Reaching for the Stars

Art meets science when Mary Ann Lesert reads from her novel about women in science Base Ten--7:30pm, Monday, July 27, at Magers & Quinn Booksellers.

A promising young astronomer, Jillian Greer, and her research partner, Kera, seem destined to become astronauts. But while Kera plots her path to NASA, Jillian falls in love with Jack, an ambitious doctor. They marry, start a family, and she takes a giant step off the path to her dream.

Knowing that NASA won’t hire astronauts older than forty, Jillian, at the age of thirty-nine, escapes to the sand dunes of Lake Michigan to recover her aspiration of reaching the stars. Her solo adventure through the challenging wilderness leads her over steep dunes, through icy waters, and to the top of the lighthouse where she made her first important scientific discovery. Lesert’s thoughtful and timely first novel unfolds as Jillian contemplates the future of her career amidst the sacrifices she has made as a mother and wife.


Details are here.--David E