Books (not textbooks) for introduction to subjects

[LittleMrsMonkey]

I want to read some books on the major different fields(solid state,computational and any other except from medical physics and the astro,theoretical,cosmo stuff) in order to get a feel for what I might want to pursue later on my degree.I don't want it to be a textbook as you might agree textbooks aren't very motivating.And I won't properly understand the math.
I guess I am asking if you know of any good "popular science"-y books on the fields other than the astro stuff.Or maybe very sort and very soft introductory textbooks.
I sense someone might suggest to consult with professors and so on.Noted.So please don't.
Backround:I am going into my second year of a physics degree.My curriculum doesn't have a proper introduction to modern fields until the 3rd year.I am not in an English speaking language,so please don't make suggestions specific to the US college system or something like that.

 

[Dishsoap]

Have you read Feynman's "QED"? It's very short and sweet, an easy read, but also very educational.

 

[Student100]

In lieu of books have you looked at things like Arduino kits? You can get some practical experience programming micro-controllers while using it to build projects. Seems like a more interesting way to look at something than reading pop science.

 

[LittleMrsMonkey]

Have you read Feynman's "QED"? It's very short and sweet, an easy read, but also very educational.

I will now.I started going through the Feynman Lectures but decided to leave it for after I graduate.Thank you.

 

[LittleMrsMonkey]

In lieu of books have you looked at things like Arduino kits? You can get some practical experience programming micro-controllers while using it to build projects. Seems like a more interesting way to look at something than reading pop science.

I am trying to learn as much coding as I can,but I'm not interested in electronics.

 

[Dishsoap]

I am trying to learn as much coding as I can,but I'm not interested in electronics.

Neither am I but coding for an Arduino teaches you a whole different kind of programming than pure computational stuff. The electronics part is really easy, foolproof even.

 

[LittleMrsMonkey]

Neither am I but coding for an Arduino teaches you a whole different kind of programming than pure computational stuff. The electronics part is really easy, foolproof even.

I'll look into it then,thanks.

 

[Independent]

I have been looking for something like that. The closest things I found are:

1. The Very Short Introduction series of books. Superconductivity, Physical Chemistry, perhaps Materials, Chaos and a few others might fit your criteria.
2. Biographies. They usually contain general, qualitative descriptions of relevant fields. Only if you enjoy reading them anyway - the technical content is just a background.

 

[LittleMrsMonkey]

I have been looking for something like that. The closest things I found are:

1. The Very Short Introduction series of books. Superconductivity, Physical Chemistry, perhaps Materials, Chaos and a few others might fit your criteria.
2. Biographies. They usually contain general, qualitative descriptions of relevant fields. Only if you enjoy reading them anyway - the technical content is just a background.

Excellent.I will definitely read up on many of the Very Short Introductions.I read Atkins's one on Thermodynamics earlier this year and forgotten about it.