SciFi Book Recommendations
(format inspired by Kaparthy)
Some of the sci-fi I've read, sorted by the product of (recommended * obscure), descending. You'll notice a few trends:
I like hard sci-fi and read for intriguing technical ideas, world-building, and future forecasting.
I do not like flowery descriptions of the scenery, the details of someone's brow, or other related literary bloat.
I especially enjoy sci-fi that features Artificial Intelligence. I believe AI is the greatest omission from most sci-fi worlds.
I like realistic human conflict over hard decisions.
Lexicon by Max Barry, 2014 Liked the idea of a mind virus and enjoyed the non-linear story.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, 2021 Fast passed and enjoyable to think how intelligent life might communicate with us meat. Didn’t like the repetitive “ho-hum i’m a genius” character.
Enders Game by Orson Scott, 1985 Liked tricking kids to save the world. Not super realistic.
Dune by Frank Herbert, 1965 Love how myths are seeded centuries before a plan is executed. Slow in parts.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, 2011 Good for teenage gamers. Fast paced.
Seveneves by Neal Stephenson, 2015 The moon exploded, how can humanity persist and what could result. Sometimes slow but enjoyable.
The Three Body Problem (books 1,2,3) by Liu Cixin, 2006, I couldn’t get through on the first attempt, not to reread when kids are grown.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy, 2006 Enjoyed the very different “grey” style of writing. Couldn’t read many more pages of it.
Reading List
Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang, 2002 Short Story collection. (from kaparthy)
Nexus by Ramez Naam, 2012 (from kaparthy)
Exhalation by Ted Chiang, 2019 Short Story collection. (from kaparthy)
His Master's Voice by Stanislaw Lem, 1968 (from kaparthy)