Social Sciences

Illustration of a lined up stack of books and cartoon-like people leaning against them

OpinionDecember 4, 2025

Scientific American’s Best Fiction of 2025

The 10 best fiction books of 2025 explore far-off planets, future climate catastrophes, and more

Brianne Kane

Illustration of murals of cartoon-like people reading books

OpinionDecember 4, 2025

Scientific American’s Best Nonfiction of 2025

The 10 best nonfiction books of 2025, from the history of replaceable body parts to our AI future

Brianne Kane

The Young American Scientists Event—Register Now

An illustration of a book laying on a colorful surface with words on the book jacket that read "Lost Women of Science"

History of ScienceDecember 4, 2025

This New Book for Young Readers Brings the Stories of 10 Remarkable Women to Life

Ten great stories about 10 forgotten female scientists that we hope will inspire middle school readers to pursue their own curiosity and get involved in STEM fields

Carol Sutton Lewis, Gabriela Saldivia, The Lost Women of Science Initiative

Illustration of numerous cartoon-like characters in a group, all holding books

OpinionDecember 3, 2025

The Scientific American Staff’s 67 Favorite Books of 2025

Here are the 67 books Scientific American staffers couldn’t put down this year, from fantasy epics to gripping nonfiction

Brianne Kane

Four different book covers on a purple background with a plant with rings.

Book RecommendationsDecember 3, 2025

Scientific American Shares Its First-Ever Best Fiction and Nonfiction Books of the Year

Scientific American unveils its first-ever best fiction and nonfiction books of the year, spotlighting stories that blend science, imagination and unforgettable voices.

Kendra Pierre-Louis, Brianne Kane, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura, Jeffery DelViscio

Photo of two human ancestor skulls facing each other with pink heart in the background

AnthropologyNovember 19, 2025

Kissing May Have Evolved 21.5 Million Years Ago

Humans and their ancestors have likely been kissing for a very long time

Stephanie Pappas

The SciencesNovember 19, 2025

Epstein Files Spark Harvard Investigation into Larry Summers

E-mails between Larry Summers and the now deceased financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein from 2018 and 2019 have raised questions about a relationship Summers pursued with a student

Dan Vergano