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Dinner with an Astronaut: Serving Space Stories: Past, Present and Future
The inspiring journey of Leroy Chiao, one of the first Asian American astronauts in history, elucidating his remarkable path into space as well as his experiences on Earth and beyond
Imagine if you could sit down and enjoy a meal with an astronaut. What questions would you ask? What could you learn after a couple drinks? Leroy Chiao answers that question and more in Dinner with an Astronaut, an insightful and witty deep dive into the world’s most unexplored the cosmos.
As a child, Leroy always dreamed of going to space. One of only a few astronauts with experience aboard the Space Shuttle, Soyuz, ISS, and on spacewalks in both US and Russian spacesuits, he was selected to achieve his wildest dreams by NASA as one of twenty-three members of the thirteenth astronaut group. Leroy was the first full Chinese heritage professional astronaut, flying four space missions and serving as the commander of the International Space Station.
Using his unique perspective from flying with fellow American, Japanese and Russian professionals, Leroy now shares the wonders of space with those of us on Earth, detailing his astronaut training and otherworldly spaceflights. Gorgeously luminary and deeply profound, Dinner with an Astronaut invites readers to join Leroy Chiao at the table, for fans of Scott Kelly, Chris Hadfield, and Neil DeGrasse Tyson.
Imagine if you could sit down and enjoy a meal with an astronaut. What questions would you ask? What could you learn after a couple drinks? Leroy Chiao answers that question and more in Dinner with an Astronaut, an insightful and witty deep dive into the world’s most unexplored the cosmos.
As a child, Leroy always dreamed of going to space. One of only a few astronauts with experience aboard the Space Shuttle, Soyuz, ISS, and on spacewalks in both US and Russian spacesuits, he was selected to achieve his wildest dreams by NASA as one of twenty-three members of the thirteenth astronaut group. Leroy was the first full Chinese heritage professional astronaut, flying four space missions and serving as the commander of the International Space Station.
Using his unique perspective from flying with fellow American, Japanese and Russian professionals, Leroy now shares the wonders of space with those of us on Earth, detailing his astronaut training and otherworldly spaceflights. Gorgeously luminary and deeply profound, Dinner with an Astronaut invites readers to join Leroy Chiao at the table, for fans of Scott Kelly, Chris Hadfield, and Neil DeGrasse Tyson.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 16, 2026
I loved this dinner with Leroy Chiao, where he answers frequently asked questions and regales us with his amazing stories about his training and life in space. It’s well laid out, with each chapter answering a question that makes it easier to go back to when you’re looking for something specific. His stories are fascinating and his humor shines through, making this so easy to read and refer back to. Highly recommended for anyone who loves biographies and ever wondered about what life is like for an astronaut.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the review copy.
March 2, 2026
I received Dinner With An Astronaut as an ARC reader from NetGalley. I love reading astronaut autobiographies and I have read many. This was the best topically organized book I have come across. This book is presented in Q and A format, which is convenient for the skimming-style reader and for those who want extra structure. Some other topically-organized books have been collections of answers I could find myself through a Google search, but this book hads greater depth. There is a great amount of historical and factual information about the space program, spanning from the history Chinese space exploration all the way until current times…and I mean current. Man, what a breath of fresh air to read an up-to-date book. It discusses the Butch and Sunni fiasco, SpaceX history and updates, Boeing, Blue Origin, etc. All these aspects make it a very digestible and fun way to learn a great deal about manned space flight throughout the decades.
Chiao also details his background, childhood, selection to become an astronaut, training, missions, and opinions. My favorite details he described were his reaction to his first EVA, the difference experiences launching in a Soyuz capsule vs the Space Shuttle, and even the time he actually saw an unidentified flying object! I’m not making that up - that’s actually in the book.
Sometimes he refers to his younger self, and I can’t help but think how thrilled young Xiang Zhong would be to read this book, playing spaceman in his parent’s garage, dreaming. He did the hard work and I’m sure he would be thrilled to read about his adult-self venturing into the vastness of space, walking in space, riding rockets, and experiencing his dreams come true. It was a really cool to catch a glimpse of the unique perspective of someone who has done what I cannot, for the betterment of science and for the world.
Chiao also details his background, childhood, selection to become an astronaut, training, missions, and opinions. My favorite details he described were his reaction to his first EVA, the difference experiences launching in a Soyuz capsule vs the Space Shuttle, and even the time he actually saw an unidentified flying object! I’m not making that up - that’s actually in the book.
Sometimes he refers to his younger self, and I can’t help but think how thrilled young Xiang Zhong would be to read this book, playing spaceman in his parent’s garage, dreaming. He did the hard work and I’m sure he would be thrilled to read about his adult-self venturing into the vastness of space, walking in space, riding rockets, and experiencing his dreams come true. It was a really cool to catch a glimpse of the unique perspective of someone who has done what I cannot, for the betterment of science and for the world.
July 6, 2026
Thank you @htp_hive and @HanoverSquarePress for the chance to read this ARC & ALC in exchange for an honest review.
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
4.5 stars, rounded up.
For the space lovers, the curious minds, the folks who love a good memoir, and the folks who appreciate science!
