DNF at 27% - The Martian by Andy Weir

I just don't get the Hype.

Audible: Running Time: 10hrs 59min
Publisher: Audible Studios
Publication date: 01 Jan 2020
B082BGX3CG

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars.

Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm forces his crew to evacuate the planet while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded on Mars's surface, with no way to signal Earth that he's alive. And even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone years before a rescue could arrive.

Chances are, though, Mark won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first.

Armed with nothing but his ingenuity, his engineering skills--and a gallows sense of humor that proves to be his greatest source of strength--Mark embarks on a dogged quest to stay alive. But will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

DNF at 27%.  I should have known it would end like this since it's a Richard and Judy recommended read.  I may or may not go back and try again some time but definitely not in audible form.  I thought I could just let my mind wander when it got to the science-y bits but there's just too much of it.  I could lay down the headphones, go hang out the washing, come back and he'd STILL be going on about how to mix gasses. 

I like the guy in the story, Mark, but there's only so much I take.  The bits going on back here at home were interesting but not enough to keep me going.

Gutted that yet again I fail to get the hype.  I should just steer well clear of hot books, I never get them.

Review - Mountain Man by Keith C Blackmore

Kindle: 514 pages
Publisher: Create
Publication date: 15 Dec 2011
ISBN: 9781475298659

Boomstick.
Samurai bat.
Motorcycle leather.
And the will to live amongst the unliving.

Augustus Berry lives a day-to-day existence comprised of waking up, getting drunk, and preparing for the inevitable day when "they" will come up the side of his mountain and penetrate his fortress. Living on the outskirts of a city and scavenging for whatever supplies remain after civilization died two years ago, Gus knows that every time he goes down into undead suburbia could be his last.

Not really a review exactly, more of a, "This is a summary of my review" kind of post. I'm all about the feels when it comes to reading so sometimes I don't even know why I like something, I just know that I do.  This is one of those times... 

I listened to the prequel of this series last year when it was free on audible (might still be free) and really liked it.  The Hospital  was creepy and chilling and exactly the sort of zombie apocalypse book I like to read...survivors scavenging about.

The narrator R.C Bray did a great job and the hour long short story made me go and get the next part, Mountain Man as soon as I'd finished it.

I did like Mountain Man. I liked the characters and the scene setting and the dialogue but the action scenes were a bit much to take in.  Might have been better reading it but listening to it just went too fast to catch it all. It was a bit like the difference between watching a ninja fight scene and having someone write down all the moves for you at the speed they take place.  It just all moves too fast to take in.  "He put this arm there and then that other leg here and then the knife cut over there while he spun back to here and grabbed this other thing which he used to smack that other guy....."  Too much for me to take in when the narrator has quite a fast reading pace.  I just couldn't visualize it fast enough. 

Good story though and very well told. I really like Gus the lead character and have already bought the next one in the series.  I think the next one is about Gus' friend Scott so I'll see how that goes.  I like Scott well enough but I like Gus more.

I may come back and re-do this when I collect my thoughts.  Maybe.