Emily Austin (1)

Enid knows that she is not like most people — she listens to true crime podcasts and regurgitates odd facts about outer space to soothe herself — but lately things are spiraling out of control; she’s serial dating, messing up at work, and her phobia of bald men has reached epic proportions. In Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin, readers have a front row seat to Enid’s mania, but Austin manages to make all the insanity funny and touching. Austin knows how to craft real characters struggling with life, and readers looking for a quirky story about a young woman working through her anxieties and finding herself again will enjoy getting to know Enid.… (más)

I have very mixed feelings about this book, but I was glad I read it. It was very clever and there was humor and also so much sadness. The protagonist was engaged in a very difficult life in all aspects. She was unhealthy, both mentally and physically, and her interpersonal interactions left much to be desired. However, she was very bright and very involved in taking care of people, whether or not she knew them. All of her personal thoughts are presented, and many are easy to identify with. I was pleased with the ending, but am uncertain how realistic it was. I also wish we lived in a world that valued every member regardless of the issues they are facing.… (más)

bottom line, we love authors named Emily. they are just the best at writing characters who are REAL! i ate this book up and finished it in 2 days. this book was intoxicating and intense and bizarre and at points i felt anxious reading it, but not in a way where i wanted to stop reading. just the way Emily R. Austin wrote about Enid being terrified of being stalked by her bald neighbor and her phobia of bald men thus becoming extremely paranoid in her daily life. i FELT what she was going through because the writing is that good. i enjoyed the commentary on the true crime obsession and how it can be problematic while also being something that many people find comfort in listening to for a many reasons. this book is very strange and very real and very dark and very fun all at once. it really has it all and more: laughs! lesbians! deaf/HoH representation! space! friendship! mommy/daddy issues!… (más)