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A review by areader_reading
The Secret Life of Stars: Astrophysics for Everyone by Eirian Chapman, Lisa Harvey-Smith
4.0
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy.
I have thoroughly enjoyed making my way through this book. The Secret Life of Stars is a nonfiction book about astrophysics. If you think that means it’s boring, or too difficult to understand... think again! Lisa Harvey-Smith’s writing is engaging and she has produced a book that is fascinating and very readable. To be honest, she writes the way I talk, only better.
I suppose it’s frowned upon in some scientific circles, but I love the way she has ‘humanised’ the stars she’s writing about. From stars as gassy babies (so relatable right now) to ‘Barbara’ the Milky Way matriarch, her way of explaining things is funny and relatable.
The subject matter is entirely mind blowing though. Harvey-Smith has done a wonderful job of conveying the sheer scale of our universe, from teeny tiny to... well... astronomical. She also conveys the beauty and wonder of it all incredibly well.
The Secret Life of Stars is still information dense, so it’s probably the kind of book you might read a chapter at a time, rather than all in one sitting. It’s targeted at ‘everyone’, and I certainly enjoyed it as a 30-something with a scientific background. I think it would also be wonderful for a parent or teacher to read aloud and discuss with upper primary kids. To be honest, I think ‘everyone’ is probably pretty close to accurate!
I have thoroughly enjoyed making my way through this book. The Secret Life of Stars is a nonfiction book about astrophysics. If you think that means it’s boring, or too difficult to understand... think again! Lisa Harvey-Smith’s writing is engaging and she has produced a book that is fascinating and very readable. To be honest, she writes the way I talk, only better.
I suppose it’s frowned upon in some scientific circles, but I love the way she has ‘humanised’ the stars she’s writing about. From stars as gassy babies (so relatable right now) to ‘Barbara’ the Milky Way matriarch, her way of explaining things is funny and relatable.
The subject matter is entirely mind blowing though. Harvey-Smith has done a wonderful job of conveying the sheer scale of our universe, from teeny tiny to... well... astronomical. She also conveys the beauty and wonder of it all incredibly well.
The Secret Life of Stars is still information dense, so it’s probably the kind of book you might read a chapter at a time, rather than all in one sitting. It’s targeted at ‘everyone’, and I certainly enjoyed it as a 30-something with a scientific background. I think it would also be wonderful for a parent or teacher to read aloud and discuss with upper primary kids. To be honest, I think ‘everyone’ is probably pretty close to accurate!