Bird Sense by Tim Birkhead (Bloomsbury)

The judges said: 'Bird Sense opens new worlds to the imagination through a wealth of passionately observed science. It succeeds in conveying a feeling of what it is like to be a bird.' Guardian reviewer David Wheatley wrote: 'This fascinating book has much to teach us, not just about what it means to be a bird, but about the rewards and responsibilities of our coexistence with these wonderful creatures.' Read the full review herePhotograph: Bloomsbury

Cells to Civilizations: The Principles of Change that Shape Life by Enrico Coen (Princeton)

The judges said: 'Cells to Civilizations presents an exciting challenge to our thinking on how evolution works. It is unbelievably alive and we could feel our brains growing as we read.'

Ocean of Life by Callum Roberts (Allen Lane)

The judges said: 'This book invites you to imagine the unimaginable. It tells an extraordinary tale of scientific discovery and stands out by its ability to speak to people who are not scientists.' Observer reviewers Robin McKie wrote: 'In another writer's hands, Ocean of Life might have ended up as a mordant tale of ecological despair. Roberts, to his credit, gives us hope and provides a prescription for political and public action, right down to our choices of seafood in supermarkets.' Read an Observer interview with Callum Roberts here

Pieces of Light: the new science of Memoy by Charles Fernyhough (Profile)

The judges said: 'Our memories of reading this book are exceptionally good ones! It challenges much of what we think we know about memory. It’s a bit like reading a novel, personal and compulsive!' Observer reviewer Sophie Scott wrote: 'He draws on both science and art to marvellous effect in his exploration of why early memories are so often filled with sunlight.' Read the full review herePhotograph: Profile Books

The Book of Barely Imagined Beings by Caspar Henderson (Granta)

The judges said: 'Henderson taps into forgotten wonder we first felt as children discovering the creatures of our world. It borrows its format from ancient bestiaries and its title from Borges’ extraordinary tales. The book itself is a beautiful object and brings barely imagined beings to life.' Guardian reviewer Gavin Francis wrote: 'A spellbinding book that seeks to astonish us with the sheer intricacy, diversity and multiplicity of life forms that share our planet.' Read the full review here

The Particle at the End of the Universe: The Hunt for the Higgs and the Discovery of a New World by Sean Carroll (OneWorld)

The judges said: 'This book invites you to imagine the unimaginable. It tells an extraordinary tale of scientific discovery and stands out by its ability to speak to people who are not scientists.'