What "new" SCI-FI would you recommend?

desucca · 09-04-2009, 11:28 PM

hey all,

my name's Gary, I'm new to these parts, but thought I'd start a new thread as I'm loving my newly purchased 505 (first ebook reader) and I'm looking for new authors.

I'm wondering what authors/titles you might recommend that have been released in the last, say.. 5-6 years? I love classics, but I'm looking for something new!

thanks for any input

Andybaby · 09-05-2009, 05:52 AM

2 of my favorite Current Authors are

John Scalzi
and
Joe haldeman (has classics, but is still writing)

4 books that stand out
Old Mans War (first part in a series if you want to read more) (3 of the 4 were runners up in the hugo)
The Androids Dream
Both of those by Scalzi

Camouflage and Marsbound are two books I loved by joe haldeman

and if you havent already looked, look at the award winning authors http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Award_for_Best_Novel

Vernor Vinge is great.

wayspooled · 09-05-2009, 06:27 AM

I agree with Andybaby as far as where to get started, Hugo's winners and nominees are a good list.

One comment - don't be afraid to go back as old as you want if it sounds interesting - it "is" sci/fi and most of it doesn't get "dated/old" like general fiction and mysteries and such. I'd say you're really safe from 1966 forward and there are plenty non-dated books before that. In my opinion there isn't any real category called "classics" in sci/fi such as is in other genres (even including fantasy which seems to ride waves of topicality and change style somewhat). No sci/fi classics in a sense of a different writing (or musical) style, only in a sense of "much accoladed and loved".

The nominees and winners are for the most part - just one giant lump of goodness and those from 1966 could have been written last week. We'll all have our own thoughts about which stand out but everyone is different and has their own preferences. Just jump in anywhere. And I'd have to agree again with Andybaby, Old Man's War is probably the best one written since 2000's Deepness in the Sky. If you want better, think you'll have to go back further than 2000.

mazzeltjes · 09-05-2009, 06:31 AM

If you like you're SF hard and fast,try anything by Neal Asher
Robert Reed is another one worth looking at.

MickeyC · 09-05-2009, 08:33 AM

You might consider '1632' by Eric Flint. And it's free on Baen Books

kennyc · 09-05-2009, 09:35 AM

SF covers such a gambit these days that it is really hard to say. There is Hard SF -- technology and physics, Soft SF - blurring with fantasy and magic, Alternate history - What If (e.g. the vikings had colonized America)....

Also why focus on "new" why not some of the classics?

Jack Tingle · 09-05-2009, 09:59 AM

I suggest you go to Google, click on the drop down box at the top and select "Groups". Type in "rec.arts.sf.written", go to that newsgroup, and search inside the group for "recently read", "book log", "reading log" and such like. You'll get plenty of opinions and suggestions. Some may even be useful.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

Jack Tingle · 09-05-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

SF covers such a gambit these days that it is really hard to say. There is Hard SF -- technology and physics, Soft SF - blurring with fantasy and magic, Alternate history - What If (e.g. the vikings had colonized America)....

Also why focus on "new" why not some of the classics?

Good advice. SF also covers a wide gamut, not just one gambit.

Pedantically,
Jack Tingle

kennyc · 09-05-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Tingle

I suggest you go to Google, click on the drop down box at the top and select "Groups". Type in "rec.arts.sf.written", go to that newsgroup, and search inside the group for "recently read", "book log", "reading log" and such like. You'll get plenty of opinions and suggestions. Some may even be useful.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

Oh wow, I've not been there for years and years (i.e. since before the web!!)

I'll have to check it out. Is it still active? Apparently.

Oh and thanks for the correction gambit/gamut -- my 505 doesn't have a dictionary.

emellaich · 09-05-2009, 11:05 AM

Someone mentioned Baen, but if you are new to this you might not know how to reach it. Go to http://www.baen.com/library/. There are over 100 modern books for free in any format that you need for your book reader. If you find an article you like, you will find that additional books are the among the most reasonably priced on the net.

Top authors include Flint, Weber, and Drake.

kacir · 09-05-2009, 11:48 AM

Also check those links
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22284

and of course
www.craphound.com

desucca · 09-05-2009, 01:55 PM

I love it! thanks for all the suggestions all. I wasn't implying that I'm new to sci/fi, just looking for some newer authors/stories although I must admit there's probably a *lot* of good stuff older than 5-6 years I've never even heard about which is clear from some of your recommendations.. keep them coming if you will, I plan to be reading for an awful long time

kennyc · 09-05-2009, 02:27 PM

This looks like a pretty good "all time" list:

http://www.amazon.com/All-Time-Top-S.../1KBYJ9G4NE7Z2

http://home.austarnet.com.au/petersy...oks_rank1.html

check the home page above for more lists... next 100, short stories, etc.

http://bookstove.com/science-fiction...s-of-all-time/

http://bookstove.com/science-fiction...s-of-all-time/

an interesting article on "Free" SF

http://jameswharris.wordpress.com/20...ience-fiction/

kennyc · 09-05-2009, 02:27 PM

....sorry....double post.

ficbot · 09-05-2009, 02:30 PM

You may enjoy:

Cory Doctorow (free on-line!)
Charles Stross
Joe Haldeman (The Accidental Time Machine)
John Scalzi (Old Man's War)
Neil Gaiman (I liked Good Omens, which he co-wrote with Terry Pratchett)
Darrell Bain (multiformat at Fictionwise)
Mike Resnick (multiformat at Fictionwise; I liked the novella Redchapel)
Ed Howdershelt (multiformat at Fictionwise)

I am not a huge sci-fi reader, but those are some recent authors I have enjoyed.

