Review: Space Exploration for Dummies by Cynthia Phillips & Shana Priwer

Title: Space Exploration for Dummies 
Author: Cynthia Phillips & Shana Priwer

Source/Format: Purchased, Paperback

More Details: Nonfiction, Science

Publisher/Publication Date: For Dummies, June 1, 2009

Goodreads     Amazon     Book Outlet

Summary From Goodreads...

Do you long to explore the universe? This plain-English, fully illustrated guide explains the great discoveries and advancements in space exploration throughout history, from early astronomers to the International Space Station. You'll learn about the first satellites, rockets, and people in space; explore space programs around the world; and ponder the controversial question: Why continue to explore space? Take a quick tour of astronomy -- get to know the solar system and our place in the galaxy, take a crash course in rocket science, and live a day in the life of an astronaut...

When I started reading Space Exploration for Dummies, I knew I was in for a long ride. And boy, let me tell you, it took me a few weeks to read this book from start to finish. It wasn’t because I didn’t enjoy it—I really did—it was just a lot of information to take in…and it wasn’t going to be all at once either.

My main reason for picking up this book is because I wanted to know a little more about space exploration—the race to the moon, the first space stations, and early technology that eventually led to peoplw getting into space. Some of the information covered things I already knew, but there was plenty that turned out to be new to me. I learned a lot about the various space programs, the shuttles, and facts about the space race that I honestly hadn’t heard of before. There was no shortage of interesting facts, such as what it takes to get a rocket off the ground and into space, as well as the success and failures of the many ventures that were made all in the name of space exploration. Space Exploration for Dummies was definitely an interesting read that basically renewed my enthusiasm for learning more about space.

Interesting Quotes... 

“In 2005, Cassini flew past Enceladus and spotted startling signs of activity for such a small moon: Huge geysers of material were observed being ejected from Enceladus’s surface.” (p.253).

“Some material ejected from the geysers falls back onto the surface of Enceladus, and the rest of it goes into orbit.” (p.253).

“Enceladus orbits Saturn embedded in a tenuous ring called the E ring, and scientists now believe that geyser material that escapes Enceladus is actually the source of this ring.” (p.253).

“The plan was to send part of the spacecraft on a collision course with the comet and use the impact to eject material from the inside of the comet into outer space, where it could be studied.” (p.243).

Musing Mondays (29)

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB(Jenn) at A Daily Rhythm, that asks you to muse about something book related each week.

My Musings for the Week...

Today for Musing Mondays I want to talk about books that sort fall into an almost average place, as far as like and dislike is concerned. Over the past week this subject has been on my mind since it is related to two of my recent reads. Basically, I really struggled to decide on how much and how little I liked the books. Both had elements that I liked and some that I really didn’t. My feelings were in the middle.

I was dealing with not one but two books that fell into a sort of gray area.

I realized that my problem was that I didn’t know what I wanted to say at first. Ultimately I did decide on how I was going to finish writing the reviews, but it took me some time to just think about it. I’m usually good at knowing what to write and how to word my reviews, but not this time—well, at least not immediately.

And before I call it quits for this post, I thought I would answer the random weekly.

Random Weekly Question (I haven't done one of these in a while): What types of “special” books do you own? For example, do you have any really old books? Any collections based on your interests (eg. architecture, etc)?

I can’t really say that I have any special books, or a collection concerning a specific subject. I tend to read what I want when I feel like it. Though, the only book on my shelf that is really a “collectible” would be my copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Other Stories by Lewis Carroll—I really liked the Barnes & Noble edition. Other than that, I have a mixture of books, some about space, others about figures in science, and a whole lot of fiction.

Have you ever struggled with finding the right words to sum up your feelings about a book?

Weekend Tidbits {#3}: That Time There Was A Humming Bird

When I originally thought of doing some kind of occasional weekend post, I already knew that it wasn’t going to be a weekly thing. It’s going to be, as I said above, occasional. All this post is about is the things I’m currently doing or maybe even look forward to. And at the very end I’ll name a place that I wish was a book setting and my choice of tea for the day. (Links for Weekend Tidbits can be found on the Features Page.)

I actually didn’t post a review last week, but I do have a couple that I want to finish writing this weekend. However, I did start the week out with a post about DNFing books which you can view HERE. I do have a book about cookies to read and review so I’m looking forward to trying out some of the recipes. Also, the giveaway to win a copy of The Wrath and The Dawn is still going. If you want to enter CLICK HERE

In other news, there is a humming bird nesting right outside the window of my house. I knew there was a nest there and I’ve seen the bird, but it wasn’t until yesterday that I finally got a picture of it actually in the nest. And it happened to be raining too. The left photo is farther out, but the bird is just below the middle of the picture. And the right one is a closer photo of the bird & the nest.

Today’s location is Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland. Check out the Places I Wish Were Book Settings Pinterest board HERE to see today's place.

Today's choice is something that I haven't had in a while, and that is ginger. 

The Friday 56 (26)

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice where every Friday you pick a book and turn to page 56 or 56%, and select a sentence or a few, as long as it's not a spoiler. For the full rules, visit the the page HERE

I finished this book a while ago, and I hope to get the review up soon.

"The mission specialist is responsible for ensuring the success of the specific mission to which he's assigned. Mission specialists can lead spacewalks, run experiments in space, operate all of the equipment for a mission, and otherwise assist with the functioning of a mission."--Space Exploration for Dummies by Cynthia Phillips & Shana Priwer

What's on your page 56 this week?

Release Day Blitz & Giveaway: The Wrath & The Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

I am so excited that The Wrath & The Dawn by Renée Ahdieh releases today and that I get to share the news, along with a special introduction from Renée herself! If you haven’t yet heard about this book, be sure to check out all the details below. And don't forget to scroll down to the bottom of the post for a giveaway, which includes a chance to win signed copies of the book and some beautiful book inspired scarves, courtesy of Renée, Penguin Teen, and Rockstar Book Tours. 

A letter from Renée Ahdieh

There are not enough words to express how thrilled I am to share The Wrath and The Dawn with you! From the moment I typed the first word, I felt connected to Shahrzad and her world in a way that carried me through the long process of publication to where we are today. 

Everything about this process has been a dream come true, and hope you love my book half as much as I enjoyed writing it. In celebration of release day, I'll be giving away a signed, first edition hardcover of the book, as well as a gorgeous scarf . . . or two!

Always remember to make it a story worthy of you!

Renée

About The Book

Title: THE WRATH & THE DAWN

Author: Renée Ahdieh

Pub. Date: May 12, 2015

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Pages: 388

Find it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Goodreads

A sumptuous and epically told love story inspired by A Thousand and One Nights

Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend. She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all. 

About Renée

Renée lives in North Carolina (Go Heels!) with her husband Victor and their dog Mushu. Her YA fantasy novel, THE WRATH AND THE DAWN, will be published on May 12th, 2015. In her spare time, she likes to cook, dance salsa, and wreak havoc on the lives of her characters.

She’s also a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, as well as an active member of theScience Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America.

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And now for the giveaway. 3 winners will receive a hardcover of The Wrath and The Dawn and a beautiful book inspired scarf (IMAGES BELOW)! US Only. Ends on May 22^nd at Midnight EST!

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