This was a pleasant surprise! The format makes it easy to breeze through or pick up and put down as you have pockets of time. It’s setup into 4 parts and is organized into Q&A:
Part 1: Hors D’Oeurvres: Whet Your Appetite with a Taste of the Science and History of Space
Part 2: Appetizers: Flavorful Inventions and Players in the Race to Space
Part 3: Main Course: The Meat and Potatoes of an Astronaut’s Life
Part 4: Dessert: After Orbit Treats
I learned SO MUCH, but it was accessible and wasn’t stuffy. From the 1200s Song Dynasty and the birth of rocket science to present day privatization of space science in America… this really covered it all.
I have an even greater appreciation for what it takes to move space science forward and I loved learning more about global cooperation and geopolitical aspects through Leroy’s experience working in Star City (Russia’s closed military town that is home to their cosmonaut training center) and learning that Leroy was the first American astronaut given access to China’s space program.
My one wish is that I could get a little more insight into Leroy’s personal life during those astronaut years.
🎧Narration Note: I love when memoirs are spoken by the author. Leroy is used to public speaking, so I’m not surprised he did great with this!
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
4.5 stars, rounded up.
For the space lovers, the curious minds, the folks who love a good memoir, and the folks who appreciate science!
This was a pleasant surprise! The format makes it easy to breeze through or pick up and put down as you have pockets of time. It’s setup into 4 parts and is organized into Q&A:
Part 1: Hors D’Oeurvres: Whet Your Appetite with a Taste of the Science and History of Space
Part 2: Appetizers: Flavorful Inventions and Players in the Race to Space
Part 3: Main Course: The Meat and Potatoes of an Astronaut’s Life
Part 4: Dessert: After Orbit Treats
I learned SO MUCH, but it was accessible and wasn’t stuffy. From the 1200s Song Dynasty and the birth of rocket science to present day privatization of space science in America… this really covered it all.
I have an even greater appreciation for what it takes to move space science forward and I loved learning more about global cooperation and geopolitical aspects through Leroy’s experience working in Star City (Russia’s closed military town that is home to their cosmonaut training center) and learning that Leroy was the first American astronaut given access to China’s space program.
My one wish is that I could get a little more insight into Leroy’s personal life during those astronaut years.
🎧Narration Note: I love when memoirs are spoken by the author. Leroy is used to public speaking, so I’m not surprised he did great with this!
July 13, 2026
Dinner with an Astronaut - Serving Space Stories: Past, Present and Future by Leroy Chiao with Leroy Chiao (Narrator)
Harlequin Audio
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for access to this Audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book. The style is really approachable and digestible (see what I did there…a dinner pun!) I did not know Leroy Chiao prior to requesting this book. I am fascinated by space, but in a fairly stand-off-ish way. I don’t want to travel to space. I’ve never enjoyed science enough to think I could be an astronaut. But I do love the possibilities of space and the role space plays in my favorite reading genre: sci-fi.
Dinner with an Astronaut is a really smart book. It’s a series of questions that Leroy answers from his own perspective speaking to his heritage and culture, memories as an astronaut, and thoughts on current events including SpaceX. It’s not a long book, so there isn’t a lot of depth but it’s also not just one word answers. I appreciate this as a filling starter course to what could be a main meal - a longer book about astronauts and space exploration.
I also appreciated how he speaks to his own identity and how other non-White astronauts were treated (women, especially). The fact that space exploration has been dominated by White men isn’t something to overlook; it’s something to discuss and recognize. I also appreciate some of the history Leroy shares in his own story, things that inspired him, things that led him to where he is.
Overall, this is a really enjoyable read. Readers with varying levels of scientific knowledge can get something from this book and may be inspired to look into other books on the topic.
Narration: I am not often a fan of authors reading their own books. However, I think Leroy’s media training and experience as a professor lent itself well to this narration. It’s not flat or without emotion. I am a proponent of professional voice actors reading audiobooks but Leroy does a nice job. And when emotions are involved, as in the deaths of his friends, sometimes it is nice to hear directly from the author.
Story: This is a great story but readers should know it’s not a linear one exactly. He answers 20+ questions in a q/a format where he adds memories and color commentary. But this isn’t a time-sequenced read. He discusses Apollo, Challenger, Hubble, his upbringing, his mother’s death, his divorce, being a first time parent, being initial rejected and then selected for the astronaut program - it’s a full life, just told in a q/a format. It was really interesting and I would love to know more.
Audiobook Flow: This is a really good audiobook and it works well as an audiobook. There aren’t long storylines to hold onto because each new question he responds to starts a new way of understanding who Leroy is and the US space program.
Recommendation: 5 stars. It’s accessible to the non-engineers but interesting enough to entertain folks with science knowledge. He seems humble but also confident in his hard work. He shares hard earned lessons and things he learned from his Chinese heritage. I really enjoyed this glimpse into his life.
Harlequin Audio
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for access to this Audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book. The style is really approachable and digestible (see what I did there…a dinner pun!) I did not know Leroy Chiao prior to requesting this book. I am fascinated by space, but in a fairly stand-off-ish way. I don’t want to travel to space. I’ve never enjoyed science enough to think I could be an astronaut. But I do love the possibilities of space and the role space plays in my favorite reading genre: sci-fi.
Dinner with an Astronaut is a really smart book. It’s a series of questions that Leroy answers from his own perspective speaking to his heritage and culture, memories as an astronaut, and thoughts on current events including SpaceX. It’s not a long book, so there isn’t a lot of depth but it’s also not just one word answers. I appreciate this as a filling starter course to what could be a main meal - a longer book about astronauts and space exploration.
