Sam Kean ‘s clever and engaging biography of DNA covers far more than biology; it explores how one elegant molecule structures our bodies and lives, and it captures the complex discoveries of scientists—and their equally complex personalities—in an entertaining narrative style. The Violinist’s Thumb (Little, Brown, $15.99) is full of amazing facts (did you know that there’s enough DNA in our bodies to stretch to the moon?) and illuminating analogies (the nimble, ever-shifting RNA is compared to ancient oral storytelling, while sturdy, consistent DNA is like writing). The book’s broad range makes it ideal for readers of history, biology, psychology, and politics; the many tales of A, T, C, and G reveal what our genes mean to us and how they have shaped us as a culture, a species, and as individuals.