I love good sci fi as an audiobook while I walk the dog etc, but am really struggling with the genre lately. I keep ending up with these books like The Deep Sky or Genesis of Misery that are more YA than I’m looking for, or alternatively that feel totally uh… boomertastic, like Scalzi’s Old Man’s War. What’s some sci fi that’ll pull me in with a story and a universe, is written for adults, and has modern views on women and masculinity? I love books that can really build a world, and/or that play with the physics of space.
– I have seen, and loved, but haven’t read The Expanse, would like something like this (unsure how it’ll read after watching)
– I read Three Body Problem… overall enjoyed it
– big Becky Chambers fan
– Andy Weir is great
– Snow Crash was fun
– Dune trilogy, must have read 6 times growing up
– Hyperion irritated me
– Annihilation was meh
– Ready Player One felt immature
– above mentioned books that I DNFd
by 0nTheRooftops
9 Comments
Apologies if you’ve read these ages ago, but have you tried The Left Hand of Darkness or Parable of the Sower?
I don’t usually go for audiobooks so here are some books you might like and that I know are out in audio, but I’m recommending based on the story only:
If you like Becky Chambers, try Autonomous by Annalee Newitz. It has a very weird robot-human relationship, but the technology/world-building is sustainable and green. It deals with social issues that seem very contemporary, but it is uplifting.
If you like Snow Crash, The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. It’s like the distant future of Snow Crash.
If you’re up for some Steampunk that is not YA, The Difference Engine by Bruce Sterling and William Gibson. It’s set in Victorian England and has some real historical figures. I find it very absorbing because it is also somewhat of a thriller
Dungeon Crawler Carl. This is the only book series I know of that has a tendency of turning its readers/listeners into a sort of cult. Don’t the let the title fool you.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/DungeonCrawlerCarl/](https://www.reddit.com/r/DungeonCrawlerCarl/)
The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois Macmaster Bujold. Start with Shards of Honor.
*Seveneves* —Neal Stephenson
Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells is great on audiobook
Definitely read the expanse. The show is great and the books are even better (especially because there’s 3 whole books after season 6)
Currently reading Children of Time which I’ve heard good things about but has fully exceeded expectations. (Pls no spoilers)
Try sone Alastair Reynolds! His Revolation Space sereis is great. Pushing Ice is a stand alone if you don’t want a series.
Adrain Tchaikovsky’s Children of Time is good too
I think you’ll enjoy Murderbot. Also, definitely read the Expanse!