Review: The Secret House

Today I'd like to offer a book recommendation.

Did you know that the major ingredients in toothpaste are chalk, water, paint (yes, paint), seaweed, anti-freeze, parafin oil, detergent, peppermint, formaldehyde (as in embalming fluid) and flouride? Were you aware that the eggs in an typical kitchen freezer are actively fighting a pitched battle with bacteria? Or that nylon stockings are under continuous assault from sulpheric acid?

If you like these kinds of scientific tidbits, I highly recommend The Secret House by David Bodanis. It takes a look at a day in the life of an ordinary house through the lens of scientific understanding. The writing is extremely accessable and should appeal even to people who normally don't like science books (such as my girlfriend who absolutely loves it).