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.

This is my favorite book of 2024 so far. I loved the neurodiverse, queer narrator, who is unique but also so so easy to relate to. I loved her struggle to relate to her half sisters, her desire to be accepted, her insights on herself and the people around her. I love her best friend, whom she hasn't quite realized she has. I love the phobia of bald men, the space facts. I love the beautiful, sad relationship with her mom, how they never really tell each other things, but how they're always thinking about each other. I love the subtle things that go unsaid, the miscommunications that could be so easily resolved. I loved the "parenting your parents" theme, the frustration and guilt at just being a human.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I purchased a copy for my library and must go back and read the previous title from the author.

I really loved Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead, so I jumped at the chance to read this follow-up. While I think Interesting Facts about Space lacked some of the humor and sparkle of the other book (I mean, it IS a different book, soooo...valid? I'm not suggesting Austin has to always be sparkly and funny) I still really thought this was a worthwhile read. I highlighted it to death. It's going to be very difficult to narrow down which quotes I'm going to include here. Anyway, I just remember laughing a lot more at EITRWSBD (and I'm a sucker for dark religion-centered humor). IFAS, for me at least, was a much starker view into the mind of a (again, in my opinion) heavily Autistic-coded MC. I saw someone describe this books as "heady and intense" and I think that's a perfect word choice, especially if you want to make "heady" a pun.

This is another one of those books that people are going to complain about because the MC isn't likable or they couldn't relate or blah blah blah and I'm here, one again, to shout from the rooftops that there are people in the world that have brains that work exactly like Enid's and it is WORTH IT TO READ ABOUT IT even if you can't relate. This book feels like a fever dream of weirdness and bizarre stream of consciousness at times and it made me a little zany to read it but also I just loved it. I hope other people feel seen reading it.

A few quotes that I didn't necessarily relate to (seriously when I'm on a soapbox I am ON A SOAPBOX) but had writing that I really loved:

"'I wonder why some people are like her, and why some people are like me. She’s able to make offhand soppy comments without cringing because she is mentally healthy, well-adjusted, and normal. I can’t tell people things like, It’s always so nice to see you, let alone say something like, I love you, without feeling my insides curdle.'"

"When I was a kid, I would run to my bed after flushing the toilet. I told myself that some toilet monster was awakened when I flushed, and that he would snatch me if I didn’t move. I imagined him chasing me as I flew to my mattress, my pants rarely ever fully pulled up. I thought of his knobbly, green monster fingers reaching for me as I dove into my mattress. I believed the second I was under the covers he would return to the pipes."

"I hate my voice. I hate the words I choose. I hate my instincts and the way I think. I hate that I am self-absorbed enough to hate myself in detail. I think I am a bad person. I feel self-loathing so deeply I think if I cracked myself open, I would see the physical manifestation of it calcified in my bones like a geode."

Content Warnings: Hyper fixations / Obsessive Thoughts; Paranoia; Phobias; PTSD; Ableism; Self-Harm (Minor)

The book’s first-person narrator, Enid, is a lesbian, unilaterally deaf, neurodivergent, and has untreated paranoia, PTSD, and a phobia (of bald men). Each of these identities plays a significant role in how she views and describes the world. The book is a character study, with readers following her mindset as she navigates daily tasks from her work as an information specialist at a space agency to her intimate relationships with family, friends, and lovers. There is no strong “plot,” per say, other than Enid’s navigating her identities and seeking control over her life, but Enid is a strong enough narrator to make that journey interesting.

Some might feel the ending comes too abruptly or feels incomplete, but for me it was perfect. It mirrored Enid’s greater understanding of herself and resolving tensions around her as she recognizes and tends to her unique needs. Rather than trying up with a neat, saccharine bow, the happy ending feels like a Enid’s journey is still a work-in-progress, but one in which she has finally gained some of the control she has previously sought.

I enjoyed my time reading this and being in the narrator's head! Emily Austin writes such interesting and unique and rarely represented characters. I did find myself a little bored at times.

