The best science non-fiction books of 2024 so far, from Helen Scales to Allison Pugh

Embrace the rat race

Readers of New Scientist aren’t known for their pursuit of mindless pleasure. Many of you are dedicated to your work or to keeping up with your field, which tends to be a bit more interesting than the average 9 to 5. It’s a wonder you take time off at all and, even then, lots of you remain strangers to holiday excesses.

We could try scaring you onto that beach or up that mountain. What if we remind you that, while you are at home, especially since many of you live in cities, you are said to…