Andy Weir grabbed readers with * The Martian*, a story of an astronaut stranded on Mars who uses his wits and science know-how to stay alive.
If you are looking for authors who write books with a similar blend of science, suspense, and problem-solving, here are some names you might want to check out.
Blake Crouch writes thrilling science fiction novels that mix exciting plots with solid science concepts. His book “Dark Matter” explores the story of Jason Dessen, a physics professor who wakes up one day in an alternate reality.
He finds his family gone, his life entirely changed, and everything around him unfamiliar. Throughout the book, Jason tries desperately to get back to the family he loves, traveling through multiple realities.
Crouch brings complex science and alternate worlds down to a personal level you can relate to, similar in style to Andy Weir’s “The Martian” and “Project Hail Mary.”
Fans who loved Weir’s approachable sci-fi with authentic human stakes may also connect with Blake Crouch’s relatable characters and fast-moving stories.
Michael Crichton is an author known for blending science and suspense into exciting novels. Readers who enjoy Andy Weir’s realistic yet thrilling approach to science fiction will find a similar vibe in Crichton’s “Jurassic Park.”
In this book, scientists discover a way to recreate dinosaurs by extracting DNA from ancient insects. To showcase their breakthrough, they build a theme park filled with living dinosaurs. But when the creatures break loose, chaos follows.
Crichton uses real genetic science and vivid descriptions to create tension and excitement. Fans of science-driven adventures will stay hooked from start to finish.
Ernest Cline is an author known for weaving fast-paced narratives that fuse nostalgic pop culture with futuristic plots.
His novel “Ready Player One” follows teenager Wade Watts in a dystopian future where society escapes reality through an immersive virtual world called the OASIS.
Wade joins millions in hunting for a hidden Easter egg left by the OASIS creator, a quest filled with retro '80s gaming and movie references, virtual challenges, and high-stakes danger in both worlds.
Readers who enjoy Andy Weir’s sharp, detailed storytelling in science fiction books like “The Martian” will appreciate Cline’s engaging characters, clever puzzles, and imaginative blend of technology and entertainment.
John Scalzi writes science fiction full of humor, action, and clever storytelling. Fans of Andy Weir’s accessible science and witty dialogue are likely to enjoy Scalzi’s novel “Old Man’s War.”
This story follows John Perry, a retiree who decides to enlist in the army, but it isn’t the kind of military we know today. Perry joins a space-based defense force that upgrades its elderly recruits with powerful new bodies to fight dangerous galactic battles.
The novel explores life, death, friendship, and adventure in ways readers won’t expect, offering both smart science fiction concepts and irresistible humor.
Readers who enjoy Andy Weir’s mix of science fiction, tension, and thoughtful storytelling may appreciate Hugh Howey’s work. Howey writes imaginative and character-driven narratives, grounded in believable science and societies facing complex challenges.
His novel “Wool” is set in a massive underground silo, built to shelter humanity after Earth’s surface became inhospitable. Society within the silo is rigidly structured, operating under strict rules.
Curiosity about the forbidden outside world leads certain residents to uncover secrets that question everything they’ve been told. The compelling characters and intriguing mysteries draw readers into a story full of suspense, humanity, and surprising revelations.
If you enjoy Andy Weir’s stories filled with realistic science and believable characters, Kim Stanley Robinson might be a great author for you. Robinson often explores future scenarios with sharp scientific detail and intriguing possibilities, as seen in his book “Red Mars”.
This novel begins the “Mars Trilogy”, a series about humanity’s first colonization of Mars and the challenges that come with it. You follow a group of 100 colonists as they set out on this bold attempt to make life possible on the red planet.
The book delves into the science, politics, ethical decisions, and personal struggles these pioneers must face when they try to build a new society from scratch. Robinson creates a believable future filled with tension, adventure, and powerful storytelling.
Becky Chambers is an author who creates science fiction stories full of believable characters, warm humor, and thought-provoking themes. If you enjoyed the realistic detail and relatable characters in Andy Weir’s books, Becky Chambers may appeal to you.
Her novel “The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet” follows the crew of the spaceship Wayfarer on an interstellar journey across unfamiliar galaxies.
The group includes humans and aliens from a variety of intriguing backgrounds, each with secrets, quirks, and conflicts that come up along their voyage.
The book features lovable characters, fascinating cultures, and thoughtful exploration of friendship and belonging within the vast reaches of space.
