Review: The Martian

The Martian by Andy Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Put simply, this book is just brilliant writing and sharp editing.
I loved the movie, but I'm happy that the movie did not spoil the book for me. Also, I realize now why it was so easy to convert this book into a movie; the source material is already so well-written. The book makes you smile, laugh at Watney's sarcastic sense of humor and cry at the climax. But above all, in this age where dystopias are all the rage, it restores your faith in basic humanity; at that primal human instinct to help anyone out in times of distress. I loved Watney's sense of humor, it's what kept him alive. For the record, I also loved Damon's portrayal in the movie, I was tied even between rooting for him and Leo for the Oscar.[ cry at the climax. But above all, in this age where dystopias are all the rage, it restores your faith in basic humanity; at that primal human instict to help anyone out in times of distress. (hide spoiler)]
The book seems to have reignited my love for these survival adventures like Robinson Crusoe, The Lost World, etc. I'd love to read more by the author.

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Review: The Guilty

The Guilty by David Baldacci
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My first book of 2016 and this one has actually set the bar quite high. This is the fourth book in the Will Robie series. Robie messes up two of his missions. Meanwhile, his father, whom he ran away from as a teenager, has been arrested for a murder in Mississippi. Robie returns home to confront the demons of his past and Reel joins him later as the body count in his hometown begins to rise.

This story is about the repercussions of our actions that we sometimes don't even think about, of relationships with one's family and learning to forgive the past and move forward in life. You can travel the world, change your personality, escape your hometown; but you can never escape your roots.

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