As much as I love looking at the night sky, my love for astronomy really grew with the books I read. People often ask what books I would recommend for those interested in the subject, so this list contains some of my favorites. It has a combination of non-fiction, science fiction and a few works by local authors.

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Non-Fiction

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The first book I would recommend to most readers is “A Brief History of Time” by Stephen Hawking. Of course, this book is on my recommended list; it’s a classic. It’s an approachable introduction to the coolest theoretical ideas in astronomy. This was my first introduction to black holes, the Big Bang, cosmic inflation and more. I loved it and was hooked ever since.

Of all of the non-fiction authors I list, Bill Bryson is the only non-scientist. He’s a journalist known for his witty and incisive style. His book, “A Short History of Nearly Everything,” covers everything from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization. His explanations are clear, engaging and remarkably accurate. This covers a wide range of topics while still being fun and approachable.

A popular topic, if you want to learn more about parallel universes, “Something Deeply Hidden” by Sean Carroll is the book for you. Carroll is a proponent of the “many worlds interpretation” of quantum mechanics. The more you read, the stranger it becomes. Carroll does a great job explaining this mind-boggling concept reasonably.

If you are interested in art, history, and science, you should read “The Astronomers’ Library: The Books that Unlocked the Mysteries of the Universe.” This is a book about books, what could be better? This work covers over 800 years of astronomical texts, stretching all across the globe. It describes the most significant astronomical books and libraries with beautiful detail and images. From the earliest star charts and astrological recordings to our modern-day scientific texts. The Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory is hosting the author, Professor Karen Masters, on Tuesday, Feb. 3. She will be giving a free, virtual talk about her book. For more information and registration, visit our website adirondackskycenter.org.

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Local Authors

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There are many local authors you may be interested in. In her book, “The Sky Is Not a Ceiling: An Astronomer’s Faith,” Saint Lawrence University Professor Aileen O’Donoghue gives a personal account of her complicated yet complimentary scientific and spiritual identities.

Another local author, David Aguilar, has written many books aimed at a younger audience. He has partnered with National Geographic to write “Alien Worlds: Your Guide to Extraterrestrial Life,” “Seven Wonders of the Milky Way” and more! These are great reads for children who are enthusiastic about space.

Finally, Paul Smith’s Professor Curt Stager’s book, “Your Atomic Self,” goes down to the microscopic level to show how we are all connected with the larger world around us. Technically, this book is more about biology and chemistry than astronomy, but, as the book highlights, these are intimately connected.

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Science Fiction

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If you’re not interested in non-fiction, science fiction is one of my favorite genres. I often don’t have time for the mega volumes and thousands of pages it takes to appreciate some of the most popular series, but I really enjoy short sci-fi stories.

“This Is How You Lose the Time War” by Max Gladstone is a short book that covers an intergalactic war between a biological hive-mind system and a hyper-sophisticated artificial intelligence network. This work mixes aliens and time travel with philosophical questions about what it means to be an individual.

Ted Chiang is probably my favorite author. His short story, “Story of Your Life,” was the basis of the film “Arrival.” He has two short story collections, “The Stories of Your Life” and “Others and Exhalation: Stories.” He combines his scientific background with storytelling to deliver fascinating stories. He often uses scientific ideas as a platform to discuss philosophical concepts.

These are just a few of the books I’ve enjoyed the most. Have fun exploring and finding your own personal favorites.

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Simon Thill is the Associate Director of Astronomy Outreach at the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory in Tupper Lake. Their organizational vision is to inspire curiosity and provide perspective on our Universe through wonder and enlightenment.