Book cover of Project Hail Mary

Book description

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission—and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.

Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he…

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Why read it?

46 authors picked Project Hail Mary as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I was already a huge fan of "The Martian," so it came as no real surprise that "Project Hail Mary" was awesome; I liked the character of Ryland Grace, but I *loved* Rocky. And listening to the audiobook this past summer was a double treat, because I was able to share this gem with my wife and daughter -- we now quote the book (Rocky, in particular) to each other.

And since the trailers look like the movie is going to be loyal to the source material (always a must for me), we're all looking forward to that, too.

If…

I am not usually a big science fiction fan. But I love Andy Weir’s novels because they are filled with a lot of real science and real optimism that scientists can solve seemingly intractable technical problems. We need that optimism at a time when many politicians are proposing policies strongly opposed to scientific findings. For my taste, Project Hail Mary is not filled with quite as much witty prose as his first novel, The Martian, but it more than compensates with an entertaining, imaginative, intricate, scientifically detailed plot. Two worlds, sixteen light-years apart, and their very different intelligent species are…

Science teacher Ryland Grace wakes up on alone on a space ship and finds his job is to save the Earth from an interstellar, sun-eating virus called Astrophage. This over-the-top space adventure takes an amazing turn as we find out how the Earth got endangered and all the problems Grace will now have to solve. Luckily he won’t be alone for long, as he meets up with Rocky, a sentient ammonia-breathing rock of an alien trying to save his own species from the same virus eating his own home star. Grace and Rocky make contact by jazz hands, then figure…

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Book cover of The High House

The High House by James Stoddard,

The Victorian mansion, Evenmere, is the mechanism that runs the universe.

The lamps must be lit, or the stars die. The clocks must be wound, or Time ceases. The Balance between Order and Chaos must be preserved, or Existence crumbles.

Appointed the Steward of Evenmere, Carter Anderson must learn the…

I don't read a lot of sci-fi but this had it all: it was funny, the plot was crisp, clear and original, the characters were perfectly drawn and it made me cry twice which no sci-fi has ever done. I was fully immersed in the world created and found myself worrying about the predicament of the hero when I wasn't reading. Strongly recommend it, even if you don't usually read sci-fi!

I am NOT a science fiction reader, but I just kept seeing recommendations for this book. I started listening to it in the car on vacation and was hooked immediately. (The audiobook is especially good). While I still wouldn't couldn't consider myself a sci-fi reader in general, I will definitely read anything else by Andy Weir.

This is a science fiction book. Except that it's not. A great combination of understandable science and human emotions.
Not my usual reading material, but I was hooked within a few pages.

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Book cover of The Guardian of the Palace

The Guardian of the Palace by Steven J. Morris,

The Guardian of the Palace is the first novel in a modern fantasy series set in a New York City where magic is real—but hidden, suppressed, and dangerous when exposed.

When an ancient magic begins to leak into the world, a small group of unlikely allies is forced to act…

I’m not a sci fi buff at all, but The Martian was a great read. Andy Weir has surpassed even this with Project Hail Mary. It’s tense, fascinating, quirky and highly appealing.

Weir covers the technical aspects of his books in an engaging way - you feel as though you’re learning something, not being preached to. He makes it fun - and he really knows his stuff. This is probably the most enjoyable sci fi book I’ve read since The Time Machine.

This was my Audiobook listen through. I think Andy's work lends itself to visual and audio mediums more than others. The scale and especially the character Rocky shined through on the audiobook.

This book was awesome! It had characters I empathized with, a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat, seriousness, humor. And, most of all, friendship and courage.

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Book cover of Oaky With a Hint of Murder

Oaky With a Hint of Murder by Dawn Brotherton,

Aury and Scott travel to the Finger Lakes in New York’s wine country to get to the bottom of the mysterious happenings at the Songscape Winery. Disturbed furniture and curious noises are one thing, but when a customer winds up dead, it’s time to dig into the details and see…

Andy Weir does an amazing job at taking information that is highly technical and weaving it through the plot to make it enjoyable to learn about.

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Book cover of The High House

The High House by James Stoddard,

The Victorian mansion, Evenmere, is the mechanism that runs the universe.

The lamps must be lit, or the stars die. The clocks must be wound, or Time ceases. The Balance between Order and Chaos must be preserved, or Existence crumbles.

Appointed the Steward of Evenmere, Carter Anderson must learn the…

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Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

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Many people from all walks of life, even after many accomplishments and experiences, are often plagued by dissatisfaction, pervasive longing, and deep questioning. These feelings may make them wonder if they are living the life they were meant to lead.

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