/lit/ - Literature

>>22631976
THE JESUS INCIDENT Frank Herbert
>A speculative and philosophical tour de force by my favorite science fiction author. You’ll probably have to search used bookstores for this one, but it’s well worth it. My favorite science fiction novel ever. A clear inspiration for the story of Planet.
DUNE Frank Herbert
>Herbert’s more famous masterpiece. If you enjoy stories of human factions tearing at each others’ throats, you’ll love this.
A FIRE UPON THE DEEP Vernor Vinge
>A far future epic which includes one of the more interesting alien races I’ve encountered as well as some really original future concepts and a surprise ending which brings it all together. Also includes some pretty hilarious parodies of internet newsgroups.
ANVIL OF STARS Greg Bear
>What if the universe is filled with alien races sometimes even more sinister and diabolical than humanity at its worst? To what depths of deception and atrocity will a species descend in order to secure its survival?
SLANT Greg Bear
>A near future earth where information technology has continued to make quantum advances. I find suspension of disbelief very easy with Greg Bear, because his worlds are coherent and his characters’ motives are so plausible.
THE MOTE IN GOD’S EYE Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
>The best book I’ve read on the classic “first contact” concept. A really in-depth study of what makes an alien race tick.
THE REAL STORY Stephen R. Donaldson
>The first in a series of five. Mostly notable for the amount of sleep I lost reading it. Donaldson is the only author I know who can keep me addicted and on the edge of my seat through five straight books.
RED MARS Kim Stanley Robinson
>The characters can get a little thin, but this is the story on terraforming another world. Extremely well-researched. Hard science fiction at its hardest.
THE YEAR’S BEST SCIENCE FICTION Ed. Gardner Dozois
>An annual collection. Extremely well-chosen and well-edited. My favorite source of science fiction short stories. I take one with me on summer vacation.