Amazing. After a great year of Pulitzers, I’ve really laid off the reading. I got a couple of history books in, and thought that would be the theme of the year, but I lost interest. Still, I’ve got that itch. Gotta read something. Gotta keep the imagination active.
I was in the library just a few days back looking over a few prospects. How about something classic? I found both Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days (saw War and Peace too, but I’m not that desperate. But I didn’t really have a taste for either when I was standing in the stacks. I started wandering, and saw Andy Weir’s The Martian just down the row from Verne. I picked it up just as an old friend called. “I’m in the library…I’ll call you back.” So it was only by chance that I ended up reading The Martian. It was the book in my hand when the call came, so I took it to the desk, checked it out and was on my way.
Of course I’ve seen the movie, starring Matt Damon. It was a good movie, and I heard the book was even better. And even after having seen the movie, I still thought so. The science of it all was fascinating, and Weir made it so riveting. I recommend it.
It also gives me the idea to maybe do a bit more science fiction this year. Any recommendations? I’ve already read The Sparrow and Children of God by Mary Doria Russell — really recommended by the way — so they’re out. I’ve read much of the John Carter series by Burroughs, and two of Lewis’s Space Trilogy. And of course, The Expanse series, which I liked just as much in its serial adaptation on Amazon Prime.
So I’m looking. Until then, I’ve got a few others to read, but I need something that’ll keep me turning the pages. Especially after The Martian.
If you’re still in the mood for Sci Fi, Andy Weir’s other book, Project Hail Mary is great too!
Looks interesting. I’ll look into it if I can find it around here. Thanks!