2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This is where we will discuss the book after we start reading it in September.

Loved Martian (the movie). This will be my first book by this author, cant wait to start :)

I started this and so far I really like it. It's more like The Martian and less like Artemis and Weir is one of my fav authors.

It took me a while to stop thinking of the Martian as I read this! The Martian is one of my favourite books and there are definitely heaps of similarities (haven't read Artemis yet) but it's not a bad thing. I'm loving the storyline at the moment

I'm on chapter 8 now but in regard to the end of chapter 6: (view spoiler)[Okay this just deviated from The Martian with a potential alien spaceship. It came as a small shock to me that we would be maybe meeting aliens in this one! I'm also excited! (hide spoiler)]

I am waiting for a copy of the book. I can’t wait to read it. I listened to one of Weir’s interview on YouTube and knowing the effort he put into getting the science straight makes it even more interesting.

How far along is everyone? It's not anything like I expected: easy to read, accessible science. Wonderful so far, and I've only finished Chapter 5.

I am up to chapter 16 (55%). I am loving it.

Ashleigh (your spoiler) I had the same reaction to chapter 6.

I'm at chapter 10 now and (view spoiler)[Rocky is the best.I love Rocky. I hope we get more of Rocky (hide spoiler)]

At chapter 22. (view spoiler)[I am wondering how the home worlds are doing now. Also wondering if Dr. Grace and Rocky will somehow end up staying together.

Also, predator as a solution, never crossed my mind. As soon as I read it, I thought "oh, perfect". (hide spoiler)]

Finishing up chapter 10, really enjoying this read so far! I just finished up The Martian last week and was so excited after to jump into this. Andy Weir's use of sarcasm/comedy in these life threatening situations is my absolute favorite, and the audiobook narrators do a great job with it as well. Can't wait to see how it ends!

Hello everyone! Long time since I've joined a discussion like this.

Just finished reading The Stand by Stephen King and wanted something a little bit different this time. Already read Artemis by Andy Weir and it was awesome, so I'm looking forward to start reading this new adventure that he has prepared for us!

30% in and I love this book. The character is believable and does common teacher moves; also it's very realistic for former scientists to move to teaching no matter how successful they are.

I also thought the beginning was cool but completely different than the second section (hopefully that's not considered a spoiler). I had to return the book to the library so this is one of the few books I will actually BUY this year.

I'm up to around chapter 19 now and there's two things I want to happen: (view spoiler)[Firstly, I want Ryland to make it back to Earth (I had happy tears when Rocky said he'd give him astrophage) and tell everyone all about Rocky. Secondly, I want them to find a way to stay in touch if they return to their home planets (hide spoiler)]

Half way through and really enjoying it. Intrigued to know where this is going and whether all is as it seems.

I'm finishing up a Read-a-Thon today and will start this tomorrow. Probably won't be able to read much through the week, but should be able to finish it next weekend, no problem!

Bibliophile wrote: "Did anyone else notice the parallels between these children and the oppressed women in many parts of the modern world?"

I don't remember children playing much of a role in this book :), and I didn't notice any parallels to oppressed women in the parts that included them, but if you could include more details in a spoiler that would help prod my memory.

Karin wrote: "Bibliophile wrote: "Did anyone else notice the parallels between these children and the oppressed women in many parts of the modern world?"

I don't remember children playing much of a role in this..."

The only children in the book are ones being taught and none of them appear in any way oppressed so like you I’m not sure what is being referred to here.

Bibliophile wrote: "Did anyone else notice the parallels between these children and the oppressed women in many parts of the modern world?"

No, the only mention of children are those in class and they didn’t sound in any way oppressed to me. What are you referring to?

Valerie wrote: "Bibliophile wrote: "Did anyone else notice the parallels between these children and the oppressed women in many parts of the modern world?"

No, the only mention of children are those in class and ..."

I am so sorry, I just realized my mistake. I meant to post that on the other thread for 'The House in the cerulean sea'. Ignore please :) Deleting my comment.

I finally got my copy from the library and am about a third of the way through. I am really enjoying it. I loved The Martian (movie) and (view spoiler)[the book starts out how I expected based on that. I just got to the part about first contact with the alien ships...how exciting! Can't wait to see how it all unfolds (hide spoiler)]

Bibliophile wrote: "Valerie wrote: "Bibliophile wrote: "Did anyone else notice the parallels between these children and the oppressed women in many parts of the modern world?"

No, the only mention of children are tho..."

I must thank you for making me feel a bit better about posting in the wrong thread! 😁 House is one of my favorite books! Hope you enjoyed it!

I am at Chapter 15 and I'm pretty sure I am in LOVE! With Andy Weir!!! 👍🤗

Bibliophile wrote: "Valerie wrote: "Bibliophile wrote: "Did anyone else notice the parallels between these children and the oppressed women in many parts of the modern world?"

