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An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth
An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth: What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything | Chris Hadfield
Colonel Chris Hadfield has spent decades training as an astronaut and has logged nearly 4000 hours in space. During this time he has broken into a Space Station with a Swiss army knife, disposed of a live snake while piloting a plane, and been temporarily blinded while clinging to the exterior of an orbiting spacecraft. The secret to Col. Hadfield's success-and survival-is an unconventional philosophy he learned at NASA: prepare for the worst-and enjoy every moment of it. In An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, Col. Hadfield takes readers deep into his years of training and space exploration to show how to make the impossible possible. Through eye-opening, entertaining stories filled with the adrenaline of launch, the mesmerizing wonder of spacewalks, and the measured, calm responses mandated by crises, he explains how conventional wisdom can get in the way of achievement-and happiness. His own extraordinary education in space has taught him some counterintuitive lessons: don't visualize success, do care what others think, and always sweat the small stuff. You might never be able to build a robot, pilot a spacecraft, make a music video or perform basic surgery in zero gravity like Col. Hadfield. But his vivid and refreshing insights will teach you how to think like an astronaut, and will change, completely, the way you view life on Earth-especially your own.
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LibraryCin
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Pickpick

I really liked that it was more about his life and his trips to space (and the huge amount of preparation for it. Oh, the amount of planning is incredible – particularly focusing on (all) the worst case scenario(s). There were bits of “advice” here and there that can be taken for life in general. I just found the planning and the trips to space so interesting. I hadn‘t realized he‘d also done some youtube videos, so I‘ve had to take a look!

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the_Martian
Mehso-so

Loved this book, as it speaks up from the perspective of an astronaut. The training, the mindset, the family and most importantly how luck plays an important role when we do our work without any doubt. There are moments which weren't required to be explained completely. But overall , a good read.

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the_Martian
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"Good leadership means leading the way, not hectoring other people to do things your way " This quote sums up a lot of things required to be a good leader...

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SageSkjodt
Pickpick

This is the first time ive read a book in like 2 years, hated it. but the book itself was pretty snazzy,10/10 would recommend

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quietlycuriouskate
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Pickpick

Thoroughly enjoyable! Lots of interesting snippets about life in space but what I liked best was the counter-intuitive astronaut mindset, e.g. sweat the small stuff, always look on the dark side, and ask "what's the next thing that could kill me?" (Cue the briefest of fantasies I could have been an astronaut. Errrm, no, Kate, no!) CH comes across as a likeable and thoroughly sensible person, the sort I'd want in charge when everything goes to ?.

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Megabooks
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Pickpick

An interesting memoir from the first Canadian astronaut to command the ISS. He wrote this memoir as lessons he learned from being in the astronaut program, but tbh, just a straight memoir would‘ve been fine because the stars of this book are his experiences. From drunken barbecues with Russian neighbors to the constant learning of his career to his time in space, Chris has led quite a life!