09-04-2009, 11:28 PM	#1
desucca Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: PRS-505	What "new" SCI-FI would you recommend? hey all, my name's Gary, I'm new to these parts, but thought I'd start a new thread as I'm loving my newly purchased 505 (first ebook reader) and I'm looking for new authors. I'm wondering what authors/titles you might recommend that have been released in the last, say.. 5-6 years? I love classics, but I'm looking for something new! thanks for any input

09-05-2009, 06:27 AM	#3
wayspooled Crab In The Dark Posts: 486 Karma: 2328180 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Device: Tablet PC until a 10" comes out that I like	I agree with Andybaby as far as where to get started, Hugo's winners and nominees are a good list. One comment - don't be afraid to go back as old as you want if it sounds interesting - it "is" sci/fi and most of it doesn't get "dated/old" like general fiction and mysteries and such. I'd say you're really safe from 1966 forward and there are plenty non-dated books before that. In my opinion there isn't any real category called "classics" in sci/fi such as is in other genres (even including fantasy which seems to ride waves of topicality and change style somewhat). No sci/fi classics in a sense of a different writing (or musical) style, only in a sense of "much accoladed and loved". The nominees and winners are for the most part - just one giant lump of goodness and those from 1966 could have been written last week. We'll all have our own thoughts about which stand out but everyone is different and has their own preferences. Just jump in anywhere. And I'd have to agree again with Andybaby, Old Man's War is probably the best one written since 2000's Deepness in the Sky. If you want better, think you'll have to go back further than 2000. Last edited by wayspooled; 09-05-2009 at 07:01 AM.

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09-05-2009, 05:52 AM	#2
Andybaby Wizard Posts: 1,279 Karma: 1002683 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York Device: PRS-700	2 of my favorite Current Authors are John Scalzi and Joe haldeman (has classics, but is still writing) 4 books that stand out Old Mans War (first part in a series if you want to read more) (3 of the 4 were runners up in the hugo) The Androids Dream Both of those by Scalzi Camouflage and Marsbound are two books I loved by joe haldeman and if you havent already looked, look at the award winning authors http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Award_for_Best_Novel Vernor Vinge is great.

09-05-2009, 06:31 AM	#4
mazzeltjes Addict Posts: 242 Karma: 177 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Amsterdam Device: sony 505	If you like you're SF hard and fast,try anything by Neal Asher Robert Reed is another one worth looking at.

09-05-2009, 08:33 AM	#5
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	You might consider '1632' by Eric Flint. And it's free on Baen Books

09-05-2009, 09:35 AM	#6
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,930 Karma: 119747553 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2 & PW, Onyx Boox Go6	SF covers such a gambit these days that it is really hard to say. There is Hard SF -- technology and physics, Soft SF - blurring with fantasy and magic, Alternate history - What If (e.g. the vikings had colonized America).... Also why focus on "new" why not some of the classics?

09-05-2009, 09:59 AM	#7
Jack Tingle Punctuation Fetishist Posts: 557 Karma: 1070000 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Bluest Commonwealth In East America Device: Kindle PW, Nexus 7 (2013), Galaxy S5 phone, Galaxy Tab 4 8.0	I suggest you go to Google, click on the drop down box at the top and select "Groups". Type in "rec.arts.sf.written", go to that newsgroup, and search inside the group for "recently read", "book log", "reading log" and such like. You'll get plenty of opinions and suggestions. Some may even be useful. Regards, Jack Tingle

09-05-2009, 11:05 AM	#10
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	Someone mentioned Baen, but if you are new to this you might not know how to reach it. Go to http://www.baen.com/library/. There are over 100 modern books for free in any format that you need for your book reader. If you find an article you like, you will find that additional books are the among the most reasonably priced on the net. Top authors include Flint, Weber, and Drake.

09-05-2009, 11:48 AM	#11
kacir Wizard Posts: 3,465 Karma: 10684861 Join Date: May 2006 Device: PocketBook 360, before it was Sony Reader, cassiopeia A-20	Also check those links https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22284 and of course www.craphound.com

09-05-2009, 01:55 PM	#12
desucca Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: PRS-505	I love it! thanks for all the suggestions all. I wasn't implying that I'm new to sci/fi, just looking for some newer authors/stories although I must admit there's probably a lot of good stuff older than 5-6 years I've never even heard about which is clear from some of your recommendations.. keep them coming if you will, I plan to be reading for an awful long time

09-05-2009, 02:27 PM	#13
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,930 Karma: 119747553 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2 & PW, Onyx Boox Go6	This looks like a pretty good "all time" list: http://www.amazon.com/All-Time-Top-S.../1KBYJ9G4NE7Z2 http://home.austarnet.com.au/petersy...oks_rank1.html check the home page above for more lists... next 100, short stories, etc. http://bookstove.com/science-fiction...s-of-all-time/ http://bookstove.com/science-fiction...s-of-all-time/ an interesting article on "Free" SF http://jameswharris.wordpress.com/20...ience-fiction/

09-05-2009, 02:30 PM	#15
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	You may enjoy: Cory Doctorow (free on-line!) Charles Stross Joe Haldeman (The Accidental Time Machine) John Scalzi (Old Man's War) Neil Gaiman (I liked Good Omens, which he co-wrote with Terry Pratchett) Darrell Bain (multiformat at Fictionwise) Mike Resnick (multiformat at Fictionwise; I liked the novella Redchapel) Ed Howdershelt (multiformat at Fictionwise) I am not a huge sci-fi reader, but those are some recent authors I have enjoyed.