Imagine I could only choose 5 sci fi books for a brand new sci fi reader – what would they be?
Dune by Frank Herbert
The Martian by Andy Weir
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
That should be a nice cross section, though I completely ignored cyberpunk, near future apocalyptic (unless you include Hitchhiker’s Guide!), alternate history, and a few others!
Oooh, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is a good choice, even though the tech now feels anachronistic (except Mike). I used to put it in my starter pack too.
The Martian is an excellent starter kit choice – extremely approachable while still being largely representative of what sci fi can be! Nice!
Tangent: I originally read The Martian while weathering a summer windstorm in the high arctic. My tent was threatening to blow away, bouncing down the tundra with me and all our supplies. It really added to the experience :)
That should be a nice cross section, though I completely ignored cyberpunk, near future apocalyptic (unless you include Hitchhiker’s Guide!), alternate history, and a few others!
Oooh, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is a good choice, even though the tech now feels anachronistic (except Mike). I used to put it in my starter pack too.
The Martian is an excellent starter kit choice – extremely approachable while still being largely representative of what sci fi can be! Nice!
Tangent: I originally read The Martian while weathering a summer windstorm in the high arctic. My tent was threatening to blow away, bouncing down the tundra with me and all our supplies. It really added to the experience :)
Haven’t read Doomsday Book but did read To Say Nothing About the Dog. Interesting and well writ.
Fully support these choices! This is a good cross section of classics and contemporary works.