The Martian by Andy Weir - Restarting March 25th 2019

[[deleted user]]

Come join Tati and me!

[Tati]

Yay!

[Berit]

I'll join you :-) I've been wanting to read this, I hear it is really good.

[[deleted user]]

Berit wrote: "I'll join you :-) I've been wanting to read this, I hear it is really good."

Woo-hoo! The more, the merrier :)

[Tati]

Started this already!

6%

(view spoiler)[ He is too rational! In his place,I'd have freaked out twice a day! ANd I wouldn't have come anywhere near the calculations he makes. Guess I'd never make it as an astronaut (hide spoiler)]

[Berit]

I'll be joining you as soon as I finish my current book.

[Tati]

38%

(view spoiler)[ A-ha! Learned how he has not broken down. He shows stress through humor. I guess there were some pretty stressful moment then. And he found a way to communicate with Earth! His numbers still don't make sense to me, and I tend to just skim over them. (hide spoiler)]

[Tati]

41%

(view spoiler)[ oh boy... The thing with the membrane spells trouble... (hide spoiler)]

[Berit]

Just started! It kind of reminds me of the movie Gravity, just the promise of it all. I think I'm going to like it because it is very different from everything I've been reading lately. I definitely needed a little bit of a change :-)

[Tati]

Haven't watched Gravity yet...

Are you reading or listening to it?

[Berit]

I'm actually listening to it, like the narrator. What about you? I loved the Three Company references, that is how old IM :-)

[Tati]

Nah, I don't do audiobooks, as I'm hearing impaired.

I don't what the Three Company is, is it a TV show?

[Berit]

Yes, from a long time ago, there are a lot of television references and this. I am at 20%
(view spoiler)[ I can't even imagine being stuck on Mars. He has such a good sense of humor about it, and seems so calm. I am not a big science fiction person, but I am really enjoying this. Hope he gets off Mars, eventually. (hide spoiler)]

[Berit]

There sure is a lot of humor in this! I'm at 50%
(view spoiler)[ I feel bad but I was thinking the same thing they are spending a lot of money to save one person, but I guess it boosts patriotic morale or something. He is quite the character, so very funny, and such a creative thinker, , Coming up with all these ways to save himself. What a great attitude to have and such a horrible situation. (hide spoiler)]

[Tati]

Berit wrote: "There sure is a lot of humor in this! I'm at 50%
[spoilers removed]"

I think that, in his place, I'd have outright panicked. I also think I'd seriously consider suicide

[Berit]

Definitely! Can you even imagine it?

[Berit]

I'm at 80%
(view spoiler)[ it's quite amazing how much is going into saving one person. I'm not saying his life isn't worth it, I'm just saying it's amazing :-) I am really enjoying this, I am not a science fiction person, but this is good and fun and not too technical.. It is interesting how these astronauts have all become family, they are risking their lives at the cost of their real families. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

Date changed. Restarting June 12th 2015. Happy Reading ☺

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
*************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

[Danielle ♥]

I'm starting this today!! How is it going for you??

[Danielle ♥]

Mid Chapter 8. I have been updating my progress/status but forgot to update this thread! Let me just post my updates so far:

3.0% "Finished Chapter 1. (view spoiler)[Interesting!! The main guy narrating has a great sense of humor." (hide spoiler)]
5.0% (view spoiler)["This is hard to stay focused on - he's just talking a lot about chemistry and chemical reactions and hydrogen, oxygen, etc..." (hide spoiler)]
10.0% (view spoiler)["This guy is *very* determined. Thankfully, a botanist, because his main issue is food right now. Still a bit slow, but, I decided to pair my physical book with the audible companion to help me out :)" (hide spoiler)]
10.0% (view spoiler)[""Chemistry, the sloppy bitch it is ..." Hahahaha" (hide spoiler)]
12.0% (view spoiler)["He is watching Three's Company at night & making comments about the show... now I feel like I need to go watch it! I've never seen it." (hide spoiler)]
14.0% "Finished Chapter 4. (view spoiler)[He's so smart!! He is not a chemist, yet he is doing really good with all this chemistry to create oxygen & water from other elements!" (hide spoiler)]
15.0% (view spoiler)["GAH! He's still trying to make water from chemical reactions and is THIS CLOSE to blowing everything up and he is making me so nervous!!!" (hide spoiler)]
17.0% (view spoiler)["Well now I gotta go watch the Dukes of Hazard." (hide spoiler)]
18.0% (view spoiler)["If Teddy lets Venkat get images of Ares 3, they will see that he is NOT DEAD!!! Come on Teddy, quit worrying about PR!" (hide spoiler)]
19.0% (view spoiler)["Yeeeeahhh!!! Mindy is going to figure it out!!! She got the Ares 3 images!!! There must be some sign of life in the images." (hide spoiler)]
20.0% (view spoiler)["He does have a point... Aquaman shouldn't be able to control the sea mammals! LOL. Things humans think of in the midst of sheer boredom ^-^" (hide spoiler)]

