The Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books has announced its finalists. This book demonstrates that chemistry is not only applicable to daily life, but also incredibly fascinating. -Starred review in the foreword A fantastic book for fans of Storm in a Teacup and The Physics of Everyday Things Have you ever questioned why your alarm puts you into a tailspin? or how your teeth respond to toothpaste? Why do cookies and cakes occasionally come out dry? You could not be adding enough sugar, as a hint. In Chemistry for Breakfast, award-winning chemist and scientific communicator Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim explores the fascinating chemistry that underlies both commonplace items (such as toothpaste and baking) and less commonplace ones (like space travel). She explains fundamental chemical processes that everyone should be aware of in an approachable, humorous, and conversational tone, and turns the ordinary into extraordinary. Over the course of a single day, Mai shows us that chemistry is everywhere: we just have to look for it. In the morning, her partners much-too-loud alarm prompts a deep dive into biological clocks, fight-or-flight responses, and melatonins role in making us sleepy. Before heading to the lab, she explains how the stress hormone cortisol helps wake us up, and brews her morning coffee with a side of heat conduction and states of matter. Mai continues her day with explainers of cell phone technology, food preservation, body odor, baking, the effects of alcohol, and the chemistry behind the expression love drunk. All the while, she shows us what its really like to be a working chemist, and fights against the stereotype of a nerd playing with test tubes in a lab coat. Filled with charming illustrations, laughter, and plenty of surprises, Chemistry for Breakfast is a perfect book for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of chemistry without having prior knowledge of the science. With Mai as your guide, youll find something fascinating everywhere around you.