I have been on a big sci-fi kick recently and have read a lot of alien related books. I really enjoyed Project Hail Mary, The Bobiverse (specifically the parts about locating alien planets), Arrival, etc. I didn’t particularly enjoy Hitchhikers Guide, despite typically being more interested in comedic takes.
I have found that so many books along these lines are focused on intergalactic wars, fighting, and long drawn out of the science behind what they are doing. I’m more interested in interacting with the species, or having some kind of oversight, and things like that.
by NedRyerson-Official
12 Comments
Alien Clay Adrian Tchaikovsky
The Color of Distance by Amy Thomson
Embassytown by China Miéville
I love the books of the Hainish Cycle by Ursula K LeGuin – some of them definitely have fighting/wars, but it’s not the main focus.
The Left Hand of Darkness is my favorite of the series.
I really liked Becky Chambers’s Wayfarers series for this – 3 main alien races (plus 5 or 6 more with more minor roles) with lots of detail on stuff like lifespans, reproductive/sexual habits, culture, and the cultural clashes that result.
“Children of Time” is great and might suit you. Go in blind.
The Sparrow
***The Mote in God’s Eye*** by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle.
Second rec for *Embassytown* by China Mieville! Takes place on a planet on the edge of the explored universe, where twin ambassadors are genetically engineered to work as a pair to communicate with the local alien race. The focus of the story is on what happens when a different type of ambassador shows up and throws everything into chaos. Focused more on diplomacy and political intrigue than conflict.
A bit dense to get into but totally unique. It’s focused primarily on language and how it shapes your perception of reality – kind of like “Story of Your Life,” the short story by Ted Chiang (from the collection of the same name) which was the inspiration for the movie *Arrival*.
The Sector General series by James White. It’s mostly set in a giant space hospital with many different alien races.
Genesis echo by d. Hollis Anderson – good action but a whole lot more to it, lots of alien species in an epic dystopia space opera
Semiosis series