Book 1 Post 2

 I recently finished reading How I Killed Pluto and Why it Had it Coming by Michael E. Brown. This memoir was an informative, lighthearted, and engaging read that takes you through the wild journey of the man responsible for Pluto’s demotion from “planet” to “dwarf planet.” Brown is an accomplished astronomer and professor at Caltech, known for his renowned research and impressive trans-Neptunian discoveries, which included many notable asteroids and other dwarf planets. I originally selected this book because of Brown's impressive résumé, its focus on outer space, and Pluto's reclassification. As a child, I was always fascinated by outer space and even went through a phase where I wanted to be an astronomer myself. This book felt like a chance to reignite that interest and learn more about a subject that once captivated me! I am an avid reader of memoirs in general, and love to read stories that blend lessons about both life and work.

How I Killed Pluto and Why it Had it Coming begins with a brief overview of the solar system, where Brown explains what it means to actually be classified as a planet. He distinguishes the differences between planets, satellites, and asteroids, noting that planets orbit stars while satellites orbit planets. For example, Earth is a planet and our moon is a satellite. He then dives into an explanation of the Kuiper Belt, discussing the challenges in deciding whether its objects were planets or not. This context is key for understanding how Pluto was later reclassified as a “dwarf planet.”  He also debriefs his education and reminisces on how his interest in outer space was fostered during his childhood.

The more scientific aspects of the memoir are balanced by Brown's bubbly personality and emotional vulnerability. While the main focus is his career-defining discovery, he shares personal stories about his upbringing, college struggles, and experience becoming a father. These moments humanize Brown and make the memoir more engaging and relatable. As the book progresses, the reader gets to learn more and more about Brown's personality, and the story becomes significantly more emotional and inspiring when he discusses the birth of his daughter.

Overall, How I Killed Pluto and Why it Had it Coming by Michael E. Brown is both inspiring and easy to read. If you're looking for a blend of education and heartfelt storytelling, then this book is for you. Brown immerses readers in the intricacies of his work, and I felt like I was there with him. His ability to explain complex scientific topics in a friendly, approachable way made this book all the more enjoyable. This book is also relatively short and easy to follow, making it perfect for nighttime reading or in-between classes. I would definitely recommend this to someone who is interested in space exploration or someone who is looking to learn more about balancing life and work.