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Original poster

Sci-fi book club selections

37 replies

Perroquet · 16/03/2024 18:40

I joined a local science fiction book club last year, hoping to get a chance to read and discuss "classic" scifi books that are on my list (Isaac Asimov, Arthur C Clarke, Jules Verne, Philip K Dick, etc.)

But so far all the selections chosen by popular vote have been very modern books written only in the last decade, like the Imperial Radch series (starting with Ancillary Justice) and the Terra Ignota series (starting with Too like the Lightning). I tried reading these but didn't find them engaging or their style pleasant and ended up not finishing them. Despite a small number of club members having suggested classics, we always get outvoted. I feel really disappointed at the lack of chronological diversity of book selections, and at this point have stopped reading their selections and attending book discussions. For context, most of the members of the club are in their mid-20s to early 30s, I believe.

If you enjoy classic scifi books, do you also enjoy the modern series like those the club selected? Or do you find them annoying, contrived, and a little too "woke" like I do? Are there any good modern scifi books that you would recommend for fans of classics?

I know people will tell me "just start your own club if you don't like the books they choose". I don't have the energy/resources to start a new club but will just read the classics on my list on my own (and maybe discuss them privately with a few others who might be interested).

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Original poster
Perroquet · 11/04/2024 05:03

inaptonym · 10/04/2024 19:10

Solaris?
Something by Vonnegut, or Dick?
If it's as 'woke' as you say, I'm guessing not a Heinlein. 😁

My mostly millenial SF bookgroup have just chosen Pavane, which is also from the 60s.

Show quote history

Yes! It is Solaris.

I haven't read it before and am looking forward to it. Much shorter than their modern book selections too!

Pavane sounds interesting...I've never heard of it, but I enjoy historical fiction so I will put it on my list.

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DianaTaverner · 10/04/2024 20:58

EllieQ · 10/04/2024 20:00

@DianaTaverner I am glad to find at least one other person who doesn’t like the Lady Astronaut series! I find the main character, Elma, so irritating that I can’t enjoy the series. I enjoyed the third book (Calculating Moon) much more, simply because it focused on a different character instead.

Oh I didn't know that. I gave up after 2 books because I didn't think it was worth more of my time, but I might try book 3 if it has a different protagonist.

EllieQ · 10/04/2024 20:00

@DianaTaverner I am glad to find at least one other person who doesn’t like the Lady Astronaut series! I find the main character, Elma, so irritating that I can’t enjoy the series. I enjoyed the third book (Calculating Moon) much more, simply because it focused on a different character instead.

DianaTaverner · 10/04/2024 19:11

Did they go for Man in the High Castle perhaps?

Or The Dispossessed?

inaptonym · 10/04/2024 19:10

Perroquet · 09/04/2024 20:26

Well would you believe it? They actually chose a classic from the 60s this month! (Guess which one?)

Solaris?
Something by Vonnegut, or Dick?
If it's as 'woke' as you say, I'm guessing not a Heinlein. 😁

My mostly millenial SF bookgroup have just chosen Pavane, which is also from the 60s.

DianaTaverner · 10/04/2024 19:08

Placemarking to know what they've gone for.

I don't think you'd like Becky Chambers - it's light and fun, but definitely veers towards the irritatingly "why can't we just be kind".

Of the modern stuff, I'd definitely recommend Adrian Tchaikovsky (Children of Time is amazing). 3 Body Problem is a worthwhile chewy read whether you enjoy it or not IYSWIM. John Scalzi is not really chewy or worthwhile, but lots of fun.

Andy Weir's The Martian and Hail Mary are excellent in their own meat-and-potatoes sort of way, I'm sure you'd like them.

Iain M Banks is half way between old and new now, but highly recommended for both you and your group.

Broken Earth series by NK Jemisin won loads of awards, and is great but I don't think you'd like it.

On no account read the Lady Astronaut series. It might actually give you an aneurysm (and it's not that great).

BigFatLiar · 10/04/2024 18:54

Fall of Moondust
Stranger in a Strange Land
Martian Chronicles

Hyperion100 · 10/04/2024 16:59

Dan Simmons - Hyperion Cantos - Absolutely Epic Sci Fi set across two story arcs.

Dan Simmon - Ilium & Olympos

Simon Winstanley - Field series

Adrian Tchaikovsky - Doors of Eden

Robert Mcammon - Swan Song - Post apocalyptic brilliance. Possibly better than The Stand. Not high Sci fi though.

Original poster
Perroquet · 10/04/2024 16:49

Mothership4two · 10/04/2024 16:12

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep??

2001: A Space Odyssey?

The Left Hand of Darkness?

Those are the ones I would put forward or other Arthur C Clarke ones or a Vonnegut. Is it fairly well known?

I haven't read The Drowned World by J.G. Ballard (didn't enjoy another book by him) or a Clockwork Orange, so wouldn't want to read them in a book club, but they were 60s books.

None of those but a well known one!

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Original poster
Perroquet · 10/04/2024 16:49

BigFatLiar · 10/04/2024 09:32

Author?

Foundation series?
I robot

No, it's not Asimov!

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Mothership4two · 10/04/2024 16:12

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep??

