A review by libraryoflanelle
Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 Thanks to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own. 
 
As a queer neurodivergent human navigating life in a confusing world, this book made me feel incredibly seen. I will eternally be grateful to Emily Austin for sharing Enid with us. 
 
Interesting Facts About Space is about muddling through this messy world and sharing said muddle with loved ones. It is an exploration into finding things that help explain the muddle or that at least take the edge off. 
 
If you typically struggle with stream of consciousness books, please allow Emily Austin to change your mind. My mind has assuredly been changed, first with Gilda (Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead) and now with Enid. 
 
This book goes so much deeper than you may expect at first glance, exploring themes of mental health, trauma, loss and neurodivergence. Rest assured it does so in the most accessible and held way. Please check trigger warnings if certain topics feel unsafe for you. 
 
The balanced way in which Emily Austin writes is awe-inspiring. The conversations between characters were realistic and true. The funny parts were laugh out loud funny. And the character development had me beaming, holding my breath and shedding a tear in equal measure. 
 
You should read this book if you are a fellow human muddling through life on this strange planet. If you happen to not live on planet earth, maybe try it anyway, at the very least you’ll learn some cool facts about space… 
 
I would also just like to take a moment of appreciation for Emily’s consistent use of reclaimed ‘old lady’ names. It’s iconic and I hope she never runs out. 
 
Thanks for reading my review, I hope you love getting to know Enid as much as I did. Now all that’s left to do is wait a few months to hold more of Emily’s words in our hands…