Okay–for real, this is the last post before the weekend. The Royal Society has posted its longlist for their science book prize, and Microcosm is on it. Here’s the full line-up, with comments from the judges. Excellent company to be in.

What the nose knows: The science of scent in everyday life by Avery Gilbert (Crown Publishers)

“It’s a really original subject matter – how many smells can you actually distinguish and how smells evoke emotions. What’s so good about it is that the book’s not just about science – it’s about the science of everyday life.” (Deborah Cohen)

Bad science by Ben Goldacre (Harper Perennial)

“It proves the theory that science can be funny.” (Danny Wallace)

The Age of Wonder: