The Martian was one of io9's best Sci-Fi books of 2014, and it has a stellar 4.6 star review average on over 8,000 reader reviews. I picked up a copy [The Martian: A Novel (Kindle), $6]
Update: Amazon has raised the price to $8.
Here's what Charlie Jane had to say:
In a year full of novels about people who are trapped in their circumstances, few characters are more trapped than Mark Watney, the guy who's left for dead on Mars in Weir's thrilling novel, which was previously self-published in 2012. What's great about this book isn't just that it shows the triumph of ingenuity over impossible circumstances — but also, that it shows how awesome and powerful science can be, and how important it is that we support the work of scientific discovery, including NASA.
Amazon's new(ish) entry-level Kindle now features a touchscreen, and for a limited time, you can get one for just $59. [Amazon Kindle, $59]
If you're on the fence, Meg Neal at Gizmodo wrote a great review of this model from the perspective of a paper book-loving holdout.
Civ III, Civ IV, and Civ V all for $17. These are the complete editions, so you get all of the DLC as well. Now go beat down that asshole Gandhi. [Civilization Complete Pack, $17]
What's better than one movie? Two movies.
- Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole / Hugo Double Feature ($20) | Amazon
- Clash of the Titans / Wrath of the Titans Double Feature ($20) | Amazon
- Harry Potter & Deathly Hallows: Parts 1 & 2 Double Feature ($20) | Amazon
- IMAX®: Under the Sea/ IMAX®: Deep Sea 3D Double Feature ($20) | Amazon
- IMAX®: To the Arctic (2012) / IMAX®: Born to Be Wild Double Feature ($20) | Amazon
This 10,000mAh Kmashi USB charger doesn't have a ton of brand recognition, but it has solid reviews, and you can't argue with the price. [Kmashi 10,000mAh Dual USB External Charger, $12]
If you ever stumble around your house at night looking for the light switch, do yourself a favor and pick up a few of these handy motion-sensing LED night lights today.
I have a couple of these around the house, and they're incredibly convenient. While their adhesive pads allow them to go anywhere, I'd start with the baseboards of your bedroom, inside dim closets, or in the hallway between your bedroom and the bathroom. They'll light up automatically when you move within 10 feet of them, and shut themselves off once you're gone.
Today on Amazon, you can choose from two motion-sensing models for $16-$17, and you'll get a free T-01 touch-sensitive model as a bonus. I personally use the T-01 as under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen, but again, it'll go anywhere you want it to.
OxyLED T-02 DIY Stick-on Anywhere Wireless Motion Sensing LED Night Light + FREE OxyLED T-01 DIY Stick-on Anywhere Touch Light ($16) | Amazon | Add both to cart and use code BETTER10
OxyLED T-05 DIY Stick-on Anywhere Wireless Motion Sensing LED Night Light + FREE OxyLED T-01 DIY Stick-on Anywhere Touch Light ($17) | Amazon | Add both to cart and use code BETTER11
Everyone should keep some bright LED flashlights handy, and this one even includes a 2600mAh battery that can charge your gadgets over USB. [LOFTEK Cree LED Flashlight with 2600mAh USB Charger, $21 with code R7Z6AY52]
Just want the battery, without the light? [Aukey 3600mAh Portable External Battery, $10 with code VOXIMFK2]
Have a lot of gadgets you need to keep charged? [Bolse 60W/7-Port USB Charging Hub, $33 with code U89WCJX2]
Ready to cut the cord on your headphones? We've found three deals on Bluetooth models today, ranging from $179 all the way down to just $20.
- Logitech UE 9000 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones ($179) | eBay
- Sennheiser MM 400-X Folding Bluetooth Headphones ($135) | Woot
- GOgroove BlueVIBE EXS+ (2nd Generation Edition) Bluetooth Stereo Headphones ($20) | Amazon
I bought a Phantom 2 Vision+ a few weeks ago, and I absolutely love it. In fact (shameless plug), I took this photo with it yesterday. Since I got it, I've learned that you really need a spare battery and a good carrying case to get the most out of the drone, and this bundle includes both, plus a MicroSD card. [DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ V3.0 Quadcopter with FPV HD Video Camera, 3-Axis Zenmuse H3-3D Gimbal, Hard Case, Spare Battery, and Memory Card, $1390]
If you want to add Bluetooth handsfree and music streaming to your older car, this $25 kit has everything you need. [Aukey Bluetooth 4.0 Wireless Stereo Music Receiver Hands-free Car Kit with Built-in Mic, $25 with YDBACL3D]
Amazon's taking up to 50% off 7 For All Mankind jeans for both men and women, today only, so go get yourself a pair. [Today Only - Get 50% Off 7 For All Mankind Jeans at Amazon]
Co-Op: Four Best Monitor Mounts
From Kinja Gear: The Simplehuman Wall Mount Paper Towel Holder is stainless steel and mounts in almost any position, including under or on the inside of a cabinet. Best of all, the top comes off with a squeeze, rather than a twist, saving collective years of your life you didn't spend unscrewing.
There's a countertop model if you don't want to or can't wall mount.
