If you're not a total science geek, I think this gets a little bogged down in some areas, but it really picks up around the middle of the book and becomes downright adorable. Weir's unique brand of humor is prevalent throughout and I got a physics refresher as I laughed a lot. I know it's a suspense thriller, but it's also endearing. Maybe I just like teachers. The protagonist was a middle school science teacher. I recommend it if you like science fiction at all.