Book Review: The Disordered Cosmos: By Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

 I picked up this book as part of my Outer Space reads for my 2026 theme of Outer Space. 

It is billed by the publisher as " . Chanda Prescod-Weinstein shares her love for physics, from the Standard Model of Particle Physics and what lies beyond it, to the physics of melanin in skin, to the latest theories of dark matter—all with a new spin informed by history, politics, and the wisdom of Star Trek."

 Having thought about this for a few days now, I don't know that I really felt the love of physics or the universe cut through.  I do feel that I've gained an understanding of how very difficult it is for people who aren't white to be heard and seen in the world of physics. It was not at all surprising to me to read that frankly, the world of science is also very content to enforce the status-quo, rather than to seek to really engage in what would surely be the messy and challenging work or re-imagining how science could indeed become more inclusive overall. 

Prescod-Weinstein skillfully blends her own experiences in with experiences of other persons working in the same or similar fields, and in that blending comes a new way of thinking about how others can best support those interested in and currently working in science fields.  I was particularly struck by her ideas of freedom- which resonated so heavily with me. She should not, indeed, have to be contemplating the secrets of the universe while also attempting to help housekeeping services at her institution get paid a living wage.  All children should indeed be able to study the cosmos with appropriate resources regardless of their talent. 

     This was a book I did have to engage with heavily, as it was dense and went in directions that the blurb and cover didn't exactly advertise. I think it was well put together, and had many interesting ideas. It is a perfect book for professors and teachers who work with students who are interested in STEM fields. In fact, it is so perfect for this, that Hachette does offer Desk/Exam copies for those wanting to use this in their classrooms.  ( Look HERE  for the form to request Desk copies).

So... I don't think I do recommend this as a book to bump up your physics knowledge. I do recommend it as one for readers who are curious about how science shapes their every day life, and how it could be done better. 

First Published :  March 2021 

Pages: 336

Available as an Audio Book :  YES

Trigger Warnings: racism, sexism, rape, mental health, medical trauma, misogyny, systemic oppression.  (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina by Zoraida Cordova 5/5 stars!

 Well, this was a surprise for me! 

I fell in love with The inheritance of Orquidea Divina  by Zoraida Cordova!

 

This book was suggested as a read for our diverse book club and ultimately it was rejected. I was hoping it would come up again for March, but I'm not the moderator for that club and it was never to be seen again!  I had it on hold at the library, and when it came up- i decided Why not try it! 

   I am still surprised at the way this novel just kind of quietly wormed it's way to the top of my listening list of audiobooks. TO be frank, this cover, as beautiful as it is, doesn't really do it justice. It looks so Victorian to me that I was not exactly excited to read about an inheritance from a sort of rigid time period. OF COURSE, this is not at all what this book is about. 

And I do find the alternate cover  is really much better:  Which do you prefer? 

    Readers are treated to a dual timeline story, where we learn about the amazing, resilient Orquidea Divina - and her life from infancy to transformation, because death never really comes for Orquidea. 

In the second timeline we follow her relatives, particularly her grandchildren who are out in the modern world, but are called home for their inheritance. 

   Again, I thought this wasn't for me, but...the characters of Marimar and Reymundo in particular just dragged me right in. I wanted to know what was going to happen for them, and let me attest, readers are in for a wild adventure, full of unique magical realism, drama, a touch of horror,  mayhem, some hard truths, cosmic intervention and love. While this can be enjoyed as a fantastical tale of magical realism,  readers will also be able to relate to characters as they experience dreams broken and dreams realized, feelings of belonging, and rejection, the pain of lies and broken promises and the joys of discovering a place they can call home.  

Currently this book is vying for favorite read of the month- in competition with Kiss of the Fur Queen. 

STATS

First Published 2021

Pages: 336

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings:  Body horror, child death, death, infidelity, parent death, alcohol use, 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Hammajang Luck by Makana Yamamoto 4.5/5 stars

  I FINALLY  got the audiobook copy of Hammajang Luck from the library!

 Honestly, I am a wee bit salty about this one, because I requested it on NetGalley  as an ARC, but got no response from the publisher.  Usually, I get acceptance or rejection pretty fast, but in this case it just sat there in requests until I finally withdrew the request.  I may have requested it too close to the release date, but still.... I really wanted to read it, so thankfully the library came through. Whoo Hoo Libraries! 

The cover is... well, I LOVE it. 

This is a heist novel with a side plot of "relationship" it features  a F/NB relationship; lesbian main character; trans main character; BIPOC main character; lesbian side characters; trans side characters; and BIPOC side characters. Although set it space, it pays homage to Hawai'ian life with use of  traditional Pidgin (mix of Hawai'ian, English, Japanese, Portuguese, and Cantonese- and some other languages), and introduces some concepts of family that are somewhat unique to the Hawai'ian Islands. I did find myself forgetting all the time that it wasn't set in Honolulu. So if you are looking for hard Sci-Fi world building- this likely isn't your novel.  

We follow Edie as they are unexpectedly released from space prison, by a person for whom she definitely has mixed feelings about. Edie is determined to not end up in prison again, but like many people released from prison, the cards are not in their favor. 

Edie is soon involved in a complex, sophisticated heist involving a team of players who are all testing and gauging the trustworthiness of the team. They are the best of the best, and it's a pleasure to read as they progress through all the steps of the heist.  Edie has to choose, almost every step of the way, between trusting someone who has not been the most trustworthy in the past,  or setting an entirely new path that seems to be also a bit of a "bad" choice. As I was reading I was consumed by the lack of options offered- so much like real life, even in this decidedly not real setting and situation!   I was on the edge of my seat as things went wrong and the team had to improvise! 

  I do not think I personally would make the choices made by Edie, and that really was something that I, as a reader, am not entirely used to, and it made me a little uncomfortable overall with the book- which I liked. I was challenged to think through things I hadn't and examine some family/friend relationships that I've had that were also challenging. I'm still kind of mulling all of that over. So, of course, that's a good book. 

    This is a great book  for discussion as there's a lot to talk about, not only does it highlight a cast of queer characters, but it also takes subtle jabs at capitalism, the US (I assume) Prison system, and even medical research as it is performed today. So, for the right book club this could be a winner.

I read this audio book in 4 days!  This is record for me, I just kept checking in on what was going to happen next!  So, for me, the book was highly readable, and easy to make my way through.    Jolene Kim did the narration, and I thought it was perfect.  I really enjoyed the way she voiced all of the Hawai'ian Creole, as I'm sure I wouldn't have gotten the cadence of the language as well if I had been reading it off a page.  It enhanced my enjoyment of the entire book.

Is Hammajang Luck on your To-Be-Read list, or have you already finished it?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments!