NPR Science Correspondent Joe Palca and Flora Lichtman, multimedia editor for NPR’s “Talk of the Nation: Science Friday” take readers on a scientific quest through psychology, evolutionary biology, anthropology, and other disciplines to uncover the truth about being annoyed. What is the recipe for annoyance? For starters, it should be temporary, unpleasant, and unpredictable, like a boring meeting or mosquito bites. For example, why is that guy talking on his cellphone over there so annoying? For one, it’s unpleasant and distracting. Second, we don’t know, and can’t control, when it will end. Third, we can’t not listen! Our brains are hardwired to pay close attention to people talking and follow the conversations. The loud chatter pulls our brains away to listen to half of something we’re never going to understand. In Annoying, Palca and Lichtman write about annoyingness in any context: business, politics, romance, science, sports, and more. n Reach Palca and Lichtman at doctorannoying@gmail.com. The book’s website is www.annoyingbook.com. Publicist for the book is Matt Smollon at msmollon@wiley.com and 201-748-6339.