this post was submitted on 13 Jan 2025

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In the mood for engineering / competence porn. What are your favourite novels / series? (self.sciencefiction)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by AwesomeLowlander to c/[email protected]

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As an example, I love the Martian, and I think a lot of older books from authors like Asimov are heavily into engineering / competence porn. Other favs in this category include the standalone novel Rendezvous with Rama to leave you wishing for more, most of the Culture series for happy utopian vibes, Schlock Mercenary for humor, Dahak series for fun mindless popcorn.

Edit: I'm so happy to have found a replacement for r/books and the rest of them.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

Just finished Exodus: The Archimedes Engine on audible. Space opera with a lot of world building. A bit slow to get started, but I really enjoyed it.

Edit: not sure if I would classify it as engineering porn though, although there is an emphasis on use of technology

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Greg Bear - EON but more maths heavy, and has a bit of politics but a very good read

Larry Niven - Ring world series (maybe not competence focused, but strong science backing)

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

The Fountains of Paradise It's literally an SF love letter to engineering.

Also there are two (or three?) sequels to Rendezvous with Rama.

Greg Bear's Eon/Eternity and The Forge of God/Anvil of Stars are all engineering delight.

2001, 2010, 2051, 3001 are great classics.

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

I don't know of any other good books in this genre, but I will say that the Martian is probably my favorite book of all time. I read it several times a year just because I enjoy it that much and actually just got done reading it again for the first time in 2025 a couple of days ago.

[–] AwesomeLowlander 2 points 1 week ago

Keep an eye on this post then, you might find something else to love as well :)

I'll throw out a couple more of my favs along these lines. Rendezvous with Rama (be aware there's no sequel to it), most of the Culture series for happy utopian vibes, Schlock Mercenary for humor, Dahak series for fun mindless popcorn.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Several books in the League of Peoples series (start with Expendable) have this. Festina Ramos is competent AF without going into Mary Sue territory.

The Sten series (Allan Cole & Chris Bunch, military-ish sci-fi) has a fantastically competent lead.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Tom Clancy SSN.

Good light reading (historical fiction) for before bed or when you wake up at 3am due to the sound of the Herscithem outside.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (6 children)

Hers what?

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

Anything by Robert Forward and Charles Sheffield.

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