The Most Anticipated Science Releases for 2024

The year 2024 has seen the publication of numerous science books that delve into various aspects of human knowledge and understanding. From the evolution of language to the role of music in healing, these books offer fresh perspectives on human evolution, climate change, and our relationship with the environment.

The book “Our Moon: How Earth’s Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution and Made Us Who We Are” by Rebecca Boyle sheds new light on our familiar nighttime companion. The book covers familiar ground, such as the Apollo missions that brought astronauts to the lunar surface.

The book “The Language Puzzle: Piecing Together the Six-Million-Year Story of How Words Evolved” explores the evolution of language from gestures to abstract thought. It discusses how Neanderthals lacked linguistic ability, which may be due to cognitive limitations.

The book “Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory’s Power to Hold On to What Matters” turns the question of forgetfulness on its head by explaining how remarkable it is that we remember anything at all. The book highlights the role of memory in defining who we are.

The book “How to Kill an Asteroid: The Real Science of Planetary Defense” chronicles the roughly three-decade-long existence of the field that gained fame with the DART mission. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s book “What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures” presents various solutions to tackle the climate crisis.

The following section provides a summary and ranking of the top science books of 2024 based on their relevance, impact, and reader interest.

1. Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory’s Power to Hold On to What Matters by Charan Ranganath

2. Relevance Score: 0.1111111111111111

3. Overview: This book explores the nature of memory, explaining how it is not like a photograph but more akin to a painting. It delves into the mechanisms behind human memory and its role in defining who we are.

4. The Language Puzzle by Steven Mithen

5. Our Moon: How Earth’s Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution and Made Us Who We Are by Rebecca Boyle

6. Overview: This book sheds new light on our familiar nighttime companion, covering both familiar ground like the Apollo missions and offering factoids that surprise readers.

7. I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine by Daniel Levitin

8. Overview: This book explores how music can help heal our bodies and minds, discussing its role in coping with trauma and depression, relieving pain, strengthening immune systems, and aiding in the treatment of movement disorders.

9. Overview: This book presents various solutions to tackle the climate crisis through interviews with activists, farmers, urban planners, artists, journalists, and lawyers.

10. Overview: This book chronicles the field of planetary defense, focusing on how scientists safeguard Earth from asteroid strikes.

The following section provides a detailed analysis of the top science books of 2024.