No, the only mention of children are tho..."
No problem, you just had us very puzzled. I thought I’d missed something.

Up to page 277, through Chapter 16:
I am so glad Weir chose a lowly (view spoiler)[junior high school science teacher as the hero of his book! As a displaced a teacher, that thrills me! (hide spoiler)] I can really appreciate the way he adds yet another dimension of suspense by not telling us immediately how Grace was (view spoiler)[selected as one of the astronauts. That is an excellent strategy to bring yet another dimension to the story, IMO! (hide spoiler)]

I also appreciate the fact that the Eridian is shaped much like a (view spoiler)[spider but with 5 legs rather than 8. I despise spiders IRL, so this provides yet more interest for me. That is so cool! (hide spoiler)]

I love this book for forcing me to expand my comprehension beyond what is 'normal' for us humans! (view spoiler)[For example, the extremely high content of chlorine in the Eridian atmosphere, the extremely high temperature of the Eridian atmosphere. I think it is so valuable to force ourselves to consider what may be foreign or unmanageable or impossible to us is "normal" elsewhere! (hide spoiler)] That should help us build empathy, shouldn't it? 🤗👍

And Weir's sense of humor is so spot-on for me! For example: on page 275, (view spoiler)["Once again I'm struck by melancholy. I want to spend the rest of my life studying Eridian biology! But I have to save humanity first. Stupid humanity. Getting in the way of my hobbies." I laughed so hard at that! (hide spoiler)]

Ashleigh wrote: "I'm up to around chapter 19 now and there's two things I want to happen: [spoilers removed]"

Yep! I was cheering when (view spoiler)[Rocky offered him the astrophage to return. Although I wonder how the coma thing will work. Is there enough of the proper drug for him to put himself 'under'? And are the arms prepared to watch over him for another trip back to Earth? And what about the nutrients that must be pumped into him during the comatose time period? Is there enough extra? I suppose all those supplies might indeed be available due to the deaths of his two crewmates...

I hadn't even considered that they might be able to communicate somehow once Grace is on Earth again. That would be sooooo awesome! But I did wonder if maybe he would try to bring Rocky with him. I doubt it, 'cause we humans would be too stupid overall to allow a "Rocky" to cohabitate with us without killing and dissecting him... I have little faith in mass humanity overall making the right decisions with regard to an alien life form. (hide spoiler)]

Oh, and not only did (view spoiler)[Grace create a name for the Eridian, 'Rocky', but also 'Adrian' for 'his' mate! That definitely made me laugh! (hide spoiler)]

Lynn wrote: "Oh, and not only did [spoilers removed]"

Oh my gosh! I just now got that! I don't know how I missed it when I read the book.

Lynn, that's a great point about how what is strange/foreign to us is considered normal elsewhere. I totally agree that this should build empathy. Mostly, as a whole in society, it tends to scare us, unfortunately. Which is why (big spoiler for the end) (view spoiler)[I'm glad that Ryland didn't try to bring Rocky back to earth...and why I'm actually even more glad that we got to see Ryland on Rocky's planet. The Eridians seemed waaay more welcoming of an alien life form (Ryland) than humans would inevitably be. (hide spoiler)]

Weir's humor is right up my alley too. I laughed so much at this book (and The Martian). I just love the way he writes and all the humor he injects into otherwise very serious situations. XD

Debra Digs wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Oh, and not only did [spoilers removed]"

Oh my gosh! I just now got that! I don't know how I missed it when I read the book."

I usually miss such references, so am thrilled that I was able to point one out to someone else! (I blame that on my lack of TV and old age! LOL 😁

Bibliophile wrote: "Valerie wrote: "Bibliophile wrote: "Did anyone else notice the parallels between these children and the oppressed women in many parts of the modern world?"

No, the only mention of children are tho..."

I wondered if that was what happened :). I have done that in the past.

Eirelyn wrote: "Lynn, that's a great point about how what is strange/foreign to us is considered normal elsewhere. I totally agree that this should build empathy. Mostly, as a whole in society, it tends to scare u..."

Ah, the desire to build empathy, etc, is not new to scifi, of course, but it is a great message, isn't it? But then I grew up outside of the States (yes, Instagram and TikTok now have Canadian kids using more and more American terms which is sad in the sense that it is a loss for Canadian English and also identity) at a time when we were taught a lot more about the world outside our country than I saw when I attended American schools for 3 years growing up. I once had to write the Canadian consulate when some girls were complaning because I didn't say the Pledge of Allegiance (obviously before the 21st century!)

Eirelyn wrote: "Lynn, that's a great point about how what is strange/foreign to us is considered normal elsewhere. I totally agree that this should build empathy. Mostly, as a whole in society, it tends to scare u..."
Totally agree with your spoiler comment! Yeah. So wonderful to see Grace (view spoiler)[teaching again! (hide spoiler)]