When looking at two eggs – shell and all – how can you tell which one is hard boiled and which isn’t?
This, among other everyday phenomena, is a mystery that Helen Czerski unpacks in Storm in a Teacup, using the laws of physics to explain our daily life. If you’re thinking, “my brain hasn’t worked scientifically since high school (and really not even then)”, don’t tune out just yet. The book encapsulates the notion of being a “lifelong learner”, encouraging the reader to observe their surroundings and marvel at the wonder of it all. From explaining why pigeons bob their head to why ducks can walk across ice (I promise it’s not all fowl-specific), Czerski takes the reader on a back-stage tour of our world.
Spoiler: there is a lot of science in the book. I listened to it as an audiobook and, while it didn’t detract from the experience in any way, I’d love the chance to read a physical copy and have the chance to mull over sentences until I can wrap my head around them. While I got a lot out of the book, there was a fair amount that went over my head or that I didn’t understand the first time around. I’m already planning to buy a copy so I can re-read specific sections and truly understand the different mysteries that Czerski explains.
I know this is quite a leap from my usual fiction, but I love figuring out how things work and Storm in a Teacup has opened my eyes in so many ways. There’s nothing as contagious as the excitement of someone who truly loves what they do, and Czerski’s passion for the interworking of our world jumped from the pages (metaphorically – I know what you’re thinking – I listened to it!) Her work was a great foray into non-fiction science and I can’t wait to return.
2% Rating: 7.5/10
Recommend? I already have, multiple times
Re-Read? Definitely
Time: 1:52
Bonus Content for those of you still wondering about the opening question:
If you spin both eggs on the counter and then gently put a finger on each one to stop its rotation, the raw egg will start spinning again. While the hard boiled egg has become a solid matter, the movement of the egg and yolk of the raw egg will keep moving, even when the shell has been stopped.
(Don’t worry, my eyes went wide in realization as well)