Review: National Geographic Almanac 2020

ABL Review At-A-Glance

• Title:  National Geographic Almanac 2020: Trending Topics
• My Rating: 5
• Genre:  Nonfiction
• Author:  National Geographic
• Format:  Paperback ARC*
• Publication Date: August 27, 2019

Synopsis

The latest dynamic annual for the 21st century, featuring high-energy pages packed with facts, photos, infographics, time lines, and maps that capture today’s world. Perfect for ages 12 to 112.

An almanac like no other, this book offers everything you need to know about the world in 2020–from science and nature to history, world cultures, and the environment. Filled with exquisite National Geographic photography, informative infographics, illustrated time lines, and authoritative maps, this striking new edition will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with practical tips for improving your own sustainability habits.

The book begins with trending topics in science, technology, and culture, then moves into fascinating chapters on travel, exploration, earth and space, biology, culture, and history. Recurring features include inspiring quotes, revealing facts, photos from National Geographic’s Instagram, and a Quizmaster trivia feature. With new discoveries on every page, this cutting-edge book brings you the world, no matter what your age.

My Thoughts…

This is a very different type of review for me.  Not only is this nonfiction, but also not literature.  And yet, I found myself utterly enthralled throughout its pages.  The photos were remarkably captivating, but the information was so varied and presented so approachably, that I almost felt like I understood every subject.  Needless, to say, I did not, but for the first time I felt like I could possibly understand things like dark matter.

Provided in small articles of a page or two, the Almanac 2020, is an endless source of learning and reporting.  Without ever once feeling like an encyclopedia, the book felt like I had access to tons of information at my fingertips.  In the age of Google, this is particularly notable, because though we have access to knowledge constantly, we rarely know the correct questions to ask.  So instead of Googling and learning what happens when a star explodes, I spend my time crushing candy.  No judgments here, it’s addicting, you do you.

I know a lot of people love coffee tables books that are full of pretty photos, but I would love my guests to sit down and read a page or two of this book.  Instead of flipping through pages of pictures you would likely forget before dinner starts, this book presents interesting facts paired with dynamic photos, sparking curiosity and imagination. Honestly, this book could start a conversation on any topic of any interest.

Beyond that, this reference book would be perfect for a middle or high school classroom library.  Who knows, maybe if the students sit down and open it, they could discover and interest in a subject they didn’t even know existed.  They might even start asking new questions that have never been considered.  The beauty of discover in a 400 page book.

I want to be sure to mention that this book isn’t all facts and figures.  There are some very interesting cultural articles as well.  For instance, though I have travelled to Italy, I was not aware that there is an Italian method of cooking chicken with a brick.  I’m going to need to try that ASAP.  I further must add, that in a section talking about Midwest food, Cincinnati’s chili spaghetti was mentioned as a staple cuisine.  I’m going to say, as an Ohio girl, that nothing embarrasses me more than being associated with that dish.  It’s not even good chili, and then to put it on noodles, makes me a little ill.  Maybe next time, talk about buckeye candies.  They are phenomenal and don’t make anyone want to gag, unless you’re allergic to nuts.

• *Special thanks to National Geographic and TLC Book Tours for a copy of National Geographic Almanac 2020: Trending Topics in exchange for an honest review.