I definitely put off on a writing a review for this for a while because I just wasn't sure what I wanted to say, or how to say it. In 153 pages (give or take), this book has made me feel so much emotion, and has given me so much to talk about that talking about any of it just feels... tough. 

To be Taught if Fortunate is a book about space travel, hope, love, and mystery. It follows a group of astronauts as they aim to complete a mission that will take them away from Earth for upwards of 80 years. They encounter challenges and trials, but they stick together. Delivered in the form of a communication with the universe asking the reader for help, To be Taught if Fortunate sucked me in and kept me engaged for hours.

First, what I did like. And what I did like, I loved.
The characters stand at the top of this list. Becky Chambers wrote an effortlessly diverse cast of characters in race, gender, personality, and motivations. They all felt so layered and real. While each had their own archetype and their own niche to fill, never once did I feel like they boiled down to just that stereotype or like they reacted in ways that benefitted the story rather than made sense. This complexity of characters also translated into their relationships. I loved watching everyone, and watching them navigate each other as friends, lovers, and family. And it never mattered which of three they were at any one point, because they all loved each other, and you felt it through every moment of their interactions. The characters and their relationships were fluid, and it felt so natural and so integrated with the story that you never paused to question a second of it. 
The exploration and planets were all done very well for the most part. Each of the planets had a thing that made it unique, and a challenge for the characters to overcome. But the sections didn't feel reptitive - there was always some sense of danger or intrigue that kept us going and kept the characters guessing. She wrote time passing effectively, and while there were points that didn't quite communicate how many years had gone by, it was never confusing, just rushed. It was a book with 150 pages - I'll allow it.
And the messages? The message to the reader at the start, and the request at the end... it was immersive. It was touching to feel like we were part of this story, and like we needed to help. I wanted to help, I felt their indecision, and even now, I feel some sort of... something. I know they're not real - there is no one out there who actually needs my help. But God, I want to help them. And that's an emotion I think is really hard to do effectively, and that Chambers managed.

What I didn't like is small, but it's worth mentioning anyways. Somaforming, the way they genetically modify the crew to adapt to these planets, it didn't work for me. It just felt too perfect, too convenient, and not scientifically backed up. They landed on a planet with higher gravity, so all of a sudden they're body builders. There was no reason for that, except to overcome the difficulties that come with space travel. It just felt like a cheap way to not have to force our characters into situations where they'd potentially be hurt or not well suited to the ground. It was small enough I could look past it, but it really bugged me when it was dwelled on.
The only other thing worth mentioning was the planet 'Opera'. It was an interesting planet, covered with water and harsh storms, but it was clear to me that this planet was only put into this book as a way to explore our character's mental health and how they dealt with being trapped. The planet and the way that they approached it made no sense. There was a missing island that had been confirmed multiple times before they landed, but was never explained as to why it was missing. Then, the animals that covered their ship. On a planet covered in water, these animals never would have had a reason to evolve to go out of water. Minor, nitpicky things, but I have to mention them. And finally, the planet itself served no purpose. They left after a few months, not even able to get any data, and never should have touched down in the first place. 
But aside from some scientific inaccuracies, and some things that happened that were more often than not plot devices rather than logical, I was willing to look past these for an otherwise stunning book.

I loved this book, and wish I could read it again for the first time. If you're looking for a sci-fi book that focuses on characters rather than science, with hints of biology where it matters, this is for you. Even if you're not looking for that book, this is for you still. It was such a lovely read, and I loved adding it to my bookshelf.