[Danielle ♥]

Myriam wrote: "It's going well! I really like it. Sometimes I get lost with the science haha but it's really good!"

Same!!! I try not to let my mind wander when he's talking science or his math calculations lol. Mindy must be so proud of her discovery!

[Danielle ♥]

Finished chapter 11. (view spoiler)[The first conversation between Venkat & Mark via Pathfinder is HILARIOUS -- and the hi mom and the boobs LMAO (hide spoiler)]
PS I hope html works via the iPhone app or that spoiler won't be hidden!!! I'm sorry if that's the case... >.< I'm sure it won't make any sense if you haven't read this far anyways lol.

[Melany]

I'm just finish chapter 14 (view spoiler)[ Oh no he's so screwed without his farm!! (hide spoiler)]

[Danielle ♥]

Ahh!! Keep forgetting to update this thread!! I've been religiously updating my status though :) Just finished chapter 22 (view spoiler)[he's headed into some trouble!! (hide spoiler)]

[Danielle ♥]

30.0% "Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[Page 120 YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!" (hide spoiler)]
35.0% "Finished chapter 11. (view spoiler)[The first conversation via Pathfinder is HILARIOUS" (hide spoiler)]
50.0% "Mid Chapter 15. (view spoiler)[They're definitely making progress! Although we lost the HAB." (hide spoiler)]
55.0% (view spoiler)["YES!! What a faithful, loyal, crew. I just hope they're not doing this out of guilt. It will be very dangerous, but, just might work. Big move, Hermes, big move. High risk = High Reward." (hide spoiler)]
56.0% (view spoiler)["Yeaaaaah "The Hermes Mutany" lol!" (hide spoiler)]
57.0% (view spoiler)["How is Teddy so sure Mitch is the one who emailed Vogul the "jpeg" with the new risky maneuver??" (hide spoiler)]
58.0% "Mid Chapter 17 (view spoiler)["you're clear to start drilling" "that's what she said" LMAO he is so funny" (hide spoiler)]
60.0% "Finished Chapter 17. (view spoiler)[Holy crap. He couldn't have foreseen that ... but that SUCKS. At least Hermes is still on their way. Oh boy..." (hide spoiler)]
65.0% "Mid Chapter 18. (view spoiler)[I can't imagine how the Hermes crew's families feel about their decision to turn around..." (hide spoiler)]
70.0% "Chapter 21 Sol 435 Pg 273 (view spoiler)["Live Another Sol" the next James Bond movie. Hahaha." (hide spoiler)]
72.0% (view spoiler)["Oh. No. Dust storm?? 20% light?! Not good." (hide spoiler)]
75.0% "Finished Chapter 21 (view spoiler)[Schiaparelli or bust!!" (hide spoiler)]
78.0% "Chapter 22 (view spoiler)[As he's using sixteenth century tools to approx calculate longitude and latitude... "I can see it now: me holding a map, scratching my head, trying to figure out how I ended up on Venus." XD" (hide spoiler)]
80.0% (view spoiler)["Crap crap crap he's about to lose sunlight for the solar panels & eyesight of Phobos and Deimos... All critical to the mission... On the edge of my seat!" (hide spoiler)]
83.0% "Sol 475 Pg 295 (view spoiler)["I can't wait to have grandchildren. 'When I was younger, I had to walk to the run of a crater. Uphill! In an EVA suit! On Mars, YA little shit! Ya hear me? Mars!'"" (hide spoiler)]
84.0% "Chapter 24 (view spoiler)[Right after Sol 498 I am LOLing...
Venkat: "What, that's it? Three words? Nothing about his physical health?"
Mindy: "Ya got me. He left a detailed status report. I just decided to lie for no reason"
Venkat: "Funny. Be a smart ass 7 levels above you at your company; see how that works out."" (hide spoiler)]
85.0% (view spoiler)["Hahahahah I just learned how to make nothin' tea LMAO sounds better than potato tea!!" (hide spoiler)]
86.0% (view spoiler)["Mark: "I'll spend the rest of the evening enjoying a potato. And by "enjoying" I mean hating so much I want to kill people."" (hide spoiler)]

