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The Milky Way Smells of Rum and Raspberries: ...And Other Amazing Cosmic Facts
An offbeat guided tour of the Universe, focusing on weird and wonderful facts.Astrophysicist Dr Jillian Scudder knows more than most of us what a surreal place the Universe can be. In this light-hearted book she delves into some of the more arcane facts that her work has revealed, and tells us how we have actually managed to discover these amazing truths.Did you the galaxy is flatter than a sheet of paper; supermassive black holes can sing a super-low B flat; it rains iron on a brown dwarf, and diamonds on Neptune; you could grow turnips on Mars if its soil weren't full of rocket fuel; the Universe is beige, on average; Jupiter's magnetic field will short-circuit your spacecraft - and, of course, the Milky Way smells of rum and raspberries.
252 pages, Paperback
Published September 14, 2023
28 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
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May 9, 2023I've read that space actually smells very metallic, or like diesel fumes, or burnt charcoal, now it's rum and raspberries. What I want to know is how would either an astronaut (metallic) or physicist (rum and raspberries) have any idea? Space is a vacuum. They can take off their helmets and have a good sniff. What we know of the Milky Way is from telescopes and radio waves, not through olfactory sensors. And why would space need to have the sort of chemical molecules that convey smell or taste?
So how do they know what space smells or tastes like?
So how do they know what space smells or tastes like?
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June 28, 2022This book attempted to explain the unexplainable using things we see every day. It did a great job of it. A very informative book that I read in one sitting, and would definitely recommend to people who want to know a little more about the galaxy, whether they are experienced astrophysicists or not!
A short, sweet and captivating read, I’ll definitely be buying this when it arrives at the shop!
Thank you to Icon Books and NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A short, sweet and captivating read, I’ll definitely be buying this when it arrives at the shop!
Thank you to Icon Books and NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2023
As a space enthusiast, I found this book to be an excellent read. From fascinating space facts to intriguing insights, the book was packed with interesting content that kept me captivated from start to finish. What I particularly appreciated about the book is the way the author breaks down difficult concepts into easy to understand explanations, without sacrificing any of the excitement. Overall, I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's an enjoyable and informative read that will leave you feeling even more passionate about the infinite wonders of the universe.
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March 13, 2025I have to be honest, I did try and rate this book but then decided against it as I don't think it is fair to mark down an author based on my own intelligence. I'm someone who loves space and this book helped amplify that a lot, however my own intelligence hinders me as I see numbers and I begin to panic. A lot of the reviews say how this book makes unfathomable concepts easier to understand, and that it does, but I also found parts hard to grasp, so it did take me out of it slightly (once again, not the authors fault, that is down to me as a person).
However, the parts I did understand, this book is incredibly engaging in every sense of the word. It teaches you things that you wouldn't have even thought to ask and makes you glad to know it. And it is done with such a fun sense of humour that I was laughing outloud.
It doesn't just cover h0w planets and stars are formed and how they used to act before now, but it covers our future and here and now. It sounds silly, but I didn't realise how much space exploration was still being done after mans first step on the moon. Like there are so many missions to research as they are happening in our near future, such as Dragofly going to Saturn, or Davinci going to Venus.
This book is informative about the universes history but is also hopeful of what could be discovered. The whole thing just makes me so excited to think about.
And if this isn't enough of a reason to pick up this book, then let me share some of the knowledge that it has gifted me.
1. The Moon smells like Gunpowder
2. Nepture has the fastest winds in the solar system, some of the winds moving faster than the speed of sound.
3. Only two objects have come from outside of our solar system into our own, the first one being Oumuamua, which is Hawaiian for "A messenger from afar arriving first"
4. Io, one of Jupiters moons, is the most volcanically active place in the entire solar system.
5. The moon has lava plains known as "Maria"
6. Neptune has diamond rain.
7. The entire concept of Jellyfish Galaxies
8. The fact that Scientists are major nerds and have named things after Lord of the Rings: Charon, Pluto's moon having a region named Mordor Macula and Ceres the dwarf planet having a cryovolcano that is informally titled The Lonely Mountain from the hobbit.
