Reading Challenge, August: Science and Mathematics

Do you think you're good at mathematical matters, or do numbers leave you cold? Was science your favourite class in school, or did you just barely get through? Was Biology bothersome, Physics far-fetched and Chemistry confounding? Or did you sail through STEM with style and panache?

It's a fun fact that our attitudes towards who we are in regards to maths and science can influence how well we do in those subjects. If you think you're bad at maths, you'll struggle with it - even though secretly you can actually do more that you think.

So maybe this month's theme in the 2019 Reading Challenge is the opportunity you've been looking for to change the way you see yourself? For the theme of the month is (drum roll, please):

Science and Mathematics.

If you already love science and mathematics, you'll get a real kick out of this month. If you don't love these subjects yet, this is your chance to say "I'm not bad at maths/science - I just haven't found the right book yet."

Remember, the challenge is to read as many books as you can that fit the theme in some way, shape or form. There's a number in the title? Sold. One of the characters is a scientist? Score! The book is actually about science or mathematics? Handy.

In doing so, you have four categories you have to tick off (the same books can fit into multiple categories, so you can double up):

1. A work of fiction (science fiction, perhaps?)
2. A work of non-fiction
3. A book by an Australian author
4. A book by an author you haven't read before.

And if you're completely stuck for ideas, just head up to the 500s (the sciences - mathematics comes in at the 510s) and go for a browse.

Happy reading!