The importance of proper science in fiction

This post also appears in my other blog: Middle PhD Crisis

“I have an issue when they get the science wrong because they didn’t know better, or they presumed that the correct science would have somehow handcuffed them in their storytelling. My biggest issue is when they get the science wrong where, had they told it right, they could have told a better story. I have no patience for that [laughs]. Really no patience for that.”

- Dr Neil deGrasse Tyson

When I read for pleasure, I often gravitate away from non-fiction, having a lot of that in the articles I have to read for work. However, that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy fiction books that deal with science. I do have a problem with fiction books that are a bit too lose with their science background.

I love science fiction and fantasy, you can tell as much just looking at my shelves at home. And as long as whatever phenomenon is going on makes sense in the constructed universe, I can go along with it. However, sometimes in other genres you will stay in our universe (i.e. General Fiction) and that's when stumbling upon misconstructed science terms or theories make me shudder.

A couple of years ago I read a book that kept using the term germs to describe pathogens. While a lot of people use this term, it's pretty much the same as using the term cooties. We have words for infectious or non infectious organisms, why not use them? In the case of this book, it bothered me particularly because the author had a Ph.D in Medical Microbiology. Sure she got it in 1962, but still.

The same way that CSI (any city really) has me rolling my eyes when they do a full genetic background of the suspect in three hours, or when I encounter things like "He invented the DNA", it touches my nerves. While it can seem like a small, inconsequential thing (for the record, no body "invented" the DNA, it was discovered), it can lead to bigger mistakes or misinformation for the general public. And most of the time, this "incorrect" science is the product of not doing their research properly.

Once again, if you are building your own universe, you can make up your rules, and the book might be amazing. But sometimes you just have to look things up and get them right. You can vulgarize as much as you want, but keep the science (or really, the subject you decided to tackle) proper. I get the feeling that we talk about this more with movies and TV than we do with books. The quote I used above is from Dr. Tyson referring to the errors in Gravity. But it applies to a lot of works of fiction. It's a shame really to know that the work you are constructing could've been so much better if you would've done a bit of research.

Some authors will plainly say it: I went for a fictional world because I did not want to do the research. That is fine and up to a certain extent understandable. But, and I know I am repeating myself here, if you have decided to stay in our universe, just with fictional characters...get your facts right. That's all.

What are your thoughts? What are your best examples of proper science in fiction? your worst? Let me know in the comments.

This is your life, Harriet Chance by Jonathan Evison

Format: eGalley

Pages: 304

Series: NA

Source: NetGalley

Genres: General Fiction

Publisher: Algonquin Books

Publication date: Expected on September 8, 2015

I asked and received this book through NetGalley for free. This review is not sponsored nor influenced in anyway. Thanks to Algonquin Books for the book.

First impression

It's rare that I get to review books this far ahead from their publishing date, but I was lucky enough to be accepted for This is Your Life, Harriet Chance. Since it's not the final version I will not use any quotes. The reason why I asked for this book was that it had a blurb by Maria Semple, author of Where'd You go, Bernadette, a book I enjoyed. This and the description: an old woman, going on an adventure while confronting her past and her present. I am very happy I asked for the book even if it wasn't as funny as I thought it would be. It has a darker tone than Bernadette and while this is not a bad thing, I came to the book with a different expectation. But I grew fond of Harriet and fell for the jumping in time narrative.

Final thoughts

As I mentioned, while the book did remind me of Semple's book, probably with the narrative style, this one had for me way less funny sides while keeping a dark humor. The author jumps in time with Harriet, so you can see her as a newborn, a teenager, a newlywed but almost never in a linear narrative. Harriet will be in her cruise cabin at 79 and the next chapter will be a flashback of her first office party in her early 20s.

For most of the book, the reader is kept in the dark about Harriet's past, only getting tiny glimpses that she herself is revisiting. Some things (big things that I won't give away, because spoilers) will be revealed at the same time for the reader and Harriet and so her tone changes a bit, she no longer sounds impassive, like just remembering, but much more emotional.

