Some of you might not know this, but in a previous life I used to be a scientist. An experimental nuclear physicist, to be precise. Anyway, that experience has come in quite handy of late, and I’ve spent the last few years reviewing popular science books, amongst other things, of course.

Recently I was asked to round up the best science books of the year by the Independent on Sunday and The Big Issue magazine. The latter isn’t online yet, as far as I know, but the Indy on Sunday piece is over here – please check it out.

Needless to say, the picture editor at the paper went with a big picture of the apparently sexy Prof Brian Cox. Since he’s not really my type, I’ve gone with the rather lovely cover of probably my favourite science book of the year – The Emperor of All Maladies, Siddhartha Mukherjee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘biography of cancer’.

Get yer boffin caps on and enjoy!