Seven Brief Lessons on Physics by Carlo Rovelli

Of the 10 or 15 books I’ve read on modern physics, this little gem left me feeling like I had understood most of it. Writing in the simplest of English and with accessible analogies and examples, Rovelli covers all the big topics: Einstein’s general theory of relativity (“the most beautiful of theories”), quantum mechanics (“where the most baffling aspects of modern physics lurk”), the cosmos and its design, elementary particles and particle theory, loop quantum gravity, black holes and probability, and a final chapter on consciousness. Extra bonus: At 85 pages, I read it in two hours and am looking forward to reading it again.