9. Venera's lifespan on Venus
10. Cassini.
If that still doesn't sell you, then here is my favourite beautiful and oddly sad quote: "Many stars are formed in pairs and go through their entire lives orbiting each other. If however these two stars are not the same mass, they will end their lives at different points in time"
And if you don't want to discover more after that, then I don't know what will entice you.
However, the parts I did understand, this book is incredibly engaging in every sense of the word. It teaches you things that you wouldn't have even thought to ask and makes you glad to know it. And it is done with such a fun sense of humour that I was laughing outloud.
It doesn't just cover h0w planets and stars are formed and how they used to act before now, but it covers our future and here and now. It sounds silly, but I didn't realise how much space exploration was still being done after mans first step on the moon. Like there are so many missions to research as they are happening in our near future, such as Dragofly going to Saturn, or Davinci going to Venus.
This book is informative about the universes history but is also hopeful of what could be discovered. The whole thing just makes me so excited to think about.
And if this isn't enough of a reason to pick up this book, then let me share some of the knowledge that it has gifted me.
1. The Moon smells like Gunpowder
2. Nepture has the fastest winds in the solar system, some of the winds moving faster than the speed of sound.
3. Only two objects have come from outside of our solar system into our own, the first one being Oumuamua, which is Hawaiian for "A messenger from afar arriving first"
4. Io, one of Jupiters moons, is the most volcanically active place in the entire solar system.
5. The moon has lava plains known as "Maria"
6. Neptune has diamond rain.
7. The entire concept of Jellyfish Galaxies
8. The fact that Scientists are major nerds and have named things after Lord of the Rings: Charon, Pluto's moon having a region named Mordor Macula and Ceres the dwarf planet having a cryovolcano that is informally titled The Lonely Mountain from the hobbit.
9. Venera's lifespan on Venus
10. Cassini.
If that still doesn't sell you, then here is my favourite beautiful and oddly sad quote: "Many stars are formed in pairs and go through their entire lives orbiting each other. If however these two stars are not the same mass, they will end their lives at different points in time"
And if you don't want to discover more after that, then I don't know what will entice you.
April 22, 2025
M'ho he passat bomba
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July 13, 2025DNF. It's a good book from the little I read but ultimately I didn't stay engaged.
June 22, 2023
Excellent, fun, thought provoking. Just what I needed for my bedtime reading to leave my more transitory thoughts and ponder the cosmos.
October 10, 2022
Read via netgallery
A great, interesting read that easily understandable even for someone who new to the topic of space.
A great, interesting read that easily understandable even for someone who new to the topic of space.
May 26, 2023
In the words of that Lady General Faora-Ul during her beat downs of many including Kal-Al:
If History has proven anything, it is that evolution always wins.
A Good Death is its own reward
In the next 3-5 billion years when our lonely sun becomes a Red Giant while or as a result of the Milk Way crashing Slowly into the Andromeda - I would hope to at least have one descendent safely stowed away in a space pod floating in a not-so-far away galaxy watching as our galaxy and Andromeda create a new one with their leftovers from theirs.
It would probably look very epic. The ultimate Space Opera
Jillian Scudder wanted to make this as relatable to YA readers and maybe even people who were tired of picking up "Astronomy for Dummies" books. For me, I'd have loved to have this as my suggested reading in my first year - it would have put the real and sciency books into a bite-sizeable chunks.
This is chock full of relatable connections to theories that no one can hold in their hands and prove thanks to the vastness and impossibility of phasing into any part of the universe all willy nilly to conduct experiments. What I enjoyed is that the majority of the empirical data gathered and reviewed via a method called "wait....and watch". Point to a telescope there and WATCH. Thankfully, robotic telescopes have nothing better to do.
