this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2023
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Imagine I could only choose 5 sci fi books for a brand new sci fi reader -- what would they be?

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Imagine I could only choose 5 sci fi books for a brand new sci fi reader – what would they be?

  • Dune by Frank Herbert
  • The Martian by Andy Weir
  • The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
  • The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein
  • Doomsday Book by Connie Willis

That should be a nice cross section, though I completely ignored cyberpunk, near future apocalyptic (unless you include Hitchhiker's Guide!), alternate history, and a few others!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Oooh, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is a good choice, even though the tech now feels anachronistic (except Mike). I used to put it in my starter pack too.

The Martian is an excellent starter kit choice -- extremely approachable while still being largely representative of what sci fi can be! Nice!

Tangent: I originally read The Martian while weathering a summer windstorm in the high arctic. My tent was threatening to blow away, bouncing down the tundra with me and all our supplies. It really added to the experience :)

[–] Spluk42 2 points 1 year ago

Haven't read Doomsday Book but did read To Say Nothing About the Dog. Interesting and well writ.

[–] 2Blave 2 points 1 year ago

Fully support these choices! This is a good cross section of classics and contemporary works.