This is the ultimate survival story, with a twenty-first century Robinson Crusoe hero, but on Mars. Any Weir has crafted an amazing account of a what if scenario. What if one of our astronauts was stranded on Mars? What if a rescue was a big if? And even if a rescue was possible, it would take years to get back there. It reads like an actual account, filled with science and technology (which computer and math nerds will swoon over) and page turning suspense. Our hero, Mark Watney overcomes one daunting disaster after another. It’s funny and heartrending and utterly believable. I’m a Lit-chick, but honestly, I couldn’t put this down.