Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read?

#41

Post by bostik » Sun, Jul 15, 2018, 7:26 PM UTC

Asimov's original "Foundation" - it's effectively a collection of 4,5 short stories. I recommend to remain at a discreet distance from the rest of the series. While good within the universe, they are ... different.

"Ender's Game" and "Speaker for the Dead" by O.S.Card. (Do not touch Xenocide without a hazmat suit. And if you do, burn it before reading.)

"Snow Crash" by Neil Stephenson.

"Rendez-vouz with Rama" by Arthur C. Clarke.

If you're up for some thought-provoking stuff, "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Heinlein. Not the easiest read but your carve-out basically rules out "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress".

"Embassytown" by China Mieville.

EDIT: I forgot "Hyperion" by Dan Simmons.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read?

#42

Post by baal80spam » Sun, Jul 15, 2018, 7:26 PM UTC

aresant wrote: post #27

I am just finishing reading the Hyperion Cantos which is an absolutely inspired masterwork by Dan Simmons. I can’t stand rereading / rewatching anything, this series is so rich that it feels like reading fresh material all over again. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperion_Cantos

Came here to say that Hyperion to me is a SF masterpiece.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read?

#43

Post by NeedMoreTea » Sun, Jul 15, 2018, 7:26 PM UTC

The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle.

First read it as a teen in the 80s and still rate it as one of the best SF books ever written. Well paced and enormous fun.

The Player of Games by Iain M Banks.

Probably the most self-contained of the Culture series and the least heavy SF of them. Which makes it a great starting point.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read?

#44

Post by RBerenguel » Sun, Jul 15, 2018, 7:27 PM UTC

aresant wrote: post #27

I am just finishing reading the Hyperion Cantos which is an absolutely inspired masterwork by Dan Simmons. I can’t stand rereading / rewatching anything, this series is so rich that it feels like reading fresh material all over again. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperion_Cantos

I always considered the HC to be Hyperion and The Dawn of Hyperion. They as entity, leaving things open but felt cohesive. Would you recommend the later Endymions?

Re: Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read?

#45

Post by corbet » Sun, Jul 15, 2018, 7:27 PM UTC

The Shockwave Rider, by John Brunner. Read it, compare it to the Internet we have today, and marvel at all he was able to foresee back in 1975.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read?

#46

Post by baal80spam » Sun, Jul 15, 2018, 7:27 PM UTC

mattnewton wrote: post #31

Dune. Definitely Dune. The most epic sci-fi world that is so far in the future it feels like it could be middle earth. Politics, mysticism, prescience, intergalactic travel build an amazing world that feels utterly alien but still relatable. It’s like reading about modern battles between oil, culture and money, but in countless years and star system into the future. Honorable mentions for Hyperion and Neuromancer for…

Dune - enough said.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read?

#47

Post by CrazedGeek » Sun, Jul 15, 2018, 7:28 PM UTC

John Scalzi's Old Man's War series is really enjoyable.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read?

#48

Post by thetruepickle5 » Sun, Jul 15, 2018, 7:28 PM UTC

baal80spam wrote: post #42

aresant wrote: post #27

I am just finishing reading the Hyperion Cantos which is an absolutely inspired masterwork by Dan Simmons. I can’t stand rereading / rewatching anything, this series is so rich that it feels like reading fresh material all over again. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperion_Cantos

Came here to say that Hyperion to me is a SF masterpiece.

Another recommendation from me too. This series takes you to some magical places and ideas.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read?

#49

Post by RBerenguel » Sun, Jul 15, 2018, 7:29 PM UTC

Jotto999 wrote: post #25

Greg Egan's Diaspora was very good.

Haven’t read anything more hard-sci-fi than Egan myself (Clockwork Rocket, quite good). From comments from the OP Egan may not suit (but very recommendable nevertheless)

Re: Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read?

#50

Post by bsenftner » Sun, Jul 15, 2018, 7:29 PM UTC

Read Philip K Dick, specifically his Valis "trilogy": combine drugs, God's 2nd coming, it's marketing campaign competing against junk food, time travel, and God changing it's multiple minds mind way through. There's Sci Fi and then there's Mind fuck Sci Fi, which PKD is the master, after perhaps William S. Bourroughs and Stanisław Lem, both startling writers requiring one to suspend conventional thinking of expectations of reality to comprehend where they are taking you.