What readers think of The Smallest Lights in the Universe, plus links to write your own review.

A heartfelt memoir from an award-winning astrophysicist who grapples not only with being a female in a male-dominated field and on the autism spectrum, but a mother of two young boys who discovers that her husband is suffering from terminal cancer. It's engagingly written, and while the science information (exoplanets, biosignature gases, transit transmission spectra, to name a few) is essential to her story, it's a tad much for the average reader. Her discovery of a group for widows in her community is one of the highlights of the book - their care and sustenance are truly heartwarming. All things considered, a thoughtful (and hopeful) take on the author's search for life after loss. Readers of all types would enjoy this memoir, but book clubs might find the science info a bit heavy.

Sara Seager has accomplished world-changing scientific discoveries in the field of astrophysics while suffering the death of her husband and thoughtfully managing to raise two young sons alone. Lacking knowledge in the science of the stars, I floundered in much of that important part of the book; it was like diving into ocean depths without an air tank. Thus, the book's appeal is somewhat limited to an audience of astronomers, professional and amateur. The other part of Seager's memoir is a touching love story, dealing with the tragic loss of her husband to cancer. Luckily she stumbled into a small group of women she called The Widows, who helped each other get through a devastating event in their lives, and provided a valuable lesson for a broader audience in how to deal with death and dying.

I enjoyed being invited into Sara Seager's life. I especially enjoyed learning about Sara's work on exoplanets and the Starshade project. Having helped someone close through the grief process of losing a spouse, I am glad that Sara found support in The Widows of Concord. I would have liked to learn a little more about Jessica, Diane and Christine as Sara mentions that she became close friends with them, even having Jessica live with her and her sons. I also wonder if Sara ever sought professional help about where she fits on the autism spectrum. Overall, a nicely paced read about a slice in the life of a most interesting person.

Sara Seager has written a touching memoir that I found quite enjoyable. I particularly appreciated how she wove the themes of darkness and light throughout, comparing and contrasting the value of each not only in her work as an astrophysicist but also in her personal life as she deals with tragedy and how to move forward. I particularly enjoyed her descriptions of imagining how to find exoplanets and how that creative ability helped her as well in her personal life. I think this would be a good story for discussion by book groups with the themes of dealing with loss, single parenting and dating, asking for help when overwhelmed, juggling work and personal lives, what it's like to be a little "off" compared to "normal" people, being passionate about intellectual pursuits so as to perform at an elite level, characteristics of genius level people and thinking, and more.

Are astrophysicists like you and I? That was the question I raised to myself when I began reading Sara Seagar's memoir, The Smallest Light in the Universe.

In straight-forward prose, Seagar describes her life from awkward, virtually friendless child to naïve scientist to MacArthur genius award winner. Slowly, with the same rhythm with which she develops, I became engrossed in her life, her growth emotionally, and especially, her advances as a scientist.

I was fascinated by her description of exoplanets and her genuine excitement for her science, for each step taken to find an answer to life's most imponderable questions. I also empathized with every moment of her joys and every moment of her sorrows.

She tells her story well, without embellishment, much like her mind works to discover truths about the universe. Hers is a universal story told by a brilliant woman. Is she like you and I—yes and no. I enjoyed each page that led me to my conclusion.

Is it possible for readers to empathize with one of today's most intelligent minds? When that mind belongs to astrophysicist Sara Seager, the answer is a resounding yes. In this absorbing and candid memoir, Seager describes her rising success engaged in the scientific search for possible life on other planets when her own life comes apart. Following her husband's death, she struggles with grief and coping as a single mom of two young boys while trying to pursue the demands of the career she loves. Despite misgivings, she finds solace and wisdom from a local group of women, "The Widows of Concord."

"The Smallest Lights in the Universe" a memoir by Sara Seager is a thoughtful read. Sara, an astrophysicist, discovers her life's passion for stars as a child on her first camping trip. Despite a challenging childhood, shuttled between two different and less than ideal parental homes, Sara successfully pursues and achieves a career in science. Sara reveals a very human story, imparts a lesson in astrophysics that isn't overwhelming with technical language and leaves the reader with admiration for her achievements and her tragedies. Book clubs would enjoy this book. We're all different, we all have a unique place in our universe just like the stars.

"The Smallest Lights in the Universe" is an object lesson to those struggling not to drown in overwhelming grief: You are not alone. You have never been alone.

Support groups could very well feature this in a book club, and there are vast, fascinating questions of the universe in hard science besides.