October book selection: THE SONG OF THE CELL by Siddhartha Mukherjee

A luminous journey into cellular biology.

Mukherjee, a physician, professor of medicine, and Pulitzer Prize–winning author (The Emperor of All Maladies), has a knack for explaining difficult ideas in terms that are both straightforward and interesting. In his latest, he punctuates his scientific explanations with touching, illustrative stories of people coping with cell-based illnesses, tracking how the knowledge gleaned from those cases contributed to further scientific advancement. In the early chapters, the author traces the discovery of cells as the building blocks of animal and plant life, with the invention of the microscope making analysis possible. With this development, researchers could better understand the roles of cells in human physiology, including the illnesses that rogue cells could cause. In the middle section, Mukherjee investigates how scientists then moved on to study the processes through which cells become specialized by function and how some turn cancerous. The identification of the phases of cell division and the discovery of DNA were crucial breakthroughs, opening the way for a new generation of treatments. Mukherjee occasionally digresses from the historical story to provide vivid portraits of key researchers, with recollections about his own work. The final section of the book deals with emerging areas of research such as cell manipulation and gene editing as well as new technologies like transplantation. It’s all unquestionably exciting, but the author is careful to acknowledge the knotty ethical considerations. Treating embryos for cellular abnormalities makes medical sense, but the idea of altered human beings has worrying implications. Mukherjee also emphasizes that there is still a great deal we do not know about cells, especially the interactions between types. Understanding the mechanics is one thing, he notes; hearing “the song of the cell” is something else. This poignant idea serves as a suitable coda for a fascinating story related with clarity and common sense.

Another outstanding addition to the author’s oeuvre, which we hope will continue to grow for years to come.

Reading interests: We read and discuss books written from diverse perspectives. Most selections are contemporary non-fiction and memoirs.

How to get the print book: Use the Interlibrary system to gather titles for group. We have limited copies of monthly titles.

How to get the e-book or digital audiobook: This month's book is available as an e-book and digital audiobook through the Libby app.

How to register: Registration is required. A reminder is sent to all registered participants one week before the event.

Discussions are led by Adult Services Librarian Kathleen Fieffe. For more information or questions, email Kathleen at kfieffe@trumbull-ct.gov

Past selections have included Heavy by Kiese Laymon, THE SPLENDID AND THE VILE by Eric Larson, JUST MERCY by Bryan Stevenson, DOPESICK by Beth Macy, LEADERSHIP by Doris Kearns Goodwin, HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD by Robert Koller.