Link to his video playing Space Oddity on the ISS ⬇️

Megabooks https://youtu.be/KaOC9danxNo Definitely worth a watch! (edited) 3y
Deifio I liked this book a lot! 3y
Megabooks @Deifio me too! 3y
See All 17 Comments
Deifio I listened to the audio, which he narrates himself. He has a nice voice to listen to. I think one of the things that I took from this books was: astronauts don't believe in luck they come prepared...for several options! 3y
Megabooks @Deifio I read the audiobook as well. I appreciated that astronauts are always learning and how he always availed himself of every opportunity to learn something new! 3y
Deifio Definitely! I love learning and trying out new things too. So could totally relate! The tractor episode was quite something too. 3y
Becker I also listened to the audio and really enjoyed it. 3y
mandarchy This is one of my favorite books. I never knew how much practice astronauts have to have before leaving the earth. Not a lot of people would be so patient. I think my fave story is when he gets soap... no spoilers! My students loved his picture book and website (videos). 3y
Megabooks @Becker 👍🏻👍🏻 very enjoyable and informative! 3y
Megabooks @mandarchy I was not surprised by all the on-the-ground training probably because I went to space camp?? 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ I just remember always knowing (because I went at age 11) that there is so much prep that went into space missions. I was still very impressed by how far above and beyond Chris went in qualification and how well he stuck to his goal of being an astronaut!! Impressive guy!! 3y
Megabooks Whoops @Cinfhen !! Forgot to tag you. Not sure whether this up your alley, but I found it really interesting! 💜💜💜 3y
rabbitprincess Loved this in print and will have to get the audio! He also has a mystery coming out this fall, The Apollo Murders! 3y
CarolynM I found it more interesting than I expected to. I really admired his wife. 3y
Megabooks @rabbitprincess oh that‘s cool!! I didn‘t realize he was a mystery writer. 3y
Megabooks @CarolynM yes, his whole family must be amazingly strong to do all that!! I was very impressed that his wife had a career too because she supported him so much. She‘s a boss!! I think it‘s neat that his son is professional poker player too. 3y
Cinfhen Thanks, Meg!! At the moment my plate is FULL but maybe another time it‘ll peak my interest ❤️ 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen I have a bunch of books checked out, but none were really lighting my fire until I found this on hoopla. I was really cranky all day!! 🤪 3y
81 likes2 stack adds17 comments
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Peyton.Twigg
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Pickpick

The book is about his life journey and how he became the first Canadian commander of the international space station. He talks about all the challenges he faced and how he overcame those obstacles. If you like books that are motivational this is a good one. It is written from a first person point of view almost in the form of like a biography.

MissYaremcio Nicely done Peyton! I love Chris Hadfield so I am glad that you are reading this! 5.5/6 (just wanted more on the POV establishment). 3y
5 likes1 comment
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AvidlyAlexis
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Pickpick

10/100, 3.5⭐ I thoroughly enjoyed this book full of fun astronaut stories, little tidbits about what it's like to be an astronaut, and pieces of life advice. I listened to the audio, read by the author and it was a very nice listen, very calming.

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TheKidUpstairs
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1. Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
2. 👆
3. Earth 🌎

#SundayFunday @ozma.of.oz

BookmarkTavern I have Hadfield‘s book somewhere on a bookshelf! I‘ll have to dig it out! Thanks for posting! 4y
43 likes1 comment
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PickwickPlockPlock
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Pickpick

After I didn't have much luck with my last few fiction books, I very much enjoyed Chris Hadfield's account about his career as an astronaut and his time in space. He's the Canadian astronaut that sang a Bowie song in space, that's all I knew about him before 😁

MsMelissa He‘s awesome! He went to my high school, although I‘m younger so we weren‘t there at the same time. 4y
rabbitprincess Haddie is the best! He also contributes to a chapter of Randall Munroe‘s 4y
rabbitprincess @Book_Fiend_Melissa That is so cool! 😄 4y
62 likes4 comments
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AdamCaron
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Pickpick

If you like space and learning about it and seeing how things in NASA work. This is a must read Chris was on the space station and really keeps you into his story.

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Annazozo
Pickpick

❤️

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LiterRohde
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“In the van, we can see the rocket in the distance, lit up and shining, an obelisk. In reality, of course, it‘s a 4.5-megaton bomb loaded with explosive fuel, which is why everyone else is driving away from it.”

#LilithJuly | 21: #FeelSoHigh

📷: Made with Typorama

Cinfhen 👍🏻🚀 5y
KarenUK 👌💕 5y
56 likes2 comments
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Caroline2
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this! It‘s great fun to learn about what it‘s like to be an astronaut and go to space. Plus it‘s life affirming for anyone suffering with anxiety...”Astronauts are trained to immediately jump to worse case scenarios.” Ergo, I‘m an astronaut!!! 👩🏻‍🚀

JennyM 😂 I think I might be an astronaut also 😂 6y
Caroline2 @JennyM yay! 😁 6y
Talewaggingreads Stacking! 📚 😍 your bookshelf. 🤗 6y
80 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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SG2014
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Best used book sale find ever!! 😀😀😀🤩 I didn‘t even realize what I had until I cracked it open this weekend.

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Ryo112358
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Why is it we seem to learn a thing's value only after we've left it behind? 🧐 #chrishadfield #astronaut #earth #happiness

Chelleo Welcome to Litsy! Hope these #Litsytips by @RaimeyGallant http://bit.ly/litsytips and #LitsyHowTo videos: goo.gl/UrCpoU are helpful. 6y
RaimeyGallant Welcome! 6y
2 likes2 comments
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Caroline2
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TrishB A great pick 👍🏻 6y
nikirtehsuxlol The author reads the audiobook. I really liked it. 6y
99 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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CarolynM
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1. Sometimes
2. Probably about 95% fiction to 5% nonfiction
3. Biography
4. The Silent Woman by Janet Malcolm about Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes and the things that have been written about them
5. An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield read last month for my IRL book group.

wanderinglynn Thanks for playing! 😀 And what did you think of the Hadfield book? 6y
CarolynM @wanderinglynn I found the stuff about the training and space travel and life on the space station really interesting. I wasn't convinced by his conclusions about how his experiences apply in ordinary life.I also thought he got really lucky with his wife, a lot of women wouldn't have her fortitude or forbearance. Have you read it? 6y
wanderinglynn @CarolynM No. I just read some articles about him. Seems like an interesting guy. Plus, I loved his rendition of Bowie‘s Space Oddity. 6y
42 likes3 comments
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CarolynM
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Pickpick

Although I like looking at the stars as much as the next person, space and space exploration have never held that much interest for me. Nevertheless I found this book fascinating in its details about the training that astronauts do, the experience of space travel and the realities of life in space. I'm not sure I entirely agree with all of his conclusions about how it all applies to life on earth, but they're worth considering.

Melissa_J I enjoyed this one. I went to the same high school as Chris Hadfield (not at the same time, however, as he‘s older) and have followed his career. I think he‘s a great role model. My daughter loved watching all his videos from the Space Station. 6y
CarolynM @Melissa_J I enjoyed it too.🙂 6y
57 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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emilyesears
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Mehso-so

This is a self-help guide that details Chris Hadfield‘s journey to becoming an astronaut and then his training & trips to space. I found the first part of the book slow and rather misleading in a way—Chris kind of glosses over his challenges. But the 2nd part of the book is his 2012 ISS trip and I found that really engaging. I read the last 100 pages in one night. I think this might be great on audio so you can speed through the boring bits.

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RandomBrunette79
Mehso-so

I really wanted to live this book as I'm a little bit of a space geek but only ended up liking it. While I felt that I really got to know Chris and really enjoyed his experiences in space (and on earth) I also felt the book dragged (if that's the right descriptive word) in places and could maybe have had a bit more pace.

I would definitely still add this to the recommend list though as it's still a good read.

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Oli.reads
Panpan

Tbh I don‘t have much to say besides this was pretty boring

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Melzyrose90
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1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
2. Honey Graham cereal, served with a cup of English Breakfast tea ☕
3. An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth by Commander Chris Hadfield
4. @QuietlyLaura @cobwebmoth
#TuesdayTidbits @JenlovesJT47

Lreads Thanks for the tag! ☺️ 6y
cobwebmoth Thanks for the tag! 6y
10 likes2 comments
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Oryx
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Going to see Chris Hadfield tonight! Very excited to hear him speak. Loved the tagged book.