I felt like I was actually back at university and attending my favorite lecture - the Professor was engaging, provided anecdotes, bite sized morsels of context, just short of anthropomorphizing the object of focus yet creating this bond between the students and the material. I enjoyed getting to know some new things I had no clue about, like how about those Necromancer Supermassive Black Holes just reviving some faded star for no good reason. Or that enigma that is the Perseus Supermassive Back Hole humming away on a b flat tone. or the Fermi Bubbles and how about a good hum. How musical.
To recap, these Blackholes can be Necromancing Muscians with gravity as their grave diggers - and there are at centers of galaxies, I oversimplify it ...but how cool is that.
If History has proven anything, it is that evolution always wins.
A Good Death is its own reward
In the next 3-5 billion years when our lonely sun becomes a Red Giant while or as a result of the Milk Way crashing Slowly into the Andromeda - I would hope to at least have one descendent safely stowed away in a space pod floating in a not-so-far away galaxy watching as our galaxy and Andromeda create a new one with their leftovers from theirs.
It would probably look very epic. The ultimate Space Opera
Jillian Scudder wanted to make this as relatable to YA readers and maybe even people who were tired of picking up "Astronomy for Dummies" books. For me, I'd have loved to have this as my suggested reading in my first year - it would have put the real and sciency books into a bite-sizeable chunks.
This is chock full of relatable connections to theories that no one can hold in their hands and prove thanks to the vastness and impossibility of phasing into any part of the universe all willy nilly to conduct experiments. What I enjoyed is that the majority of the empirical data gathered and reviewed via a method called "wait....and watch". Point to a telescope there and WATCH. Thankfully, robotic telescopes have nothing better to do.
I felt like I was actually back at university and attending my favorite lecture - the Professor was engaging, provided anecdotes, bite sized morsels of context, just short of anthropomorphizing the object of focus yet creating this bond between the students and the material. I enjoyed getting to know some new things I had no clue about, like how about those Necromancer Supermassive Black Holes just reviving some faded star for no good reason. Or that enigma that is the Perseus Supermassive Back Hole humming away on a b flat tone. or the Fermi Bubbles and how about a good hum. How musical.
To recap, these Blackholes can be Necromancing Muscians with gravity as their grave diggers - and there are at centers of galaxies, I oversimplify it ...but how cool is that.
September 29, 2022
A really interesting and different type of book that explains how perspectives of space can be changed by weird and wonderful facts of the universe. I really enjoyed this book and absolutely devoured it, I really didn't want to finish it because I actually enjoyed it so much.
There is always so much knowledge out there about space sometimes it can feel overwhelming on where a person should start if they want to learn more about it. This book is the one you need, with a very unique book title and very drawing cover art you almost want to be on the rum and raspberries and in a bath for the relaxation it brings.
Scudder really knows her stuff and she knows how to put technical words and meanings into more of a generalized language that all people can understand and that gives it a really nice and fresh take for those of us who are super interested but sometimes disheartened by lack of understanding and attention span when reading extremely complex and scientific explanations. I believe it is this that makes me want to read more and literally "get into bed" with this book, it makes me feel like the person who wrote it wants people to be more explorative and invested in their topic and this shows passion to me, which I love.
Not only that, the writing style is very humorous - almost as if you're reading the works of a friend and sure there were times where I was read some of it and it completely just dove over my head and that's the way I like it for some of the more scientific and mathematical side of it. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and the writing style makes it so much more easy to love it.
With thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in return for a honest review.
There is always so much knowledge out there about space sometimes it can feel overwhelming on where a person should start if they want to learn more about it. This book is the one you need, with a very unique book title and very drawing cover art you almost want to be on the rum and raspberries and in a bath for the relaxation it brings.
Scudder really knows her stuff and she knows how to put technical words and meanings into more of a generalized language that all people can understand and that gives it a really nice and fresh take for those of us who are super interested but sometimes disheartened by lack of understanding and attention span when reading extremely complex and scientific explanations. I believe it is this that makes me want to read more and literally "get into bed" with this book, it makes me feel like the person who wrote it wants people to be more explorative and invested in their topic and this shows passion to me, which I love.