If you enjoy Andy Weir’s blend of science, suspense, and thoughtful storytelling, then Alastair Reynolds is an author worth exploring. Reynolds is best known for crafting imaginative stories that remain scientifically grounded and compelling.
His novel “Revelation Space” is a great place to start. It follows scientist Dan Sylveste, a man obsessed with unraveling the disappearance of an alien civilization known as the Amarantin.
The story spans vast distances across space and time, intersected by mysterious artifacts, advanced tech, and persistent dangers. Reynolds’ attention to scientific detail and layered storylines offer a satisfying experience for fans of hard-science fiction.
Readers who enjoy Andy Weir’s mix of technology, tension, and believable science in novels like “The Martian” could also appreciate Daniel Suarez. Suarez writes thrillers that combine cutting-edge tech concepts with fast-paced storytelling.
His novel “Daemon” tells the story of a brilliant programmer whose death triggers a hidden and powerful program—a daemon—that begins reshaping the world.
As governments and corporations scramble for control, ordinary people are caught up in a gripping fight against an unseen digital enemy. It has the complex plotting, well-drawn characters, and thought-provoking ideas that often attract fans of Andy Weir’s work.
Readers who enjoy Andy Weir’s blend of realistic science and vivid storytelling may find Peter F. Hamilton equally engaging. Hamilton is known for rich world-building, complex characters, and thought-provoking technology.
His novel “Pandora’s Star” opens with humanity mastering wormhole technology, enabling instant travel across space. When a distant star vanishes without explanation, humans set out to investigate, unknowingly awakening a mysterious and potentially dangerous alien presence.
Hamilton’s detailed portrayal of future societies, along with compelling mysteries and well-crafted suspense, make the story hard to put down.
Readers who enjoy Andy Weir’s mix of humor, tech-savvy characters, and clever storytelling might also appreciate Robin Sloan’s novels. Sloan combines mystery and modern technology with quirky characters.
His book “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore” centers on Clay Jannon, a web designer turned bookstore clerk. Clay soon discovers this isn’t an ordinary bookstore—odd customers visit at all hours, borrowing strange books instead of buying them.
To solve the store’s mystery, he teams up with friends, blending old-fashioned detective work with cutting-edge technology from Silicon Valley. The story playfully explores the tensions between traditional books and digital innovation.
Readers who enjoy Andy Weir’s blend of smart storytelling, humor, and believable science may find Neal Stephenson equally engaging. Stephenson is known for his vivid technological details and intriguing characters.
His novel “Seveneves” explores a scenario where humanity must rapidly evacuate Earth after it’s suddenly rendered unlivable. The survivors escape to orbit, forced into a desperate scramble to survive in space.
Stephenson brings together science, survival drama, and human psychology, creating a page-turner filled with realistic possibilities, humor, and tension.
Arthur C. Clarke writes science fiction grounded in fascinating science and vivid human discovery, similar to Andy Weir’s style in “The Martian.”
Clarke’s novel “Rendezvous with Rama” follows a crew of astronauts sent to explore a massive, mysterious alien structure entering our solar system. Inside this intriguing cylindrical spacecraft, the team faces puzzles around every corner.
They navigate unknown spaces, strange environments, and hints of alien technology, questioning humanity’s place in the universe.
If you enjoyed the realistic scenarios and exciting technical details Andy Weir uses, Arthur C. Clarke offers an equally absorbing adventure of science and exploration.
Cixin Liu is a Chinese science fiction author known for imaginative plots, realistic science, and fascinating perspectives on humanity. If you enjoyed Andy Weir’s books, you might want to try Liu’s novel “The Three-Body Problem.”
The story weaves together China’s Cultural Revolution and a secret communication project where scientists search for alien life.
When an unexpected response arrives from an alien civilization facing catastrophic conditions, humanity is forced to reconsider its place in the universe.
The challenges in this novel focus on how science, ethics, and human nature collide, similar to themes explored by Andy Weir.
Readers who enjoy Andy Weir’s blend of smart, thought-provoking storytelling with science-based narratives should check out Ted Chiang.
His short story collection “Stories of Your Life and Others” includes the brilliant tale “Story of Your Life,” which inspired the movie “Arrival.” Chiang explores how understanding an alien language can change a scientist’s perception of time and reality.
His narratives combine human emotion, scientific curiosity, and thoughtful explorations about the big questions in life.
Fans who liked the realistic science scenarios and emotional depth in Weir’s works like “The Martian” or “Project Hail Mary” are sure to appreciate Chiang’s thought experiments and heartfelt storytelling.