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Original poster

Can anyone recommend any science fiction books?

37 replies

Yourinmyspot · 23/07/2026 18:39

I don’t read a lot of science fiction generally but I enjoy John Wyndham and have recently read and enjoyed Artemis and The Martian by Andy Weir. What would your recommendations be?

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Lovelyview · 01/08/2026 19:09

Doomsday Book by Connie Willis is good. I've enjoyed several of her novels.

thenightsky · 01/08/2026 19:00

I ran out of books on holiday once, so I picked up DH's copy of Amtrak Wars by Patrick Tilley and got hooked. It took me a fair few years to read the whole series.

LightningTree · 01/08/2026 18:57

I really enjoyed Ray Bradbury.

Original poster
Yourinmyspot · 01/08/2026 18:54

Tryanalogue · 26/07/2026 22:30

The Day of the Triffids, but avoid all sequels.

I love The Day of the Triffids one of my favourite books. I remember being terrified of the T.V adaptation in the 80’s.

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Original poster
Yourinmyspot · 01/08/2026 18:53

Silverbirchleaf · 28/07/2026 19:53

Have you read anything by John Marr? They’re science fiction, but set in the near future, so fifty plus years from now. Really good books.

Yes I’ve read a few by John Marr and really enjoyed them..

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DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 01/08/2026 18:22

Charles Stross, Saturn's Children and Neptune's Brood. Humans are extinct, but they've successfully transferred most of their vices to their android descendants.

Silverbirchleaf · 28/07/2026 19:53

Have you read anything by John Marr? They’re science fiction, but set in the near future, so fifty plus years from now. Really good books.

Tryanalogue · 26/07/2026 22:30

The Day of the Triffids, but avoid all sequels.

ChoccyHobknob · 26/07/2026 21:58

Highly recommend Chris Brookmyre's scifi - try Pandemoniam and The Cracked Mirror.

My DH recently loved Merchant Crab

Classic scifi rocks - get Philip K Dik and Ray Bradbury too.

CherryViper · 26/07/2026 21:42

So glad I found this post, I am after a Sci Fi series to read.

Project Hail Mary was one of my fave books ever. The audio book and film were equally as good. Your library will probably do e-books and audio books through BorrowBox or Libby. All you need to sign up is your library card number.

Just finished Murderbot Diaries.
Loved a Long Way to a Small Angry Planet.

I read a a childhood favourite series, I Robot by Isaac Asimov last year.

A re-read of the Iain M Banks back catalogue is on my list for this year.

I am reading Expeditionary Force on Kindle Unlimited, I think it's 18 books so far.

Off to read this thread and get more ideas. Thanks everyone.

SmallTreeDeepRoots · 25/07/2026 11:45

If you like John Wyndham you would probably like John Christopher too - v similar cosy catastrophe vibe.

I also love Station Eleven and the follow-ons which have a more sci-fi feel.

KamikazePigeon · 25/07/2026 11:31

I really enjoyed the Rama series by Arthur C. Clarke. The first one, Rendezvous with Rama, is by Clarke alone and is quite classic sci-fi in its approach (but I was gripped by it!). Then the following ones have Gentry Lee as a co-author and start to get more into characterisation. Fascinating premise and really well done.

Damnedidont · 25/07/2026 11:31

Childhood's End by A C. Clarke or anything by Isaac Asinmov

PermanentTemporary · 25/07/2026 11:30

I’m not a sci-fi person at all but I really enjoyed Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang.

Pleasedontdothat · 25/07/2026 11:29

Ann Leckie’s Ancillary Justice series is excellent, I also love Iain M Banks and Ursula Le Guin

Sadcafe · 25/07/2026 11:27

Probably won’t find them in library,but Edmund Cooper wrote done decent sci if, John Christopher too, Poul Anderson, Heinlein, so many good authors

HatStickBoots · 25/07/2026 09:54

I really enjoy vintage sci fi and this book is one of my favourites in that genre:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_(novel)

I also think Ben Bova was very imaginative and I enjoyed his Mars trilogy and Jupiter.

City (novel) - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_(novel)

Original poster
Yourinmyspot · 25/07/2026 09:41

Thank you for all the recommendations I’m going to the library later so will take a list.

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WearyAuldWumman · 23/07/2026 23:06

Earth Abides, George R. Stewart.

Reader19 · 23/07/2026 23:05

Primo Levi - The Sixth Day.

DelurkingAJ · 23/07/2026 21:00

Enders Game by Orson Scott Card

Topbird29 · 23/07/2026 20:51

My DH likes "hard" sci fi - really likes books by Alistair Reynolds. Also Adrian Tchaicovsky, Cixin Liu (?) - wrote 3 body problem, and Iain M Banks.
Also andy weir, and der like Arthur c Clarke and Issac Asimov (?) - the ond that wrote Robot Dreams
Also Philip p dick.

RoseHipNovember · 23/07/2026 20:46

Some of early JG Ballard novels? He may be a bit out of fashion now. I like them though..

The Wind from Nowhere
The Drought
The Crystal World
The Unlimited Dream Company
Myths of the Near Future (short stories)