Science Fiction

Books

Takes forever to get good, and then it’s great.

Cover for The Martian

Fun nerdy read with enough semi-realistic science to make it plausible.

Can be a little tricky to keep the Chinese names straight, but some really interesting ideas. Each book is quite different.

Cover for Project Hail Mary

After the disappointing Artemis, Andy Weir is back with a read that recaptures the nerdy fun of The Martian

Cover for Version Control

Not for everyone, but I enjoyed this more than I expected. Nominally about time travel, but the evolution and permutations of adult friendships resonated with me.

Space antics with realistic physics. Quality dips midway through, but first few books are great. I haven’t watched the show yet.

Cover for Sandkings

Great novella, you can find it online to read for free.

Cover for Ringworld

Neat premise, surprisingly still holds up given it’s age

Cover for Redshirts

If you’ve watched more than a season of Star Trek (any version), then you’ll probably enjoy this

Quick series with some interesting ideas (human hive minds, vampires in space).

The first book is definitely worth reading, the rest are quite different.

Final book jumps quite a bit ahead in time, can be skipped

Cover for Seveneves

If you like Stephenson’s other books, you’ll probably like this as well.

Plot-driven and entertaining, I enjoyed them at the time. There are additional books out now, but haven’t felt the need to continue.

There are five more books in the series that I haven’t gotten around to

Bob’s consciousness is uploaded into a spaceship’s, which heads out to explore the universe. Breezy reading, with style reminiscent of The Martian at times.

The two books are interesting takes on foreign intelligence. The third book is skippable.

Cover for The Mercy of Gods

First book in the new series by the authors of The Expanse, shows promise.

Fast-paced, fun young adult sci-fi series. My daughter loved it.

Cover for Hominids

A parallel world where Neanderthals won instead of us.

Cover for The Kaiju Preservation Society

Popcorn read that is pretty much what you expect from the title. Enjoyable read, but I’m surprised it was nominated for the Hugo.

The evolution and biology of a vastly different form of life living on a neutron star. Some interesting ideas, but should have been half the length. Written in the 80s and showing it’s age.

Cover for Upgrade

Another plot-driven sci-fi popcorn read with a familiar story line

Cover for The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

A bit too cutesy for my taste, but came highly recommended so might still read the others in the series.

There are over 15 books in this series, not ready to dedicate that much time here

I know a lot of people that love this 10-book series, but I wasn’t a fan of the first, though the second was better

Cover for Neuromancer

Like a lot of highly-influential books, ends up feeling dated and overhyped because it’s innovative ideas have been copied and improved upon by others.

Cover for Armada

A forgettable failed attempt to re-capture the spirit of Ready Player One

Cover for The Spare Man

Had to force myself to finish this, I don’t know why this was nominated for a Hugo. There are some interesting ideas, but in the end this is a detective story where the main character is an unlikable Space Karen that uses her money to bully everyone around her.

Cover for Extinction

Interesting premise, but not a fan of the writing style and drags a bit. I enjoyed Hominids more.

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