- The Martian by Andy Weir
Presumed dead, astronaut Mark Whatley is stranded on Mars and has to figure out how to survive on his own. Apollo 11 meets Castaway. Macguyver in space. Call it whatever you want, but it’s the best book that I’ve read so far this year. Can’t wait for the movie.
- The Magicians Land by Lev Grossman
The third and final installment in a series that has been described as “Harry Potter meets The Chronicles of Narnia, but for adults.” The books are that plus so much more and Lev Grossman beautifully wraps up the trilogy with this last novel. A panacea for readers fatigued by never ending fantasy series.
- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Like the Hunger Games, I read Catching Fire then immediately watched the movie on Netflix. I like Jennifer Lawrence and Woody Harrelson, but the movies leave a lot to be desired. The books are much better. What do you think?
- Under the Empyrean Sky by Chuck Wendig
Cornpunk! It’s like steampunk, but with corn! I’m totally cosplaying as an ear of corn at the next convention that I attend. Jokes aside, Wendig has written a hell of a novel set in a dystopian future where the society and economy is dependent on a genetically modified strain of corn. Like the Hunger Games but with more likable characters and a lot more laughs.
So, how about you?
Have you read any of these?
What are your book recommendations this month?
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I agree with the Martian. One of the best books I have read in a very long time. And I want to have Mark Whatley over for dinner!
Me too Joerg! My friend told me that I had to listen to the audiobook, so I did the Whisper Synch Amazon thing, switching between the audio book and the eBook on the Kindle and it was brilliant!
Catching Fire is one I read a couple of years ago. Actually, I read all three… REALLY enjoyed the first one, liked this one and, well, I won’t comment on the third one, in case you haven’t read it but intend to.
The Martian sounds interesting, I might check that out. I’ve fallen off the sci-fi wagon of late, no particular reason why. Been going on a binge of romance reads over the past year, looking for the perfect balance of unusual, unexplainable, unputdownable, and romantic with a dash of timey-wimey (or nearly anything genre-related) is tricky to find. 🙂 Maybe I’m asking for too much.
I’ve been reading the House of Leaves, slowly but surely (I have about an hour of reading time a day), and that is definitely “out there”. But interesting.
Hi Ingrid!
You should check out Lisa Paitz Spindler’s books. They may be what you are looking for.
I’ll give her a try! Thanks for the recommendation, John!