I've recently got back into reading physical books (I stopped because my book spending was out of control) and I picked up Project Hail Mary because I enjoyed The Martian. I know this is a marmite book, but I really loved one element of it (Amaze!) the other half bored me.
I also picked up The Space Between Us and The Collapsing Wave after PHM after a rec on here. I enjoyed the first contact element, the constant fight against authorities was boring and I skim read those bits, including nearly most of the second book.
Has anyone got any recommendations for books where first contact, exploration or discovery is the main aim and the constant battle against some overbearing military or political bore is minimal? I find this so tedious, I cannot describe how much I loathe it. If I wanted to read reality, I'd read the news. I understand books like to have conflict or struggle, but this could be done in other ways.
Similar things I loved, Arrival (Story of your life), Interstellar(a movie, I know), Contact and The Martian.
Thank you!
by Woozlie