Not only that, the writing style is very humorous - almost as if you're reading the works of a friend and sure there were times where I was read some of it and it completely just dove over my head and that's the way I like it for some of the more scientific and mathematical side of it. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and the writing style makes it so much more easy to love it.
With thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in return for a honest review.
October 9, 2022
A really interesting and different type of book that explains how perspectives of space can be changed by weird and wonderful facts of the universe. I really enjoyed this book and absolutely devoured it, I really didn't want to finish it because I actually enjoyed it so much.
There is always so much knowledge out there about space sometimes it can feel overwhelming on where a person should start if they want to learn more about it. This book is the one you need, with a very unique book title and very drawing cover art you almost want to be on the rum and raspberries and in a bath for the relaxation it brings.
Scudder really knows her stuff and she knows how to put technical words and meanings into more of a generalized language that all people can understand and that gives it a really nice and fresh take for those of us who are super interested but sometimes disheartened by lack of understanding and attention span when reading extremely complex and scientific explanations. I believe it is this that makes me want to read more and literally "get into bed" with this book, it makes me feel like the person who wrote it wants people to be more explorative and invested in their topic and this shows passion to me, which I love.
Not only that, the writing style is very humorous - almost as if you're reading the works of a friend and sure there were times where I was read some of it and it completely just dove over my head and that's the way I like it for some of the more scientific and mathematical side of it. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and the writing style makes it so much more easy to love it.
With thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in return for a honest review.
There is always so much knowledge out there about space sometimes it can feel overwhelming on where a person should start if they want to learn more about it. This book is the one you need, with a very unique book title and very drawing cover art you almost want to be on the rum and raspberries and in a bath for the relaxation it brings.
Scudder really knows her stuff and she knows how to put technical words and meanings into more of a generalized language that all people can understand and that gives it a really nice and fresh take for those of us who are super interested but sometimes disheartened by lack of understanding and attention span when reading extremely complex and scientific explanations. I believe it is this that makes me want to read more and literally "get into bed" with this book, it makes me feel like the person who wrote it wants people to be more explorative and invested in their topic and this shows passion to me, which I love.
Not only that, the writing style is very humorous - almost as if you're reading the works of a friend and sure there were times where I was read some of it and it completely just dove over my head and that's the way I like it for some of the more scientific and mathematical side of it. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and the writing style makes it so much more easy to love it.
With thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in return for a honest review.
August 18, 2022
Thinking about space has always filled me with wonder, fascination, and, after watching a video about what you'd experience falling into a blackhole, an understandable amount of anxiety and dread. I suppose reading about things like the big splat, our sun dying, or the Andromeda galaxy crashing into the Milky Way and sending us whirling across the universe didn't really help much either.
So, in an attempt to read something a bit lower stakes and lighter in tone about the universe, I chose to pick up Jillian Scudder's 'The Milky Way Smells of Rum and Raspberries...And Other Amazing Cosmic Facts'.
Not going to lie, the title and cover art did hook me in completely and I stayed because Scudder does a fantastic job of taking really technical terms and concepts about our universe and relaying them back to us in a light-hearted and easy to swallow way. Granted, there is a lot of math and astrophysics talk which flew over my head, but Scudder was usually able to summarise each chapter to make it all more understandable, which made me feel a bit better when the numbers were all getting a bit much. Her writing style and footnotes were entertaining, humorous, and informative.
So, did this book solve my existential crisis about how weird and crazy the universe is - no. But does it give me all sorts of fun and interesting facts that I can bring up during dinner parties - absolutely!
[This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.]
So, in an attempt to read something a bit lower stakes and lighter in tone about the universe, I chose to pick up Jillian Scudder's 'The Milky Way Smells of Rum and Raspberries...And Other Amazing Cosmic Facts'.
