Recommended Reads on the Human Body
The human body is both our most intimate space and our greatest mystery. It holds our thoughts, feelings, and memories-yet remains full of secrets. As science advances, we're beginning to understand its hidden depths. Great books help us decode the language written in our flesh and blood, and know more deeply the self that lives within.
Here, we've selected some of the best books that explore the body. Some are funny, some are serious—but all reveal how life works in their own way. They share one powerful message: learning about the body isn't just gaining knowledge—it's the beginning of knowing and making peace with yourself. As you turn these pages and journey under your skin and beyond your bones, you'll find that the most amazing story is happening right inside you.
Our bodies are the result of 3 billion years of evolution—from the earliest single-celled organisms to the complex humans we are today. Every organ and every cell holds incredible wisdom.
We can use science to trace the evolutionary path of the human body across the tree of life, or use literature and scientific insight to examine the small but meaningful details. The body is more than just physical parts—it's like a long love letter from nature: both grand and beautifully crafted.
THE BODY: A GUIDE FOR OCCUPANTS
Call Number: QM23.2 B79 2020 CN
This body, sculpted over 3 billion years of evolution, generously grants us the ability to think and run, yet also subtly sows the seeds of back pain. Join the author on this epic evolutionary journey to unravel the astonishing legacy shaped by time and chance—ourselves.
EVE: HOW THE FEMALE BODY DROVE 200 MILLION YEARS of HUMAN EVOLUTION
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What if the "survival of the fittest" was really about the survival of the best-breastfeeding, most cleverly parenting, most socially connected mothers?
THE EXTENDED SELFISH GENE
Call Number: QH437 D39 2019 CN
We are survival machines – robot vehicles unthinkingly programmed to preserve the selfish molecules known as genes.
If the body is a symphony written by nature, then each organ is a soloist carefully shaped by evolution, with its own unique form and wisdom. Each has a role to play, yet all work in harmony: trillions of cells build empires in the dark, organs communicate through chemical signals, and immune armies patrol the bloodstream. This system needs no central command yet makes decisions more complex than any AI, forming a perfectly self-sustaining network of life. In this chapter, we follow the stories of these organs—where science meets humanity—listening to the most intimate and stunning solos deep within us, and the profound harmony between them.
BENEATH THE SKIN Great Writers on the Body
Call Number: QM26 B46 2022 CN
The Wellcome Collection in the UK conducted a bold experiment: they invited a group of brilliant writers—not doctors—to collaborate on a project. Blurring the lines between medicine and literature, they used words to dissect human emotions and portray a unique universe of organs.
INCOGNITO: THE SECRET LIVES OF THE BRAIN
Call Number: BF315 .E25 2011
The conscious mind is the smallest part of what’s happening in your brain — it’s like a broom closet in the mansion of the brain.
PUMP: A Natural History of the Heart
Call Number: QP111.4 S38 2022 CN
"The typical terrestrial mammalian heart is a helical structure, where the tissues and muscle fibers are all wrapped around the left and right ventricles," explained Enstam. "And the way it contracts is like wringing a towel."
GUT The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ
Call Number: QP145 E53 2019 CN
If you never fart, it means you're starving your gut bacteria. They've got nothing to eat and nothing to do.
Haut nah: Alles über unser größtes Organ
Call Number: RL85 A35 2019 CN
In fact, the skin often acts as a mirror of the inner self. What is happening inside manifests on the surface, visible to others as vexatious skin conditions. The very wrapping meant to protect us suddenly betrays our secrets—and who would want that?
True health in our bodies isn’t a fixed state—it’s the result of countless tiny conversations happening inside us. Aging isn’t just wear and tear; it’s a carefully programmed biological process. Our biological rhythms act like an invisible conductor, coordinating the timing and pace of bodily functions. When we understand these delicate systems, we come closer to unlocking the code of life itself. Real wellness isn’t skin-deep—it’s written in the intricate, musical score of our inner workings.
Glucose Revolution
Call Number: QP99.3.B5 I53 2024 CN
Managing sugar isn't about giving up the joy of eating—it's about unlocking steadier energy and a sharper mind. By making simple changes to what we eat and when we eat it, each of us can take back control of our bodies.
JELLYFISH AGE BACKWARDS Nature's Secrets to Longevity
Call Number: QP85 B74 2023 CN
By learning how cells repair themselves and how our metabolism works, we can actively shape our body's health. It's not about stopping age—it's about helping your body thrive with energy and vitality at any age.
The New Science of the Body Clock, and How it Can Revolutionize Your Sleep and Health
Call Number: QP84.6 F67 2023 CN
Our bodies naturally follow a 24-hour cycle of activity and rest. This book combines chronobiology with practical health guidance, offering useful ways to align with this rhythm to boost energy and improve well-being.
THE MAN WHO MISTOOK HIS WIFE FOR A HAT
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The author shares 24 mind-changing stories of people with neurological disorders—from those who can't recognize everyday objects to those who suddenly gain amazing talents. Behind each unique mind lies the mystery of the human brain and the surprising power of the human spirit to adapt and grow.
Getting to know your body is an adventure that brings you closer to yourself. Starting from this page, you're not just reading a book—you're reading your own story.
Content | PENG Yuchang
Layout | PENG Yuchang
Review | GU Mengmeng