Daisy models two of his books. #dogsoflitsy

Caroline2 Oh exciting!!! I've got that book on my TBR shelf! 👍🏻 7y
Christine11 So cute !! 7y
LauraJ Loved them both too ! 7y
90 likes3 comments
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Crystallinegirl
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1. Funniest Home Videos, maybe? I don't really remember.
2. Chris Hadfield's Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, or Khizr Khan's American Family.
3. Spaghetti. Also chili.
4. Not being broke.
5. Uhhhhh

SpeculativeFemale I miss the Bob Saget days of AFV. The later host just never compared. 7y
11 likes2 comments
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sethduncan
Pickpick

Recognizing that everyone is motivated by slightly different things, this book was one of the most convicting and motivating non fiction books I've ever read.

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rockpools
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#AnotherNightOnMars. Well, on the International Space Station, which is good practice and closer than most of us will get. This is the first book I ever bought on Audible, so of course I haven't listened to it yet 😐

Wishing you a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving if you're celebrating today, and a happy and peaceful Thursday if you're not.

#tuneintonovember @Cinfhen @Robothugs

BarbaraTheBibliophage Have a lovely Thanksgiving! 🦃💛🧡 7y
rockpools @BarbaraTheBibliophage Thank you. And you! 7y
41 likes2 comments
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ssravp
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Pickpick

Another space book? Yes another space book! Give me all of the space books! This is a wonderful account of Chris Hadfield‘s journey to becoming, and time as an astronaut.

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SeeJaneRead
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Ok so I normally don't post pics that aren't about the book because - this is Litsy, I got instagram for that shit - BUT I got to go to JPL last week and I was reading this book and it was one of those life / book *moments* that was dope AF. Space exploration reminds us all there's something bigger in the beyond and I'm 100% here for it. This book is very sincere and earnest but it's written by a Canadian so that suits. 🚀

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CuriousG
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Can't get any better than this for the first day of #septembowie - Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield singing Space Oddity in the International Space Station. Loved this audiobook (which he narrated himself) #canadianskickass #magicalmusicmoment #spaceoddity

8 likes1 stack add
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TheKidUpstairs
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So excited for #Septembowie!!!
Day 1 - #spaceoddity
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield brought science and space down to earth with videos of science experiments and more. He routinely checked in via videos and letters with classrooms across the country. Basically, he's awesome. And then he went and covered Bowie from the ISS, so he's also a bit of a rock star. His book is part of my kobo #TBRBingo

Melissa_J Great choice 😉 7y
54 likes1 comment
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Marchpane
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Chris Hadfield singing #spaceoddity on the ISS is legit one of the best things ever. I mean, covering this song while ACTUALLY floating round a tin can, far above the world? That's boss.

I've had his book on my nightstand for a while now, really must get to it soon.

#septembowie

Foxyfictionista I loved this book! 7y
TrishB Great choice 👍 7y
Melissa_J Ha ha - we are all picking the same thing! 👍🏻 7y
Melissa_J PS - the book is fantastic. I hope you get to it soon. 7y
Marchpane @Melissa_j Great minds! 🤜 7y
108 likes7 stack adds5 comments
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tea.n.books
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I was having a crappy day today, so I swung by B&N on my way home from work. I walked out with four #space books and two knitting books from the sale section. AND THEN when I got home The Stone Sky and my new shoes had arrived in the mail!! 😊😊

RanaElizabeth Stone Sky!!!!!! 7y
26 likes1 comment
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Crystallinegirl
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Pickpick

I woke up far earlier than I wanted to today, so I grabbed one of my nonfiction books, expecting it would put me back to sleep. Three hours later I am 2/3 done with this book and enthralled. I don't know why I'm surprised, I loved Commander Hadfield when he was filming things in the ISS. LOVE this book. #canadianbookchallenge

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Crystallinegirl
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My #libraryhaul today, including two books for the #canadianbookchallenge.