Not going to lie, the title and cover art did hook me in completely and I stayed because Scudder does a fantastic job of taking really technical terms and concepts about our universe and relaying them back to us in a light-hearted and easy to swallow way. Granted, there is a lot of math and astrophysics talk which flew over my head, but Scudder was usually able to summarise each chapter to make it all more understandable, which made me feel a bit better when the numbers were all getting a bit much. Her writing style and footnotes were entertaining, humorous, and informative.
So, did this book solve my existential crisis about how weird and crazy the universe is - no. But does it give me all sorts of fun and interesting facts that I can bring up during dinner parties - absolutely!
[This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.]
September 7, 2022
I have to admit, the cover of this book caught my eye. I am a science nerd, so this was right up my street. Early on, it was clear that the tone of this book is one that is easy to understand and sprinkled with humour: “Space is weird…and it can kill you in many ways” (and it really can!). It is a fascinating read that helps us to appreciate that there is so much we know, yet so much we don’t know about space.
Every chapter is a bitesize chunk of mesmerising facts, clearly explained. You will find out which gas molecules smell of raspberries. Not only does Dr Jillian explain how this occurs, but also why it is useful for humanity to know this – spoiler alert –it is linked to our DNA! Other highlights for me were the jellyfish galaxies; the connection between Neptune, diamonds and polystyrene; and the future of Triton, Neptune’s moon.
I loved how I’m now equipped with more understanding about our universe after reading this. Some elements I had to read over twice, especially the numbers, mainly because occasionally the book deals with numbers that are much bigger than anything we ordinary folk would come across in our day to day lives. Try imagining the size of a bath required to put the planet Saturn in for example! Every chapter will leave you in awe of our solar system, galaxy and universe.
Every chapter is a bitesize chunk of mesmerising facts, clearly explained. You will find out which gas molecules smell of raspberries. Not only does Dr Jillian explain how this occurs, but also why it is useful for humanity to know this – spoiler alert –it is linked to our DNA! Other highlights for me were the jellyfish galaxies; the connection between Neptune, diamonds and polystyrene; and the future of Triton, Neptune’s moon.
I loved how I’m now equipped with more understanding about our universe after reading this. Some elements I had to read over twice, especially the numbers, mainly because occasionally the book deals with numbers that are much bigger than anything we ordinary folk would come across in our day to day lives. Try imagining the size of a bath required to put the planet Saturn in for example! Every chapter will leave you in awe of our solar system, galaxy and universe.
July 18, 2022
First off this book has a very eye catching cover and an equally catchy title. That cocktail looks delicious, although after reading the book I figure it probably would have some kind of chemical that is no good the human body in any way, shape or form.
One thing I did love about this book is that it was peppered with humour, funny one liners and quips that gave the book a great tone. Overall though I didn’t love this as much as I had hoped I would. I don’t think it’s anything to do with the book generally being less enjoyable - but there was a lot of number talk. And for me personally, numbers are something I struggle to wrap my head around, always have and probably always will do. There were some chapters I found more interesting than others (I really like the one about growing turnips on mars) whilst some chapters I found myself skimming.
I think that if you have a special interest in all things space, you’ll certainly enjoy this read. Again the writing style and the humour within some interesting topics was a real highlight for me.
One thing I did love about this book is that it was peppered with humour, funny one liners and quips that gave the book a great tone. Overall though I didn’t love this as much as I had hoped I would. I don’t think it’s anything to do with the book generally being less enjoyable - but there was a lot of number talk. And for me personally, numbers are something I struggle to wrap my head around, always have and probably always will do. There were some chapters I found more interesting than others (I really like the one about growing turnips on mars) whilst some chapters I found myself skimming.
I think that if you have a special interest in all things space, you’ll certainly enjoy this read. Again the writing style and the humour within some interesting topics was a real highlight for me.