[Danielle ♥]

Finished!! It was good, I liked it a lot. Laughed a lot and was nervous a lot!! LOL :)

[Melany]

I finished too, I that it was really funny!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

Date Changed. Restarting July 3rd 2015. Happy Reading ☺

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

[Twila]

I started :D
Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ This is reminding me of the movie Castaway, but on Mars! And I really like our narrator, he's funny. Also, in the beginning, I was worried this would have a lot of swearing. I'm glad it doesn't. That can really annoy me sometimes. (hide spoiler)]

[Twila]

Chapter 6 was awesome (view spoiler)[ Why are they still waiting for 4 more years to send the Ares 4? Mark needs help now! (hide spoiler)]

[Betwixt the]

Twila--I'm starting this now. :)

[Betwixt the]

Chapters 1-6 (random thoughts/comments):

(view spoiler)[
--Man, our narrator got WAY lucky. Had that antenna hit him in a different spot, he WOULD have been dead. Of course, everyone thinks he's dead as it is, so he's not that lucky all things considered...
--So. Much. Scientifical talk. I like how it's sort of "dumbed" down for readers who aren't scientifically inclined, though--and it's kept interesting on top of that.
--Mark is a fun, entertaining character. Of course, he doesn't really have anyone to talk to but himself, so I'm sure in the future we'll be seeing a lot more...break? in his mental state. Yes, it IS sort of reminiscent of Castaway--I wonder if Mark will find his very own Wilson.
--How much would it SUCK to realize..."Oh crap, we screwed up. He's not dead afterall." I mean...I can't even imagine how terrible they all must feel, especially knowing they can't get to him before he dies without a miracle.
--I was worried, going in to this read (based on negative reviews I've heard from others), that this was going to be sort of boring...with a lot of cursing and Mark being all negative and dramatic. He IS dramatic, in a way...but I mean, c'mon--he's facing actual death EVERY SINGLE DAY. Every single MOMENT, if we're being totally honest. I think he's being much stronger about that then other readers led me to believe.
(hide spoiler)]

[Twila]

Elizabeth wrote: "Chapters 1-6 (random thoughts/comments): [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ He's not that negative though, is he? He never thought 'Oh man! My life totally sucks now.' And he only whines slightly enough to make it funny. I really appreciate that about him. After a while, I think he might break down though. Especially if doesn't get to communicate with Earth. I hope he does, it might just keep him sane. (hide spoiler)]

[Betwixt the]

Twila wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Chapters 1-6 (random thoughts/comments): [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

He's really not, all things considered. I mean sure, a few times he's been, "Oh, okay, I'm going to die now probably." But...wouldn't all of us? And he's smart enough to actually DO something to try to avoid the dying, which...can't be said for a LOT of us. I wouldn't be able to do what he's accomplished so far, I know that.

[Betwixt the]

Chapters 7-14 (random thoughts/comments):

(view spoiler)[
--So, YAY, the earth knows he's alive and now his crew knows he's alive. That's a good thing, right? I mean...I understand the Commander is sort of having trouble with it (guilt is a terrible thing at times like these) but at least they know he's alive. Right?!
--I just LOVE how sarcastic Mark is at times. Like... "Yes, I have communication! I am talking to another human being! Okay, they're telling me to watch what I say, but I've been alone with myself for the last three months so...screw that! Boobs!" He's just...it's comedic relief, really. For himself/his sanity...and the readers'.
--Heading to the end of chapter 13, I was like... "These italicized portions are leading up to something bad. I don't like them. Make them go away." And then...sure enough...disaster! Catastrophe! Lots of evil bad things happening. Boo.
(hide spoiler)]

