Reading recommendations by Tartu Observatory

Anu Noorma, Assistant Director

Andris Slavinskis, Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Space Technology

Maret Veldre, Librarian

Antti Tamm, Director

Tanel Liira, Manager for Visitor Center

Ayush Jain, Technician

 

"Factfulness" focuses on the problems in the world and explains scientifically, by relying on data, that things aren't as gloomy as they might seem. The book starts with a questionnaire where one can test their knowledge. Then the authors return to each question and explain why the answer is usually wrong.

Read about the book at Goodreads

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"Marsi odüsseia" – Stanley G. Weinbaum

A significant pioneering short story in the development of sc-fi. Published in 1934, it might seem a bit out-dated now, but this was one of first real efforts to depict the alienness of extraterrestrial life forms which defy human logic and are not readily understandable to the protagonist. Truly inspiring innovative imagination for its time.

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"Kõiksuse lühiajalugu" – Bill Bryson

Read about the book at Goodreads

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"Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World" – Cal Newport

I have been improving my work hygiene recently because I felt overwhelmed of all the e-mail and message traffic which is not helped by the lack of in-person contact. Therefore, I believe "Deep Work" is more relevant than ever.

"Deep Work" is a book written by a professor Cal Newport but relevant to every knowledge worker. While the book gives many good examples and great insights, I would like to share how it changed my work habits. First, forget about social media. If you’re worried where to get news, please subscribe to a trustworthy outlet and you’ll appreciate the quality. Second, writing e-mails and messages is not the core of your work. While digital communication is crucial to work with my students, colleagues and collaborators, I go offline to get multiple hours of undistracted deep and often creative work. When I do write e-mails and messages, I try to give an undivided attention to the person I’m communicating with.

Third, plan and finish your day. I use Google Calendar Tasks to plan my own time. Usually, I do it at the end of the previous day. When a new day comes, I do my best to finish all the tasks but I don’t beat myself up for moving them around. When all the tasks are done, I close my computer and spend the rest of the day for myself. Four, by having virtually each evening as free time, I’ve plenty of opportunities do develop myself and take care of the mental health.

Read about the book at Goodreads

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"The 4% Universe: Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Race to Discover the Rest of Reality" – Richard Panek

What I liked most about this book was the detailed historical approach and the background and search of dark matter and dark energy. The book focuses on researchers, their work and challenges. I think that people who have a background in physics or are interested in the history of discovering the dark Universe will enjoy the book the most. It could also be interesting to young people who have not made up their minds yet about if astronomy or cosmology are the right majors for them.

Read about the book at Goodreads

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Books by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky ("The Land of Crimson Clouds", "The Dead Mountaineer's Hotel", "The Snail on the Slope")

Ever since childhood, my favourites have been the books by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. When we talk about favourites, I instantly think of "The Land of Crimson Clouds", the well-known classic "The Dead Mountaineer's Hotel" and one of their very last works "The Snail on the Slope". I often find myself recalling these stories, and every now end then, I go and find the books again. I am fascinated by their unique style and colorful descriptions.

For me, the important feature of the sci-fi stories by the Strugatskys is that physical laws continue to apply, within reason. This makes the stories even more real and believable. Boris Strugatsky's interest in physics has probably helped with that. In the difficult circumstances of the Soviet Union, he wasn't admitted to the physics department at the Leningrad State University, although he applied. This is how he became an astronomer, working, among other places, at the Pulkovo Observatory, which is familiar for us, too.

 

Read about the books at Goodreads:

• "The Land of Crimson Clouds"
• "The Dead Mountaineer's Hotel" (also known as "Inspector Glebsky's Puzzle")
• "The Snail on the Slope"

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"The Rocket Man" – Ray Bradbury

The famous song co-written by Elton John and Bernard Taupin (and occasionally performed by Tartu Observatory Band) was based on this short sci-fi story, first published in 1951. Bradbury’s take on our apparent/frequent inability to be satisfied with what we already have – there is always something more, else, different we seem to crave/wish for. The story may be even more devastating than the Elton John song as it is narrated from the child’s point of view.

Read the online version 

Read about the book at Goodreads

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"Transport" – Phillip P. Peterson

Read about the book at Goodreads

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"The Alchemist" – Paulo Coelho

This is a book that you read multiple times in your life and learn something new every time. It's about a journey that everyone can somehow relate to, wherever in life they may be.

Read about the book at Goodreads

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"Brief Answers to the Big Questions" – Stephen Hawking

The book includes ambitious future visions and thoughts – as you might not agree with all of them, they are still extremely interesting to read.

Antti Tamm, Director