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But doesn't The Martian have a well-known scientific inaccuracy around the actual physical effects of winds on Mars - which is kind of vital to the plot?

NB I really like The Martian (and like SF in general).

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I was like...mkay the wind was one time plot device. Bigger issue is that he seemed to grow potatoes inside with no mention of lighting at all? That was major omission for me, grow lights require plenty of energy and thus waste heat.

Sunlight on Mars is about 40% of what it is on Earth - and given that potatoes seem to grow quite well in the less sunny parts of this planet (such as here in Scotland) then I'm willing to not get too critical on that particular point.

Less sunny parts, yes. But inside?

More damning would be the perchlorates found in Martian soil, toxic to most Earth-plants, not to mention Earth-humans.

Yes. The atmosphere is completely wrong. Ignore that and the rest is pretty good.

As for recommendations, I'd say loads of the books by Arthur C. Clarke. Try "A fall of moondust".

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