I’ve never been a huge sci-fi person, but someone lent me Project Hail Mary earlier this year and I LOVED it. I also read the Martain and, while I liked PHM a smidge better, I really enjoyed both. Since then, I’ve tried a few other sci-fi books (Dark Matter, Dune) but have been having trouble finding something that scratches the same itch.
What I loved so much about Weir’s books was how realistic they felt. For whatever reason, I’ve never been a big fantasy person—I have a hard time latching onto stories that feel totally divorced from my world (I know it’s a bad take but it is what it is). I also don’t tend to love books built around war storylines or that spend a lot of space on action sequences (I just get bored). So, I haven’t delved much into sci-fi. But the way Project Hail Mary introduced these really mind-boggling, cool sci-fi plot points while still staying grounded in real science really worked for me. I also love the way Weir uses science, rather than conflict, to advance the plot. Would love any suggestions for other books like that!
by watermelon_rinds
9 Comments
What you are looking for is the genre known as “hard sci fi.” You may like:
* Books by [Alastair Reynolds](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51204.Alastair_Reynolds). He is an astrophysicist. You could start with Revelation Space or Chasm City, or any of his books that sound cool.
* Books by Peter Watts. He is a marine biologist. My personal favourite is the [Rifters series](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66479.Starfish), available as free ebooks on his website.
* Books by [Neal Stephenson](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/545.Neal_Stephenson). He is not a scientist, but he includes real world technology very thoughtfully in science fictional settings. Specifically, I recommend Seveneves (space sci fi) or Reamde (cybercrime thriller).
* We Are Satellites by Sarah Pinsker. Similar to Stephenson, uses technology in a thoughtful way despite not being as deep into the science side of things.
* The Moon is a Harsh Mistress or Have Space Suit, Will Travel by [Robert A. Heinlein](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/205.Robert_A_Heinlein). Andy Weir’s books reminded me a lot of those two, but a lot of Heinlein’s other work is a lot weirder and/or ‘spiritual’ and not at all about science.
wool by hugh howey is pretty well written. it’s been adapted to tv by apple as silo
One of my favourite hard sci fi books is The Dragon‘s Egg by Robert L.L. Forward
I like the Bobiverse series from Dennis E. Taylor.
Try “To Be Taught if Fortunate” by Becky Chambers. It is fairly futuristic but it is about some researchers exploring some distant planets for life. It is pretty typical for her work in that it explores the characters a lot more than plot.
Rocket Girls by Housuke Nojiri
Usurper of the Sun by Housuke Nojiri
The Mars trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson. Fair warning though, it’s got none of the fast pace and humor of Andy Weir
Have you ever read Sphere or the Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton? I think that would be of a similar vein, if a bit older.
I loved PHM as well (also The Martian, but PHM more). I did like Dark Matter (as well as Recursion) though.
One recommendation is The Gone World by Tom Sweterlisch. Not as much hard science but the story was pretty engrossing – Interstellar meets True Detective. If that description sounds appealing you’ll probably like it. It’s more of a sci-fi mystery though.