Welcome to Litsy!

3-28 Mar 25
2024 Booker Prize. The narrative follows 24 hours in the life of a group of Astro/cosmonauts in the international space station as they orbit 16 times around Earth. What this narrative allows Harvey to do, however, is give the reader a different perspective on our planet - the lack of borders, the beauty, the inevitability (and our hopelessness) of natural disasters. I do wish I read it quicker - really a book to read in one sitting.

Yesterday my youngest participated in the school district‘s social studies & science fair. As soon as she saw the brochure she said she wanted to do it (so huge for a kid with lots of anxiety). She said she wanted to do her presentation on Mae Jemison. She‘s worked hard for the last few weeks. She was interviewed by teachers & high school students. One of the teachers thanked her for highlighting such an important person in history. When asked why

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

This 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.

Planet 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.

Sunday morning read

A 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/

Really enjoyed it.