Book Review: The Asteroid Hunter

• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Publication Date: March 19, 2024
• Author: Dante Lauretta
• Genre: Biographies & Memoirs | Nonfiction (Adult) | Science
• Page Count: 336

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Blurb

A “captivating, behind-the-scenes account” of NASA’s historic OSIRIS-REx mission to return an asteroid sample and unlock the mystery of formation on life on earth braided with the remarkable life story of the mission’s leader, Dr. Dante Lauretta (Sara Seager).

On September 11, 1999, humanity made a monumental discovery in the vastness of space. Scientists uncovered an asteroid of immense scientific importance—a colossal celestial entity. As massive as an aircraft carrier and towering as high as the iconic Empire State Building, this cosmic titan was later named Bennu. Remarkable for much more than its size, Bennu belonged to a rare breed of asteroids capable of revealing the essence of life itself. But just as Bennu became a beacon of promise, researchers identified a grave danger. Hurtling through space, it threatens to collide with our planet on September 24, 2182.

Leading the expedition was Dr. Dante Lauretta, the Principal Investigator of NASA’s audacious OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission. Tasked with unraveling Bennu’s mysteries, his team embarked on a daring quest to retrieve a precious sample from the asteroid’s surface — one that held the potential to not only unlock the secrets of life’s origins but also to avert an unprecedented catastrophe.

A tale of destiny and danger, The Asteroid Hunter chronicles the high-stakes mission firsthand, narrated by Dr. Lauretta. It offers readers an intimate glimpse into the riveting exploits of the mission and Dr. Lauretta’s wild, winding personal journey to Bennu and back. Peeling back the curtain on the wonders of the cosmos, this enthralling account promises a rare glimpse into the tightly woven fabric of scientific exploration, where technical precision converges with humanity’s profound curiosity and indominable spirit.

---

My Thoughts & Opinions

The Asteroid Hunter is author Dante Lauretta’s autobiography that chronicles his life’s work and experience in hunting and tracking Bennu. A formidable asteroid as large as an aircraft carrier, and as tall as the Empire State Building.

The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the scientific development, and exploration of the universe. In particular, how the earth came to be.

By sampling and studying asteroids with similar biological markers as earth, Lauretta and his team of scientists hope to discover earth’s origins, and determine if there could be other biologic lifeforms, or at least attempt to determine the origins of earth and its inhabitants.

There is a lot of scientific and technical language. But since I have a keen interest in STEM, I managed to glean a lot of information and the whole process intrigued me. And because most of the research is conducted in my home state of Arizona, I was even more fascinated.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book even though the research isn’t finalized yet. The samplings from the asteroid still has to make it back to earth for testing and further study. But for what has been written thus far, the book has exceeded my expectations. Five stars.

I received a DRC from Grand Central Publishing through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

---

Book Review: Mickey

• Publisher: Kensington Books
• Publication Date: March 26, 2024
• Author: Helen Brown
• Genre: Biographies & Memoirs | Nonfiction (Adult) | Outdoors & Nature
• Page Count: 368

⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Blurb

The youngest daughter of an eccentric engineer and a musical theater fanatic, Helen Brown grew up in the New Zealand coastal town of New Plymouth in a crumbling castle overrun by nature, and overshadowed by nearby, beautiful Mount Taranaki. It’s 1966, the Pacific islands are being used for atomic bomb testing, and her parents and siblings are swept up in their own lives. Twelve years old, struggling in school, and facing eye surgery–for the second time–Helen feels lonely and lost. . . .

Until her father gives her a three-month-old, gray-and-brown tiger-striped tabby with extra toes on each paw. Noticing an M design on the cat’s forehead, Helen names her new companion Mickey. Inquisitive, rambunctious, clever, and skittish, Mickey disrupts the already quirky household with his mischief. But Helen finds love, joy–and herself–in learning what it means to care for a living creature who needs her as much as she needs him.

---

My Thoughts & Opinions

I’m such a sucker when it comes to books involving pets — cats and dogs especially. So when I was given the opportunity to read a book about a cat named Mickey, I was over the moon!

I was expecting a story similar to those pet books written by W. Bruce Cameron, Tatum Talks; Mica Stone or Marth Teacher. But Mickey was not even close to any of the books by the authors mentioned, which was a bit disappointing. Mickey was a very minimal cat story and more of the author’s journey growing up with a somewhat disfunctional mother and siblings.

I enjoyed the beginnings of the book. But after a while, it got a little tedious, especially when the focus turned to Helen’s mother, who I disliked from the get-go. Kudos to Helen for surviving all those years unscathed.

What I found puzzling was Helen’s eye surgeries. There appeared to be more than one and I didn’t quite get what prompted those surgeries (lazy eye?) A little more background information would have been nice since the book really didn’t focus on Mickey the cat, but on Helen’s life.

While I can’t say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book, Mickey was still a good read. Three stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from Kensington Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

---

Book Review: The Manicurist’s Daughter

• Publisher: Celadon Books
• Publication Date: March 12, 2024
• Author: Susan Lieu
• Genre: Biographies & Memoirs | Parenting & Families
• Page Count: 320

⭐⭐

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Blurb:

Susan Lieu has long been searching for answers about her family’s past and about her own future. Refugees from the Vietnam War, Susan’s family escaped to California in the 1980s after five failed attempts. Upon arrival, Susan’s mother was their savvy, charismatic North Star, setting up two successful nail salons and orchestrating every success―until Susan was eleven. That year, her mother died from a botched tummy tuck. After the funeral, no one was ever allowed to talk about her or what had happened.

For the next twenty years, Susan navigated a series of cascading questions alone―why did the most perfect person in her life want to change her body? Why would no one tell her about her mother’s life in Vietnam? And how did this surgeon, who preyed on Vietnamese immigrants, go on operating after her mother’s death? Sifting through depositions, tracking down the surgeon’s family, and enlisting the help of spirit channelers, Susan uncovers the painful truth of her mother, herself, and the impossible ideal of beauty.

---

My Thoughts & Opinions:

I typically enjoy biographies and memoirs. And while I did enjoy the beginnings of The Manicurist’s Daughter, my interest waned after 54% I still managed to skim the remainder of the memoir and I don’t think I missed anything noteworthy.

As a reader that has a tendency to “mouth” foreign words and phrases, the constant barrage of Vietnamese names and phrases became a detriment to my ready enjoyment. I lost track of people and/or relatives, especially when there were only Vietnamese names involved. As such I probably would have enjoyed listening to an audiobook version so I wouldn’t have to fumble over pronunciations.

The memoir wasn’t what I was expecting. I thought the book would delve more into the body image/malpractice angle of her mother as well as the effects of the interratial marriage between her and her Korean husband. But, I just got smatterings of them.

The Manicurist’s Daughter wasn’t the best memoir that I’ve read. But it wasn’t the worst, either. Two okay stars.

I won an ARC from Celadon Books through the Bookish First raffle. I was also invited to read the DRC from Celadon Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

---

ARC Review: Being Henry

• Publisher: Celadon Books
• Publication Date: October 31, 2023
• Author: Henry Winkler
• Genre: Biographies & Memoirs | Nonfiction (Adult)
• Page Count: 256

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Review

I thoroughly enjoyed Being Henry. The memoir really divulged a lot of personal details that I had no idea even existed or occurred. A lot of times the public, including myself, sees a famous personality through rose colored glasses, not realizing that these famous actors like Henry Winkler are humans going through the same personal struggles as everyone else.

In his memoir, Winkler details all of the hardships he faced growing up. One of which was his feeling of inadequacy brought on by old world parents who thought their son wasn’t the brightest bulb in the household. It turns out, however, that Winkler’s scholastic ineptitude was caused by a severe case of dyslexia. A fact that Winkler wouldn’t realize until much later in life at age 31. Can you imagine?

