Author Guide
Andy Weir Books in Order
Complete reading list — from the self-published sensation that became The Martian to Project Hail Mary, the sci-fi novel that made even non-sci-fi readers cry.
About Andy Weir
Andy Weir grew up in San Diego, the son of a particle physicist and an electrical engineer — which explains a lot. He spent 25 years as a computer programmer, writing fiction as a hobby on the side. When he published The Martian on his personal website in 2011, chapter by chapter and entirely free to read, he never expected it to become one of the biggest publishing stories of the decade. After fan demand, he packaged it as a 99-cent Kindle ebook, which quickly climbed bestseller lists, caught the eye of a literary agent, and landed a deal with Crown Publishers. Ridley Scott's film adaptation starring Matt Damon followed in 2015. Weir quit his day job after the book's runaway success. He is best known for meticulous scientific accuracy — he does the actual maths — and for protagonists who respond to mortal crisis with relentless wit, dark humour, and an almost compulsive need to problem-solve.
The Martian vs. Project Hail Mary — which to read first? Both novels work as completely standalone reads with no shared characters or universe. The Martian is the natural entry point — it is Weir's most accessible book and will tell you immediately whether his voice clicks for you. If it does, Project Hail Mary is waiting, and many readers consider it even better.
All Andy Weir Books in Order
Three novels, all standalone. Listed in publication order — which is also the recommended reading order.
1
The Martian
2011 (self-published) / 2014 (Crown)
Hard Sci-Fi · Survival · Humour
Astronaut Mark Watney is accidentally left behind on Mars when his crew evacuates during a storm. With limited food, no communication with Earth, and a planet actively trying to kill him, Watney does what any reasonable astronaut-botanist would do: he starts farming potatoes in his own waste and narrates every problem-solving step with the driest, funniest voice in science fiction. The Martian is the most fun you will have reading about a man slowly starving to death in a vacuum. The most accessible entry point into Weir's work — and still the best place to start.
2
Artemis
2017
Hard Sci-Fi · Heist · Thriller
Jazz Bashara is a small-time smuggler living in Artemis, humanity's first and only city on the moon. When a lucrative but dangerous job lands in her lap, she finds herself entangled in a conspiracy that could destroy the entire colony. Artemis is a heist novel at heart — tighter in scope than The Martian, with a female protagonist and a fascinating portrait of what a functioning lunar economy might actually look like. Slower paced than its predecessor and more divisive among fans, but the lunar world-building is inventive and Weir's scientific rigour is on full display. Best read after The Martian, not before.
3
Project Hail Mary
2021
Fan Favourite
Ryland Grace wakes up alone on a spacecraft with no memory of who he is, where he is going, or why. As he pieces together the fragments of a desperate last-ditch mission to save humanity from extinction, he makes a discovery that changes everything. Project Hail Mary is the emotionally satisfying science fiction achievement of recent years — the Watney-style problem-solving voice is here, but the story goes somewhere far more surprising and moving than The Martian ever did. Many readers who thought they didn't like science fiction finished this book in tears. The revelation at the story's heart is best experienced completely cold — avoid spoilers.
Where to start: Start with The Martian. It is the most accessible and will tell you immediately whether Weir's style — first-person problem-solving, real science explained with dry humour, survival tension — clicks for you. If you love it, Project Hail Mary is even better. Artemis sits comfortably between the two and is best saved for after you are already a fan.
What's next from Andy Weir? Weir has mentioned working on another novel following the success of Project Hail Mary. No title or publication date has been confirmed as of 2025. Check back here for updates when new details emerge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Andy Weir's books connected?
No — all three of Andy Weir's novels are completely standalone. The Martian, Artemis, and Project Hail Mary share no characters, no continuity, and exist in entirely separate fictional universes. You can read them in any order without missing any context. That said, publication order (Martian → Artemis → Project Hail Mary) is the natural sequence and broadly considered the best reading experience.
Which Andy Weir book is best?
Project Hail Mary is the consensus fan favourite and critically his most acclaimed novel — many readers consider it a modern sci-fi masterpiece. The Martian is the most popular in terms of cultural reach, bolstered by the Matt Damon film. Artemis is the most divisive, though it has its devoted defenders. If you want the most emotionally powerful experience, read Project Hail Mary. If you want the most accessible entry point, start with The Martian.
Is Project Hail Mary a sequel to The Martian?
No. Project Hail Mary is a completely separate story with entirely different characters and a different setting. The two books share Weir's authorial voice and his love of real science, but there is no narrative connection between them. You do not need to have read The Martian before picking up Project Hail Mary, though most Weir fans recommend doing so.
Is Andy Weir's science actually accurate?
Remarkably so — within the bounds of what current science permits. Weir does real calculations for orbital mechanics, atmospheric composition, calorie requirements, and chemical reactions. He is occasionally criticised by scientists for minor inaccuracies, but the overall commitment to scientific rigour is genuine and exceptional for popular fiction. The maths in The Martian actually checks out.
Do you need to like science to enjoy Andy Weir's books?
Not at all — though it helps. Weir's science is accessible rather than alienating, explained through the voice of characters who find it interesting rather than through textbook exposition. Readers with no science background consistently report loving The Martian and Project Hail Mary. The science is the backdrop; the humour, tension, and heart are what carry the books.