Can someone recommend some science fiction books to me...

rowech · 10-19-2008, 06:30 PM

I've read just a little science fiction and I know this is a genre that I should like but I worry I just can't end up picking the right type of science fiction for me. I'm hopeful someone might be able to send me to something I would like. Here are some guidelines...

1. I don't want gunslingers flying around space in their ships, bouncing from planet to planet, etc. in some massive crazy adventure.

2. I want the heart of the novel to be ideas and not plot.

3. I want it based more in "real" science as opposed to made up weapons, tools, etc. I'd like some basis in reality.

4. I'd like to have as few made up crazy words that name something as possible.

5. No fantasy type stuff....if magic is involved in any way, I'm out.

JonInMiddleGA · 10-19-2008, 06:40 PM

rowech - although I'm not familiar with all of the works mentioned as representative samples (a little less than half I'd guess), you might find some of the things referenced here either good reads or pointers toward other similar works you'd enjoy.

terpkristin · 10-19-2008, 07:12 PM

Have you read any of Neal Stephenson's stuff? In particular, Cryptonomicon, The Baroque Cycle (Quicksilver, The Confusion, The System of the World), or his newest tome, Anathem (note I haven't finished Anathem yet so I can't say if it violates any of your requests)? I can't think of too many books that meet your requirements, as many that I've read violate at least one of those rules. You may also join the Ning group "The Sword and Laser" and ask that question there...

/tk

rowech · 10-19-2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terpkristin

Have you read any of Neal Stephenson's stuff? In particular, Cryptonomicon, The Baroque Cycle (Quicksilver, The Confusion, The System of the World), or his newest tome, Anathem (note I haven't finished Anathem yet so I can't say if it violates any of your requests)? I can't think of too many books that meet your requirements, as many that I've read violate at least one of those rules. You may also join the Ning group "The Sword and Laser" and ask that question there...

/tk

Thanks guys. I've read Stephenson's Crytpo, liked it. I tried to read Quicksilver three times as it is a book I should like but couldn't. I have about 250 pages left of Anathem which has been a good read but I've just been bogged down by his made-up language. Had he done less of that, I would say it's a fantastic book. As-is, probably just good.

Marc Vaughan · 10-19-2008, 07:41 PM

"Dies the Fire" by S.M. Stirling is quite an interesting book - I don't know whether it'd be truly rated as 'science fiction' or 'fantasy' really.

Its an alternative future style book, the idea is intruiging imho - what would happen to society if all of a suddenly the laws of physics changed so anything involving electricity or combustion failed to operate.

Like many alternative history style books the writing isn't 'perfect' - but its readable enough and any lacking in that area is more than made up for with the storylines and ideas imho.

Raiders Army · 10-19-2008, 08:01 PM

I'd recommend the Hope series by David Feintuch. Unfortunately, he died so there are no more books (really only the first few are decent). The series is sort of like Star Trek mixed with 2001.

Amazon.com: Midshipman's Hope (Seafort Saga): David Feintuch: Books

chesapeake · 10-20-2008, 01:20 PM

My recommendation would be Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. It is about a hypothetical effort to colonize Mars during this century. I enjoyed it a lot.

Peregrine · 10-20-2008, 02:26 PM

Any of the "hard science" type of books might be what you're looking for - the Mars series that Chesapeake mentioned is a good one. I'd also recommend Alistair Reynolds series Revelation Space - it takes a bit of getting used to, but is very "big science" and is really neat (plus he worked for the European version of NASA for a long time.) I'd also recommend most of Bruce Sterling's books - he focuses on "near future" ideas, basically extrapolating the future from things that are happening now - very neat stuff.

sachmo71 · 10-20-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowech

I've read just a little science fiction and I know this is a genre that I should like but I worry I just can't end up picking the right type of science fiction for me. I'm hopeful someone might be able to send me to something I would like. Here are some guidelines...

1. I don't want gunslingers flying around space in their ships, bouncing from planet to planet, etc. in some massive crazy adventure.

2. I want the heart of the novel to be ideas and not plot.

3. I want it based more in "real" science as opposed to made up weapons, tools, etc. I'd like some basis in reality.

4. I'd like to have as few made up crazy words that name something as possible.

5. No fantasy type stuff....if magic is involved in any way, I'm out.

Dan Simmons. Start with Hyperion. If you like that, keep going!
Jack McDevitt as well. Wonderful stuff.

rowech · 10-20-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Any of the "hard science" type of books might be what you're looking for - the Mars series that Chesapeake mentioned is a good one. I'd also recommend Alistair Reynolds series Revelation Space - it takes a bit of getting used to, but is very "big science" and is really neat (plus he worked for the European version of NASA for a long time.) I'd also recommend most of Bruce Sterling's books - he focuses on "near future" ideas, basically extrapolating the future from things that are happening now - very neat stuff.

