Staff Pick: The Planets by Dava Sobel
Published on 24th March 2026
The Planets is a gorgeous exploration of our near celestial neighbours. Dava Sobel approaches what can sometimes be a dense and scientific topic with a prose style focusing on our human relationship to the planets. Each chapter focuses on a different planet, with a different angle, the mythology surrounding Mercury, the art inspired by Venus and the science fiction inspired by Mars. How did the astronomers of the past place Earth within the solar system or discover new planets. It is a history of our love of the planets, and a brilliant introduction to astronomy.
(Also, someone eats moon dust.)
Borrow the book today from your local library.
Submitted by Esme.