Book Club Session Zero (No Reading Yet!) - Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Hi, future book-club friends!

Let's start a new book club with an incredible sci-fi adventure: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir!

Join us for a casual "Meeting Zero" at the Vancouver Public Library (Central Library, 350 West Georgia St.) on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 12:00 PM.

We'll meet on one of the upper floors (likely floor 8, rooftop patio!) — on the day of the event, I'll post a picture in the comments here to show our exact spot.

No reading is required for this initial meetup! The goal of this session is simply to get to know each other, introduce the book, and decide on our official start date and schedule together.

### The Proposed Plan

The plan I'm proposing is to read 5 chapters per week. Since the book has 30 chapters, this would mean 6 weekly meetings to finish the book together. We'll finalize this schedule and set the date for our first official discussion (Meeting #1) when we all meet on the 26th. There are 450 pages and 30 chapters in total.

Each session usually lasts for about ~90 minutes, and we usually discuss the book at the Vancouver Public Library, but we are often open to swapping venues depending on circumstances/weather/availability/recommendations :). See logistics below.

### About Project Hail Mary

Ryland Grace wakes up millions of miles from home with two dead crewmates and no memory of his own name, let alone his mission. As he pieces together his past, he realizes he's on a desperate, last-chance mission to save Earth from an extinction-level threat.
A very important note: Whatever you do, do not read spoilers online! The journey of discovery is a huge part of what makes this book so fantastic.

Why Project Hail Mary? It's amazing!

• For fans of smart, problem-solving sci-fi. If you loved Andy Weir’s The Martian, the Bobiverse series, or thrillers by Blake Crouch (Dark Matter), you are in for an absolute treat.
• A high-stakes adventure with a huge heart. It’s a gripping page-turner driven by one of the most unique friendships in modern fiction—perfect if you enjoy the "found family" vibe of Becky Chambers' Wayfarers series or the humor of Guardians of the Galaxy.
• The audiobook won Audiobook of the Year. Even if you don't normally listen to audiobooks, this one is a must. It won the 2022 Audie Award for its unique, immersive production, which many consider the definitive way to experience the story.

### How to Get the Book

• Libraries: Since we're meeting at the VPL, don't forget to check their catalogue for the book, ebook, or audiobook! Popular books can have a waitlist, so it's a good idea to place a hold now. It's also worth checking other local library systems like Burnaby or Richmond if you have a card there.
• Audiobook: The audiobook version is highly recommended! If you have Amazon Prime, it's worth checking your Audible account, as you may have free credits you can use. To make sure everyone has access, I can also provide the audiobook file to members in our WhatsApp group.

### Logistics & What to Expect

• Commitment: Don't worry if your schedule means you might have to miss a meeting! Life happens. As long as you keep up with the reading, you can jump back into the discussion anytime.
• Coordination: Everyone who attends this first meeting will be invited to a WhatsApp group to make coordinating our future sessions easy.
• Venue: We usually meet at the Vancouver Public Library itself! But we're always open to changing venues depending on group size/vibe. We can always grab coffee at a nearby café after our meeting to continue the conversation more casually!

RSVP if you’re in, and please update your status if you can’t make it so someone else can snag a spot.
Hope to see you on the 26th to kick things off!