This story has so much going on. First, the writing is beautiful and brutal and honest and will touch many nerves because there are a lot of trigger warnings. Tread lightly.

The main character is flawed, broken, damaged but you don’t know why right away. Guaranteed many will not continue because why would you? It is not comfortable witnessing the unraveling, the self-destruction, the self loathing. This does not make for a pleasant story to enjoy for entertainment. What it will do I think is be an eye-opener for those of us who struggle to understand mental health. I also think it will be a support and possibly a lifeline to anyone who is suffering from any of the ailments that plague the main character.

Reading this was a slog as I read it in the evening and often fell asleep before the chapter ended but I’m so glad that I stuck with it because the way the writer wrapped up the story was incredibly beautiful and affirming that help his available, supports can be found where you wouldn’t normally look.

I don’t think this book is for everyone given the triggers, but everyone should read it.

I will definitely keep reading what this local author puts out because she writes beautifully.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the ARC.

This book is outstandingly weird and reflective and emotional, and I really really enjoyed it. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for sending me this ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback

THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND EMILY AUSTIN AND PUBLISHER I AM OBSESSED

I cannot even begin to explain this book. I have NO complaints about it it was perfect for me. I've read 3 books by THIS AUTHOR now and I am obsessed.
The humor is on par and I laughed my ass off. I am going to share my random thoughts below that I experienced while reading this. I won't spoil any major plot or character points.


thoughts:
- can I give this 5 stars after reading one page
- Igbtga+ rep 2
- LLLLOOOLLLL the amount of times l've snort laughed reading this is getting out of hand and I'm not even half done
- I am going to over think while reading this
- awkward intimate moments galore
- Enid (FMC) and her uncomfortable relationship web
- THE FEAR OF BALD PEOPLE. Funny not funny because it honestly made me so uncomfortable for her
- childhood trauma is a very relevant topic in this book
-the seemingly rogue thoughts that Enid had but toh I followed her the whole way.
- if you've ever wondered if you're a "bad" person under a social and relationship lens you need this book
- without context you may like this if you love sponge bob square pants, true crime and murder podcasts, space facts a plenty, awkward yet relatable characters and Eleanor oliphant vibes

A beautiful, funny and heartbreaking story filled with love and what it means to struggle with your own being. This author has become an automatic buy for me.

I had heard about this book before I finally read it and let me say, it did not disappoint. The story was different than anything I've read and funny and endearing. I loved Enid. I loved her interactions with people. I loved the complicated relationships. It was just a Good Book and it was a quick read. I definitely recommend it. Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

"My hobbies include listening to murder stories, having casual lesbian sex, and telling my mom interesting facts about space."

You had me at murder.

This is my 2nd book by Emily Austin. My first was Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead (4⭐) was laugh out loud funny.

Austin has this uncanny ability to bring characters to life. You cannot help but relate to them, sympathize with them, laugh with them, and cry with them.

Like her other book, this story is very character driven, so if you prefer a more plot driven book, this may not be up your alley, but I enjoyed this one.

I absolutely loved all the relationships between the characters and their imperfect nature. A charming read that has secured Austin as an autobuy author for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Available now.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the eARC! I was intrigued by this book’s premise and quickly found myself invested in Enid as a character and her story.

The writing here is impeccable. Gripping, raw, and witty can be used to describe both the book and Enid as a character. I think is an experience where you should go in with very little information - it feels like you’re discovering more about Enid just as she discovers herself. This is a character driven novel with great suspenseful elements! I adored this book and will be reading Emily Austin’s other works immediately!

Sadly, this was a DNF for me at about 30%. It just wasn't for me. While I'm always here for queer characters and even neurodivergent ones, I felt this was VERY try-hard, played to an extreme for quirkiness rather than trying to really paint a full, well-rounded character. This book will be for a lot of people - it's very fun in places and written in very readable language - but sadly, it wasn't for me. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to give it a go, however!

