Periodically, I remind myself to read a subject that either I am not very familiar with or not interested in. Take the periodic table, for instance. I remember learning about it in science class, and I know the teacher required us to memorize parts of it. And in high school I elected to take two years of chemistry where I am sure the periodic table played an important part. Maybe because my brain has always been wired for words and language, not numbers and formulas, much of the science part of my schooling didn’t stick past the final exams. That’s too bad, but I can do something about it.
I have to confess that I didn’t come up with this topic all on my own. Thanks to Feb. 7 being National Periodic Table Day, I can admit my ignorance and embrace learning all in one neatly arranged column. Seriously though, I no longer have a good grasp of the elements beyond the basics of hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and a handful of metals. Two great advantages await me. One is the good fortune to work in a library which has access to all kinds of information. The second advantage has to do with the way nonfiction is written. I’m old enough to say this: back in the day, there was a decent chance of finding a book about the periodic table that was full of facts but incredibly dull — much like my high school textbooks. But now there are plenty of nonfiction titles that are both informative and a delight to read. This trend — nonfiction that reads like fiction — is a boon to authors and readers alike.
To help celebrate National Periodic Table Day, I’m recommending a handful of titles that I hope will prompt others to become reacquainted with the wonderful world of elements. I’ve heard that Sherlock Holmes never used the phrase, “It’s elementary, Dr. Watson” in any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories or novels, but perhaps you’ll allow me to say that this week’s reading list is “Elemental, dear readers.”
• “The Electric Pickle: 50 Experiments from the Periodic Table, from Aluminum to Zinc” by Joey Green.
