I’m going to start with the best book I read this summer.
There’s been some growing buzz surrounding this book due in large part to the
upcoming movie starring Matt Damon. Having heard few specific details about
this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect. And boy were those low expectations
exceeded!
The science part of the book was a bit heavier than I anticipated,
and I’ll admit there were some parts that were a little too detailed and heavy
for my tastes, but they were wonderfully balanced by the humor. Who knew a book
about a guy getting stranded alone on Mars for years would be so funny?! The
tense nature of the storyline (how would he survive? would he get rescued?)
kept me engaged throughout the book, and the humor was definitely what kept me
highly entertained.
I also loved that reading this fictional book made me think
a lot more about all the current talk of sending real manned missions to Mars,
and how feasible that would be. It also had an interesting perspective on how
valuable one life can and should be. Lots to think about! Well worth
reading.
This was the other book I read this summer that really made
me think – this time in perhaps a less positive way. The story delves into how
dependent on technology we can (or maybe have) become, and the subtle way it
creeps deeper and deeper into our lives. I was on the edge of my seat
throughout this whole (tense!) book, anxious to find out what the main
character would do next and how far she would go.
I really took this story as a caution to be more mindful of
how much I rely on technology personally, and definitely vowed to do more
reading without the distractions of phones, computers, TVs, and tablets
anywhere nearby! I certainly appreciate
a book that makes me want to read more.
What did you think of these two books? Or are you now
inspired to give either of them a try?
Keep reading! Beth
Keep reading! Beth
