r/ScienceFictionBooks

I tend to like a variety of (hard) scifi, but I really crave the ones that pay particular attention to the minute workings of spaceflight in particular... and I realize now, that sounds like the precise definition of hard science fiction in the context of space, but it's not quite what I'm saying.

What I mean is science fiction where those workings are at least half of the focus. For example, all of the books by Andy Weir of course (possibly excluding Artemis). Importantly, while I love it, The Expanse does not fit into this category as while realistic doesn't go into too much detail about the mechanics of things outside of a fairly qualitative (but still good) explanation.

I have also begun reading the NASA series by Stephen Baxter, which I am thoroughly enjoying and consider the best example of what I am talking about here. Finding this is what spurred me to make this post, because I thought that this genre of hard scifi was fairly niche and didn't come to think that there could be others, which I would not want to miss out on.

Many people complained about Project Hail Mary (the book) going into too much depth about the workings of things (Called things like "Science porn", etc). Anything like this is exactly what I want.

Hello,

so a genuine question: You read a book about space travel, exploding robots and border beyond time and space, but always throught the pages you glimpse at the authors political believes and they just ... dont square with yours at all. Would you still read the book or would you put it away?

I recently finished Pandoras Star and Judas Unchained and both are terrific books. Especially the changing viewpoints are made excellent and the world building is solid.

But its pretty clear that the author is a raging Neoconservative and fan of Plutocracy. And i dont mean his characters but the author himself writes as if such a thing is inevitable and right and rich people should have all the power. Which is not what i believe in.

I recently asked a question here about it because of that and Im glad i finished the books. But it annoyed me quite a bit. After all I also read the Posleen War saga and the author there has even worse views, though he keeps it luckily way shorter.

So my question: Is that a thing for you? Do you get annoyed when authors glorify something you find appaling or do you stop reading? Perhaps its just a me thing

I can’t remember the title or the writer.

I read it over 30 years ago, so I am struggling to remember.

All I remember is that humanity had cracked time travel and used conduits to cross time (and possibly space).

I have tried to track it down and have been unsuccessful. I am relying on the ‘geek hive-mind’ to help me out.

Just finished The End of Eternity by Isaac Asimov. What a mind-blowing book! The way he handles time travel and the final plot twist just left me speechless. Last night I went to bed at 3:40 a.m., and today I woke up at 7. I don't regret it. Has anyone else read it? What did you think of the ending?

Next stop The Caves of Steel.

So I’m looking for novels, (probably sci-fi, but I won’t turn down other genres) where a human/humans are introduced to the wider universe. And they are dangerous; whether because they are physically superior, impossibly tenacious and resourceful, or just plain crazy. I’m looking for stories where everyone is looking at humans and asking “How? And why?”

So far I’ve read two series that meet this standard: The Five Girls You Date in Space Prison, and Obelisk- System Integration. And I’ve become hungry for more.

Looking for the strangest or most mind-bending sci‑fi / something unusual and unconventional.

For me, they have. I was an enthusiastic fan of Harlan Ellison when I was in my teens. Later in life, my esteem for him lessened, both for him as a person and as a writer. The angry young/middle aged/old man persona wore thin, and some of his stories lust their luster. I still have a great deal of affection and respect for many of his written works, but others, less so. This was more a change in us than Ellison.

Has anyone else followed a similar trajectory?

On the Ancient Geeks podcast, my co-host and I go into this change of opinion in depth. But that's just us. Podcasting is a one-way medium, which is why I'm posting the question here.

"We think of that morning as gone.

But what if it isn’t?"

This is a booktitle that I'mbarred from posting butis availabledoing asearch above. Great book and writer

susnopsisWhat if everyphoton that scattered off thoseshields still carries, encoded in its trajectory through spacetime, the exact patternof light that defined that moment? What if the atoms that composed those men — now dispersed through ocean and stone and the bodies of ten thousand generations — still bear, in their quantum states, the signatures of the configurations they once held? 

Set far into the future. Humanity has spread to other planets and have been there for hundreds of years. One of our characters is from one of these far flung civilizations and is the heiress of a trash mining fortune (they've been wasteful enough on the planet for long enough that they're mining through their own trash piles for plastics and metals since that's more economical than chasing played out mines).

Someone finds an alien artifact that does *something*. A quest is kicked off with a ragtag band of misfits.

I read it in the late 90s or early aughts.

Help! I might have a problem

Contrary to the post title I don't really think I have a problem.... but that's what they all say.... right?

I recently listened to a few of A.G. Riddle's works. started with "The Extinction Trials" and then "The Extinction Files", thinking they were related... which I still think they kinda are but I'll let anyone who's read them decide that for themselves.

anyways.... I liked his writing so much I checked him out on audible, saw there was a sale... and now I own all 11 of his books......

is this normal?

EDIT* cross posting this from a while back on another sub, with no interactions.

I have now listens to 9 out 11 of these books and just started on the 10th. Can anyone also recommend a similar modern author?

Hi, I’d like to introduce you to my science fiction books but first a little blurb on my background. I’m 75 years old and have spent the majority of my working life working in cyberspace (today’s terminology). My efforts have been concentrated in cybersecurity as an auditor and consultant, now a CEO of my own cybersecurity consultancy. I post numerous articles to LinkedIn on this subject and I’m very concerned with its current direction and ability to service both AI and Quantum computing. This concern has led to my book writing in hard science fiction that is near reality.
My series Quantum Worlds consisting of 3 books leads you down a path about cybersecurity’s ability to alter geopolitics. Then leading you on into a world entrenched in the affects of AI, quantum computing and robotics.
My series with book one on the cusp of release takes you deep inside the world of robotics coupled with super intelligence that they possess through quantum computing and AI. Initially championed by politicians and scientists as an enhancement to our lifestyle a metamorphosis occurs that leads somewhere else.
I have a website in which for you to further explore my works. Please DM me if you wish to pursue me further. Thank you.

https://dougcollinsauthor.com/about