I just finished my second re-read of the Wayfarer books, and first read through of To Be Taught, If Fortunate. Need something similar to scratch the itch of slow-paced, philosophical sci-fi with a lot of thoughtful world building. I've already read (and loved) Ursula K. LeGuin's Hainish Cycle too, as well as Chambers' Monk + Robot books. Help me find a sci-fi or fantasy with a similar vibe?
by 42Pahin
3 Comments
A Closed and Common Orbit, by Becky Chambers
Always Coming Home by Ursula k Le Guin would be a good next Le Guin.
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz has a similar kind, but not exactly cozy feel
A Half Built Garden by Ruthanna Emerys shares a similar positive outlook for the Future
I haven’t read Chambers, so I can’t comment on the similarity, but I’m a big fan of Iain M. Banks, and I think his books fit the description of “slow-paced, philosophical sci-fi with a lot of thoughtful world building.”
He’s best known for the Culture series, but it’s not really a series in the sense of a continuing story. The books take place within a common civilization, but at different times and places within the Culture universe, and can be read in any order. There are also a few books that ambiguously or obliquely involve the Culture, and a few that are not really Culture at all.
Although I’m a big fan of his work in general, my personal LEAST favorites are the first two Culture novels, *Consider Phlebas* and *The Player of Games*, as well as *Against a Dark Background*, so I would recommend not starting with those.