I've thought about reading the Reynolds guy.

gstelmack · 10-20-2008, 02:54 PM

John Ringo has a physicist working with him on the "Into the Looking Glass" series in an effort to put the "science" back in science fiction.

billethius · 10-20-2008, 04:19 PM

I'll echo the recommendation of Alastair Reynolds' Revelation Space series. It's my first foray into the hard sci-fi realm as well. I'm about half way through it myself and really enjoying it.

Butter · 10-20-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chesapeake

My recommendation would be Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. It is about a hypothetical effort to colonize Mars during this century. I enjoyed it a lot.

I'll third this one. Fantastic 3 book series, lots of plausible ideas, lots of hard science, easy to follow plot (in my opinion). I loved it.

Scarecrow · 10-20-2008, 07:50 PM

"From the Hands of Hostile Gods" by Darren R Hawkins (aka Drake)

10-19-2008, 06:40 PM	#2
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	rowech - although I'm not familiar with all of the works mentioned as representative samples (a little less than half I'd guess), you might find some of the things referenced here either good reads or pointers toward other similar works you'd enjoy. __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

10-19-2008, 07:12 PM	#3
terpkristin Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ashburn, VA	Have you read any of Neal Stephenson's stuff? In particular, Cryptonomicon, The Baroque Cycle (Quicksilver, The Confusion, The System of the World), or his newest tome, Anathem (note I haven't finished Anathem yet so I can't say if it violates any of your requests)? I can't think of too many books that meet your requirements, as many that I've read violate at least one of those rules. You may also join the Ning group "The Sword and Laser" and ask that question there... /tk __________________ GO TERPS! https://www.flickr.com/photos/terpkristin https://twitter.com/terpkristin

10-20-2008, 02:54 PM	#11
gstelmack Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Cary, NC	John Ringo has a physicist working with him on the "Into the Looking Glass" series in an effort to put the "science" back in science fiction. __________________ -- Greg -- Author of various FOF utilities

10-20-2008, 07:50 PM	#14
Scarecrow College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Flatlands of America	"From the Hands of Hostile Gods" by Darren R Hawkins (aka Drake) __________________ Post Count: Eleventy Billion - so deal with it!

10-19-2008, 07:41 PM	#5
Marc Vaughan SI Games Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Melbourne, FL	"Dies the Fire" by S.M. Stirling is quite an interesting book - I don't know whether it'd be truly rated as 'science fiction' or 'fantasy' really. Its an alternative future style book, the idea is intruiging imho - what would happen to society if all of a suddenly the laws of physics changed so anything involving electricity or combustion failed to operate. Like many alternative history style books the writing isn't 'perfect' - but its readable enough and any lacking in that area is more than made up for with the storylines and ideas imho.

10-19-2008, 08:01 PM	#6
Raiders Army Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Black Hole	I'd recommend the Hope series by David Feintuch. Unfortunately, he died so there are no more books (really only the first few are decent). The series is sort of like Star Trek mixed with 2001. Amazon.com: Midshipman's Hope (Seafort Saga): David Feintuch: Books

10-20-2008, 01:20 PM	#7
chesapeake College Starter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Arlington, VA	My recommendation would be Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. It is about a hypothetical effort to colonize Mars during this century. I enjoyed it a lot.

10-20-2008, 02:26 PM	#8
Peregrine Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Cary, NC	Any of the "hard science" type of books might be what you're looking for - the Mars series that Chesapeake mentioned is a good one. I'd also recommend Alistair Reynolds series Revelation Space - it takes a bit of getting used to, but is very "big science" and is really neat (plus he worked for the European version of NASA for a long time.) I'd also recommend most of Bruce Sterling's books - he focuses on "near future" ideas, basically extrapolating the future from things that are happening now - very neat stuff.

10-20-2008, 04:19 PM	#12
billethius Mascot Join Date: Jun 2006	I'll echo the recommendation of Alastair Reynolds' Revelation Space series. It's my first foray into the hard sci-fi realm as well. I'm about half way through it myself and really enjoying it.

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