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

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

#103

Post by manojlds »

dsr_ wrote: post #20
manojlds wrote: post #13

Blindsight by Peter Watts https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindsight_(Watts_novel)

OP said "fun, lighthearted and enjoyable". Noted reviewer James Nicoll on Peter Watts: "When­ever I find my will to live be­com­ing too strong, I read Peter Watts." Which Dr. Watts put at the top of his About the Author page. Watts is really, really good. And really, really bleak.

You're right. Didn't read the request fully.

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

#104

Post by nataz »

laurentl wrote: post #78

Fun, light-hearted and enjoyable === Terry Pratchett. Strata and the Dark Side of the Sun if you’re looking specifically for Sci-fi. But if you haven’t read the Diskworld series, I envy you! I’d give anything to re-live the sheer ecstasy of reading Pratchett for the first time. Already mentioned: H2G2 (ditto, would love to be able to read it again for the first time); Ender’s game and sequels; Rama (maybe more though…

Lots of good stuff in this thread, but for fun and light-hearted (which lots of people are ignoring), Terry Pratchett takes the cake. I probably read over 50 books a year, and TP is one of the best authors I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

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

#105

Post by nataz »

mud_dauber wrote: post #92
Automatic_Jack wrote: post #86

Martian Chronicles, Crystal Express+Cysmatrix, Neuromancer,Hyperion, Portico...

+1 for the Martian Chronicles.

+ another 1 for Martian Chronicles. It's Hienlin at his best (poingint short stories linking into a lather narrative), without the baggage of Laz Long that ties together his more famous works (which I love, but aren't exactly light hearted).

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

#107

Post by minhazm423 »

Hey unfortunately I have nothing to add but I'd like to make a request for sci fi books

w/ these themes:

finance currency economics math money power

Some common reccomendations I've seen are

anything by Neal Stephenson

The other recommendations Ive seen are fantasy like

The Traitor Baru Cormorant The Dagger and Coin series Making Money Going Postal

Does anyone have any similar recommendations?

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

#108

Post by flukus »

facorreia wrote: post #100
bostik wrote: post #41

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 Arth…

Rendez-vouz with Rama is in my top 10 favorite books but I wouldn't say it's fun and lighthearted.

One of my favorites is based on a similar premise, Pushing Ice by Alastair Reynolds. I like most of his work but for short stand-alone stories this one stands out. Reynolds works are hard sci-fi, mostly sticking within the known laws of physics which present some interesting problems for the characters.
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