Media
Movies & TV
- Superman: Doomsday ($10) | Amazon
- Nymphomaniac Volume I ($13) | Amazon
- The Book Thief ($12) | Amazon
- Dr. Who: Last Christmas ($14) | Amazon
- Contraband ($7) | Amazon
- Jack Reacher ($8) | Amazon
- Attack on Titan: Part 1 ($25) | Amazon
- Attack on Titan: Part 2 ($25) | Amazon
- Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole / Hugo Double Feature ($20) | Amazon
- Clash of the Titans / Wrath of the Titans Double Feature ($20) | Amazon
- Harry Potter & Deathly Hallows: Parts 1 & 2 Double Feature ($20) | Amazon
- IMAX®: Under the Sea/ IMAX®: Deep Sea 3D Double Feature ($20) | Amazon
- IMAX®: To the Arctic (2012) / IMAX®: Born to Be Wild Double Feature ($20) | Amazon
- Several Wes Anderson Criterion Blu-rays are down to $20 today | Amazon
Books & Magazines
- The Martian: A Novel [Kindle] ($6) | Amazon | One of io9's Best Sci-Fi Books of 2014
- FREE DC Comics Essentials: Superman: Earth One #1 Google Play
- Odd Jobs [Kindle] ($2) | Amazon
- How To Slay a Dragon: Volume 1 (The Journals Of Myrth) [Kindle] ($2) | Amazon
- Bones and Roses ($2) | B&N
- Paw Enforcement: K9, Book 1 [audiobook] ($4) | Audible
Apps
Music
- Morning Phase (Beck) ($1) | Google Play
Gaming
- Corsair Vengeance M65 Performance FPS Gaming Mouse ($40) | Amazon
- Civilization Complete Pack ($17) | Amazon
- Several Rockstar Digital Game Downloads are On Sale at Amazon
- Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition [PS4] ($30) | Amazon
- Xbox One Assassin's Creed Unity Bundle with Second Controller ($350) | Amazon
- Trials Fusion ($20) | Amazon
- The Last of Us Remastered [Digital Code] ($22) | Amazon
- South Park: The Stick of Truth ($20) | Amazon
- Find more deals over on Kinja Deals
Tech
Power
- REI Mini Travel Surge Protector with Dual USB Ports ($13) | REI
- Saicoo® 8A/40W 5-Port Smart Car Charger ($13) | Amazon | Promo code JUAW9TBX
- OLALA Y1 3000mAh Power Bank Ultra Compact Portable Charger ($9) | Amazon | Promo code NUA3VPNX
- OLALA C5 10000mAh Power Bank + FREE OLALA Y1 3000mAh Power Bank Ultra Compact Portable Charger ($27) | Amazon | Add both to cart and use code QVD7IKN8
- LOFTEK Cree LED Flashlight with 2600mAh USB Charger ($21) | Amazon | Promo code R7Z6AY52
- Bolse 60W/7-Port USB Charging Hub ($33) | Amazon | Promo code U89WCJX2
- Aukey 3600mAh Portable External Battery ($10) | Amazon | Promo code VOXIMFK2
Headphones
- Logitech UE 9000 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones ($179) | eBay
- Sennheiser MM 400-X Folding Bluetooth Headphones ($135) | Woot
- GOgroove BlueVIBE EXS+ (2nd Generation Edition) Bluetooth Stereo Headphones ($20) | Amazon
- JLab $5 Grab Bag | JLab
Home Theater
- LG 55-Inch 4K 240Hz 3D LED Plus Ultra HDTV ($1300) | eBay
- Acer H5380BD 1280x720 HD 3000 ANSI Lumens HDMI 3D Ready Home Theater/Movie DLP Projector ($400) | Newegg
- SCEPTRE 32-Inch LED 1080P HDTV with Sound Bar ($262) | Walmart
Computers & Accessories
- HP Pavilion x2 Signature Edition 2 in 1 PC w/ 1 Year of Office 365 ($199) | Microsoft
- Lenovo 2 in 1 11.6" Celeron, 2GB, 16GB SSD, TouchScreen Chromebook ($230) | Best Buy
- Toshiba Satellite Core i5, 8GB, 1TB, Win 8,1, 14" TouchScreen Laptop ($600) | Best Buy
- BenQ GW Series GW2765HT 27-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor ($349) | Amazon
- Acer 32-inch WQHD (2560 x 1440) Widescreen Display ($430) | Amazon
Phones and Tablets
- GreatShield Stretchable Neoprene Sport Armband Case for iPhone 6 4.7" ($9) | Walmart
- Amazon Kindle ($59) | Amazon
Photography
- Focus Camera Deluxe DSLR Soft Shell Gadget Bag ($10) | Focus Camera
- Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8 Lens, Canon Mount ($429) | B&H
- Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8 Lens, Nikon Mount ($429) | B&H
- Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8 Lens, Sony A Mount ($429) | B&H
- DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ V3.0 Quadcopter with FPV HD Video Camera, 3-Axis Zenmuse H3-3D Gimbal, Hard Case, Spare Battery, and Memory Card ($1390) | Amazon
- Panasonic DMC-GH4-YAGH Lumix DMC-GH4 4K Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera BOdy & DMW-YAGH 4K Video Interface Compact System ($2498) | Amazon
Inventory
Find more deals over on Kinja Deals
Home
- Proslat Garage / Sporting Good Racks are on Sale at Woot
- Kenmore 4 Burner Gas Grill With Stainless Steel Lid ($200) | Sears
- Gewt 45% Off Select Home Air Filters at The Home Depot
- OxyLED T-02 DIY Stick-on Anywhere Wireless Motion Sensing LED Night Light + FREE OxyLED T-01 DIY Stick-on Anywhere Touch Light ($16) | Amazon | Add both to cart and use code BETTER10
- OxyLED T-05 DIY Stick-on Anywhere Wireless Motion Sensing LED Night Light + FREE OxyLED T-01 DIY Stick-on Anywhere Touch Light ($17) | Amazon | Add both to cart and use code BETTER11
- MIU COLOR® Packable Handy Lightweight Nylon Backpack Daypack ($15) | Amazon
Kitchen
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DISCUSSION
Yay! I bought this book on a whim, I like to read real books while traveling by air, and it was awesome!!! Also, recommend 2312 if you like this kind of engineering space stuff!