An Announcement, or, “Is there a doctor in the house?”

This is really more of a Sunday Salon-type post, but I just couldn’t wait…

HI EVERYBODY!

So, in case you didn’t figure it out (or couldn’t see the video), I’m now a doctor! (of philosophy, so: no, I don’t know why you have that rash.) Actually, I’m technically not quite a doctor; the degree is pending me writing a brief summary chapter, which is something that I had wanted to do anyways but didn’t have time to get to. But still… hooray!

The defense went really smoothly; my talk went off without a hitch (as well it should, given how many times I’ve practiced it in the past month), and the defense part was not so much my committee grilling me with tough questions as it was my committee sitting around and chatting with me and with each other about my data, and about what I should do with it next. The post-defense party was an excellent time as well (although oh my god so many leftover burritos.)

I don’t know that it’s entirely sank in yet that I’m (essentially) done. Turning in the written dissertation was the big deal, and the huge relief once it was done; all the rest has been a piece of cake compared to that. Still, I suppose I should let it sit for at least 24 hours before deciding whether or not I feel any different. :)

But, I am certainly still celebrating! And as part of that celebration, I’m holding a giveaway, so y’all can celebrate with me. I’m giving away two books (to two winners): one non-fiction biology book, and one fiction book that has a heavy focus on biology! I suppose I should give away one book for every year it took me to finish my Ph.D., but… that’s a lot of books, and I’m still technically a poor grad student. :)

I’ve compiled some lists below of books that are either mating-behavior- or general-evolution-related, books that I enjoyed and that I would recommend. I am amenable to other suggestions, though.

Non-Fiction: Dr. Tatiana’s Sex Advice to All Creation by Olivia Judson (this one’s great, and is really my top recommendation if you haven’t already read it) Promiscuity by Tim Birkhead Headless Males Make Great Lovers: And Other Unusual Natural Histories by Marty Crump Beak of the Finch by Jonathan Weiner Origin of Species or Descent of Man or Voyages of the Beagle by Charles Darwin The Rough Guide to Evolution by Mark Pallen Evolution’s Captain: The Story of the Kidnapping That Led to Charles Darwin’s Voyage Aboard the Beagle by Peter Nichols

Fiction: Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver Peeps or Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld Ship Fever by Andrea Barrett The Darwin Conspiracy by John Darnton

To Enter:
1. Leave a comment with your picks from one or both lists.
2. Make sure that the e-mail you enter in the e-mail box on the form below is a functional address that you check regularly. (No need to put your address in the text of the comment itself.)
3. I’ll announce winners a week from Sunday (so, entries in by 10 July 2010.)
4. Open internationally.
5. Celebrate!

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