If you were captivated by Professor Aronnax and his companions' relentless quest as they traversed the ocean depths in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, you'll love The Martian. Mark Watney's fight to survive on Mars is equally driven by a singular, urgent objective—get home alive. Every chapter is packed with ingenious problem-solving and escalating obstacles that echo the pulse-pounding sense of purpose you enjoyed.

If you delighted in the vivid underwater vistas and the intricately constructed Nautilus in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Rendezvous with Rama will draw you in with its detailed depiction of a colossal alien spacecraft. As a team of scientists and explorers investigate the enigmatic Rama, you'll find the same immersive sense of discovery, awe, and richly imagined environments.

If you enjoyed the dynamic between Captain Nemo, Conseil, Ned Land, and Professor Aronnax, The Left Hand of Darkness offers another compelling ensemble. The book follows Genly Ai and Estravan as they navigate treacherous political and environmental landscapes, drawing on their differences and forging alliances in a vividly realized alien culture.

If the technical wonders of the Nautilus and the scientific curiosity of Aronnax intrigued you, Contact will spark your imagination with its meticulous attention to scientific realism. Ellie Arroway's journey to uncover the truth behind a mysterious extraterrestrial signal is steeped in plausible technology and the thrill of discovery.

If you were swept up by the grand scale of undersea exploration in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Hyperion will keep you enthralled with its pilgrimage across strange worlds and time periods. The book’s structure—multiple travelers sharing their stories—mirrors the scope and imaginative adventure of Verne’s classic, but expands it to the stars.