I was somehow under the mistaken impression that this book was actually about time travel. Do you can imagine my confusion as I progressed further & further & got no closet to any time traveling. Eventually i flipped back to the blurb and realized my mistake 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

So having completely backwards expectations DID affect my enjoyment, as I do not normally read contemporary. I’m just not the target audience! But that being said, I still enjoyed this more than I thought i would. It was a refreshing take on things like mental health, childhood trauma, & other various family issues. It manages to tackle some serious issues without ever crossing the line into feeling “dark..” Austin managed to cover some pretty serious subject matter while retaining a somewhat lighter, sarcastic tone.

I also liked our MC, I’ve found that often authors have difficulty maintaining likability when they try to write a flawed character, but that was not the case here at all. Our MC was damaged & imperfect but still relatable.

I had a surprisingly good time with this! I did NOT expect to feel so positively about this. It’s still not my cup of tea enough to not be a full 5 stars, but I enjoyed this, & as a non contemporary reader, I’d say 4 stars is a pretty solid rating! I’m still interested in reading her earlier release,” everyone I know will some day be dead!

3.5 I was very excited for this book as Emily Austin's first book was my favorite book of the year I read it. This book was just not as impactful for me as the other one and I think in comparing it is where I am finding what I feel like it is missing. Austin is great at writing quirky and compelling characters. I had a bit of a harder time connecting with Enid than other characters but it did not stop me from enjoying the book. There was a good character arc and the humor you can expect from Austin. A humor that I would categorize as situational and humorously off-putting. For me the strongest parts were the interactions between Enid and her sisters and the scene in the bathroom was my favorite of the whole book. There was not much of a plot so if that is something you enjoy in your books this might not be for you.

Interesting Facts about Space by Emily R. Austin was a quirky, fun book with a bit of a mystery and it tackled such topics as mental health, dysfunctional family, trauma, LGBTQ+ issues, and neurodivergence. I love it all the way to space and back!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced digital copy of the book.

Compulsively readable and effortlessly charming, “Interesting Facts about Space” has 100% cemented Emily Austin as an auto-buy author for me. She really knows how to blend the perfect balance of humor and introspection, where I’ll be laughing one second and spiraling into existential dread the next. This is one of those books where you realize you’ve never had a single original thought. It’s as if Austin reached into my consciousness and put it all on the page for me to dissect and embrace.

Enid is a neurodivergent, hard of hearing lesbian who navigates human connection, family dynamics, and a phobia of bald men. While overcoming paranoia, miscommunication, and feelings of inadequacy, Enid learns a valuable lesson in the importance of embracing one’s true self — flaws and all.

I just finished “Beautyland” by Marie-Helene Bertino as well, and these two books have so much in common. If you enjoyed this one, I highly recommend the other and vice versa.

The first few chapters of this book were charming, dark and interesting. I loved the neurodivergent representation and the characters were fascinating. Learning about her family history and current relationships through her lens was fun. The middle of this book was slow and rough to get through. I kept waiting for more to happen. And then, all of a sudden, more did happen very quickly and the book was over. The pacing, which I'm sure was intentional and for effect, was odd. In the end, I enjoyed the book while I was reading it but when I was finished I kept thinking that I wanted there to be more to it. I'm not sure what exactly I wanted, be it more plot or more information or more closure. I just know that I felt like there was a piece missing from this puzzle.

I loved reading Emily Austin's latest book. It was light-hearted and managed to accurately depict mental illness with a good touch of humor. What got me hooked was the way the characters were developed. Each one was so unique and well-thought-out, making it easy for me to relate to them. The relationships between the characters were also really well-written. The bond between Enid and her sisters was fascinating, adding depth to their characters as the story unfolded. Polly's character was a nice surprise, bringing a good balance to Enid's life. Enid's connection with her mother was beautifully portrayed, despite the challenges they faced. And I loved the friendship between Enid and Vin - it was a standout, highlighting a strong queer-platonic connection that was portrayed exceptionally well. The only thing I thought could have been better was the pacing of the story, which sometimes felt a bit slow. The ending wrapped up a bit too quickly for my liking, but all in all, it was still satisfying and didn't take away from my overall enjoyment.