The Martian

I listened to the audio version of this book on Audible, and I can't imagine enjoying this book without the wonderful narrator, which really made this story come alive for me! Normally, I would have skipped over all of the scientific talk because I wouldn't have been able to follow it. But somehow, the narrator managed to make those parts all the more interesting to listen to! He was the perfect choice for this book.

But anyways, enough about the narrator, onto the author! I give Andy major props for putting together such a believable science fiction story. I am seriously impressed with the level of research he must have done for this book.

I was hooked on the storyline from the very first chapter. I don't remember ever rooting for a main character as intensely as I did Mark Watney. Such a likable guy, from the get-go! And a beautiful ending, with a beautiful message for us humans: Yes, there are jerks in the world, but they are the exception. We are full of compassion, empathy, and self-sacrifice when it really comes down to it.