Read "The Martian"
/Number one son recommended this. He was so right. A proper, hard science fiction story. No wizards, no "use the force", just Newton and chums driving the narrative forwards.
It tells the story of a man who ends up on Mars for a lot longer than the mission plan allowed for. Everything hangs together brilliantly and the science behind his fight for survival is expertly set out.
The book reminded me strongly of "A Fall of Moondust", one my my all time favourites. Reading jacket notes after I'd started the book I wasn't surprised to find that someone else has made the association too.
A thunderingly great read.