October 9, 2025
The Milky Way Smells of Rum and Raspberries by Jullian Scudder is a delightful exploration of the strange and wonderful facts that make our universe so endlessly fascinating. I was captivated by factoids such as the galactic center of the milky way smelling faintly of rum and raspberries, the universe being as flat as a credit card in relative proportion, and the bizarre weather across planets—iron rain on brown dwarfs and diamond showers on Neptune.
Each short chapter distills a complex astrophysical idea into clear, elegant explanations supported by hard science and relatable analogies that make the science both accessible and memorable. What I loved most is how the book rekindles a sense of wonder about our universe - it reminds you that fact often outstrips fiction in its sheer strangeness. A truly enjoyable read for anyone curious about the cosmic oddities that define our observable universe.
Each short chapter distills a complex astrophysical idea into clear, elegant explanations supported by hard science and relatable analogies that make the science both accessible and memorable. What I loved most is how the book rekindles a sense of wonder about our universe - it reminds you that fact often outstrips fiction in its sheer strangeness. A truly enjoyable read for anyone curious about the cosmic oddities that define our observable universe.
June 12, 2022
This book was so entertaining to read and incredibly informative and compelling. The chapters are small and easily digestible, and the writing style appeals to every kind of reader, whether you’re a scientist, a non scientist, an enthusiast or someone who just wants to know cool facts about the universe. This book is for everyone.
I love a book that can take complex notions and information and make them understandable and interesting. I also love a look that uses footnotes for humour which adds an extra x1000 stars for me, as it adds to the entertainment factor and had me regularly chuckling.
It balances information with an easy writing style, fun and humour. What could be better for a nonfiction book?
Thank you to the author and publisher via NetGalley for this book in return for my honest thoughts and review.
I love a book that can take complex notions and information and make them understandable and interesting. I also love a look that uses footnotes for humour which adds an extra x1000 stars for me, as it adds to the entertainment factor and had me regularly chuckling.
It balances information with an easy writing style, fun and humour. What could be better for a nonfiction book?
Thank you to the author and publisher via NetGalley for this book in return for my honest thoughts and review.
October 29, 2022
Pretty mind blowing stuff but written in a really accessible format.
The actual science is highly complex but this is written in a way that it isn’t dumbed down in patronising fashion, nor is it out of reach to the general reader. I do like I have learned a great deal but I have also been thoroughly entertained with tongue in cheek and unusual facts (see title for example) which captured my interest well.
I have always been fascinated by space so this was a perfect book for me and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. It’s one of those subjects that the more you know, the more you realise you (and the rest of the human race) don’t know about it and I think this vastness and the unknown is part of the appeal. I’m sure this will inspire lots of people to further their knowledge even more. Very well written and enjoyable, thank you.
The actual science is highly complex but this is written in a way that it isn’t dumbed down in patronising fashion, nor is it out of reach to the general reader. I do like I have learned a great deal but I have also been thoroughly entertained with tongue in cheek and unusual facts (see title for example) which captured my interest well.
I have always been fascinated by space so this was a perfect book for me and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. It’s one of those subjects that the more you know, the more you realise you (and the rest of the human race) don’t know about it and I think this vastness and the unknown is part of the appeal. I’m sure this will inspire lots of people to further their knowledge even more. Very well written and enjoyable, thank you.
December 12, 2022
I love space ✨
Fun, light, enthusiastic tone. Very welcoming, like listening to a good friend. One with knowledge beyond yours. And even if you don't really understand half of what they're saying, you're happy to listen because their enthusiasm and passion is catching.
And your friend is lovely and tries to "dumb it down" to a level they think you'll be able to follow, but you still don't. So you just smile and nod while wishing you could comprehend on the same level, appreciating all the tidbits you actually can.
The chapters I could follow were absolutely fascinating.
Totally lost me with the numbers and equations though. The analogies didn't help 😂 But the author is so charming I still thoroughly enjoyed it!
Loved the references to figure skating - my two favourite things combined! What more could I want.