I kept debating whether this was a 3 or a 4 for me. You see, it was a good read, a fast read, with a lot of things going on but not on a messy way. However, I finally settled for a 3 because I was left with the sensation that something was missing from the end of the story, something that would round up the whole thing better. I hate saying this type of things, because it can sound like I think I could've done better, and that's not what I mean. I can't say what is that thing that feels missing for me, I can only tell you that's the case.

I would definitely recommend this book to others, mostly people who liked the style of Where'd you go, Bernadette and people who enjoy slowly getting to know the main character, by little pieces. 

What am I reading this month: April

Hello everyone! here is what I will be reading this month...or at least what I am planing to be reading.

For my Diversifying 2015 challenge (you can sign up here) and  reading more in Spanish goal: Inés del Alma Mia by Peruvian author Isabel Allende. I'm also reading L'oubli que nous serons by Colombian author Héctor Abad. I am reading it in French, since it was given to me already in this edition. 

For the Sword and Laser Book Club, we will be reading Wyrd Sisters by Sir Terry Pratchett

For my "reading more CanLit" goal, I will be reading The View from Castle Rock by Alice Munro

On nonfiction I will be reading How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran

To finally finsih the Southern Trilogy, I also got Acceptance by Jeff Vandermeer.

Out of those 6 books, I own 4 of them, so I am also working on my "reading more of the books I already own" goal. 

Now, very important too, this month is Dewey's 24h Read-a-Thon!!! Did you register yet? no? Well, go on, I will wait. Done?. Ok, so as I was saying, since the Read-a-Thon is coming I have set some other books I want to read for that day, but I am keeping that list for later. I haven't used my Audible credits yet, so those are out of this list for now too.

What about your reading for this month? what are you reading in general? Let me know in the comments and have a nice week.

Mini Reviews: Wife of the House by Gudrun Mouw and Mi Abuelo Explicaba muy bien a los Pájaros by Ivan Castro Rodelo

Wife of the House

Format: Paperback

Pages: 100

Series: NA

Source: LibraryThing EarlyReviewers

Genres: Poetry

Publisher: Raincloud Press

Publication date: April 15, 2014

I asked and received this book through the LybraryThing Early Reviewers program for free. This review is not sponsored nor influenced in anyway. Thanks to Chronicles Books for the book.

First impression

It's been a long time since I read poetry. To be honest with you, both poetry and theater are genres that are hard for me to read; I just don't get immersed enough and most of the time I feel like I am forcing myself to continue reading. Unfortunately for me, this was one of these times. Don't get me wrong, the author manages to put a lot of feeling in each of her poems...I just never connected with them.

Final thoughts

I think that Mouw manages to show and share what she feels as a Housewife, her story of a troubled marriage, how she got there and how she got out. Her imagery can be very vivid and sad and this I have to give it to her, I could feel all that. However I was never fully engaged with the poems, and while it is a short read it felt very long, precisely because I had to force me to continue. This is no fault of the author or the writing, as you will probably notice from other reviews. The book just wasn't for me. 

Mi Abuelo Explicaba muy bien a los Pájaros

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 126

Series: NA

Source: Own (BookOutlet)

Genres: General fiction, Esoteric

Publisher: Grupo Nelson

Publication date: December 1st, 2009.

First Impression

When you look for books in Spanish in BookOutlet, most of what you will get are either bibles or books classified on the self help and religion genres. I am not a fan of either genre, but it is from a Colombian author and I was thinking of my Granpda when I bought it so here we are. This book is somehow categorized as self help and it does have some parts where the main character mentions him finding God, but the story turned out to be more than that, so I did actually enjoyed it. Told in the voice of the grandson, remembering his vacation time spent with his grandfather and the stories he told him, it was quite a beautiful story of love and family.

