The Martian by Andy Weir

This book tells a survival story of Mark Watney. Mark is a botanist of the Ares 3 crew on the spacecraft called Hermes. The mission of this group is to conduct an important research on Mars. Like most scientific survival stories, they travel to Mars safely, but they get into a life-threatening situation one day during the mission--a mortal dust storm. The group leader commanded the mission canceled, and they leave quickly. However, Mark is left behind. Therefore, he has to try everything to live on Mars.

His life is unbelievably lonely, tedious, and painful. There is nobody can talk to him on the planet without any life except for him. His only food are potatoes and ketchup (he can only eat tasteless potatoes after ketchup is used up). Everything he can do is eat, sleep, and exercise. The most touching part of this story is Mark’s spirit to live and courage to confront cruel living environment. He tries to plant potatoes, and work day by day to find a way to rebuild connection with Earth. Fortunately, he successfully survives, and finally getting back to Earth. This story tells me to never give up to live in any dilemma, as long as there is a glimpse of hope.