Science Fiction

[mitchell_iles]

I'm a new kindle owner and I've decided to expand on my very limited knowledge of science fiction. Any suggestions for a newbie to the genre?

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

First: Think about how important the science is to you. Most SF can be broken down into hard, believable science presentation (generally referred to as "SF") and soft, cool-looking but unrealistic science (referred to as "Sci-Fi"). There's some wiggle-room between them, and some famous novels (and novelists) walk the line between them admirably.

Then think about story types that interest you. SF generally gets into: Space exploration; alien encounters; technological developments; psychological exploration; futuristic conflict; futuristic political action/intrigue; futuristic adventure; and futuristic societies.

If you know what you prefer, just mention it online, and the list of potential books for you to read will be supplied to you by myriads of fans.

[gbm]

Go to the Baen Free Library. Nice selection of Space opera, mil sci-fi, and fantasy. All DRM Free.

http://www.baen.com/library/

bernie

[JSWolf]

I have to highly recommend the Hyperion series by Dan Simmons. There are 4 books in the series. I have read the first two and they are very good.


1. Hyperion 01 - Hyperion
2. Hyperion 02 - The Fall of Hyperion
3. Endymion
4. The Rise of Endymion

[RDaneel54]

Originally Posted by mitchell_iles

I'm a new kindle owner and I've decided to expand on my very limited knowledge of science fiction. Any suggestions for a newbie to the genre?

Here's a thread that will give you a good insight as to what folks on this board think is the best in Science Fiction:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=142009

Enjoy. It is a grand adventure that I've spent 45+ years on and never exhausted my sense of wonder.

Dean

[Penforhire]

I think Steven has the right track. There is such a difference between sub-genres and some authors assume a grounding in the genre. Charlie Stross is one of my favorite authors but a new SF reader will likely be thrown by how much he assumes of his readers.

I've been a fan of the cyberpunk subgenre since it was invented. So I'll suggest a couple of classics, Neuromancer by William Gibson and Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson (much more intended humor in Stephenson's books). If you like short stories more then maybe Vernor Vinge's "True Names" collection would work. But the whole subgenre might not be your cup of tea.

If you like aliens you might prefer Vernor Vinge's "A Fire Upon the Deep" and "A Deepness in the Sky."

[AnemicOak]

Good advice here so far...


I got into the Liaden series last year and loved it...
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=132919

You might want to try the first couple Honor Harrington books from the Baen free library mentioned above, that's a pretty popular series.

[slex]

I second the Hyperion recommendation. The first book of the series is one of the best sci-fi I have ever read. The sequels, while not so good, are still better than the average.

[elemenoP]

What kind of books do you normally like to read? Are you open to YA (young adult) novels? I think those can be a good "intro" to sci fi.

eP

[xg4bx]

unfortunately most of what i would recommend like Ringworld by Larry Niven or Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C Clarke aren't in ebook format yet for whatever reason.

[mitchell_iles]

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions. I will check them out immediately.

I generally read horror, paranormal, adventure and comedic works but enjoy some of most genres.

Thanks again,

M

[fantasyfan]

Don't forget Project Guteneberg's science fiction bookshelf. Everything in it is free and there are some very good selections indeed.

[gbm]

Originally Posted by mitchell_iles

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions. I will check them out immediately.

I generally read horror, paranormal, adventure and comedic works but enjoy some of most genres.

Thanks again,

M

Then I highly recommend the Heirs of Alexandria Series. The 1st book is in the Baen Free Library.

http://www.baenebooks.com/m-1-baen-b...urerFilterID=1


enjoy bernie

[xg4bx]

Originally Posted by mitchell_iles

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions. I will check them out immediately.

I generally read horror, paranormal, adventure and comedic works but enjoy some of most genres.

Thanks again,

M

i'd highly recommend the works of Larry Correia then, specifically Monster Hunter International and Hard Magic. they're a mix of all 4 of those: action/adventure novels filled with monsters and super powered folk with a light comedic tone running through them. they're not sexual or obscenity filled either (i don't know what anyone's sensibilities are but i'm sure that's a plus for many folks.)

[gbm]

Originally Posted by xg4bx

Originally Posted by mitchell_iles View Post
Thank you so much for all of the suggestions. I will check them out immediately.

I generally read horror, paranormal, adventure and comedic works but enjoy some of most genres.

Thanks again,

M

Originally Posted by xg4bx

i'd highly recommend the works of Larry Correia then, specifically Monster Hunter International and Hard Magic. they're a mix of all 4 of those: action/adventure novels filled with monsters and super powered folk with a light comedic tone running through them. they're not sexual or obscenity filled either (i don't know what anyone's sensibilities are but i'm sure that's a plus for many folks.)

Do not start Monster Hunter International at night, because you will not be able to put it down until your are done with it. Then you will want to read it again.

http://www.baenebooks.com/c-108-mons...ry-coreia.aspx

enjoy bernie