[Twila]

Elizabeth wrote: "Chapters 7-14 (random thoughts/comments):[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I absolutely love how sarcastic he is too! I don't think I'd be able to stay as optimistic as he is. And those italicized portions had me so nervous! I thought he was done. And his farm...
All that hard work just gone. I think that would be my breaking point. I hope things get better soon.
This book is so nerve racking! (hide spoiler)]

[Betwixt the]

Twila wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Chapters 7-14 (random thoughts/comments):[spoilers removed]"

I absolutely love how sarcastic he is too! I don't think I'd be able to stay as optimistic as he is. And those itali..."

Okay. I just finished. Suffice it to say...it doesn't really get any less nerve-wracking from that point out. To be honest, it gets worse. Sorry, Twila--you're in for a journey. I've never in my life held my breath through so much of a single book before. I think I need to catch up on my breathing...and try to ease the tension from my muscles.

Review soon to come!

[Betwixt the]

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Twila]

Elizabeth wrote: "Twila wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Chapters 7-14 (random thoughts/comments):[spoilers removed]"

I absolutely love how sarcastic he is too! I don't think I'd be able to stay as optimistic as he is. A..."

I'm glad you liked it so much! And yes, it's getting worse! Whenever I get hope, things go terribly. I only have 7 chapters left. I don't know if I can finish it tonight but this is so good, I just might!

[Twila]

Just finished. I was totally on the edge of my seat the entire ending. And I'm so glad I picked up this book. I absolutely loved it!

[Twila]

I just found out there's going to be a MOVIE coming out THIS October! With Matt Damon!
Soooo excited.

[Abi]

****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Reading from the 21st of September 2015

****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

[C.P.]

Through the first six chapters. I'm really liking this so far.
(view spoiler)[All of the botany and science stuff is explained really well. And the switch to the people on earth with NASA was interesting. Loved the aquaman question. That's definitely not what they thought he was thinking. (hide spoiler)]

[C.P.]

Through chapter 12
(view spoiler)[I felt bad for the crew finding out. :( Lewis was really upset. But I'm really enjoying this. The science is easy to follow and interesting. Watney is pretty funny most of the time. (hide spoiler)]

[Twila]

Aww, your buddy didn't show up? :(
I'll discuss!

Courtney wrote: "Through the first six chapters. I'm really liking this so far.
[spoilers removed]"

That Aquaman question was definitely one of the memorable moments in this book. Mark is a complete genius, but he has such a childish mentality.

Courtney wrote: "Through chapter 12
[spoilers removed]"

When Mark isn't being dumb, he is very funny :)
You know, one of the major complaints about this book is that Mark was very unrealistic. Supposedly, no one can maintain such cheer in such a situation. But I really think that Mark's sarcasm and jokes play a large role in keeping him sane. (view spoiler)[ And I can understand why the team is sad. Guilt can be a very powerful emotion. But at least they know he's alive now! (hide spoiler)]

[C.P.]

I know! I think that would kill me, literally.

And I agree. I don't think it's unrealistic. In fact I'm sure there are many people who have survived insane situations for similar reasons.

[C.P.]

Through chapter 16 (view spoiler)[That Hab collapse was insane. As soon as it started talking about stressed canvas I was freaking out. Some really intense moments.

And "Project Elrond" love it.

Also the whole Iris thing was crazy. I'm glad the crew is getting a chance to go back, since that failed. What a tough decision to make. For anyone. (hide spoiler)]

[C.P.]

And Twila, my buddies have been not showing up this month. :( I think our WoR and a couple I've done with Elizabeth and Noella are the only ones people have showed for. Don't know what's up with that.

[C.P.]

Through chapter 19 (view spoiler)[Johanssen was going to eat the rest of the crew. Yikes. I don't think I could do that.

I really want to know what everyone on earth is thinking now that they've lost contact. (hide spoiler)]

[Twila]

Courtney wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ So intense! From then on, I got freaked out at the italicized portions. And I think I would have found Project Elrond more funny if I had read Lord of the Rings.
And that Iris thing... argh! All that money and time wasted! I'm glad the team is going back too, but man, they could have been on their way a long time ago. So much could have been averted ;) (hide spoiler)]