Just started "The Martian"

Ok, ok, ok, I know I said I would go through more indie/self-published authors on my reading list, but I've been hearing so much buzz about "The Martian", I said, I got try it.  I just got started and am now about 15% through. (Gotta luv the % completed on Kindle).  At first it seemed it was going to be a long drawn out castaway narrative, but its changing and is turning out to be quite interesting. Maybe interesting is too non-descriptive.  How about engaging.  Yes, that's it, engaging.