Interesting Facts about Space: A Novel

Book came in amazing condition. Also just overall a good read.

SYNOPSIS | Enid is a hard-of-hearing lesbian who works at a space centre, has a phobia of bald men and fins true crime podcasts soothing. Every time she interacts with her half-sisters she texts her mom some interesting facts about space. WHAT I LIKED: - such an unexpected gem of a read - an intense yet ultimately lighter read about mental illness, dysfunctional family dynamics, queer dating and understanding who you are - 1000% a character driven story - Enid had a grim but endearing sense of humor - similar vibes to Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine + The Rosie Project WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: - some of the themes that popped up during Enid's inner dialogue made me feel kinda anxious

I don't really enjoy reading about neurotic people. Facts about space - not interesting and not necessary. I'm pretty sure Enid is on the spectrum/neurodivergent and so I understand the neuroticism and the pointless facts. They must be calming to her. However, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book unless you enjoy this type of character.

I want to read everything Emily Austin has ever written. She writes like a memoir. Her honesty is funny, anxious, sad and addicting. I loved this book.

So I won't lie, I found parts of this book to be really weird and a little cringey, but some of that became wrapped up in our main character, Enid, a well-written neurodivergent soul, who struggles with a variety of phobias and some issues caused by being born deaf in one ear. Enid copes by focusing on space facts and listening to true crime podcasts. She's a serial dater (and is a lesbian, which makes this book wonderfully queer) who has never had a serious relationship. We find Enid struggling to develop a relationship with her half sisters, whom she's never really known, as her father abandoned her and her mom when she was just a kid. As a result, she grew up dealing with her mom's depression and mood swings. Enid slowly realizes that some of her fears (such as being terrified of bald men) might relate to her difficult childhood. She starts to think someone is breaking into her apartment. This all sounds serious, but much of this book is witty and quirky. It's told in very short snippets from Enid's point of view, with flashbacks going all the way back to her childhood. Some of these snippets are definitely odd (Enid had a YouTube channel as a kid, for instance, and she recorded some weird stuff). But overall, as we get to know Enid and watch her trying to form bonds with her half sisters, struggle to be a good daughter to her mom, attempt to actually form a real relationship with a woman named Polly (whom she meets in quite an interesting way), and maintain her closest friendship with her co-worker Vin... well, she grows on you! There are some very touching moments, some bizarre ones, some sweet ones. You have to really give this book a chance and truly experience it--it's hard to describe. It's different and character-driven, and it's worth a read.

I love all of her books - Emily Austen creates such relatable, awkward female leads. This book is no exception, and I learned actual facts about space while reading it too :)

I had a hard time getting into this book. The heroine was someone I have zero in common with, and I had no interest in hearing about her lesbian love life. I put it down for about two months but decided to open my mind and give it another go. The main character, Enid, is a young anxiety ridden woman with a lot of issues. She has family issues, dating issues, issues with her mom, and thru it all, she spouts unrelated but interesting facts about space. Enid is working for NASA and trying to come to terms with her deceased father’s other family. All the while she listens ( is obsessed with) true crime podcasts and is convinced she is being stalked by a bald man. Whew. I didn’t really know what to make of it or where it was headed. But lo and behold, I actually ended up really liking the book. It was a both quirky and heart wrenching. There was a lot to unpack here about mental illness and trying to make sense of things when you realize you have misremembered things from your past. Enid turned out to be a troubled young girl but very endearing heroine. Well written. Very entertaining I’m glad I decided to read it and I would recommend it.

Very good book, if you like on-the-edge-of-your-seat writing, this is the book for you. Very funny