I’d give my left tit to read Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers series for the first time again. I turned 30 and suddenly realized my reading taste took itself way too seriously (such a pesky, pretentious little trap for avid readers!!!!!).
Wayfarers was my first real crack at escaping that trap, and I slurped it UP! The care Chambers gives to both worldbuilding and character development and day-to-day life was such a treat. I’m now aching for more imaginative sci-fi/spec fic that’s character-driven (and world-driven, if that’s a thing???) and not serious all the time. I particularly love that she takes time to explain the politics/mechanics/cultures/histories/social issues of the Galactic Commons (I’d actually read a fiction in nonfiction style about the history/cultures/tech/etc. of a space opera world lol)
I’ve read her other books too, plus A Cybernetic Tea Shop and Automatic Noodle. I also like the Vorkosigan saga, Anne Leckie books, and Hitchhiker’s Guide. I’ve tried Martha Wells, but it’s just not hitting the way I yearn for!!!
P.S. I genuinely believe all literature is worthy, so please don’t waste your time slandering popular trade books that resonated with a wide audience. Those types of books are literally what makes it possible for publishers to take risks on the more niche/literary stuff you love. Let people enjoy them so you can enjoy yourself.
by Main-Problem-6361