Andy Weir is one of the most recognisable names in modern science fiction. Known for his ability to blend hard science with fast-paced storytelling, Weir rose to fame with his self-published debut The Martian in 2011, which was later adapted into a major film starring Matt Damon.
A former computer programmer, Weir brings a technical precision to his writing that has earned him a devoted following among science and space enthusiasts. His work often features isolated protagonists, survival scenarios, and inventive problem-solving, all grounded in realistic science.
From bestselling novels to short fiction and graphic novels, Weir has produced a varied catalogue that spans space survival epics, lunar thrillers, philosophical short stories, and imaginative crossovers.
Here, we rank his top 10 books based on their popularity on literary reviewing platform Goodreads:
10. Annie’s Day
1.907 ratings
A short story described as contemporary science fiction, Annie’s Day was published officially on Andy’s website. It follows Annie, her husband Paul and their son Billy, and its synopsis reads: “I didn’t want to wake up at 6am, especially on a Saturday. But the man I was cuddled up to was… a morning person”.
9. James Moriarty, Consulting Criminal
3,332 ratings
In this novella, Weir takes a creative detour from his usual science-focused narratives. James Moriarty, Consulting Criminal imagines Sherlock Holmes’ iconic adversary from a fresh angle – as a detective himself. Told from Moriarty’s perspective, the story plays with classic mystery tropes while subverting expectations.
8. Diary of an AssCan (The Martian, #0.5)
4,704 ratings
Diary of an AssCan is a short prequel to The Martian, and provides background on Mark Watney’s crewmates before the events of the main novel. Told in a humorous tone, it adds depth to the Ares III mission and showcases Weir’s knack for character-driven storytelling and technical realism.
7. The Egg and Other Stories
5,865 ratings
This collection gathers some of Weir’s shorter works, headlined by the widely circulated story The Egg. The stories range from lighthearted to thought-provoking, and the book offers a window into Weir’s broader imagination beyond space fiction. Many readers discovered The Egg online before it appeared in this compilation.
6. Cheshire Crossing
6,312 ratings
A graphic novel collaboration with illustrator Sarah Andersen, Cheshire Crossing brings together characters from Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and The Wizard of Oz in a shared universe. The story follows the three heroines as they unite at a mysterious boarding school. The book merges fantasy with a tongue-in-cheek tone, making the most of the appeal of crossovers.
5. Randomize
30,923 ratings
Part of the Amazon Forward collection, Randomize is a short technothriller set in a near-future Las Vegas. The plot revolves around quantum computing and casino fraud, showcasing Weir’s fascination with real-world science and speculative technology. Though it didn’t receive the acclaim of his novels, it reflects his interest in plausible scientific themes.
4. The Egg
35,051 ratings
Arguably Weir’s most famous short story, The Egg explores themes of reincarnation, identity, and the interconnectedness of human life. The story unfolds as a dialogue between a recently deceased man and a godlike being, offering a compact philosophical narrative that has been translated into 30 languages and adapted into several short films.
3. Artemis
300,487 ratings
Weir’s follow-up to his masterpiece The Martian, Artemis is set on the first city on the Moon. It follows Jazz Bashara, a smuggler pulled into a high-stakes conspiracy. While the novel mixes lunar physics with crime fiction, its reception was more mixed, with some readers praising the unique setting and others divided over characterisation. It’s known to be a detailed portrayal of lunar life grounded in real science.
2. Project Hail Mary
775,647 ratings
Weir’s most highly rated work, Project Hail Mary follows Ryland Grace, a lone astronaut who wakes up in deep space with no memory of who he is or why he’s there. As the story unfolds, Grace discovers he must save humanity from an extinction-level threat. The novel blends hard science with emotional storytelling and a strong sense of camaraderie, earning wide acclaim for its inventive structure and compelling twists. Like The Martian, it has already been optioned for a film adaptation.
1. The Martian
1,213,527 ratings
Unsurprisingly, The novel that launched Weir’s career takes the top spot. The Martian is a survival story set on Mars, and follows astronaut Mark Watney as he battles isolation and resource scarcity after being left behind by his crew. The book balances scientific accuracy with humour and suspense, earning praise from scientists and casual readers alike. It was adapted into an Oscar-nominated film in 2015.
