Halloween is one of those holidays where either you’re all in or you just don’t get it. I teeter in the middle. Some years I’m jazzed about going to a party because I have a decent costume. I like to don punny get-ups. One year I was the Farmer in the Dell (I dressed as a farmer and wore a Dell computer box as a “jacket”), another time — long ago when social media was in its infancy — I painted a large picture frame Facebook blue and affixed white letters stating, “Traci Purdum is….” I walked around holding the picture frame and I was a living profile. Now that I’ve written those out, I realize that maybe they weren’t as cool as I remembered. And there lies my hot and cold love affair with Halloween.
However, I do love handing out treats to the nearly 200 Trick-or-Treaters who knock on our door. We are the house that gives out full-sized candy bars, hence the volume of kids.
In honor of Halloween, I decided to poke around Amazon and find some treats for readers. I chose Amazon because it’s a fairly universal, known source. I’m not affiliated, so don’t think I’m making bank on this list.
New Book Alert: Losing Control
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster and Fiona Erskine, an engineer and crime novelist who has a passion for process safety, pens another thriller that features chemical engineering and uses the Bhopal tragedy as part of the mystery. In fact, one reviewer notes, “An excellent thriller that shines a light on one of the darkest moments in contemporary history.”
Need at teaser? Here you go: A dead body washes up in Hartlepool under the bow of the HMS Trincomalee. The post-mortem reveals he was murdered. Police officers trace the scene of crime to the south bank of the River Tees where night watchman, Alf, keeps watch over a scrapyard. A woman comes forward to identify the victim, claiming to be his sister. The murder weapon is found in the possession of the colleague who reported the victim missing and then suffered a mysterious motorcycle accident. It seems that the case can be closed. But DI Julie Cadell is not so sure. Amazon link.
Meet Your New Lab BFF: The Pocket Chemist
This nifty metal card is like a Swiss Army knife for chemical engineers, minus the pointy bits. At 3.25 inches, it's basically a credit card that makes you smarter.
Draw perfect molecules without the wobbly-hand syndrome, thanks to laser-cut stencils that'll make your structures look textbook-worthy. Plus, this tool features unit conversions and physical constants.
Made from virtually indestructible metal, it's tough enough to survive your most chaotic days. Amazon link.
The Science of Delicious: A Kitchen Chemistry Adventure
It's safe to say that most chemical engineers know why bread rises, cheese melts just so or why whipped cream needs a specific type of gas. Now all that knowledge is contained in a book meant to celebrate the tastiest laboratory on Earth — your kitchen. In "Culinary Reactions," Simon Quellen Field reveals the chemistry behind everyday cooking.
Think of your kitchen tools as scientific equipment: your measuring cups are graduated cylinders, your stove is a precisely controlled heat source and every recipe is really a delicious experiment. From protein denaturation in your morning eggs to the perfect crystallization in homemade caramel, you're conducting edible chemistry experiments every time you cook.
Field explains intriguing kitchen mysteries: Why does clarified butter matter in Hollandaise? What makes bread rise differently with varying ingredient ratios? Through simple recipes and clear explanations, he transforms complex chemistry into practical cooking knowledge that will make you a more confident and knowledgeable chef. After all, cooking is just chemistry you can eat. Amazon link.
The Ultimate Hands-On Periodic Table Experience
Marvel at this unique acrylic display featuring 83 real chemical elements. Each specimen is safely sealed between crystal-clear layers, letting you observe their natural colors, forms and metallic sheens up close. For safety and practicality, highly reactive and rare elements have been thoughtfully substituted.
This sturdy conversation piece makes abstract concepts tangible. Smooth, polished edges and durable construction ensure it's desk ready and safe to handle. Amazon link.
Lab-Grade Party Gear: The Beaker Shot Glass Set
Where science meets spirits. This set includes two Erlenmeyer flasks and two beakers crafted from thick, durable borosilicate glass — because your experiments in mixology deserve better than flimsy novelty glasses.
Each vessel features precise 40ml measurement marks for perfect pours. Dishwasher safe and built to last, they'll survive countless "research sessions." Amazon link.
There’s No Crying in Chemical Engineering
Stealing a line from “A League of Their Own,” this tote is for the brave souls who design and operate chemical facilities and occasionally question their life choices. It measures 16" x 16" and features the ultimate chemical engineer's mantra — I bet you said it in the Tom Hanks voice, didn’t you? Amazon link.
