New Scientist's October 2026 popular-science book list, curated by Liz Else, features a mix of heavyweight nonfiction and lighter fare. Among the standouts is a new book from Frans de Waal, the primatologist who died before its release, giving readers a final addition to his influential body of work on animal behavior and human nature.
Also on the list is a deep dive into artificial intelligence by New York Times tech columnist Kevin Roose. While the article does not detail the book's argument, its placement signals continued mainstream interest in understanding AI's societal impact.
The roundup is not all serious: the mention of Pokémon suggests some science-adjacent fun for broader audiences. As with any curated list, the choices reflect one writer's selection rather than an exhaustive survey, but the combination of posthumous insight and contemporary tech analysis gives October a strong range of science reading.