For the occasion, we asked the ICMABers for some book recommendations. You can check them all below and on the screens at the centre throughout the week.
Book recommendations for Sant Jordi 2025
As expected from a Materials Science research centre, many of the suggested books include scientific content approached from different perspectives. From our very specific topic of nanoscience with ‘Soft Machines: nanotechnology and life’ by Richard A. L. Jones, to sci-fi classics by Philip K. Dick 'Do androids dream of electric sheep?', Isaac Asimov 'Foundation' and Ursula K. Le Guin.
To discover science from the inside, there’s the recently published Catalan edition of Nikola Tesla’s memoirs 'Els meus invents' or the well-known ‘Un verdor terrible’ by Benjamín Labatut. To reflect on science and its impact, you’ll find essay-style books by Naomi Oreskes and Bruno Latour, alongside alternative formats like the manga ‘Liquid memories’ by Fidel de Tovar and Dani Bermúdez, or books that explore the world through nature, such as ’Sensibilidad e inteligencia en el mundo vegetal’ from Stefano Mancuso.
There are also books about science to enjoy with children. To discuss technology and the future, the suggestion is Noah Yuval Harari's ‘Sapiens’. For the little ones in the house, the book ‘Todos somos científicos’ includes hands-on experiments.
The recommendation list also includes a variety of other genres: dystopias like 'El cielo de la selva' by Elaine Vilar Madruga or 'Al final de la oscuridad' by Sequoia Nagamatsu. As a tribute to Paul Auster one year after his passing, his novel 'Baumgartner' is suggested; and for those ICMABers who have lived abroad, the novel 'Les calces al sol' by Regina Rodríguez will surely resonate.
And, of course, a couple of must-haves in any book compilation: a detective story, in this case, 'Un mes amb Montalbano' by Andrea Camilleri and a novel on politics and colonialism, 'Una sortida honorable' by Éric Vuillard.
To round off the list, we highlight a few Catalan books that have become international bestsellers, such as 'Et vaig donar els ulls i vas mirar les tenebres' by Irene Solà and the modern classic 'Jo confesso' by Jaume Cabré.
Last but not least, to end with an artistic touch: 'Ocean Sea' by Alessandro Baricco—a poetic journey into life—and 'El pequeño teatro de Rebecca', a beautifully illustrated work by Rébecca Dautremer.
A wide range of books to inspire your Sant Jordi gifts for yourself or your loved ones, or simply your next readings! However you celebrate it, enjoy the day!
Book recommendations from other years: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020.
