What readers think of The Smallest Lights in the Universe, plus links to write your own review.

The Smallest Lights in the Universe was a fascinating look at both Sara Seager's career and her home life. The book is split between discussing her work as an astrophysicist and her personal life, mostly as a widow after her husband's death. I found the discussions of her work particularly captivating. I gained a deeper understanding of the universe and an appreciation for the scientists studying space. However, the sections concerning her home life, especially after her husband's death, left me wanting a bit more. Especially as a working parent, I wanted to know more about the people who helped her at home and with her children and how they managed. But overall I am very glad to have read this book and will definitely be recommending it to others.

I was really excited to receive this book to review. I love to star gaze and I love memoirs. This book goes beyond star gazing though. The author is after all an astrophysicist, and an acclaimed astrophysicist at that. The first half of the book, the author relays in detail her rise in her field, which is quite an accomplishment. However, unless you are an astronomy buff, you may find this part of the book difficult to get through. After I found out what an exoplanet was and why they are important, I found myself skipping over the other parts that talked about telescopes, and shields or shades, etc. so that I could read about her relationship with her husband and sons. The second half of the book details more about how she learned to build relationships after her husband's death and was easier for the most part to read. I still sometimes found myself frustrated with her style of storytelling and felt at times that it was a little disjointed. Dr. Seager has accomplished a great deal and deserves accolades; if you are into astronomy - you will probably enjoy this book.