What inspired you to read the book?
Although sci-fi movies, or books, are not my first choice, my best friend sent me this book after watching the movie “Interstellar,” and I can say once I started reading I was unable to stop. Andy Weir is the author of “Project Hail Mary” and “The Martian,” that was recently made into a blockbuster movie.
What you learned from reading the book?
When we think about an astronaut, we think of the success and the honor of doing what few people have done. The admiration of being a modern day pioneer of space travel and science. However rarely do we think about the incredible sacrifice that it takes to leave behind a life. To live many years without family, friends and loved ones. The bravery and courage that it takes to travel into the unknown. Undergoing the challenges of complete solitude and the mental struggle to try and understand that your small actions may lead to a bigger purpose, but that more than likely you will not live to see the benefit. I cannot even begin to say that committing a crime and being in jail is like being an astronaut, but being in jail is very similar to being alone in space. This book has given me a new perspective of my journey and the journey that Ryland Grace underwent. In jail you have to learn to take one day at a time, to become resourceful in the most unexpected ways, some times even risk your life for survival and especially learn to live a life without family and friends. But one has to understand that every positive action taken is done with the hopes that one day will lead to being successful.
How the book will influence your life and prepare for success upon release? This book has made me reflect on what it means to make a sacrifice of oneself for a bigger purpose. Whether intentional or unintentional, it has taught me that we must take every opportunity to give it all we have to achieve our goals. Although this is a fantasy novel, the author provides many scientific and mathematical facts that have shown me the importance of always having a plan, a second option and making sure that any risk in life is carefully thought, calculated and verified before taking. The book has made me want to learn more about space and time travel – I still do not understand how time relativity makes a few years in space become decades on earth, but the concept motivates me to want to continue to educate myself and learn more.
What was the most inspiring quote?
“It’s a simple idea, but also stupid. Thing is when stupid ideas work, they become genius ideas.” – Ryland Grace