READY FOR LAUNCH

A retired astronaut renowned for having spent a full year on the International Space Station, Kelly offers compelling insights in this work that is part memoir, part how-to guide.

Kelly relates how, when he was 7, his grandmother, a special education teacher, gave up after trying to teach him how to read; she said he was just dumb. This belief informed much of his life going forward, as he took senseless risks and lived fearlessly—and only learned in the military and at NASA how fear can actually be helpful. Because of his childhood struggles, Kelly felt like a failure, but learning when to be comfortable with failure was also important. Readers become acquainted with much of Kelly’s personal life, including how, as a White American, diversity of all kinds has positively impacted his career; he hopes in his lifetime to see a transgender astronaut (his son is transgender). Folded into every anecdote is a life lesson, for example, about the value in admitting one’s errors and the importance of empathy. Kelly does a great job of exploring the arduous aspects of being an astronaut as well as offering a peek behind the curtain at the most thrilling parts of the job. Those with an interest in space exploration will immediately be hooked, but others will also appreciate Kelly’s straightforward approach to topics like conspiracy theories, risk-taking, good leadership, and more. The text is enhanced with photographs.

An inspiring, energizing guide to life illustrated by space anecdotes.