That’s what I did and I really enjoyed it.

I personally love watching the movie first and then reading the book.

I disagree with the book being better than the movie. I feel like I got to know the side characters better in the movie having seen them being acted out and also I like the changes to the climax and ending as well.

I don't like to think of reading as brain training, even though that is what happens. It does feel more like a cheat code like you say, and that's backed up by science.

By far the craziest scientific finding on reading to me (I still struggle to believe it), is that, to your brain, reading about an experience is almost the same as living them.

As an introvert, this makes so much sense and places the phrase "having a rich inner life" in an entirely new light. Just because I prefer alone time, doesn't mean I don't live a rich, fulfilling, even adventurous life. Very few people, places, activities, works of art ... make me feel things as hard and as clearly as a book that I get completely immersed in. And I do wish more people would give it an honest go, but that's a tall order in a society where we have dopamine machines in our pocket 24/7.

> though I wish it was longer so some scenes could have played out a bit longer like in the book.

That reminds me of someone who said, I think about the Dune movie:

>Is it good? Yes. Is it everything I wanted? No. But the only version of the story that could ever satisfy my needs would be 6-hours long and probably unwatchable for the majority of people out there.

I understand that feeling very much.

I don't know the US situation but in most of the world copyright on unpublished materials is held by whoever owns the literary estate. Once it's published it will expire in 70 years. This shows how sick it can get:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2000/jul/22/poetry.books

The claimed holder of the rights in that case is an American though the materials are in the UK.

Mark Twain successfully embargoed his autobiography for 100 years after his death.

Is it accurate to say epic fantasy didn’t exist before LotR? What about classics like the Odyssey (all the Greek myths, tbh), Beowulf, etc? Wouldn’t those classify as epic fantasy?

There are anti-monopoly laws for a reason. Audible (Amazon) have complete market dominance.

Currently, if a writer wants to have a non-exclusive contract with Audible, Amazon takes 80% of the profit. If they give Audible exclusive rights, Amazon takes 60%. All of the audiobook production is organised and paid for on the writer's side. Audible is just a digital shelf.

Royalty rates in similar industries are nowhere near this high, nor did they used to be in audiobooks. How is this not extortion? Should we wait until Amazon starts taking 90 percent? Is that when it would get too high for you? Another 10 percent?

It's disgusting business practice, and completely undermines accessibility to the arts. Even an author as big and powerful as Sanderson can't fight it. There are no other platforms to turn to.

Well, I don't spend much time watching YouTube.

This, so much.

Same feelings, the first volume is great in its own right; the second I finished out of principle. I felt it lacking the introspection and reminiscence of the first book, which OP and I seem to agree were some of the stronger elements. That was probably part of the point in telling about teenage years, but still I just couldn't turn any more pages

Yes, the book is so much better.

Yeah probably my most favourite movie adaptation ever, though I wish it was longer so some scenes could have played out a bit longer like in the book. Don't wanna put any spoilers, but the solar triangulation, or when he was stuck in the airlock away from the hab. Also the towing scene. Just a few examples from what I remember from years ago

Because of the implication?

Absolutely feel the same way!

Couldn’t agree more! Project Hail Mary Audiobook was incredible!!

Honestly, this is one book where the audiobook is the best version.

I don't believe you have to force yourself toward an ending that will make you feel even worse than the book itself.

So, that's the point.

The book is very similar, but has a few more events that the film cut for brevity, and some of the humour is delivered a little differently but no less effectively. Different jokes at the same points. That sort of thing.

I finished reading the book while on public transit to the cinema to watch the film, and I can definitely say they're both great.

Go read the book if you're interested in reading it! it's a great read.

The movie is probably the best film adaptation of a novel I have ever seen. Truly captures the energy and feel of the book, stays true to many of its parts and where it cuts and changes it does so for good reasons and respect of the source. And I kind of find the ending funny, as the characters all tell Whatney that his plan is stupid and only works in Hollywood movies, and then in the Hollywood movie he actually gets to do it. I've read of many who don't like it but I really like it. Probably because I saw the film first and then got a good laugh about it in the book.

That said, Book is amazing and absolutely worth the read.

Yes read it. Study it. Analyze it. Get it on Kindle and highlight/take notes. It's a great read and even better experience.

Habit. Decide that you want to read more than you want to YT. Go to bed just a half hour early at first and decide that you’re done with screens for the day. Force yourself to read for 30 minutes. With enough regularity and a good book you’ll want to go to bed earlier and earlier until you realize that you want to also read at other times during the day.

The implication being, they don't think it's much better like the person they replied to.

Find a book group, either online or attached to the university, and read with them. You'll not only expand outside your own preferences, you may also introduce others to the books you love. And that is always a good incentive to read, even if you're in a slump.

That won't work if the ending is just heartbreaking.

Actually I was commenting on the last guys use of "at least" there.

A million dollars is AT LEAST marginally better than a nail through the head.

It tells you nothing about the difference in quality. If something is at least marginally better it COULD be miles better