If you're interested in cutting edge theoretical physics or just want to have your mind blown by how deeply the human mind has managed to penetrate into the bizarre nature of reality, make sure not to miss out on Carlo Rovelli's excellent introduction to loop quantum gravity. Although one of the most promising competitors to string theory, LQG still very much plays an underdog role in our ever-elusive quest to find a working quantum theory of gravity. Why? As fellow theoretical physicist and LQG pioneer Lee Smolin argues in The Trouble with Physics, over the last couple of decades the wider theoretical physics community has been somewhat spellbound by a not entirely deserving "string theory mania", hurting alternative approaches and running the risk of steering the field into an intellectual deadlock. Hence the value of books like this. Besides offering a lucid rundown of LQG's history, its open questions, and why it is a promising alternative to string theory, Rovelli's book also convinces through the author's deep love for philosophy, history, poetry and science, drawing inspiration from giants such as Democritus, Anaximander, Lucretius and Dante. Technically inclined readers may also be interested in Rovelli's Covariant Loop Quantum Gravity.