At the Edge of Uncertainty

In the fascinating At the Edge of Uncertainty Michael Brooks explores 11 discoveries that have surprised scientists.  Each chapter takes a different such discovery, explains it, and provides history and context so the non-scientist can get a glimpse of what is going on.  The discoveries in question include things like epigenetics, possibility of chimeras, hypercomputing, and the nature of time --- to name but four.

All in all it is an engaging, accessible to the non-scientist read that I would highly recommend.