Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

Such a great book! To keep my head perpetually out of the clouds, I throw in some non-fiction every couple of books, as well as keeping up on scientific current events. My preferred categories in the Dewey decimal system are travel and nature. I love being outside; therefore, I also love reading about being outside. I seem to find my non-fiction experience to be made of peaks and valleys. When I come across a gem like Lab Girl, I get very excited. I want everyone to read this book. It's a great book. There is science and a touching story.

Hope Jahren starts at the beginning. She tells the story of her life to become a scientist. This is a great story for anyone who may be considering the field. She is very real about her experiences and stresses. She is also very forthcoming about how mental health impacts our progression as a person.

I was completely touched and moved by this book for very personal reasons, which I am certain will not affect every reader; however, the story is too good to pass up if you have even the remotest interest in science. While Dr. Jahren pursued botany and environmental science, she depicts how it is for the industry. The exact branch will have fluctuations (as more prominent and pleasing sciences are the bell of the ball), a scientist is a scientist no matter what they are studying.

She also depicts the very real aspects of relationships and the strains those put on us. Our hopes and dreams versus the crushing brutality of our expectations. She holds nothing back about some of her darker moments. She illuminates how she manages to define herself. And just maybe that will help someone who hasn't figured out how to escape that darkness.