Next Read Club

Books Like The Martian

If you finished The Martian and want more of the same, start here. An astronaut stranded alone on Mars has to science his way through every single thing that could kill him.

What tends to stick with readers is its funny and thought-provoking feel. Somehow the funniest book about being stranded and alone in space. Below are 7 books that carry that feeling in different ways, matched on shared mood, themes and reading experience. The Martian is a medium, fast-paced read (reading level: beginner-friendly), so we've noted where each pick is quicker, slower or heavier.

Cover of The Martian by Andy Weir

The book you loved

The Martian

Andy Weir

7 books you might enjoy

  1. Cover of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

    1.

    Project Hail Mary

    Andy Weir

    Project Hail Mary shares The Martian's funny and thought-provoking appeal. Both carry the #science tag. Expect a bigger commitment than The Martian.

    Long · Can't put it down pace · Easy to follow

    Explore this book →Books like Project Hail Mary
  2. Cover of Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

    2.

    Ender's Game

    Orson Scott Card

    If it was the thought-provoking side of The Martian you loved, Ender's Game delivers it too.

    Medium · Fast pace · Beginner-friendly

    Explore this book →Books like Ender's Game
  3. Cover of Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

    3.

    Into the Wild

    Jon Krakauer

    Into the Wild shares The Martian's thought-provoking appeal. It's the quicker read of the two.

    Short · Fast pace · Beginner-friendly

    Explore this book →Books like Into the Wild
  4. Cover of Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

    4.

    Slaughterhouse-Five

    Kurt Vonnegut

    Like The Martian, Slaughterhouse-Five is funny and thought-provoking. It's the quicker read of the two.

    Short · Fast pace · Moderate

    Explore this book →Books like Slaughterhouse-Five
  5. Cover of Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

    5.

    Klara and the Sun

    Kazuo Ishiguro

    If it was the thought-provoking side of The Martian you loved, Klara and the Sun delivers it too. It's a more demanding read than The Martian.

    Medium · Slow pace · Easy to follow

    Explore this book →Books like Klara and the Sun
  6. Cover of The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

    6.

    The Left Hand of Darkness

    Ursula K. Le Guin

    The Left Hand of Darkness shares The Martian's thought-provoking appeal. It's a more demanding read than The Martian.

    Medium · Slow pace · Moderate

  7. Cover of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

    7.

    Fahrenheit 451

    Ray Bradbury

    If it was the thought-provoking side of The Martian you loved, Fahrenheit 451 delivers it too. It's the quicker read of the two.

    Short · Fast pace · Easy to follow

    Explore this book →Books like Fahrenheit 451

How to choose

  • Short on time? Into the Wild is a quick read.
  • Ready for something heavier? Slaughterhouse-Five is the most demanding pick.

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