The Martian by Andy Weir

Andy Weir wrote a book that, initially, didn't catch the eyes of publishers. So, he did something out of the ordinary, and put it online for free (in audiobook form).  There was such an excited response to it that he made an Amazon Kindle version and set the price at 99 cents—the bare minimum. He sold 35,000 copies in three months.  At that point, publishers started paying very close attention, and he sold the book to Crown Publishers for six figures. The book has already been optioned for a movie as well.

I got this book for free when I attended a book review night at Schuler's on 28th St. I walked away with about ten free books, one of which was The Martian. I made the mistake that night of cracking the cover.

I couldn't stop.  If you took Gravity, made it scientifically accurate and put the survivor alone on the surface of Mars for nearly two years, you'd have a glimpse into The Martian. Mark Watney, the main character, and lone inhabitant of Mars (due to a sand storm that forced his entire team to abandon their mission), is outright hilarious. I was reading the book in my apartment, laughing out loud while Kate was sitting on the couch looking at me like I was crazy. The book is never dull. Whenever you think Watney has made it through the impossible, another more outrageous situation takes place.  I found myself frequently putting my hands on my forehead thinking, "How is he still alive? What the hell is he going to do now?"

This book is a thrill ride. It was one of the most enjoyable reading experiences I've had this year. Andy Weir put a book out in the world about a subject he loves. He had never written a novel before, and he gifted the world with a story about space, survival, the will to live, and the idea that when humanity works together unimaginable things can happen.

You have to pick up this book. I guarantee you will love it. I finished it in a weekend because for two days straight, I wanted nothing more than to devour this exciting piece of literature.  I bet you'll end up doing the same.