The Recommended Andy Weir Reading Path
If you are new to Andy Weir, you do not need to worry about a massive, interconnected multi-novel universe. Unlike many science fiction authors who write sprawling space operas across dozens of volumes, Weir has kept his catalog incredibly accessible. His novels are standalone stories set in different universes or time periods. However, choosing where to start can dramatically shape your experience of his signature hard science, problem-solving protagonists, and trademark humor.
We recommend starting with The Martian. It is the book that defined his career, established his unique literary voice, and remains the absolute benchmark for modern hard sci-fi survival stories. Once you have enjoyed Mark Watney's witty battle against the red planet, your next stop should be Project Hail Mary. Many readers consider this his best work, combining the high-stakes scientific ingenuity of his debut with a deep, emotional core and a highly memorable buddy-dynamic. Finally, dive into Artemis to experience a fast-paced heist story set in a detailed, economically realistic lunar city.
The Martian Duology: Publication vs. Chronological Order
While The Martian is widely read as a standalone novel, it actually has a small companion piece that forms a two-part series. Navigating this duology is straightforward, but readers can choose between two logical orders.
Publication Order
- The Martian (2014)
- Diary of an AssCan (2015)
Reading in publication order is the most common path. You experience the full weight of Mark Watney's struggle on Mars first, and then return to Earth for a brief, humorous look at his training days. Note that while Crown Publishing officially released the print edition of The Martian in 2014, Weir originally self-published it chapter-by-chapter on his blog starting in 2011.
Chronological Order
- Diary of an AssCan (2015)
- The Martian (2014)
For a chronological timeline, start with the short prequel. Diary of an AssCan is a very brief short story (roughly four pages) that takes place during Watney's time as an astronaut candidate (often abbreviated by NASA as "AssCan"). It provides a quick look at his training and the sarcastic humor he possesses before he ever sets foot on Mars. It is widely available online for free and is included as bonus material in the 2020 Wil Wheaton-narrated audiobook edition of The Martian.
The Standalone Novels
After exploring Mars, you can read Weir's other full-length novels in any order, as they do not share continuity or characters.
Artemis (2017)
Set in the late 2080s, this novel takes place in Artemis, the first and only city on the Moon. The story follows Jazz Bashara, a smuggler who gets caught up in a conspiracy for control of the city. While it features the same attention to scientific detail as Weir's debut, it shifts genres into a sci-fi heist thriller, focusing on lunar economics, oxygen production, and low-gravity physics.
Project Hail Mary (2021)
This epic novel returns to the lone-survivor formula of The Martian but raises the stakes to a planetary scale. Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate space mission to save Earth from an extinction-level threat. Waking up with amnesia, he must use science and memory to piece together his mission. It is a highly acclaimed, deeply emotional story that features one of the most beloved alien-human friendships in modern science fiction.
The Graphic Novels: Cheshire Crossing
For something completely different, Weir wrote Cheshire Crossing (2019). Originally created and illustrated by Weir as a webcomic between 2006 and 2008, it was fully re-illustrated by popular artist Sarah Andersen (creator of Sarah's Scribbles) and published as a graphic novel in 2019. This fantasy crossover brings together three famous heroines from classic literature: Alice Liddell (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), Wendy Darling (Peter Pan), and Dorothy Gale (The Wizard of Oz). Now teenagers at a mysterious boarding school, they learn to control their world-crossing powers and must team up when their respective villains form an alliance.
Short Stories, Anthologies, and Collections
In addition to his novels, Weir has written several short stories and novellas. Many of these began as free posts on his personal website, Galactanet, before finding commercial release.
The Egg and Other Stories (2017)
This audio-exclusive collection brings together nine of Weir's short stories. It is anchored by The Egg, a highly popular internet phenomenon originally written in 2009 that explores life, death, and reincarnation. Other notable entries in this collection include Annie's Day (2011) and Antihypoxiant (2014), which showcase Weir's love for narrative twists and medical concepts.
James Moriarty, Consulting Criminal (2017)
Another audio-exclusive release, this collection features three mystery stories depicting Sherlock Holmes' nemesis, Professor James Moriarty, as a "consulting criminal" who solves underground cases. The collection includes The Adventure of the Dishonour Among Thieves, The Adventure of the Unscrupulous Assassin, and The Adventure of the Sealed Room.
The Forward Collection and 'Randomize' (2019)
Weir contributed the short story Randomize to the multi-author Forward collection, curated by Blake Crouch. Set in a near-future Las Vegas casino, the techno-thriller focuses on quantum computing, security upgrades, and a high-tech heist. Note that while some lists group all six books of the Forward series under Weir's name, he only wrote Randomize. The other five stories (Summer Frost, Ark, You Have Arrived at Your Destination, Emergency Skin, and The Last Conversation) were written by other authors, including Blake Crouch, Veronica Roth, Amor Towles, N.K. Jemisin, and Paul Tremblay.
Press Start to Play (2015)
Weir contributed his short story Twarrior (sometimes listed under the anthology name Press Start to Play) to this video-game-themed anthology edited by John Joseph Adams and Daniel H. Wilson. The story humorously details a programmer who builds an AI that learns from the internet and returns speaking entirely in online slang.
What to Know Before You Start
Andy Weir's stories are heavily grounded in real-world physics, chemistry, and space engineering. If you enjoy knowing exactly how many grams of soil are required to grow potatoes on Mars, or how quantum entanglement affects cryptography, you will love his attention to detail. His main characters are universally highly intelligent, sarcastic, and relentlessly optimistic problem-solvers who crack jokes in the face of death. If you prefer space fantasy, soft sci-fi, or highly poetic prose, Weir's conversational, engineering-focused style might require some adjustment. Additionally, both The Martian (starring Matt Damon) and Project Hail Mary (with a film adaptation in development starring Ryan Gosling) offer excellent cinematic tie-ins to explore after you finish the books.