Get ready to rip into May’s book of the month

Bodies are complicated things; miracles of biology and evolution and the work of a million different systems all pulling together. But this month’s book focuses on just one arguably under-appreciated part of the body—an element without which we couldn’t move; couldn’t breathe, couldn’t live. Our muscles. 

Our pick of the month for May 2025 is On Muscle: The Stuff That Moves Us and Why It Matters by Bonnie Tsui. And I think you’ll enjoy it a lot.

Released just over a week ago, this is a book that looks at how our bodies work, how muscle really does its stuff, and how cultures have treated strength and weakness over time. It looks at the reality of musculature up close, from the tiny circles that make your hair stand on end to the bulging biceps we witness in bodybuilders.

It also looks at the idea of muscle: who gets to have it, who doesn’t, and what it means to be in tune with your body. It blends science and memoir, social and technical. It’s got history and culture and some rivetingly beautiful personal stories.

Above all, though, and to my surprise, it has genuine physicality: By the time I finished reading it, I wanted to jump on my bike, swim in the ocean, see what my muscles could really do.

You may know Bonnie from her work at the New York Times and other outlets, or from her earlier books like Why We Swim. But in On Muscle, she uses her own story and talents to explore what it means to be alive, to move, to live inside a body that can probably do more than you might expect. She also looks carefully at what happens when it can’t do those things, and how we feel and judge that, too. 

It’s been called “literary and deeply personal” by Mary Roach (no slouch herself in the world of first-person science narratives) and “remarkable” by the great Ed Yong.

They are entirely correct, and I hope you enjoy it, too.

⌘

Books are on their way to club members as we speak, and I’m also excited to say that we will be speaking to the author later this month, with a live interview and Q&A with Bonnie Tsui on Friday May 23 at 4pm Eastern/1pm Pacific. April’s Q&A was fascinating, and I’m sure May will match it. More details will follow, but mark it in your calendars.

Finally: if you’re not already a paid-up member of the club, then it’s a great moment to join: you’ll get Bonnie’s book sent straight to you, and for just $25 each month get more top quality non-fiction delivered to your door each month.