I also appreciated how he speaks to his own identity and how other non-White astronauts were treated (women, especially). The fact that space exploration has been dominated by White men isn’t something to overlook; it’s something to discuss and recognize. I also appreciate some of the history Leroy shares in his own story, things that inspired him, things that led him to where he is.
Overall, this is a really enjoyable read. Readers with varying levels of scientific knowledge can get something from this book and may be inspired to look into other books on the topic.
Narration: I am not often a fan of authors reading their own books. However, I think Leroy’s media training and experience as a professor lent itself well to this narration. It’s not flat or without emotion. I am a proponent of professional voice actors reading audiobooks but Leroy does a nice job. And when emotions are involved, as in the deaths of his friends, sometimes it is nice to hear directly from the author.
Story: This is a great story but readers should know it’s not a linear one exactly. He answers 20+ questions in a q/a format where he adds memories and color commentary. But this isn’t a time-sequenced read. He discusses Apollo, Challenger, Hubble, his upbringing, his mother’s death, his divorce, being a first time parent, being initial rejected and then selected for the astronaut program - it’s a full life, just told in a q/a format. It was really interesting and I would love to know more.
Audiobook Flow: This is a really good audiobook and it works well as an audiobook. There aren’t long storylines to hold onto because each new question he responds to starts a new way of understanding who Leroy is and the US space program.
Recommendation: 5 stars. It’s accessible to the non-engineers but interesting enough to entertain folks with science knowledge. He seems humble but also confident in his hard work. He shares hard earned lessons and things he learned from his Chinese heritage. I really enjoyed this glimpse into his life.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In a very relatable and amenable style, Leroy Chiao writes about his life as an astronaut, answering many questions that I never knew I had. I enjoyed this book enormously. Leroy (I should call him Dr. Chiao, but he sounds like such an approachable man, that I feel like I know him a little) starts by reminiscing about his childhood, when he first got interested in space. His Chinese immigrant parents taught him well and his determination to become an astronaut is inspiring and remarkable. Like many children, he knew what he wanted to be when he grew up but, unlike most of us, he was bright and resourceful, and did everything in his power to achieve his dream. Once he was chosen as an astronaut, he went through the hardest training possible, and this book discusses what he learned during his training, his trips to space, his life in the ISS, his spacewalks, his relationship with cosmonauts; his friends and family and many other fascinating details. Leroy goes from the big picture to the small details; how the political environment affected him, how technology evolved and fascinating trivia about space. It’s really like having dinner with an astronaut. He finished writing this memoir just before Artemis II launched and returned from being farthest away from Earth as any human has ever been. I can’t recommend this enough to space geeks and anyone who has ever wondered what’s out there.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Hanover Square Press for the gifted copy!
My creds: none (lol). But I am a huge fan of space books and astronaut memoirs — I’ve probably read close to 50 over the last 10 years. I do think this could be a great entry point for readers just getting into their space era thanks to Artemis, Project Hail Mary, and Atmosphere. The Q&A format makes it super accessible, and it covers a lot of ground — the space program, science history, and how we got here. I also really appreciated the perspective of a Chinese-American astronaut and how his upbringing shaped his path, along with the history of China’s starts and stops in rocketry and space exploration.
HOWEVER. There were a few moments that really rubbed me the wrong way. I get that many astronauts have egos to some extent, but my favorite memoirs are the ones that strike a better balance between pride and humility, especially in how they talk about the people around them.
A couple things stood out. Referring to the women in his class as the the WAWAs — “women’s associations of whining astronauts” — and saying no one cared because it was the 90s. And the only mention of his ex-wife being negative and in the context of an unhappy marriage felt. No one gets to this level without support along the way, and acknowledging her only in this derogatory way is telling. Maybe I'm being too sensitive and reading into it, but this is his MEMOIR. Every line should be analyzed for how it makes him look. HONESTLY Mike Massimino and Leland Melvin would never.
Overall, it’s interesting and accessible, but I’m still not sure I’d recommend it.
My creds: none (lol). But I am a huge fan of space books and astronaut memoirs — I’ve probably read close to 50 over the last 10 years. I do think this could be a great entry point for readers just getting into their space era thanks to Artemis, Project Hail Mary, and Atmosphere. The Q&A format makes it super accessible, and it covers a lot of ground — the space program, science history, and how we got here. I also really appreciated the perspective of a Chinese-American astronaut and how his upbringing shaped his path, along with the history of China’s starts and stops in rocketry and space exploration.
HOWEVER. There were a few moments that really rubbed me the wrong way. I get that many astronauts have egos to some extent, but my favorite memoirs are the ones that strike a better balance between pride and humility, especially in how they talk about the people around them.
A couple things stood out. Referring to the women in his class as the the WAWAs — “women’s associations of whining astronauts” — and saying no one cared because it was the 90s. And the only mention of his ex-wife being negative and in the context of an unhappy marriage felt. No one gets to this level without support along the way, and acknowledging her only in this derogatory way is telling. Maybe I'm being too sensitive and reading into it, but this is his MEMOIR. Every line should be analyzed for how it makes him look. HONESTLY Mike Massimino and Leland Melvin would never.
Overall, it’s interesting and accessible, but I’m still not sure I’d recommend it.
Read
June 3, 2026Thank you, Harlequin Audio, HTP Books, and Hanover Square press for the #gifted ALC and ARC as well as a final copy to enjoy!