9 likes1 stack add1 comment
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EllieDottie
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I love the skateboard on this cover! #walkingonthemoon #rockinmay

Cinfhen That is such an awesome image 🙌🏻😍 7y
65 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Nerdy_chic
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My lunch is always comprised of a cluttered desk, packed lunch (Paella today!), and some good read! Got some good words of wisdom from this one here, I just had to share it: "It's probably not going to happen (my dream), but I should do things that keep me moving in the right direction, just in case-and I should be sure those things interest me, so that whatever happens, I'm happy" ~Chris Hadfield

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Jilljemmett
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May the Fourth be With You #sciencefiction

#maytasticbooks17 (In A Galaxy Far Far Away) - Carve The Mark

#bookishmayflowers (Science Fiction) - The Doctors Are In

#rockinmay (Heaven) - Gods Behaving Badly

#maybookflowers (In A Galaxy Far Far Away) - An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

#bookstagram #bookblogger

Cinfhen You're on a roll🎲🎲 8y
Jilljemmett @Cinfhen I'm tryin! 👍🏼📖 8y
24 likes2 comments
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EllieDottie
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A space book from my tbr, so this is technically the same Galaxy... But I don't read much sci-fi (or Star Wars) so this is all my brain could come up with tonight! Doesn't anyone have recs for good books for a sci-fi beginner? #inagalaxyfarfaraway #maybookflowers

PatienceFortitude I would love to help with good starting #scifi! Want character driven? Funny? Scary? I'm not an expert but I can help. Is YA okay? Have you seen Star Wars at all? 📚🤗 8y
EllieDottie @PatienceFortitude I think I would like something on the lighter funnier side to start... Definitely not scary. YA would be great!! I have only ever seen the first Star Wars movie (episode 4)... I know it's a pop culture sin. Thank you for your help!!! 8y
PatienceFortitude Ok then my next question is: do you find British humor funny? 8y
See All 6 Comments
EllieDottie @PatienceFortitude that sounds awesome! I've though about reading it for a while but you recommendation definitely leads me to pick it up! 7y
53 likes1 stack add6 comments
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KeeWee
Pickpick

A must read! Great details about what it is like to be in space and lessons we can learn in our daily lives.

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JennaRoot
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Pickpick

I just finished listening to the audio through Playster and thought it was great! I don't particularly have an interest in space and I didn't even really know about the Space Odyssey video he made but his book made me want to find everything I could on the internet and I might even buy his stunning book of pictures at B&N tomorrow! I highly recommend!

Nicohlay I tried to browse through the options of audiobooks on the playster website to see if it would be something I'd want to spend money on but everything kept coming up blank. Do they have a large selection? Are the books well known or obscure? 8y
JennaRoot @nicholay be careful how you search, sometimes you have to put in the whole title exactly. I have 20 books new and old saved so I haven't had too much trouble. I think Born a Crime is the only one I remember not seeing. I listened to Amy Schumer and they have Gloria Steinem and lots of history my library didn't have plus YA like Dumplin' 8y
JennaRoot @nicholay you might get a better feel doing the 30 day trial. My library doesn't have much but I also didn't want to be buying books on audible so this was a good balance for me 8y
9 likes3 comments
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mariejoechahine
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Pickpick

This was such an insightful and interesting listen. Narrated by the author/astronaut himself, Chris Hadfield brings us all sort of lessons and funny (often scary) stories he has gathered from his successful and hard earned life as a Canadian astronaut.
Very Recommended!

Oryx This was a great book. Aim to be a zero. 😀 8y
mariejoechahine @Oryx Exactly! 😍 8y
127 likes14 stack adds2 comments
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TheCanuckReader
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kspenmoll Your cat looks so cozy! Love how they curl up. #catsoflitsy # littenkittens 8y
TheCanuckReader Rainy dark day here in NS. She's charging up her batteries to keep us awake all night 😆 8y
stargazerblue49 @TheCanuckReader My kitty does that, too! Just sleeping the day away to start the mischief when the sun goes down! Lol 8y
See All 6 Comments
Dragon Cute kitty 🐱 8y
Bookzombie 💕🐱 8y
WoodyWoodson 🐱💤 8y
61 likes4 stack adds6 comments