The 2026 CMNS Summer Reading List

Seven faculty members share their book recommendations for summer break.

If you find yourself with some free time this summer and want to explore fascinating areas of science—look no further. The University of Maryland College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) has you covered.

Check out our 2026 Summer Reading List for Science Terps, with books recommended by CMNS faculty members.

Mission: Microbiome – Metchnikoff’s Legacy

By Patrick Veiga

“‘Mission: Microbiome’ is the world's first crime thriller inspired by microbiome science,” said Computer Science Professor Mihai Pop. 

In this novel, gut microbiome expert Patrick Veiga intertwines science and suspense to reveal how a microscopic revolution reshaped food and medicine. From the first probiotics to the global popularity of yogurt to tomorrow's life-saving medical breakthroughs, this thriller uncovers the secrets of a field in full bloom.

“Following the traditional crime thriller template, this book integrates accurate scientific tidbits about the microbiome as well as a scientifically far-fetched angle as a plot device,” said Pop, who also co-leads the University of Maryland's Center of Excellence in Microbiome Sciences. “A great beach read for microbiome geeks!”

The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds

By Michael Lewis

Astronomy Professor Alberto Bolatto recently finished “The Undoing Project” by Michael Lewis, the author of “Moneyball.” The book chronicles the symbiotic partnership between Israeli psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky.

“It’s about how the human mind takes decisions and evaluates risks,” Bolatto said, “including how we tend to lend too much credibility to what happens in small samples from our personal experience and how easily we are biased by the framing of the problem or the preconceived mental models we carry with us.”

Kahneman and Tversky’s revolutionary research on human error and decision-making gave rise to behavioral economics and shifted trust from human intuition to algorithms.

“It's also about the joys and difficulties of close scientific collaborations. Makes for interesting light reading!”

Duct Tape and White Lies: A Woman's Practical Guide to Real Life Success

By Emily Lampkin

Written by a local D.C. author and a friend from Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics Professor Kan Cao’s book club, “Duct Tape and White Lies” offers practical insights into leadership, communication and professional growth. 

“While not a traditional science book, it offers many lessons highly relevant to scientists at every career stage,” Cao said. “Success in science depends not only on good ideas and experiments, but also on the ability to lead teams, communicate effectively and navigate complex professional environments.”

Leviathan Wakes

By James S. A. Corey 

With NASA's renewed focus on the moon and the recent success of the Artemis II mission—the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit in over 50 years—Geological, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences Professor Ricardo Arevalo Jr. is excited to continue reading "The Expanse" series of science fiction novels written by James S. A. Corey, which inspired the Syfy/Amazon Prime TV series of the same name. 

The saga begins with "Leviathan Wakes," which was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2012 (notably, the complete collection won the Hugo Award for Best Series in 2020). In this book, technological advancements enable spacefaring well into the outer solar system. 

"With Earth and Mars acting as imperial superpowers at each other's throats, human colonies on Ceres and other rocks in the asteroid belt are either exploited or neglected,” Arevalo explained, “setting the stage for conflict and political turmoil when a specimen of alien technology finds its way into human hands.”

The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue: A Story of Climate and Hope on One American Street

By Mike Tidwell

Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Professor Ning Zeng is featured in “The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue,” written by local author and climate activist Mike Tidwell. In it, Zeng shares about his work achieving negative emissions by burying billions of the world’s dying trees in low-oxygen clay soil.

“This book is a hyperlocal view of climate change happening in a Maryland neighborhood and the climate science and biology behind it: how atmospheric rivers lead to the death of oak trees,” Zeng said. “It’s a book about the neighbors, school and church that are impacted by climate change, and the people who are doing something about it.”

Another book of Tidwell’s that Zeng recommends is "The Ravaging Tide: Strange Weather, Future Katrinas, and the Coming Death of America's Coastal Cities," which was selected as UMD’s First-Year Book back in 2006. 

The Black Cloud

By Fred Hoyle

“The Black Cloud” is a classic science fiction novel by renowned English astronomer Fred Hoyle, best known for his defense of the steady-state theory of the universe. This theory, which has since been rejected by the scientific community, holds that the universe has no beginning or end and maintains a constant average density because new matter is continuously created as the universe expands.

“‘The Black Cloud’ is a great read involving a sentient interstellar cloud that, of course, makes a case for a static and infinite universe along the way,” said Astronomy Professor and Department Chair Andrew Harris.

Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI

By Yuval Noah Harari

Physics Assistant Professor Manuel Franco Sevilla recommends “Nexus” as a “very accessible introduction to networks, information and the technologies that have advanced them throughout history, from stories to documents and beyond.” 

“One of the things I found especially interesting, and very relevant to science, is the way the book explores the idea of truth—how hard and costly it can be to establish, and how difficult it is to correct errors once they spread,” Franco Sevilla said. “It ends with an insightful discussion of how AI may shape society and politics.”

Franco Sevilla says “Nexus” felt like a natural follow-up to another Harari book he enjoyed, "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind," which offers a sweeping history of Homo sapiens.

“I think it is full of valuable material for anyone who wants a better sense of where we come from and how we got here,” Franco Sevilla said. “One point I especially liked is his emphasis on cooperation as the trait that truly sets humans apart from other species. And that still feels true today: Whether a country succeeds often seems to depend less on its natural resources or history than on its ability to get people moving in the same direction.”

Looking for more book recommendations from Science Terps? See our summer reading lists from 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022.