The Sounds of Life: How Digital Technology Is Bringing Us Closer to the Worlds of Animals and Plants
‘The Sounds Of Life’ uncovers the world of little-known sounds that make up life on Earth. Read it with us this November.
Welcome to the SciFri Book Club page about The Sounds of Life. There’s lots of ways to participate: Read the book, join our online community space, attend an upcoming event, or send a message at (646) 767-6532 or on the SciFri VoxPop app.
This November, the SciFri Book Club will delve into the stories, sounds, and scientific explorations of The Sounds of Life: How Digital Technology Is Bringing Us Closer to the Worlds of Animals and Plants by Canadian professor, author, and researcher of digital innovation and environmental governance Karen Bakker. Published in 2022, this book explores the mysterious realm of natural sounds, leading us through a vast, beautiful, and complex sonic world humans are just beginning to understand. Bakker also tunes in on the new technological innovations and ancient wisdom that are helping us observe the riches of our environment. Whether it’s through listening to whale songs, turtle roars, or bee ‘rumbles,’ The Sounds of Life uncovers stories that show how accessing non-human sound can unlock humanity’s relationship with nature. The Sounds of Life brings together a range of topics, including environmental biology, conservation, animal intelligence and communication, technology, and more—and we’ll touch on these ideas throughout this Book Club season.
You can get your copy from your local bookstore or on Bookshop.org.
This Book Club season kicks off Tuesday, November 1, and you can read along with us! We’ll be (loosely) following this schedule, but all our readers are welcome to join us at their own pace:
- Introduction to Chapter 2 from November 1-6
- Chapters 3-5 from November 7-13
- Chapters 6-7 from November 14-20
- Chapters 8-10 from November 21-30
Plus, we’ll be hosting virtual and in-person events throughout the month! Keep an eye out on our website or join our Events newsletter to be the first to know.
There are so many ways to dive in and participate! You can grab a copy of the book (and support the author and SciFri), read an excerpt from The Sounds of Life, join the discussion in our online Book Club community, sign up for our email newsletter, or RSVP for our upcoming Book Club events. Check out all the details below.
Grab Your Own Copy
If you’d like to purchase a physical copy, we encourage you to start local! Check out the SciFri Book Club partner bookstores and libraries—if you’re in the area, consider supporting your local bookseller or public library (plus, mention our Book Club for a percentage off your purchase at participating shops!).
If they don’t have the book in stock or you’d rather purchase online, you can support Science Friday by buying your copy on our Bookshop.org page.
Save The Date: SciFri Book Club Events
The Science and Art Behind The Sounds of Life with author Karen Bakker
Whales sing. Bats banter. Elephants rumble. Even turtles squeak and grunt! Karen Bakker will take audience questions about her new book and the SciFri Book Club pick this November, The Sounds of Life.
SciFri Book Club November community meeting: The Sounds of Life
Want to meet other SciFri Book Club members, talk about the book selection, and find more resources for deeper learning—all without leaving your home? Our community meeting is the place for you!
This discussion meeting will focus on themes and topics featured in The Sounds of Life. You’re welcome to join us no matter your reading progress—come chat with other science-interested folks about nature, environmental science, conservation, animal intelligence and communication, technology, conservation, and more!
Join Our Community Space
And as you start reading, join us on our online community space: the Science Friday Book Club is now on Mighty Networks, a platform where we can gather, read and discuss science books together. We’ve built this community space because you told us you wanted a better way to be connected with other SciFri Book Clubbers, and we hope you’ll join us there!
Read An Excerpt
Not sure this is the book for you? Want to read an excerpt before you commit? We’ve got you covered.
Princeton University Press, the publisher of The Sounds of Life, has offered SciFri Book Clubbers an excerpt of the book! You can read this sample on our website.