Fiction

4 Responses to “What is a good sci-fi book?”

1. Annie on March 26th, 2010 at 11:52 pm

   My favorite is Violet Eyes by Nicole Luiken
   References :

2. ak on March 27th, 2010 at 12:28 am

   Revelation Space by Alistair Reynolds
   Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein
   References :

3. DngrsAngl on March 27th, 2010 at 1:01 am

   Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
   Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein
   Neuromancer by William Gibson
   Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
   Kindred by Octavia Butler
   References :

4. Fittings Doc on March 27th, 2010 at 1:09 am

   In SCIENCE FICTION, here are some I would recommend:

   "Foundation" (1951 / 255 pages) by Issac Asimov
   (the first book of the "Foundation Series")
   Postulates the societal change, which would accompany the expansion into the stars.
   The seiries won the one-time Hugo Award for "Best All-Time Series" in 1966.
   (One of the other books in the series also won a Hugo Award.)

   “Dune” (1965 / 412 pages) by Frank Herbert
   (the first book of the “Dune Series)
   (Won the Hugo and Nebula Awards.)

   "Warriors Apprentice" (1986) by Lois McMaster Bujold
   (the first book of "The Vorkosigan Saga")
   After being genetically "damaged" by a bio weapon in his mother’s womb, Miles Vorkosigan overcomes prejudice to claim his birthright.
   (FOUR other books in the series won Hugo Awards)

   “I, Robot” (1950 / 272 pages) the book of early short stories by Issac Asimov on the subject of ROBOTS in which he postulates the "Three Laws of Robotics" should be read as a basis before reading the
   "The Caves of Steel" (1954 / 224 pages) by Issac Asimov
   (the first of the "Robot" series / Lije Bailey mysteries)
   These books are the source from which the movie "I, Robot" is drawn.

   “Gateway” (1977 / 313 pages) by Frederik Pohl.
   (won the Hugo and Nebula awards)

   "Dorsai" (1959 / 159 pages) by Gordon R. Dickson
   (the first book of “The Childe Cycle”)
   Deals with genetic drift and specialization, and there effects on humanity as a whole.
   Nominated for the Hugo award.

   "The Forever War" (1974 / 236 pages) by Joe Haldeman
   Deals with the effect of time dilation, on those involved in an interstellar war.
   (Won the Hugo and Nebula Awards.)

   "On Basilisk Station” (1993) by David Weber
   (the first book in the "Honor Harrington" series)
   This Space Navy series has FEMALE lead character. Beyond the Technology of the spacecraft and weapons, the story revolves around interpersonal relationships with which you will be able to identify.

   "Hammer’s Slammers" (1979) by David Drake
   (the first book of the "Hammer’s Slammers" series)

   “With the Lightnings” (1998) by David Drake
   (the first book of the “Republic of Cinnabar Navy (RCN)”/ “Lt. Leary” series)

   "Sten" (1982) by Chris Bunch and Allen Cole
   (the first book of "The Sten Chronicles")
   Sten is orphaned and then recruited into the Eternal Emperor’s "Mantis" covert intelligence corps.

   “Mutineers’ Moon” (1991) by David Weber.
   (the first book in the “Dahak trilogy”)

   “Insurrection” (1993) by David Weber & Steve White
   (the first book in the “Starfire” series)

   “Prince of Sunset” (1998) by Steve White
   (the first book in the “Prince of Sunset” series)

   "Bolo" (1976) by Keith Laumer
   (first book of the "Bolo" series – about self aware tanks)

   “The Last Legion” (1999) by Chris Bunch
   (the first book of “The Last Legion” series – Space/Military)

   "Cross Time Engineer" series – (aka the "Conrad Stargard" series)
   by Leo Frankowski
   which begins with "The Cross Time Engineer" (1993)
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Frankow…
   Its even better if you are POLISH as the main character is as well!
   This was an eye opening look at how technology could transform a society, and gave some very good descriptions of simple improvements that lead to our own industrial revolution.
   I guess you can tell I loved these books.

   "Sassinak" (1990) by Anne McCaffrey
   (the first book of “The Planet Pirates trilogy”)
   Has a FEMALE lead character.

   "Hunting Party" (1993) by Elizabeth Moon
   (first book of the "Heris Serrano” trilogy – a Space Opera)
   It has a FEMALE main character.

   “Once a Hero“ (1997) by Elizabeth Moon
   (first book of the “Esmay Suiza” trilogy)
   Another Space Navy series with a FEMALE main character.
   Beyond the Technology of the spacecraft and weapons, the story revolves around a personal struggle for identify with which you will be able to identify.

   “Rissa Kerguelen” (aka “Young Rissa”) (1976) by F. M. Busby
   (the fist book of the “Rissa Kerguelen and Bran Tregare” series)
   Has a FEMALE lead character.

   "The Planet Savers" (1958) by Marion Zimmer Bradley
   (the first book of the "Darkover" series)

   “For Love of Mother-Not” (1983) Alan Dean Foster
   (the first book in the “Humanx” series – featuring Pip and Flinx)

   “1632” (2000) by Eric Flint
   (first book of the “Ring of Fire” alternate history series)

   "Weyr Search" (1967) by Anne McCaffrey
   (the first book in the "Dragonriders of Pern" series)

   "The Ship Who Sang” (1969) by Anne McCaffrey
   (the first book of “The Brain & Brawn Ship” series)

   "Island in the Sea of Time" (1998) by S.M. Stirling.
   (the first book of the "Nantucket" series)
   References :
   almost 40 years reading Science Fiction & Fantasy
   Over 800 read and counting!

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