While Winkler enjoyed the limelight during his career as “The Fonz,” it came with a hefty price tag. Winkler had been typecast and struggled to find meaningful acting jobs since the ending of the sitcom Happy Days. But there was a sliver lining. Winkler started writing children’s books and became sucessful at it. I didn’t realize until now that he has written at least 39 plus books in a few series. What an accomplishment!

I could go on and on about the book. Just know that there’s quite a bit of history in the memoir that covers his college years (Yale,) marriage, directorial debut, as well as his struggles with his personal demons. Being Henry is one of the best memoirs that I’ve read in quite a while. Five outstanding stars.

I received an ARC from Celadon Books through BookishFirst. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

---

Book Review: Under the Naga Tail

• Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press
• Publication Date: February 7, 2023
• Author: Mae Bunseng Thing, James Taing (Contributor)
• Genre: Memoir | History | Nonfiction
• Page Count: 352

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Review

It was the mid to late seventies when I could have cared less for what was going on in other countries. As a high schooler then, I was oblivious to the communist actions conducted by the Khmer Rouge. So as I read Under the Naga Tail in present day, I am reminded that history is so important and should not be ignored.

There are no words to explain the pain and suffering that the Chinese Cambodians like Mae Bunseng Taing had to endure under the Khmer Rouge regime. It’s unfathomable to think that such atrocities on the tens of thousands even occurred.

Under the Naga Tail is a testament to the people like Mae whose perseverance and determination fortified their resolve to escape war torn Cambodia.

Told in the first person point of view, the story unfolds from the very beginning of the unrest until Mae’s escape to America. There are photos that highlight the families while living in the refugee camps, and photos of Mae as he successfully integrated into American life and found meaningful purpose.

Under the Naga Tail wasn’t the easiest to read due to the subject matter. But, it certainly left a memorable impression that I won’t soon forget. Five stars.

I received a finished copy of the book from Greenleaf Book Group Press through Bookish First. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

---

ARC Review: Like Water: A Cultural History of Bruce Lee

• Publisher: NYU Press
• Publication Date: August 9, 2022
• Author: Daryl Joji Maeda
• Genre: Biographies & Memoirs | Multicultural Interest
• Page Count: 352

⭐

Rating: 1 out of 5.

Blurb

Highlights Bruce Lee’s influence beyond martial arts and film

An Asian and Asian American icon of unimaginable stature and influence, Bruce Lee revolutionized the martial arts by combining influences drawn from around the world. Uncommonly determined, physically gifted, and artistically brilliant, Lee rose to fame as part of a wave of transpacific globalization that bridged the nearly seven thousand miles between Hong Kong and California. Like Water unpacks Lee’s global impact, linking his legendary status as a martial artist, actor, and director to his continual traversals across the newly interconnected Asia and America.

---

My Thoughts & Opinions

Well, Like Water is not what I expected. It’s a long and arduous read. The first 2 chapters were extremely boring. I for one didn’t care about the history of feudal China in the 1700’s – 1800’s and didn’t see the point of all that background. Chapter 3 is where it started to get interesting when Bruce Lee’s life started. But the chapters are so long that I nearly gave up at that point.

There are quite a number of peaks and valleys. More valleys than peaks, in my opinion. And that is what made me start skimming the chapters from the 66% point.

I didn’t quite understand how the author attached cultural symbolisms to Lee’s movies, and I considered the author’s opinions to be a bit of over thinking and over analyzing. But who am I to judge.

There’s a lot of window dressing in the book and that is probably why the chapters are so long. But what really killed it for me was the author’s political assertions. Clearly he is anti-Trump and pro-BLM. Sometimes it’s best to leave your politcal beliefs out of the picture. One star.

I received a digital ARC from NYU Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

---