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Original poster

Sci-fi lovers, what have you read recently?

37 replies

Takver · 27/05/2015 17:07

There's been lots of fantasy threads, time for a sci-fi one, I think!

I've just finished Ancillary Sword, the sequel to Ancillary Justice (by Ann Leckie). Not quite as good as the first one, but I still really enjoyed it. Would def. recommend both of them to anyone who likes traditional straight-down-the-line sci fi.

Now a little way into Ammonite by Nicola Griffith - liking it so far.

Anyone else?

OP posts:
CoteDAzur · 28/05/2015 08:23

My kind of thread Grin

I recently read and loved Red Rising - a cross between Beace New World, Lord Of The Flies, and Ender's Game, with a hint of Hunger Games. Fantastic world-building in a great page-turner.

I read John Scalzi's Old Man's War and wasn't terribly impressed by it. I think his Lock In is a far superior novel.

CaitSith · 28/05/2015 06:43

Thanks! Off for an online browse Smile

Original poster
Takver · 27/05/2015 21:27

I like Left Hand of Darkness, but overall my favourite Le Guin is The Disposessed - not sure I have a favourite book of all time, but if I did it would probably be it (with her short story Solitude also high up the list).

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TheFirstOfHerName · 27/05/2015 21:25

Just finished The Stone Man by Luke Smitherd. Not sure it classes as true sci-fi but it was close enough for me to enjoy it.

YesThisIsMe · 27/05/2015 21:22

My favourite Le Guin is The Left Hand of Darkness. Actually it's my favourite book of all time in any genre.

YesThisIsMe · 27/05/2015 21:21

Willis is not hard sf, AFAIK none of her novels have a single spaceship, so she might not be your cup of tea, but she's won more Hugo and Nebulas than anyone else ever, because a lot of people really really rate her.

I was gripped by HPMOR right to the end actually.

CaitSith · 27/05/2015 21:19

I've got The Doomsday Book on its way Yes, glad to hear it's a good 'un! And will definitely look at Le Guin, any specific recommendations?

Original poster
Takver · 27/05/2015 21:17

Haven't run into Connie Willis - will definitely check out the Doomsday Book

OP posts:
Original poster
Takver · 27/05/2015 21:15

I love Le Guin (as you may guess from my username Grin )

I thought HPMOR was very funny in the early parts, but I have to say by the end I was definitely only reading out of sheer determination.

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YesThisIsMe · 27/05/2015 21:09

I wouldn't say Passage is Connie Willis's best CaitSith. The Doomsday Book is phenomenal, To Say Nothing of the Dog is hilarious and Blackout/ All Clear is great.

If you like Willis you might want to try Le Guin (frankly everyone should read Le Guin).

I've just finished The Rhesus Chart by Charles Stross, part of his Laundry series which is modern Lovecraftian so straddling the boundaries between sf and fantasy. Neptune's Brood was good proper sf by him.

I'm about to give John Scalzi's Old Man's War a go, having liked, but not loved his Redshirts.

I started Surface Detail by Iain Banks but got stuck - it's probably good if I get around to giving it another go.

And I've just finished all 2,000 pages of Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality (free PDF fanfic) which despite being HP fanfic has a strongly sf sensibility.

CaitSith · 27/05/2015 20:57

I've just finished Passage by Connie Willis without even realising that it was classed as sci-fi Blush

I've never really considered myself a fan of the genre but going to look into it more as it was one of the best books I've read in years!

Amummyatlast · 27/05/2015 17:47

i've more fantasy than sci fi these days, but enjoy Neil Stephenson (Snow Crash, Diamond Age, Anathem) and of course the master Philip K Dick. Found Simon Kewin on Amazon recently, a great short story writer, whose works are mostly free/low cost to download to Kindle.

I also like Richard Calder, but he's more weird sci fi than straight sci fi.

Octavia Butler is a amazing too. I was so glad that they released her books on Kindle.