This reviewer‘s post is better than the book. Striking points regarding the inaccuracies related to society and culture. This: “the tools of tomorrow have disturbingly been…byproducts of violence.” I appreciate the reviewer‘s “Try this instead” section at the end of the review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7434556160
pickThis book was respectful, beautifully written, exhaustively researched storytelling at its finest. Even though I knew how things were going to end up, this was still a nail-biter. I caught myself thinking, wow, I really really really hope they call off this launch… It might not seem like a glowing recommendation to say, “Read this! It gave me nightmares!” but it really is one of the best nonfiction books I‘ve ever read.
pickPlanet Earth is blue and there‘s nothing I can do. Beautiful book describing 16 orbits of the Earth from the perspective of the International Space Station. Being in the peace and tranquility of floating in space means that you see an awful lot of things you can do nothing about.
pickA smaller version , so smaller print and very compact. I had to read carefully.Well researched. About a group of astronauts on a space station. A timely read as the 2 American astronauts arrived back recently. Insightful. What is the purpose of going around and around the earth in orbit. What‘s the future of humanity. Is it in the hands of billionaires?
I haven't seen people talking about this new book prize, Climate Fiction Prize. This is the first year, and the shortlist was announced today
https://climatefictionprize.co.uk/2025-prize/shortlist/
pickReally enjoyed it.
pickPowerful and compelling. I‘ve seen a few reviews complaining that it felt like too much NASA history rather than focusing only on the Challenger itself, but I truly believe the historical context is necessary to explain some decision-making down the line that seems inexplicable on its own. There was a lot I didn‘t know about the Rogers Commission findings (I was only 10, ok) and I knew nothing about Thiokol‘s warnings about the O-rings. ✨5 stars✨
pickI have never read a Booker winner that I didn‘t love. I wasn‘t sure about this one. Normally poetic is a bit too smarmy for me. But it‘s absolutely beautiful. Seeing Earth and humanity without any boarders. A tiny glimpse at what it can be and how lucky we are to be here, at this point, in this time, living our tiny lives.
