Title: The Martian

Author: Andy Weir

Publisher: Broadway Books 2014

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 387

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Reduction; Mount TBR; 52 Books -- W23; New Authors

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars.

Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.

Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first.

But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

Holy moley! What a book! Everyone has been raving about this one and they were right. There is an amazing blend of science and suspense to keep my attention throughout the book. I actually read the first ~80 pages one night and then read the rest today in one sitting. It was too good to put down again! I was right there with Mark through every obstacle and constant boredom. I loved getting in deep with the science. Weir definitely did his homework. I know there are a few fictional concessions to traveling to and from Mars, but they weren't out of the realm of possibility. This book held me to the last page. Now I want to read more actual science about getting to Mars.