What We Are Reading Today: ‘Ghost Sharks’

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Updated 18 January 2026
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Ghost Sharks’

Authors: David A. Ebert, Jenny M. Kemper, Brittany Finucci, Dominique A. Didier, and Marc Dando

Ghost sharks, also known as chimaeras, are cartilaginous fish related to sharks and rays sharing a common ancestor dating back some 400 million years.

These extraordinary fish are found in virtually every ocean on the planet, and while a few inhabit coastal waters, most live at depths that can make them incredibly difficult to study and observe.

This comprehensive reference book covers every known species of chimaera to date. 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Gold from Newton’s Apple Tree’ by Nabil Ali

Updated 08 February 2026
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Gold from Newton’s Apple Tree’ by Nabil Ali

Flowering currant, ivy, Portuguese laurel, and woad might all have grown in a medieval garden, but it would have taken special expertise to extract and create rich blue and purple pigments from them. 

Humans have been extracting dyes and inks from natural materials for millennia, and the practice was firmly established during the medieval era, recorded in manuscripts that survive today.

“Gold from Newton’s Apple Tree” brings together recipes for making natural colors according to season, method, and ingredients.