{5\/5} “They have some of the best supercomputers in the world. I needed their supercomputers and engineers to try all kinds of scenarios and propagation models for how Astrophage could get around in the galaxy. Back to the point: These local stars have been dimming for decades. And the rate of dimming increases exponentially — just like we’re seeing with the sun.”<\/p>\n
Project Hail Mary<\/strong> by Andy Weir, published in 2021<\/p>\n Ryland Grace is on a spaceship sent on a last-ditch effort to solve the problem of the Astrophage, alien microbes that are draining the energy from the sun. When he wakes up he’s lost a lot of memory, which gradually comes back. His 2 colleagues are dead, he has an unintelligent computer, and he discovers he’s in a different solar system.<\/p>\n With a delightful main character and a gripping story, this is the book for you today. It even includes a reference to Zork<\/strong>.<\/p>\n It’s about mistakes that happen when you’re absurdly tired and taking painkillers, being sent on a mission against your will, and the process of using science to solve a problem.<\/p>\n The conversations between Grace and his new friend* are thrilling.<\/p>\n The common structure of alternating sections in the present with flashbacks is used to great effect, with the main character remembering more of his own memories.<\/p>\n