Space is having a MOMENT ok! Sue me for reading all things space related these days. OR join in on the fun! I really enjoyed this memoir, however, I recognize I am its target audience. This isn’t a memoir you pick up in a whim. This is one you seek out if you are interested in space and life as an astronaut.
I appreciated how this memoir was organized. Truthfully, a lot of memoirs can meander and come across as more of a stream of consciousness, but this one made sense. It moved from question to question as if you were sitting across the dinner table with a friend probing and getting to know one another. Additionally, it moved CHRONOLOGICALLY! The reader is treated to a pretty decent overview of the history of space program and how old Leroy was at the time as well. I really enjoyed hearing how each advancement affected him as a child and ultimately put him on his path to becoming an astronaut.
I think having a co-writer for this memoir was also a great choice - it was extremely well written. I listened to the audiobook mostly, because I enjoy when authors narrate their own memoirs, and on the whole I did, but I will say you could tell when a new day of recording began because there was a significant change of tone and voice a handful of times. If you are interested in this book, I would recommend the physical because there are so many good pictures included!
Space is having a MOMENT ok! Sue me for reading all things space related these days. OR join in on the fun! I really enjoyed this memoir, however, I recognize I am its target audience. This isn’t a memoir you pick up in a whim. This is one you seek out if you are interested in space and life as an astronaut.
I appreciated how this memoir was organized. Truthfully, a lot of memoirs can meander and come across as more of a stream of consciousness, but this one made sense. It moved from question to question as if you were sitting across the dinner table with a friend probing and getting to know one another. Additionally, it moved CHRONOLOGICALLY! The reader is treated to a pretty decent overview of the history of space program and how old Leroy was at the time as well. I really enjoyed hearing how each advancement affected him as a child and ultimately put him on his path to becoming an astronaut.
I think having a co-writer for this memoir was also a great choice - it was extremely well written. I listened to the audiobook mostly, because I enjoy when authors narrate their own memoirs, and on the whole I did, but I will say you could tell when a new day of recording began because there was a significant change of tone and voice a handful of times. If you are interested in this book, I would recommend the physical because there are so many good pictures included!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The format of the book is meant to feel as if one is enjoying a meal with Leroy and he's answering some questions that most space enthusiasts have. As the audio is also read by Leroy himself, it has a bit of a homey feel. For me it felt as if I was experiencing one of those "story worth" creations where families choose prompts for their loved ones and create their own memoirs. The main difference of course, is that Leroy has massively interesting stories about going to Space, doing Space Walks, and working with Russian and Chinese Astronauts.
I feel like the audio production could have leaned into this some more with an additional narrator to ask the questions and possibly even add in commentary, but- it might have been hard to do that without it drifting into the hokey category. As it is, the audiobook is an effortless read/listen that moved along with perfect pacing.
This is a good one for adults and kids to listen to together. Leroy covers his early childhood passions for planes and rockets, his education choices that lead to his astronaut candidacy and qualifications, and his training and missions as an astronaut. He has a lot of "flying" time, and EVA (Extra-vehicular activity) time in Outer Space, and so brings a great perspective - having experienced NASA through several iterations. Also a good choice for book clubs, and readers who want to include some non-fiction in their reading diet.
Many Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC. I enjoyed this book and I think others will also enjoy Leroy's unique perspective.
I feel like the audio production could have leaned into this some more with an additional narrator to ask the questions and possibly even add in commentary, but- it might have been hard to do that without it drifting into the hokey category. As it is, the audiobook is an effortless read/listen that moved along with perfect pacing.
This is a good one for adults and kids to listen to together. Leroy covers his early childhood passions for planes and rockets, his education choices that lead to his astronaut candidacy and qualifications, and his training and missions as an astronaut. He has a lot of "flying" time, and EVA (Extra-vehicular activity) time in Outer Space, and so brings a great perspective - having experienced NASA through several iterations. Also a good choice for book clubs, and readers who want to include some non-fiction in their reading diet.
Many Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC. I enjoyed this book and I think others will also enjoy Leroy's unique perspective.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“I took a long look at the Earth and felt a wave of emotion. Despite the fact that there were people suffering and dying on our planet, the colors were so brilliant and full of life. The Earth looked so peaceful.”
Thank you to Hanover Square Press and HaperCollins for the gifted copy of the book and the ALC in exchange for an honest review!
I wouldn’t normally pick this up, but after the Artemis II mission and how important it felt I wanted to grab this book. It’s such a fascinating look into the life of an astronaut.
The book chronicles Leroy Chiao’s life from a child who dreamt of going to space to becoming one of the first American-Asian astronauts in history. He talks about his experiences growing up and what inspired him to want to be an astronaut. Hearing his experiences firsthand and what the training is like is so fascinating.
It’s presented in a Q&A format which I think makes the information easily accessible. With space, things can get overly technical and serious, whereas it didn’t feel like it through this book. The information is interesting and is presented in a way that doesn’t feel intimidating. He manages to cover so much in a fairly short book, so it feels like you get a lot out of it.
The author narrates the audiobook, so it’s nice to hear him recount his childhood and what made him determined to be an astronaut. I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook as he has an almost nostalgic way of speaking about his experiences. I think this book is also great for parents to read with kids who are interested in space. The format really keeps it from getting too technical and bogged down by science to where it feels like chatting with an astronaut.
Thank you to Hanover Square Press and HaperCollins for the gifted copy of the book and the ALC in exchange for an honest review!