Final thoughts 

 

More than anything this is a story about love, represented in the grandparents relationship. The side stories of the grandfather joining the circus, and making his way to success reminded me of my grandpa and his stories of odd jobs he took along the way. The book touched a lot of personal fibers for me, and I do believe I read it in the right moment for me to enjoy it. However, as much as it made me smile while I was reading it, I find it hard to identify who else would I recommended for. It was nice and the writing made me remember zones of my country I haven't visited in years but I don't know if this would be enough for me to revisit the book in the future or to pass it along. 

Challenges and goals update: How did I do in March?

Hello to all ! Once again here is my update for the month of March. It was a good reading month, I was surprised how much I manage to read this month.

Diversifying 2015:

Of the 10 books I read on March, 2 of them where by a nonwhite author, and both had POCs as main characters.Moving Forward Sideways like a Crab had a LGBTQ main character and (although I haven't finished it yet) The Perks of Being a Wallflower has at least so far, 2 LGBTQ characters as well. This month, 50% of the books I read were from female authors.

Read Harder:

I finally read some poetry for the RH challenge, the review for Wife of the House will be up soon. I also read Popular by Maya Van Wagenen as a "self help"...I realize this is a bit of an stretch, but it does say "Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek" so...

My goals:

Read at least 1 POC author per month: Done with Moving Forward Sideways like a Crab by Shani Mootoo and Mi Abuelo explicaba muy bien a los Pájaros by Ivan Castro Rodelo

Read at least 1 book in Spanish per month: Done with Mi Abuelo explicaba muy bien a los Pájaros by Ivan Castro Rodelo

Read CanLit book per month: Done with Done with Moving Forward Sideways like a Crab by Shani Mootoo

Read at least 1 book of nonfiction per month: Done with Popular by Maya Van Wagenen

Finished series: No series finished this month but I did read the second book in the Southern Trilogy series: Authority

Keeping track of my reading (Country represented, Makomori test, etc): done, but this one I will do a total update at the end of the year.

Read more already owned books: 2 books from the library and 2 Galleys, wich still gave me 6 books that I already owned.

Read the picks of the month for each book club: done!

I feel like, in general I am having a good progression on my reading. I had another DNF this month with The Turnip Princess (galley) but in general I am very happy with what I have read so far.

Reviews wise, I only posted 3 reviews this month in the site with 1 more coming tomorrow. However, thanks to the Bloggiesta Event, my Blog is up to date.

How was your reading this month?

A Day in the Life as a Science PhD Student

Morning everybody, today's blogger event is organized by the lovely Trish from Love, Laughter and (a touch of) Insanity. As a community, book bloggers are as varied as they come and she gives all amazing reasons to participate, so here I am, telling you about my "normal" week day. So let's start!

Morning view

6h30: The alarm rings. First thing I see is Hoppi (our cat) snuggled with us. Usually A and I woke up around the same time, but ever since he started working (he finished his PhD, just waiting to defend) sometimes he has to go on business trips, and so leaves around 5h30! But if it is a regular day, I will be the first one in the shower (get in around 6h45, it takes me awhile to get out of bed, for real) while he stars breakfast. But today, is one of those days that he is gone, so it's easier to get out of bed..sort of.

Yum!

7h00: Out of the shower. I start the coffee, and in the mean time get dressed, and make the bed. When the coffee is ready, I finish making my breakfast. Always coffee and orange juice, but the rest will vary according to the day. Today I went with toast, tomato, bocconcini and basil, drizzled with a bit of olive oil. Yum!.  As I eat, and since I'm alone I will check e-mail, Twitter, the news. If A was here we would be discussing our respective days, and then he goes to take his shower. 

7h45: Clean up, brush my teeth, do my makeup, set the dishwasher if necessary, take out whatever meat we are having for dinner, preparing my lunch box. We usually prepare double the portions for dinner, and that way lunch is ready for the next day!. Finally, get ready mentally to go out...it's winter, so this step takes a while, just putting my boots alone!