Fun, light, enthusiastic tone. Very welcoming, like listening to a good friend. One with knowledge beyond yours. And even if you don't really understand half of what they're saying, you're happy to listen because their enthusiasm and passion is catching.
And your friend is lovely and tries to "dumb it down" to a level they think you'll be able to follow, but you still don't. So you just smile and nod while wishing you could comprehend on the same level, appreciating all the tidbits you actually can.
The chapters I could follow were absolutely fascinating.
Totally lost me with the numbers and equations though. The analogies didn't help 😂 But the author is so charming I still thoroughly enjoyed it!
Loved the references to figure skating - my two favourite things combined! What more could I want.
February 13, 2023
Trying to explain complex science to a mass audience is actually a complex science in its own right. Making it too trivial risks losing those who have some general knowledge in the subject, while making it too complicated risks losing even fairly hard science readers. I’m in the latter camp, university research level biologist, so I’m happy to confirm that it didn’t lose me. Overall, it is quite a well balance book, probably OK for GCSE level upwards, and it does provide a welter of useful and fun facts. Stylistically it is closer to a lecture or textbook than to a dip in to find trivia book. I will certainly point people in its direction.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
April 14, 2025
"The Milky Way smells of Rum and Raspberries" was a short but entertaining read, an intriguing collection of facts about planets, stars and other things in space. I went through it incredibly quickly, fascinated by every new information and every new "fun fact", like the ones about diamond rain on Neptune, singing supernovas or the fact that quite a few planets have played "The floor is lava" at some point in their history of creation.
Honestly, the thing I enjoyed the most about this read was the excitement the author shared with the readers through her easy to understand descriptions of actually quite tricky concepts. I had fun reading it and I definitely recommend it to all space enthusiasts who are looking for a quick read :)
Honestly, the thing I enjoyed the most about this read was the excitement the author shared with the readers through her easy to understand descriptions of actually quite tricky concepts. I had fun reading it and I definitely recommend it to all space enthusiasts who are looking for a quick read :)
October 23, 2022
I have to say that I was drawn to this book by the intriguing title...
Although I have a scientific background (life sciences), my brain usually runs screaming from any attempt to understand the mysteries of the universe!
The author is an astrophysicist, but does a great job of explaining some of the mysteries of the universe with a light-hearted twist. This is a great book for anyone with my sort of brain! The chapters are fairly short and the language is not complex - it's enjoyable to read, and you can dip in and out of it.
This doesn't often happen with me, but I am going to read this again!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.
Although I have a scientific background (life sciences), my brain usually runs screaming from any attempt to understand the mysteries of the universe!
The author is an astrophysicist, but does a great job of explaining some of the mysteries of the universe with a light-hearted twist. This is a great book for anyone with my sort of brain! The chapters are fairly short and the language is not complex - it's enjoyable to read, and you can dip in and out of it.
This doesn't often happen with me, but I am going to read this again!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.
October 16, 2022
I admit it. I have no idea what rum smells like. The title of this book was still made my brain skip around for a while though! "The Milky Way Smells of Rum and Raspberries" was a totally engrossing, entertaining, and informative read. Jillian Scudder proves, without doubt, that science can be funny as well as fun. Anyone with even a vague interest in astrophysics will get a lot out of this book.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
November 27, 2022
Attracted by the title this book delivers the weird and wonderful aspects of our universe in easy to digest chunks. I love science but physics was always my nemesis.
Astrophysicist Jillian Scudder makes her material understandable, seasons facts with humour and engenders a desire to find out more – in fact I loved it so much I have bought for my teenage sons both of whom love all things space.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for access to this ARC as always much appreciated. All views are my own
Astrophysicist Jillian Scudder makes her material understandable, seasons facts with humour and engenders a desire to find out more – in fact I loved it so much I have bought for my teenage sons both of whom love all things space.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for access to this ARC as always much appreciated. All views are my own
September 11, 2022
I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review
It does? I know it’s scientific non-fiction but…read the book. Astrophysicist Dr. Jillian Scudder shares facts you may not know about space beyond astronauts and rovers. Decent to read on a long bus ride though there are many terms and discussions that can be difficult to understand. But hey, learning experiences are good, and finding out how Io has lava lakes is definitely among them.
