primal Instincts (Harlequin Blaze #378)

Won't Work:
The Secret
Einstein: His Life and Universe -- non-fiction

How about archaeologists and/or forensic anthropologists? I'm thinking of The Janus Stone, which sounds interesting.

Sandy wrote: "How about archaeologists and/or forensic anthropologists? I'm thinking of The Janus Stone, which sounds interesting."

That does sound good. And, yes, archaeologists and anthropologists would both work.

I found this website that might help people (subject to specific book approval) - http://www.lablit.com/the_list

I think i'm going to go with Tensleep (geologist)

Is IntuitionAllegra Goodman ok?

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "I found this website that might help people (subject to specific book approval) - http://www.lablit.com/the_list

I think i'm going to go with Tensleep (geologist)"

That works. Looks good...

Aleksandra wrote: "Is IntuitionAllegra Goodman ok?"

Yes. This one looks good, too!

I was thinking "The Secret" by Eva Hoffman

Kristi (Passion for the Page) wrote: "Sandy wrote: "How about archaeologists and/or forensic anthropologists? I'm thinking of The Janus Stone, which sounds interesting."

That does sound good. And, yes, archaeologists a..."

Thanks, Kristi.

The main characters father is a scientest and he plays a big part, but i dont know if its big enough. His science built a robot, that is the main characters nanny. The book is

Will this work?

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "I was thinking "The Secret" by Eva Hoffman"

It sounds like science plays a role in this story but not a scientist. Unless the mother is a scientist of some sort, but it doesn't sound like it from the reviews I read.

Ashlea wrote: "The main characters father is a scientest and he plays a big part, but i dont know if its big enough. His science built a robot, that is the main characters nanny. The book is [bookcover:The Queen ..."

It sounds like the father and his robot play a pretty major role in her life, so it should work. Sounds cute ;o).

Would a mad scientist work? Every challenge I have had Frankenstein on my list, yet I never manage to end up reading it.

Diane wrote: "Would a mad scientist work? Every challenge I have had Frankenstein on my list, yet I never manage to end up reading it."

LOL. Yes, even if they're mad they'll work. I've had Frankenstein on my to-be-read list for forever, too.

H. G. Wells' Time Machine works? Hope so. Haven't read that in probably 20 years.

Robin wrote: "H. G. Wells' Time Machine works? Hope so. Haven't read that in probably 20 years."

Yes. It would work.

Would books with a doctor as a main character work?

Kathleen wrote: "Would books with a doctor as a main character work?"

Yes.

um, computer scientist to-be?

specifically Fortuna by Michael R. Stevens

Would Ape House work?

For TC Boyle fans his newest fits perfectly here:

When the Killing's Done by T.C. Boyle

Karen, I was just coming here to post that! That's what I'm planning to use.

Karen wrote: "Fortuna by Michael R. Stevens"

That works.

KSMary wrote: "Would Ape House work?"

Yes.

Karen GHHS wrote: "For TC Boyle fans his newest fits perfectly here:

When the Killing's Done by T.C. Boyle"

Yes it does. Great suggestion!

I'm excited because T C Boyle will be in Seattle March 1 and I plan to go hear him and get a signed copy!

I believe The Alchemist's Secret would work from the description involving an American scientist. I am just looking to double-check.
Thanks!

I would like to read The Blind Contessa's New Machine which features an 'eccentric inventor who devises the world's first typewriter.' Is this close enough to scientist?

Christine US wrote: "I believe The Alchemist's Secret would work from the description involving an American scientist. I am just looking to double-check.
Thanks!"

Sounds like it will work just fine.

Janet wrote: "I would like to read The Blind Contessa's New Machine which features an 'eccentric inventor who devises the world's first typewriter.' Is this close enough to scientist?"

He sounds like a scientist to me. It will work.

I have a Harlequin I picked up from a used book sale- Primal Instincts (Harlequin Blaze #378) that has a photojournalist and an anthropologist as the two main characters- just making sure it's ok.

Fran wrote: "I have a Harlequin I picked up from a used book sale- Primal Instincts (Harlequin Blaze #378) that has a photojournalist and an anthropologist as the two main characters- just making..."

Yep. Anthropologist works. Sounds cute ;o).

Kristi (Passion for the Page) wrote: "Fran wrote: "I have a Harlequin I picked up from a used book sale- Primal Instincts (Harlequin Blaze #378) that has a photojournalist and an anthropologist as the two main characters..."

Great, thanks Kristi!

Could I read Einstein: His Life and Universe for this task?

Lindsey wrote: "Could I read Einstein: His Life and Universe for this task?"

No, sorry. The task is to read a novel featuring a scientist. This book appears to be nonfiction.

Yea, that's why I was double-checking. Thanks Kristi!

How about Deception Point?

Kathryn wrote: "How about Deception Point?"

One of the reviews says "Rachel Sexton joins a group of scientists" and it sounds like the book follows that team of scientists after its initial set-up in Washington so, yes, it will work.

Kristi (Passion for the Page) wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "How about Deception Point?"

One of the reviews says "Rachel Sexton joins a group of scientists" and it sounds like the book follows that team of scientists after its ini..."

Oh yeah it will totally worh, I LOVE that book! it's so good I read the whole thing in 3 days. Could not put it down.

Good to know. I have it on my bookshelf, too, but I'd forgotten about it. I just added it to my list when Kathryn mentioned it... ;o).

I have read it before but that was like five years ago so I really wanted to re-read it. I couldn't remember if it would work so thanks for the "okay". I do remember really liking it so if you can read it, Kristi, you should!

Would The Andromeda Strain work?

Carla wrote: "Would The Andromeda Strain work?"

Yes. Great book, too, by the way.

I've started a Lab Lit list. Feel free to add the books you've found for this task (especially as you read them and find them enjoyable) as well as books you've read that have particularly realistic science in them.

As with all Goodreads lists, however, be careful when choosing a book from a list for a SRC task. This list in particular has a broader definition than this task and may contain books that do not have a scientist in a major role. So double check to make sure the book you choose really fits the task before you read it.

Does Revolution work for this task? From the description it doesn't look like it, but I already saw it on the Lab Lit list.

★Meghan★ wrote: "Does Revolution work for this task? From the description it doesn't look like it, but I already saw it on the Lab Lit list."

No, it won't work. That's what I mean about being careful with the lists. Since anyone can add any book, you sometimes get some strange additions. I don't see any mention of a scientists. I can't even tell how science in general plays a role in this one...

Kristi (Passion for the Page) wrote: "★Meghan★ wrote: "Does Revolution work for this task? From the description it doesn't look like it, but I already saw it on the Lab Lit list."

No, it won't work. That's what I mean ..."

Kristi - I added it. The main character's dad is a scientist. He won the Nobel prize for his DNA work and that is why they go to Paris. He is doing DNA work there that is directly related to the journal Andi finds. While he is not the main character, he is a significant character to the story. Will you reconsider?

I second the inclusion of Revolution. I found the genetic testing of the heart thought to be the dauphin's was fascinating and her father's Nobel winning status and estrangement played a big part in the story, too. I was just reading reviews to double check my facts before I posted and came back to find Lahni's explanation here.