It was -16C (3.2F) that morning!

8h15: Finally out of the door! later than I wanted, but oh well. Made it right on time for the metro, and the bus I have to take to go to the Institute was boarding! (score) so I made it to the lab a couple of minutes before 9. We only have one car, so sometimes I have it, in that case I can leave the house around 8h30ish. I don't like driving, even though it takes less time to get to work, but I am getting used to it. 

My desk at the student room

9h-17h: Lab. My work will revolve around my cells, and my experiments, but I am also in charge of certain tasks around the lab, such as passing orders for anything we need. This I hate, mostly because a lot of the people in the lab will wait until last minute to tell me (if they tell me) that we need to order stuff, and then is running to get quotes, orders, etc. At least I am now training another student to help me with this, but it's so time consuming.

12h: Lunch! I do my best to have time for lunch with friends, but sometimes my experiments take over. In that case I end up eating my lunch in my desk and in that case I will be browsing around as I do so. Not ideal, but sometimes it's the only way. Either way I try to at least take a 15 min break of experiments, otherwise I feel burnt down at the end of the day.

17h05: Commuting again to go home. I actually like this time, since I can read a bit more!.

18h: I'm finally home. First some cuddles with Hoppi. When Alex is home by this time we will sit for a while in the office and talk about our days. Today he won't be home until dinner time :/. If I don't have anything else to do outside the house, I will change to workout clothes and wash my face. It feels so good!.

Playing Exercising with our WiiFit

18h30: Usually at home A will take care of food and I will take care of other chores, depending on the day. If one of us is out late, then the other one will take over both tasks :). So today I have to start some laundry and prepare dinner...but not before my work out, that way for sure I will be "free" when he gets home. You see, we use to study together and so we grew accustomed to spending almost all of our days together. Now that he is working and I am still at the Institute, we try to take every opportunity we have to get some extra time with each other. 

19h:My workout varies a lot: I sometimes will do some routines with our WiiFit, sometimes I check Blogilates, but either way I try to at least do them 4-5 times a week, specially in winter when I become way sedentary. After exercising and finishing house chores, A is finally home, so we have dinner and talk about our day. We watch a bit of TV (most of the time reruns, unless is Tuesday when he will watch SHIELD with me reading next to him)

20h: We move to the office, where we both work a bit more. E-mails, blog for me. Then a bit more leisure. I sometimes do some cross stitching, but not right now. The other thing we end up doing often is playing on World of Warcraft.

22h: Time to get ready for bed. Brush our teeth, feed the cat. Then we get into bed and we read for about 1 more hour, unless we are very tired (like this time) and start nodding over our books 15min later.

That's pretty much it!  What about your day?

Once Upon a Time IX

Every year as spring arrives (or is supposed to arrive, ehem) Carl from Stainless Steel Droppings hosts his Once Upon a Time "challenge". I participated last year, and it's always a lot of fun, so here I am again.The premise is simple enough:

From March 21st up until June 21st you read and share your thoughts about books that fall into the broad categories of Fairy Tale, Folklore, Fantasy and Mythology (including subgenres off course).

As I did last year, I will participate and will follow the Quest The First: Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time categories. They might all be fantasy, or folklore, or fairy tales, or mythology…or your five books might be a combination from the four genres.

For now, my lineup is as follows

Off to be the wizard by Scott Meyer

Wyrd Sisters by Sir Terry Pratchett

Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia

The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan

Siege and Storm by Leigh Berdugo 

Of this, only one comes from the Sword and Laser Book club (Wyrd Sisters). I realize that all of them, once again, fall mostly in the fantasy category, but some have very interesting mythology nuances, like The brides[...] inspired by the Irish mythological creature, the Selkies.

As always I will update the links to the reviews in this post as I make them available.There is a high chance that I read more than this books (there is the Read-a-Thon after all) and if I get to review them, I will add them here.

Are you participating? Let me know in the comments!