I wouldn’t normally pick this up, but after the Artemis II mission and how important it felt I wanted to grab this book. It’s such a fascinating look into the life of an astronaut.
The book chronicles Leroy Chiao’s life from a child who dreamt of going to space to becoming one of the first American-Asian astronauts in history. He talks about his experiences growing up and what inspired him to want to be an astronaut. Hearing his experiences firsthand and what the training is like is so fascinating.
It’s presented in a Q&A format which I think makes the information easily accessible. With space, things can get overly technical and serious, whereas it didn’t feel like it through this book. The information is interesting and is presented in a way that doesn’t feel intimidating. He manages to cover so much in a fairly short book, so it feels like you get a lot out of it.
The author narrates the audiobook, so it’s nice to hear him recount his childhood and what made him determined to be an astronaut. I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook as he has an almost nostalgic way of speaking about his experiences. I think this book is also great for parents to read with kids who are interested in space. The format really keeps it from getting too technical and bogged down by science to where it feels like chatting with an astronaut.
May 17, 2026
Like many folks in America at the moment, I too was captivated by the incredible teamwork witnessed over the course of the most recent ARTEMIS II mission and thus fell into the incredible rabbit hole that is NASA history. Admittedly I never really had a vested interest in space until now and I've been voracious in my need to catch up.
Enter Leroy Chiao's "Dinner with an Astronaut".
While there's a variety of books available ABOUT space, I found Chiao's part memoir, part oral history of space travel (both domestic and international) a very accessible read for those looking for more insight directly from someone who lived such an incredible experience. Chiao's perspective was down to earth (pun intended) and felt as though you were having a conversation rather than working through a memoir. My personal favorite bit was learning about how Chiao and his fellow colleague had to ration their food for 6-weeks before their next food delivery arrived to the ISS - crazy that organizations that hold such prestige as NASA still has clerical errors like typical 9 to 5s!
From a technical standpoint, having the chapters broken out into FAQ's was a fun touch and made for an interesting way of laying out your traditional memoir.
All in all, this was an accessible read that helped feed my growing obsession with Space and the stories of those brave enough to explore. 4 ⭐️
A big thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advance reader copy in exchange for my review!
Enter Leroy Chiao's "Dinner with an Astronaut".
While there's a variety of books available ABOUT space, I found Chiao's part memoir, part oral history of space travel (both domestic and international) a very accessible read for those looking for more insight directly from someone who lived such an incredible experience. Chiao's perspective was down to earth (pun intended) and felt as though you were having a conversation rather than working through a memoir. My personal favorite bit was learning about how Chiao and his fellow colleague had to ration their food for 6-weeks before their next food delivery arrived to the ISS - crazy that organizations that hold such prestige as NASA still has clerical errors like typical 9 to 5s!
From a technical standpoint, having the chapters broken out into FAQ's was a fun touch and made for an interesting way of laying out your traditional memoir.
All in all, this was an accessible read that helped feed my growing obsession with Space and the stories of those brave enough to explore. 4 ⭐️
A big thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advance reader copy in exchange for my review!
June 8, 2026
I always enjoy memoirs from astronauts and others involved in the space and aerospace industries, so Dinner with an Astronaut was an enjoyable listen for me. What I appreciated most is that this is more than just a straightforward personal memoir from Leroy Chiao. Alongside stories from his own career and experiences in spaceflight, he also includes history on Chinese space pioneers and commentary on more recent space developments in the 2010s and 2020s, which gave the book a broader perspective than I expected but thoroughly enjoyed.
The audiobook is narrated by Chiao himself, and I highly recommend experiencing it in audio format. There’s something especially engaging about hearing an astronaut tell stories from their own life in their own voice, and his narration felt natural and conversational throughout.
While some sections leaned more heavily into history or technical discussion, I still found them interesting and appreciated how much context Chiao provided about the evolution of human spaceflight and where things may be headed in the future.
Overall, I enjoyed this one and would recommend it to readers interested in space exploration, astronaut memoirs, or the history of human spaceflight—though readers looking for a deeply personal memoir should know this takes a broader approach.
Thank you to Leroy Chiao, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
The audiobook is narrated by Chiao himself, and I highly recommend experiencing it in audio format. There’s something especially engaging about hearing an astronaut tell stories from their own life in their own voice, and his narration felt natural and conversational throughout.
While some sections leaned more heavily into history or technical discussion, I still found them interesting and appreciated how much context Chiao provided about the evolution of human spaceflight and where things may be headed in the future.
Overall, I enjoyed this one and would recommend it to readers interested in space exploration, astronaut memoirs, or the history of human spaceflight—though readers looking for a deeply personal memoir should know this takes a broader approach.
Thank you to Leroy Chiao, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you like memoirs and are even slightly interested in space flight, this is a quick-reading, accessible book that spans Leroy Chiao's lifetime: from his first sparks of interest in space flight as an elementary schooler to his time as an astronaut in the 1990s to his thoughts on the current state of non-government-sponsored space exploration.
I tandem read with a physical copy and an audiobook, and I'm so glad I did!
Audiobook: this is narrated by Leroy Chiao, and it was really fun to hear his thoughts in his voice. I especially enjoyed hearing him speak in Chinese and Russian at different parts of the book.
Physical book: the physical book is a small hardback that's easy to read. The highlight for me was the photo section - I loved looking from the written portion to a photo that matches up with the same time period.
