Life on Other Planets

A Memoir of Finding My Place in the Universe

By: Aomawa Shields PhD

Narrated by: Aomawa Shields PhD

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

A stunning and inspiring memoir charting a life as an astronomer, classically-trained actor, mother, and Black woman in STEM, searching for life in the universe while building a meaningful life here on Earth

As a kid, Aomawa Shields was always bumping into things, her neck craned up at the sky, dreaming of becoming an astronaut. A year into an astrophysics PhD program, plagued by self-doubt and discouraged by a white male professor who suggested that she—a young Black woman who also loved fashion, makeup, and the arts—didn’t belong, she left astronomy and pursued acting professionally for a decade, before a day job working for NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope drew her back to the stars. She was the oldest and the only Black student in her PhD cohort. This time, no professor, and no voice in her own head, would stop her. Now an astronomer and astrobiologist at the top of her field, Dr. Shields studies the universe outside our Solar System, researching and uncovering the planets circling distant stars with just the right conditions that could support life—while also using her theater education to communicate the wonder and magic of the universe with those of us here on Earth. But it’s been a journey as winding and complex as the physics she has mastered.

Life on Other Planets is a journey of discovery on this world and on others, a story of creating a life that makes space for joy, love, and wonder while being driven by one of our biggest questions: Is anybody else out there? It is about the possibility of living between multiple worlds and not choosing—but instead charting a new path entirely.

©2023 Aomawa Shields (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Shields' unusual and inspiring account will appeal to readers who feel stuck in life. Discussing relatable issues like making decisions, financial worries, and imposter syndrome while she shares her approach to achieving lofty goals, Shields' words will reassure readers who question their abilities when success seems elusive.”—Booklist

"A lyrical, image-rich investigation of an unconventional blueprint for authentic living."—Kirkus Reviews

"Shields took my breath away with her candor on these pages. An inspiring account of the struggles of a hero who is both scientist and artist.”—Ann Druyan, writer, director, and producer of COSMOS

I could not stop!

Aomawa Shields has such a compelling story and captivating way of speaking. There is no real way, I think, to review an autobiographical story without spoiling or rehashing exactly what was written, but I will try to summarize a few key points that struck me. Dr. Shield’s descriptions of her journey to becoming the well respected scientist is succinct. Dr. Shields reads the book herself. I think any book read by the author is always welcome. You get the exact phrasing, emphasis and texture of tone the author was intending. It’s clear her lectures must have been captivating by the way she speaks. Any details about the discoveries and experiments Dr. Shield’s has worked on are fascinating and really making me want to learn more. I should almost hope to read (or listen in this case) a book similar to that of Harry Cliff’s How to Make an Apple Pie from Scratch, but Dr. Shield’s version being about the sum total knowledge of all we have learned regarding the field of Astro-biology.

Highly recommend to anyone and everyone! You won’t be able to put this down!

I’m in love with this book!

I can’t stop recommending this book. It is an absolute joy to listen too and I will definitely be buying a hard copy or two.

This is definitely more of a life story told in a first person narrative than educational, Though I did learn several fun facts that I would not have known otherwise. It has the perfect mix of science and life drama. It’s funny, charming and witty. Also, I’m not sure but I think the writer is also the woman reading this audio book.


Please do yourself a favor and get this book. You will not regret it!

Thank you for telling your story!

I loved listening to this book, it's very inspirational and it reminds me of what I want to do with my life. Thanks for showing that there is a path to becoming a whole person, even with divided interests.