The Martian

Wow. I am really behind in my Sword and Laser reads! This is partly due to my schedule, but also because it has been damn hard to get my hands on a copy of the book these past few months. The Martian, in particular, had a huge wait list at my local library. However, I finally made it to the top of that list, and it was well worth the wait.

At first I was ambivalent about this book. I don't typically like the diary type of style, which is how this book starts off. I think that type of narration is very limiting and can become really repetitive. However, this book is not solely comprised of log entries–there are chapters where the point of view changes and those were the parts that really stood out to me.

I love astronaut stories, and this one was really well written. The stakes are high, there are many suspenseful and emotionally charged scenes, and Mark Whatney is a great narrator–I love his sense of humor.

4.5 out of 5 stars!