The Violinist’s Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, As Written By Our Genetic Code by Sam Kean

The nutshell: Science writer Kean explains what our DNA is-what it dictates and what it doesn’t-by journeying through a century and a half of scientific discovery, from Gregor Mendel through Dolly the cloned sheep.

Literary lovechild of: Sean B. Carroll’s The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate Record of Evolution and Carl Zimmer’s Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea.

You’ll find it on your bookshelf if: Cloning living things has always been one of your strengths.

Cocktail party fodder: Mutant fruit-fly genes include whimsical names like Ken and Barbie (flies without genitalia) and asp. Cheap date (flies who get unusually tipsy after a sip of alcohol).

For optimal benefit: Read before dinner with your parents so you can tell them why you believe you’re adopted.

Snap judgment: This is science writing at its most engaging-both lively and limpid. Kean is a great guide into the mysteries of our genes (and not just because his parents are named Gene and Jean).

Henry Cowell: A Man Made of Music by Joel Sachs

The nutshell: This is the first full-length biography of ultra-modernist 20th century composer Henry Cowell, who was also an influential musicologist and teacher. Julliard music historian Sachs explores the life and work of Cowell, whose life was nearly destroyed when he was sent to prison for engaging in homosexual conduct.

Literary lovechild of: Kenneth Silverman’s Begin Again: A Biography of John Cage and Anthony Tommasini’s Virgil Thomson: Composer on the Aisle.

You’ll find it on your bookshelf if: You laugh to learn that Cowell “gravely” asked John Cage for permission to compose a set of variations on themes from 4’33″.

Cocktail party fodder: According to Cowell, radio killed off live music-destroying piano companies, sheet music publishers, and concerts. He observed in 1929 that 80 percent of concerts had been eliminated due to broadcasting competition.

For optimal benefit: Listen to some Henry Cowell of course.

Snap judgment: Sachs’s introduction notes that he would have liked to have two volumes to do Cowell justice-but this single volume is ample proof of his thoroughness and passion for his subject.

A Philosophical History of Love by Wayne Cristaudo

The nutshell: The Western world no longer understands the great force of love, argues University of Hong Kong philosopher Cristaudo. Cristaudo’s history explains how philosophers, religious leaders, and writers have shaped how we think of love, and tries to get at what power love has over us today.

Literary lovechild of: Allan Bloom’s Love and Friendship and C.S. Lewis’s The Four Loves.

You’ll find it on your bookshelf if: You adored your double major in philosophy and religion but were romantic enough to skip class if it meant a day in bed with a new flame, or two.

Cocktail party fodder: The words “philosophy” and “philosophers” don’t appear in the Old Testament and appear just twice in the New Testament.

For optimal benefit: Read this ostentatiously at a café and see if you can get lucky.

Snap judgment: Cristaudo makes a number of interesting arguments in this short but dense treatise.

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