Don't expect a super political book; NASA, contractors, Space X, etc. are all introduced without Chiao taking a side. The only thing to be sure of is that he's on the side of continued space exploration, no matter how it happens.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the audio and physical book.
I tandem read with a physical copy and an audiobook, and I'm so glad I did!
Audiobook: this is narrated by Leroy Chiao, and it was really fun to hear his thoughts in his voice. I especially enjoyed hearing him speak in Chinese and Russian at different parts of the book.
Physical book: the physical book is a small hardback that's easy to read. The highlight for me was the photo section - I loved looking from the written portion to a photo that matches up with the same time period.
Don't expect a super political book; NASA, contractors, Space X, etc. are all introduced without Chiao taking a side. The only thing to be sure of is that he's on the side of continued space exploration, no matter how it happens.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the audio and physical book.
June 27, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
First of all, let’s give a cheer for Wisconsinite Leroy Chiao, who became an astronaut. You know there was another Wisconsin astronaut? Jim Lovell of Apollo 13 infamy. And right now, there’s great interest in NASA and the space program. I’ve been a space geek since watching space shuttle launches as a kid, so I was geeking out with Dinner with an Astronaut. GeographicReference
First off, I loved that this biography was written in chronological order, which I love. Sometimes, memoirs can jump around a lot, so I appreciated this very linear timeline. Not only does Chiao talk about his life, he weaves in the history of the space program, which is helpful if you’re a casual reader. He had a lifelong interest in going to space, so it’s especially cool that he lived the dream.
Chiao narrates the audiobook and has a pleasant speaking voice, bringing his witty, conversational way of writing to life. I think the book worked so well because he co-wrote the book with Victoria Bruce, who should also get credit for her hard work.
First of all, let’s give a cheer for Wisconsinite Leroy Chiao, who became an astronaut. You know there was another Wisconsin astronaut? Jim Lovell of Apollo 13 infamy. And right now, there’s great interest in NASA and the space program. I’ve been a space geek since watching space shuttle launches as a kid, so I was geeking out with Dinner with an Astronaut. GeographicReference
First off, I loved that this biography was written in chronological order, which I love. Sometimes, memoirs can jump around a lot, so I appreciated this very linear timeline. Not only does Chiao talk about his life, he weaves in the history of the space program, which is helpful if you’re a casual reader. He had a lifelong interest in going to space, so it’s especially cool that he lived the dream.
Chiao narrates the audiobook and has a pleasant speaking voice, bringing his witty, conversational way of writing to life. I think the book worked so well because he co-wrote the book with Victoria Bruce, who should also get credit for her hard work.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sit down & chat with astronaut Leroy Chiao. Well, actually you listen to him talk through and answer 20 various questions broken up in to four parts:
Part 1= basic questions (when did you know you wanted to become an astronaut)
Part 2= history of space exploration related questions, a few relating to Soviets
Part 3= the "meat and potatoes" of the book according to the author
Part 4= life after (including some spacex)
A lot of the author's Chinese heritage leaked into this book as well, tieing together his first-generation Chinese-American upbringing with his traditional parents to becoming a super relatable, approachable and, dare I say, down to Earth chemical engineer. Highly recommend the audiobook which was read by the author/astronaut himself.
Target audience seems to be any age and anyone interested in space. If you were to tell me this guy was anything other than the kindest human I'd feel let down.
Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins for the opportunity at an advanced copy!
Part 1= basic questions (when did you know you wanted to become an astronaut)
Part 2= history of space exploration related questions, a few relating to Soviets
Part 3= the "meat and potatoes" of the book according to the author
Part 4= life after (including some spacex)
A lot of the author's Chinese heritage leaked into this book as well, tieing together his first-generation Chinese-American upbringing with his traditional parents to becoming a super relatable, approachable and, dare I say, down to Earth chemical engineer. Highly recommend the audiobook which was read by the author/astronaut himself.
Target audience seems to be any age and anyone interested in space. If you were to tell me this guy was anything other than the kindest human I'd feel let down.
Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins for the opportunity at an advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 rounded up!
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for the early copy and ALC for review - out June 16!
DINNER WITH AN ASTRONAUT by Leroy Chiao is releasing at the perfect time with the recent successes of both the Artemis II mission and the release of the Project Hail Mary film. The people yearn for hope and community and what better place to find it than from the eyes of an astronaut!
Chiao narrates the audiobook himself, which was fantastic and made me feel like I was really getting to know him. He shares anecdotes very specific to himself and how he grew up, while also sharing wider spread knowledge on what it takes to be an astronaut and the amount of work involved every step of the way.
I personally found myself most intrigued by his section on UAPs and the involvement of the FBI 👀 and may have to take a trip down my own rabbit holes to find out more there!
This is a great book for anyone interested in space and the people who are willing to risk it all for discovery!
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for the early copy and ALC for review - out June 16!
DINNER WITH AN ASTRONAUT by Leroy Chiao is releasing at the perfect time with the recent successes of both the Artemis II mission and the release of the Project Hail Mary film. The people yearn for hope and community and what better place to find it than from the eyes of an astronaut!
Chiao narrates the audiobook himself, which was fantastic and made me feel like I was really getting to know him. He shares anecdotes very specific to himself and how he grew up, while also sharing wider spread knowledge on what it takes to be an astronaut and the amount of work involved every step of the way.
