Not a big reader at all, (Yeah, strange for me to be posting in the Books section) but for my birthday my wife purchased a membership for Audio Books since I have a 30 minute commute.

My first book was The Martian.  Ok, I didn't really read it but listened to it. That does count, right?

Wow, that was a great book. Finished it last Friday and watched the movie Saturday.
The movie definitely didn't do it justice. Oh no, am I turning into a book snob who will now say the book is always better than the movie?

I liked the problem solving and how you get to know what is going through the guys head as opposed to it being like listening to a conversation between two people.
It was more like he was talking directly to me essentially talking out loud to solve a problem.

I was thinking American Sniper would be similar in a way.  What other books fall into this category?

Saturn Run
Beacon 23 (1 thru 5)

Gateway (an oldie) by Frederic Pohl

Thanks for the tip. I just downloaded Beacon. Same guy that wrote Wool.

My little family has really bad Amazon habit. They give me a pack of Gift Cards for my birthday and by the time I upload them they have already bought enough books to wipe out any benefit.

I don't mind thou because it keeps the MIL entertained and everyone happy and absorbed.

Just read the Saturn Run via Amazon and the description reads : "For fans of THE MARTIAN,......" Hmmm, looks like you hit the mark. Thanks.

Lost Moon by James Lovell.

This one?

It doesn't appear Amazon has this one via audio books.

You can get it on audio cassette.

If you want to keep it light, check out Ready Player One.  Outstanding.

Don't know if this helps, but someome put it on youtube.

For an Audiobook, I would recommend World War Z.  The audio has a huge all star cast.

Make sure you get the 12hr Complete Edition, there is also a 6hr Abridged version as well.

I would assume its some what age dependent. I was born in 1980 and got pretty much all the references.  If one was born in the mid 80's I would think a lot of it would pass them by. Regardless this was a very good book, the follow up Armada was okay too.

Currently on Chapter 35 of Saturn Run.
It was a bit slow at first.
At times I thought it was going down a great path but then would sizzle.
The past few chapters have kept it interesting.

Audio books is running a special so looking some more before the offer expires.

Tried to check out Ready Player One on Amazon and it kept crashing my browser. Had to go directly to the audible web site.
It has a 4.7 out of 5 rating based on 41063 reviews so I guess that isn't too bad.

For World War Z, it weird.
The unabridged at 14 hours has 2.3 out of 5 (10 ratings)
Yet, the 12 hour "movie tie-in"  has 4.4 out of 5 (5402 ratings)
Not sure why such drastic difference.

Any feedback on American Sniper?

The 14hr version is in German.

Indeed.  I was born in 82, but I could see that being a problem for someone born in the late 80s.  Armada was a huge let down for me for Cline's sophomore effort.  It seemed as thought he publishers just wanted him to bang something out ASAP after RP1.

I just finished Saturn Run myself. There will come a point where you won't be able to put it down. Great book. I need more like that.

Just finished Ready Player One and that too was awesome.
So far you people have been spot on with your recommendations.

I may go with World War Z next or look at one mentioned here.

Red Mars

Glad you liked it.  Here comes my next recommendation; Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown

Seveneves by Neil Stephenson is what you're looking for.

I promise.

Don't read too much about it so the twists aren't ruined.

essentially the moon breaks up and is going to rain debris on the earth in 2.5 years. Humanity has 2.5 years to get off the Rock and survive. How do they do it?

Part two of the book is when humanity comes back 10,000 years later after the destruction and eventual rebirth of the earth.

Heavy science and lots of problem solving.

It was OK but he's a little more self-oriented than Marcus Luttrel.  Both are good story and I don't mean anything bad about Kyle but ti you're looking for the more entertaining story of the two I'd take Lone Survivor first.  

Also, Unbroken was A++.  I was reluctant, 15 hours plus... I didn't know the author.   She nailed it and the story is driving.  Narrator is great.

For reference, I loved The Martian and the narrator for that book is the best.  He also narrates the Arisen series and I've done the omnibus three volume which was quick and so-so.  

Ready Player One (I'm child of 1981, got nearly every reference but also had an older sister.  If born much later, probably less enjoyable but not to be avoided).
The Road (not light)

Currently finishing up Fancy Suits and Futuristic Violence which has a feel similar to RPO.  

Another with similar feel is The Postmortal but honestly compared to The Martian and RPO, this will disappoint every time.

My tastes are varied so use caution on these:
A Confederacy of Dunces
Two Years Before the Mast (Bernard Mayes as narrator version)


TL;DR:

Of everything I've just mentioned, I would suggest them in this order:
The Martian
Unbroken
Lone Survivor
Ready Player One
Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits (though, I'm not done with it)
The Road
American Sniper
Arisen series
A Confederacy of Dunces
The Postmortal

I'd leave Two Years Before the Mast off for most folks.  It's a diary, mostly, from a guy who briefly became a sailor in the 1830s.

ETA: When I say "similar feel" I don't mean theme, I mean they are both light listening, etc.  I don't mean it as a comparison of the content/style necessarily.

Anyone got anything else we don't need to miss?