I want to get back into reading. My choices are to:
– Get the 1st 3 Dune books
– Get the 1st 3 Expanse books
– Get the Foundation books
I basically don’t know which series is easier to get into. Or if reading 1 series would make it easier to get into the other series.
by AffectionateCable793
5 Comments
I would say not Expanse because I didn’t like it. I read about a third of book one.
I really enjoyed the first dune book haven’t read the others yet.
I’ve read the whole foundation series and thought it was good and rewarding, if a bit dry at times
Dune 1: possibly the greatest sci fi every written. Dune 2-(whatever): meh
I actually could not get into the expanse. I guess I’m in the minority. The expanse books are probably going to have the most mass appeal to modern audiences.
Foundation is much older and feels a little dated. But, they are incredible books.
If you want to lose yourself in a series of the 3 I’d suggest starting with the expanse. Dune is incredible, but slow and confusing.
I would also throw Hyperion and The Bobiverse into the mix. personally, I’d take those over Expanse or foundation any day.
If you are unsure about a series, I recommend getting just book 1. That way if you don’t like it, there’s no problem! If you do like it, you can always get the other books later. You may be able to find a sample of the beginning of a book to read online, which could help you decide if you like it. Ebook and audiobook sites frequently let you read/listen to the first few pages as a sample.
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I have read the first 3 Dune books and am on book 4 now. In my opinion, books 1 and 2 form a good self-contained story that fulfills the author’s stated goals. With book 3 I feel the message of the series changes in a way that seems to me at odds with what the author was saying before with these books. Keeping it vague to avoid spoilers, but if you wish I will elaborate. I will say, as far as sci fi goes, these books are *really* hard to get into. They start with a lot of unexplained futuristic jargon.
I have not read the Expanse books yet. They’re on my to-read list.
I have read the first Foundation book, but didn’t continue the series. There’s some interesting ideas there, but overall I just didn’t love them. IMO, Asimov is a much better short fiction writer than novel writer.
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A much easier to get into series that’s similar to Dune that I have liked is The Snow Queen trilogy by Joan D. Vinge. There’s an enormous amount of media directly inspired by Dune, and [out of all of them that I’ve read](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/1brxlse/books_like_dune/kxdq9gk/), I like this the best.
These series are all very different, as written decades apart, and do not give any feel for the other series.
If you go for Asimov, the first 3 books will last you about a week, if that, and then you will need Foundation’s Edge and Foundation and Earth. There are also the Elijah Bailey books which Foundation and Earth sort of links to. Borrow!
Dune – you either want just the first 2, or the first 4. (Dune, Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune). Get 2 then borrow?
That’s a tough one. All great for different reasons if you like sci-fi.
It’s kind of like picking your favourite ice-cream. And all 3 are very different.
A lot comes down to what you’re looking in a setting and plot/story, but the author’s style will partly determine how much you actually enjoy the books. They’re all great series.
Foundation and Dune were written a long time ago and are different in approach to more modern books. I think the Foundation series holds up better after book 1, than Dune after book 1, but it’s years since I read either.
I’d recommend The Expanse series, because it’s the most accessible if you’re returning to reading, each book is self contained and the author’s explicitly stated they kept chapters to 3k words so readers could get through one chapter in one sitting. ( they apparently researched this ). There is an over arching plot across the series, but it’s not as prominent in the early books.
Dune is a truly unique experience. If it grabs you early, you’re in for a ride, but if you struggle to keep focus or read you might find it more challenging. It’s got some great concepts and would be my favourite of the 3 you mentioned. I also loved The Foundation series and I’d say it’s a little more accessible/easier to read than Dune.
Just my opinion.