I personally found myself most intrigued by his section on UAPs and the involvement of the FBI 👀 and may have to take a trip down my own rabbit holes to find out more there!
This is a great book for anyone interested in space and the people who are willing to risk it all for discovery!
May 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5
Dinner with an Astronaut is an entertaining, informative memoir.
I quite enjoyed this one. Leroy Chiao’s anecdotes were fascinating and fun, and I loved the blend of both the history and future of space travel. Chiao answered many questions I would have wanted to ask, as well as some I wouldn’t have thought of. I had hoped for a more in-depth storytelling aspect that connected more closely to the “dinner” part of Dinner with an Astronaut, but overall, it was thought-provoking and engaging. The pacing was wonderfully snappy, although I longed to explore some of the sections more deeply on-page. Leroy Chiao and Victoria Bruce presented the story with approachable, witty prose. I absolutely recommend this memoir!
Leroy Chiao narrated the audiobook, and it was so delightful! His narration was thoughtful, funny, and friendly. I highly recommend the audiobook!
Thank you to the publisher for the free ALC and review copy!
Dinner with an Astronaut is an entertaining, informative memoir.
I quite enjoyed this one. Leroy Chiao’s anecdotes were fascinating and fun, and I loved the blend of both the history and future of space travel. Chiao answered many questions I would have wanted to ask, as well as some I wouldn’t have thought of. I had hoped for a more in-depth storytelling aspect that connected more closely to the “dinner” part of Dinner with an Astronaut, but overall, it was thought-provoking and engaging. The pacing was wonderfully snappy, although I longed to explore some of the sections more deeply on-page. Leroy Chiao and Victoria Bruce presented the story with approachable, witty prose. I absolutely recommend this memoir!
Leroy Chiao narrated the audiobook, and it was so delightful! His narration was thoughtful, funny, and friendly. I highly recommend the audiobook!
Thank you to the publisher for the free ALC and review copy!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is the biography of Leroy Chiao, the first full Chinese heritage professional astronaut.
Told in form of Q&A, from Chinese history and astronomy history to the complexities of space race anchored by politics, this book will launch the reader into the space and satisfy our inner child's curiosity (like my own). This spaceflight is a 'magical' ride, with a balanced amount of details that can feel quite technical for some readers. I found the training and program parts the most interesting and wished to linger more in the experience of being an astronaut (and less politics). My favorite part is also the epilogue, which felt intimate and almost emotional.
With accessible prose, I would recommend this book for anyone intrigued by the human space exploration from an Asian (specifically Chinese American) perspective.
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - HTP Books, Hanover Square press . All opinions are my own ]
Told in form of Q&A, from Chinese history and astronomy history to the complexities of space race anchored by politics, this book will launch the reader into the space and satisfy our inner child's curiosity (like my own). This spaceflight is a 'magical' ride, with a balanced amount of details that can feel quite technical for some readers. I found the training and program parts the most interesting and wished to linger more in the experience of being an astronaut (and less politics). My favorite part is also the epilogue, which felt intimate and almost emotional.
With accessible prose, I would recommend this book for anyone intrigued by the human space exploration from an Asian (specifically Chinese American) perspective.
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - HTP Books, Hanover Square press . All opinions are my own ]
July 4, 2026
Dinner with an Astronaut: Serving Space Stories: Past, Present and Future is a memoir Leroy Chiao, one of the first Asian American astronauts that came out this week!
I loved that this was set up as dinner conversation around 20 questions from his childhood to the space race to astronaut training and life on the ISS to his career post NASA. This was a fun way to read a memoir with the bite size chunks and how it was thematically set up.
I had the pleasure of meeting Leroy through work and hearing him talk to a group of students interested in careers in aerospace & aviation so I was already familiar with who he was and a little bit of his story but I really enjoyed reading this memoir!
I mostly read the book but Leroy does narrate the audiobook, and it was fun to listen to him as well - that definitely made me feel more like the dinner conversation!
If your into space or NASA or just looking for a fun memoir - definitely check out Dinner with an Astronaut!
I loved that this was set up as dinner conversation around 20 questions from his childhood to the space race to astronaut training and life on the ISS to his career post NASA. This was a fun way to read a memoir with the bite size chunks and how it was thematically set up.
I had the pleasure of meeting Leroy through work and hearing him talk to a group of students interested in careers in aerospace & aviation so I was already familiar with who he was and a little bit of his story but I really enjoyed reading this memoir!
I mostly read the book but Leroy does narrate the audiobook, and it was fun to listen to him as well - that definitely made me feel more like the dinner conversation!
If your into space or NASA or just looking for a fun memoir - definitely check out Dinner with an Astronaut!
July 3, 2026
I always love reading about NASA stuff but the format with the questions is a little odd and I just don't find Leroy Chiao super likable. He's also a little too complimentary of Elon Musk for my taste. "You can say what you want about his politics but his companies have accomplished X, Y, and Z." Yeah, he bought up successful companies and threw demands and money around, ignoring proper procedures and regulation until he got what he wanted. It's a very effective way of getting things done. Mind you, a toddler screaming until their parents will do anything to get them to stop is equally effective and really not too different.
You're probably better off reading An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth which is both more informative and shows more capability for personal reflection, plus Chris Hadfield is a gem.
