Kate Greene is a science journalist who took part in an experiment that recreated the experience of living on Mars with several other 'astronauts'. This book, which takes the form of a collection of essays rather than a chronological narrative, is partly an account of the mission. But the story is also interweaved with Kate's own thoughts and experiences as a queer woman who first became obsessed with space as a child.

It's a brilliant, thoughtful hybrid memoir full of interesting facts about space missions and experiments gone by. It - along with the news of the incredible images taken by the James Webb Space Telescope - has reminded me of my own mild obsession with space and why I find it so fascinating. I really needed a reading reset after some intense reads of late, and this has definitely done the trick! ( )

While interesting at times, this book suffers from a lack of focus. Either write a book about your time on "Mars," or write a literary, poetic, flowery-meandering book about space exploration, but don't try to interweave both into one text. ( )

This book is a memoir by Kate Greene, about the simulated Mars mission that she took part in during 2013. She lived in a geodesic dome for four months, living as if she was on Mars, with a crew of scientists. The book is not chronological. Instead, it is a series of essays about her experience, each chapter focusing on a different topic or theme. Greene has a friendly tone that is very readable. The science isn't too complicated and the focus is on the more human side of things.

Reading the introduction, where Greene talks about seeing the same people, eating the same food, seeing the same view, every day, made me think about quarantine. It was interesting to be reading this book at this time, while so many of us are experiencing a similar thing of being locked in with the same people.

I found the background facts interesting, although I already knew a lot of them as I read a lot about space exploration. I found the psychology angle most interesting. I took less from the more philosophical musings, but that's because I don't find that kind of thing particularly interesting. If that is your thing then this book would be a great read. I did find a few parts of the book a little disjointed and hard to follow, but overall I enjoyed reading it.

Greene talks about what the experiment means for potential future Mars missions, but she also talks about what she took from the experience personally, and how it relates to her own life. I found the discussion of the potential for disabled people as astronauts particularly interesting, as someone with disabilities. The idea that some disabilities could actually be beneficial for space flight was not something I had considered, but perhaps in the future disabled people will be a vital part of the conversation around space exploration. Greene also highlights how even completely able and typical bodies need adaptations for space, showing that context for disability is everything. It made me think about how astronauts returning to earth often experience symptoms of orthostatic intolerance, something I experience on a daily basis as someone with PoTS. What could we learn about bodies in space from looking at disabled people on earth, and what could we learn about treating certain illnesses from looking at astronauts in space? The possibilities are endless, and fascinating.

On a final note, just as a heads up, there is a chapter which briefly discusses the use of guinea pigs in scientific research which, as a rodent lover, I did find difficult to read, although it was interesting.

Overall this book is an interesting read with some unique points of view, well worth reading for anyone interested in space exploration. ( )

Interesting essays about space exploration--and any other subjects. I was thinking it would be more of a journal, but since the study was mostly about food, that wouldn't have made for much of a book. She's thoughtful, honest and disarmingly vulnerable, which gives the book more of a feel about what it might be like to be a "normal" person on another planet rather than a scientist or explorer. ( )

Kate Greene was one of six people who spent four months living in a geodesic dome in Mauna Loa, Hawaii, simulating a Martian environment. The 'almost' astronauts were human guinea pigs in the Hi-SEAS project focused on the domestic challenges of privacy, food, and shared resources in space.

This book is the result of Greene's struggle to find a way to talk about those months and how they changed her.

Greene travels across a broad range of philosophical questions that arose from her experience, discussing food, finding a balance between solitude and sociability, boredom, and isolation, applying her insights to daily life.

I appreciated her thoughts on the privatization of space technology and the lack of oversight in the data collection and use of social media by tech companies, influencing users without their knowledge or consent.

The Space Race arose from a quest for military and political dominance. Greene asks, is it possible for space exploration to transcend "nationalist pride, capitalist power, and ordinary ego?"

"I've come up with more questions than answers," Greene writes.

Entertaining and informing.

I received a free egalley from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. ( )