2001: A Space Odyssey?

The Left Hand of Darkness?

Those are the ones I would put forward or other Arthur C Clarke ones or a Vonnegut. Is it fairly well known?

I haven't read The Drowned World by J.G. Ballard (didn't enjoy another book by him) or a Clockwork Orange, so wouldn't want to read them in a book club, but they were 60s books.

BigFatLiar · 10/04/2024 09:32

Author?

Foundation series?
I robot

Original poster
Perroquet · 10/04/2024 07:10

Mothership4two · 10/04/2024 03:56

Dune?

-_ because of the films

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Nope, guess again! The chosen book has not had a recent film/TV adaptation, so I was frankly surprised.

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Mothership4two · 10/04/2024 03:56

Perroquet · 09/04/2024 20:26

Well would you believe it? They actually chose a classic from the 60s this month! (Guess which one?)

Dune?

-_ because of the films

Original poster
Perroquet · 09/04/2024 20:27

And 3 body problem and the Becky Chambers one were runners up!

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Original poster
Perroquet · 09/04/2024 20:26

Well would you believe it? They actually chose a classic from the 60s this month! (Guess which one?)

OP posts:
Bruisername · 28/03/2024 17:56

I read the three body problem. Enjoyed it. Felt no need for a sequel so surprised there are 2!

Sadik · 28/03/2024 17:45

@Perroquet Small Angry Planet is definitely a (much!) lighter read than Three Body Problem, but I suspect if you didn't like Ann Leckie or Ada Palmer you'll not get on with Becky Chambers either. I do like her books, but the first in particular is quite YA-ish and she's not subtle in her 'lets celebrate diversity' message.

What I would say is that "I enjoy descriptive writing, action, and overarching themes about human/alien civilization's struggles, mankind's place in the universe, the dangers of technology and knowledge, etc." really describes the Three Body Problem series, though by number 3 it did get a bit mind-bending.

Gymnoob · 28/03/2024 14:18

Perroquet · 28/03/2024 05:41

Thank you for all the recommendations! I have been hearing about 3 Body Problem recently because of Netflix and was debating whether to give it a try. Does it feel too scientific jargon-y? I'm more of a classic War of the Worlds or 20000 Leagues Under the Sea person; I enjoy descriptive writing, action, and overarching themes about human/alien civilization's struggles, mankind's place in the universe, the dangers of technology and knowledge, etc. but I really hate books that are filled with loads of technical jargon where it just sounds like the author is showing off.

While I've stopped going to the book club for now, I still get their emails and could go back any time. It looks like The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers might be their next selection. Is that a good starting point for getting into Becky Chambers' work? From the above comments it sounds like it would be a lighter read than 3 Body Problem.

I’m not a reader. And I’m finding three body problem great. It’s more about politics and China and the aliens than science. Well so far anyway.

LenaLamont · 28/03/2024 10:36

@Perroquet , Yes, A Long Way is the first of her series.

She’s an interesting case - basically crowdfunding her writing, then picked up by a publishing house after she’d accrued quite a following.

I very much enjoyed her first two, partly because I believe “what is a human” to be a dull question and “what is a person” to be a very interesting one. Also tardigrade-type creatures, which always appeal. Who doesn’t love a tardigrade?

Bruisername · 28/03/2024 06:39

Penguin did a sci fi classics series which had some real gems.

Original poster
Perroquet · 28/03/2024 05:41

Thank you for all the recommendations! I have been hearing about 3 Body Problem recently because of Netflix and was debating whether to give it a try. Does it feel too scientific jargon-y? I'm more of a classic War of the Worlds or 20000 Leagues Under the Sea person; I enjoy descriptive writing, action, and overarching themes about human/alien civilization's struggles, mankind's place in the universe, the dangers of technology and knowledge, etc. but I really hate books that are filled with loads of technical jargon where it just sounds like the author is showing off.

While I've stopped going to the book club for now, I still get their emails and could go back any time. It looks like The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers might be their next selection. Is that a good starting point for getting into Becky Chambers' work? From the above comments it sounds like it would be a lighter read than 3 Body Problem.

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Bruisername · 27/03/2024 21:13

I find the ideas explored in the classics more interesting. Some are irrelevant in today’s world but the concepts they explore are interesting. Like 4 sided triangle by William Temple. Outdated in a lot of ways but really interesting approach.

in terms of modern sci fi I find a lot of the issues explored are too modern for my liking! Eg a recent one I didn’t enjoy was Under the blue by oana Aristide because I didn’t need to read about a pandemic

read 3 body problem. Interesting but a bit too much science!!

a recent one I really liked and would have enjoyed discussing is The Memmory Police by Yoko Ogawa

Gymnoob · 27/03/2024 19:50

BigFatLiar · 25/03/2024 21:52

Can I just point out the series on Netflix 'Three Body Problem' based on books by Liu Cixin

Literally just came here to say the programme inspired me to order the books. 3 chapters in and really enjoying it. Can’t wait to find out what happens!

BigFatLiar · 25/03/2024 21:52

Can I just point out the series on Netflix 'Three Body Problem' based on books by Liu Cixin