It does? I know it’s scientific non-fiction but…read the book. Astrophysicist Dr. Jillian Scudder shares facts you may not know about space beyond astronauts and rovers. Decent to read on a long bus ride though there are many terms and discussions that can be difficult to understand. But hey, learning experiences are good, and finding out how Io has lava lakes is definitely among them.
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November 4, 2022Before I start, I just want to let you all know I read this through NetGalley!
This is a fun, accessible introduction to the universe. The author has taken a massive, complex topic and made it seem simple, which is certainly a skill. You might call it a beginner's guide to space; I think it's a great starting point for anyone interested in learning more about what lies beyond the Solar System.
This is a fun, accessible introduction to the universe. The author has taken a massive, complex topic and made it seem simple, which is certainly a skill. You might call it a beginner's guide to space; I think it's a great starting point for anyone interested in learning more about what lies beyond the Solar System.
May 11, 2023
Dr. Scudder did a great job of making astrophysics interesting with her descriptions and funny footnotes of the various not-so-permanent cosmic facts. It can be read a chapter here and there and Dr. Scutter admits that there are lots of assumptions and "close enough" math computations that scientific facts may adjust in the future. But for now, the ethyl fromate gives raspberry its flavor and rum its taste and is a large part of the Milky Way.
July 14, 2023
Obviously I chose this book because of the name, it really drew me in.
I'm so glad I did!
The Milky Way Smells of Rum and Raspberries is a brilliant, surprisingly hilarious non-fiction full of cosmic facts and theories, from best guesses as to Saturn got its rings, what planets are full of diamonds, which moons have rivers and lakes, to just how hostile Venus is to robots
Go read this book now
I'm so glad I did!
The Milky Way Smells of Rum and Raspberries is a brilliant, surprisingly hilarious non-fiction full of cosmic facts and theories, from best guesses as to Saturn got its rings, what planets are full of diamonds, which moons have rivers and lakes, to just how hostile Venus is to robots
Go read this book now
December 15, 2023
Absolutely LOVED this.
A really interesting funny book on all things space. Not particularly in depth but discusses some really interesting aspects and has lots of fun facts.
My only gripe was the constant footnotes , I felt that there was too many and it would have been better in the text than having to refer multiple times on a page to the footnote, especially as I read on a kindle.
But highly recommend and will probably reread.
A really interesting funny book on all things space. Not particularly in depth but discusses some really interesting aspects and has lots of fun facts.
My only gripe was the constant footnotes , I felt that there was too many and it would have been better in the text than having to refer multiple times on a page to the footnote, especially as I read on a kindle.
But highly recommend and will probably reread.
June 30, 2024
3.5 - I find space so interesting that this was just such a cool read for me. I mean - neutron stars colliding gave us gold & platinum?? It rains diamonds on Neptune?? Saturn’s rings are falling apart?? The universe is so fascinating!!
Plus, the author’s humour is gold: there’s a shrek reference & jabs at how nerdy astronomers are (they use lord of the rings to nickname planetary features). Truly an entertaining read.
Plus, the author’s humour is gold: there’s a shrek reference & jabs at how nerdy astronomers are (they use lord of the rings to nickname planetary features). Truly an entertaining read.
November 12, 2022
The cover of this book and title implies to me that this is a "fun" book about the Milky Way.
But for me, it was too maths-heavy and the writing was too technical for me, though I did learn that as long as the number crunch is near to what they want then practically anything goes!!
I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.
But for me, it was too maths-heavy and the writing was too technical for me, though I did learn that as long as the number crunch is near to what they want then practically anything goes!!
I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.
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