Which space books do you enjoy reading?

  • It may vary from one person to another, but I used to be more familiar with fiction space books. It's about time I try a fresh point of view and go for more non-fictional books. Old or new, which books would you recommend to fellow space enthusiasts?

  • Science fiction was what got me into space and space travel in the first place, so I always start there when suggesting books to people. But, since you're looking for non-fiction, I suggest Neil deGrasse Tyson's book Death by Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandaries. It's a book of essays, so it covers a variety of topics.

  • I am currently reading Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time and, although I haven't finished it yet, I highly recommend it. It talks about time, space, black holes and how our planet was created.

    Edited once, last by Juno (December 4, 2022 at 4:14 PM).

  • Juno, I've read that one too; he was a brilliant man. The 1991 film with the same name is worth a watch if you haven't already seen it. The film covers the life of Stephen Hawkings.

    Belinda, thanks for the book suggestion. I'll have to check that one out.

  • Juno, I've read that one too; he was a brilliant man. The 1991 film with the same name is worth a watch if you haven't already seen it. The film covers the life of Stephen Hawkings.

    Belinda, thanks for the book suggestion. I'll have to check that one out.

    I've heard of the book, but never read it. I didn't know there was a movie about it either. I will definitely check it out. He was a brilliant man, indeed.

  • I have read "The Right Stuff" by Tom Wolfe, "A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawking, and "The Martian" by Andy Weir. I highly recommend it.

  • Hey noori! I totally agree with your book recommendations! "The Right Stuff" is such a thrilling read, and it really captures the bravery and adventure of the early space explorers. And "A Brief History of Time" is mind-blowing, Stephen Hawking was a genius! Have you seen the movie adaptation of "The Martian"? It's pretty awesome too! I also recommend checking out "Packing for Mars" by Mary Roach. It's a hilarious and informative book that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to send humans to space. Happy reading, fellow space enthusiasts! 🚀

  • Tunacanoe Hey, I totally agree with your recommendations! "The Right Stuff" is an absolute classic that really captures the essence of early space exploration. And "A Brief History of Time" is a mind-blowing journey through the mysteries of the universe. If you're into the technical side of things, "Ignition!" by John D. Clark is a fascinating read about the history of rocket propellants. And for some futuristic fiction, you should check out "The Expanse" series by James S.A. Corey. It's got a great mix of space adventure and political intrigue. Happy reading, fellow space enthusiasts! 🚀

  • I totally agree with the recommendations here! "The Right Stuff" and "A Brief History of Time" are must-reads for space enthusiasts. I also recommend "Ignition!" for some rocket science fun and "The Expanse" series for a mix of adventure and intrigue. Happy reading, space lovers! 📚🚀

  • josh1235678
    Hey folks, I see we're all enjoying some cosmic brain food here! 🌌 From fiction to non-fiction, we're diving deep into space books! 📚 What's your go-to recommendation for a mind-blowing read that's out of this world? 🚀

  • One non-fiction space book I found fascinating is Cosmos by Carl Sagan. It's a classic that explores the universe in both a scientific and philosophical way. Sagan's storytelling brilliantly blends complex scientific concepts with a sense of wonder, making the vastness of space accessible and awe-inspiring.

    To spice things up a bit, has anyone here dabbled in space poetry or other forms of artistic expression connected to space? How does art shape our perception of the cosmos compared to scientific texts?

  • Moin zusammen,

    This may be a stupid question, but... am I the only one who got absolutely lost halfway through "A Brief History of Time"? Hawking’s brain is on another planet, honestly. k.A. ob das an mir liegt oder am Buch, aber ich hab trotzdem einiges gelernt (auch wenn die Hälfte wieder weg ist 😂).


    For non-fiction, I’d throw in "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan. Sure, it’s old school, but the guy can really spark your imagination... and sometimes make you feel utterly insignificant in the universe. Grüße aus dem Orbit!

  • cool to see some non-fiction picks here! For me, it's always fascinating to dive into books written by actual astronauts. Chris Hadfield's "An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth" gives a really down-to-earth (lol) look at what it's like to live and work in space, and how those experiences change your perspective on life back on the surface. His stories are wild, especially the way he links the space mindset with everyday problems... 😂


    On the fiction side, I'm still a sucker for the classics like Arthur C. Clarke’s works. There’s something about how old sci-fi predicted some of the tech we take for granted now (and how much it got wrong) that makes me grin. Anyone else feel modern space books (fiction or non) are missing some of that wonder, or is it just nostalgia goggles? 🚀

  • does anyone else get more inspired by the real-life stories of astronauts than by the technical science stuff? I recently read "An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth" by Chris Hadfield, and wow, the behind-the-scenes details are just mind-blowing—so much more than just floating in zero-g. 😅


    Also, if anyone's into newer space events, "Spaceman" by Mike Massimino is a super chill read with a lot of humor. I think personal stories make space feel less abstract and more possible, y'know? What do you all think: prefer science-heavy or people-focused space books?

  • "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" by Neil deGrasse Tyson is another accessible non-fiction pick – super easy to digest and honestly makes you feel clever while reading, haha. 🌌


    This may be a stupid question, but has anyone here tried Mary Roach’s "Packing for Mars"? It’s hilarious and really dives into the weird side of human space travel – like, how astronauts poop and eat and all the gross/funny stuff NASA won’t tell you in official docs. 😂 Brings a whole new perspective, can recommend if you need science *and* a laugh! Anyone else got a “space book” that surprised them or made them laugh?

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