You're probably better off reading An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth which is both more informative and shows more capability for personal reflection, plus Chris Hadfield is a gem.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is a memoir in a series of questions (set up as appetizer, main course, dessert, etc, hence the name) of the first Asian-American astronaut. He includes other interesting details of history and politics. All of it very interesting! A quick read (or listen). He also speculates to the future of space missions and talks about SpaceX and Blue Origin. If you’re interested in space at all, definitely recommend. I listened to the audio which was very well done. I thought the format was interesting and kept the book moving.
Perhaps the only thing missing (because I’m sure it was finished at least year ago) is anything on the new Artemis missions.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ARC!
Perhaps the only thing missing (because I’m sure it was finished at least year ago) is anything on the new Artemis missions.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ARC!
July 3, 2026
I hate to knock this because there were many things I learned from this but it also needed a way better editor - both from an overarching perspective and copy editor. One main gripe is that the book is short enough that I don’t imagine readers would only read answers to questions that originally sparked their interest, but that seems to be how they envisioned the book would be read because so much is rehashed across multiple chapters. There were also enough grammatical issues that it was distracting. I was interested to see where his life post NASA went, and having not paid too much attention to more recent space news, I learned a lot about recent history and what’s to come. Overall, an interesting book but the execution of the book itself left a bit to be desired.
July 21, 2026
This is THE Planetary Society AUGUST 2026 BOOK CLUB SELECTION. My copy of “Dining with an Astronaut” arrived July 16. My first thought was “Can’t say I’ll sip any Tang during my reading. I haven’t touch the stuff since the mid ‘60’s.” Started reading on July 18 and reach the point where Leroy introduced the budding of the space shuttle design and had many “ah-ha” moments from his perspective shared from other authors of these tangents. He generously use a literary technique of introducing an intriguing point, continues his narrative and three quarters into his story up pops the consequences of that point. I finished the book on July 21. His take away was that the best part of his career was the people he met and the friendships he made working with them.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is one of my favorite space/astronaut themed books I've ever read (and I love space books!). Chiao takes readers through his childhood and into his training and career as an astronaut at NASA while interspersing history, culture, and science/engineering throughout. I greatly enjoyed the balance this book struck between explaining his personal experience of space exploration and the relaying the historical context in which US space excellence came to be. He really excelled at making it feel like sitting down and having a dinner table conversation with a really cool person - I was eating up every little detail he shared!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
July 26, 2026
Fascinating read. The author describes the intricacies of space flight in easy to understand language. Although he sounds easygoing and has maintained friendships with many of his former colleagues, he is also not afraid to express unfavorable opinions about some people he worked with. He explains the causes of the catastrophes in space exploration, as well as the harrowing experiences with malfunctioning equipment that did not end in tragedy. This book is an easy read, good for middle to high school kids, but with the caveat of swear words. Finally, I could relate to his background growing up in an immigrant household, where education was all important.
August 2, 2026
I really liked all of the personal stories in this book. It's engaging and easy to read. However, near the end of the book, the author said Frank Wolf was from West Virginia. That's an issue. As Frank Wolf used to be my representative in Congress when I lived in the 10th district of Virginia, I knew this was incorrect. It made me wonder whether the rest of the fact-checking in this book was correct. I have no idea. So, except for personal stories, I don't feel confident.
July 19, 2026
This book is so engaging that I finished it in one sitting. It provides a brief history of the U.S. space program and answers many questions that I imagine are frequently asked when the public meets an astronaut. The discussion of cultural identity is especially important. I hope younger readers will find inspiration in this autobiography.
July 28, 2026
Recommended. Well written, easy, fast read about an American astronaut's career in NASA. Good science book for high school students interested in engineering and Aerospace.
July 12, 2026
DINNER WITH AN ASTRONAUT by Leroy Chiao is an enjoyable read that does indeed feel like a meal with an entertaining guest. Appreciated the curated questions and answers from someone with experience in space and perspective on space flight and human exploration.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a gifted audiobook copy of DINNER WITH AN ASTRONAUT by Leroy Chiao from @HarlequinBooks Audio.
Pub Date: 6/16/2026
DINNER WITH AN ASTRONAUT is a memoir from the first full Chinese heritage professional astronaut. He tells his own story about how he became fascinated with space and the idea of becoming an astronaut as well as some history about the space program itself. He goes into some of the highs and the lows and the unique questions he is asked about his experiences along the way.
I really enjoyed the way this was centered on the idea of having dinner with an astronaut, focusing in on the food theme for a way to divide up the book and often using a question and answer format to get into some of his frequently asked questions.
From his time in space with the Russians, to the impacts on his life at home, I found his stories to be both interesting and informative. This made for a very unique memoir and I really enjoyed that the author narrated the audiobook himself!
DINNER WITH AN ASTRONAUT is out now!
Pub Date: 6/16/2026
DINNER WITH AN ASTRONAUT is a memoir from the first full Chinese heritage professional astronaut. He tells his own story about how he became fascinated with space and the idea of becoming an astronaut as well as some history about the space program itself. He goes into some of the highs and the lows and the unique questions he is asked about his experiences along the way.
I really enjoyed the way this was centered on the idea of having dinner with an astronaut, focusing in on the food theme for a way to divide up the book and often using a question and answer format to get into some of his frequently asked questions.
From his time in space with the Russians, to the impacts on his life at home, I found his stories to be both interesting and informative. This made for a very unique memoir and I really enjoyed that the author narrated the audiobook himself!
DINNER WITH AN ASTRONAUT is out now!
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