Recommend a Sci-Fi Book

[Actual]

The Gap Series - Stephen Donaldson, it's a five book series so should keep him going for awhile.

A science fiction epic set in a future where humans have pushed far out into space in the attempt to replace depleted resources, The Gap Cycle follows two concurrent story arcs. The first concerns an ensign in the United Mining Companies Police (UMCP), Morn Hyland, who is attempting simply to stay alive after being captured by a marauder named Angus Thermopyle. The second follows the Byzantine political maneuvering of the head of the UMCP, Warden Dios, as he attempts to thwart the machinations of his boss, Holt Fasner, who is the CEO of United Mining Companies (UMC) and the most powerful man in human space.

Each of the epics takes place against the backdrop of a threat to human survival itself from an alien species called the Amnion who use genetic mutation as a way to assimilate and overcome. Trade in raw materials (mostly ores) is carried out with the Amnion in exchange for technology, by both the UMC and illegals. Some illegals trade in Amnion territorial space, referred to as "forbidden space", out of bounds to the UMCP by treaty.

The Star of the Guardians Trilogy - Margaret Weis, a deposed king uses his slightly Jedi-ish powers/lightsaber to fight back against the Warlord who killed his family.

 

[WolfThomas]

Forever War by Joe Haldeman, incredibly intelligent human conscripts fighting aliens in power. Also a metaphor for the Vietnam war at times. One the few Science Fiction novels (aside for Ender's series) that deal with relatively and space travel. Because the soldiers travel near to the speed of light, less time passes for them. Each time they come back to earth its more and more different socially, politically and even genetically.

 

[Alex_P]

Forever War by Joe Haldeman, incredibly intelligent human conscripts fighting aliens in power. Also a metaphor for the Vietnam war at times. One the few Science Fiction novels (aside for Ender's series) that deal with relatively and space travel. Because the soldiers travel near to the speed of light, less time passes for them. Each time they come back to earth its more and more different socially, politically and even genetically.

Being made into a movie soon, too, by Ridley Scott.

There's a companion piece, the novel Forever Peace, which isn't set in the same universe but deals with similar themes. It's written by a far older Haldeman, somewhat more world-weary but also more thoughtful. Overall I'd call it more positive because its vision for breaking out of the cycle of violence is deeper and more concrete. In my opinion, the best thing about the novel is the nuanced relationship between Julian and Amelia. Like its predecessor, Forever Peace won both a Hugo and a Nebula.

...

Joe Haldeman is a good choice for a gift because his work has points of deep commonality with writers like Heinlein, but it's likely that readers who mostly read the big names like Asimov and Herbert haven't run into him before. He's basically a guy who's been writing solid science fiction for years, shaped by his personal experience in Vietnam and the years of soul-searching about war, violence, and empathy that it inspired.

-- Alex

 

[WolfThomas]

Being made into a movie soon, too, by Ridley Scott.

There's a companion piece, the novel Forever Peace, which isn't set in the same universe but deals with similar themes. It's written by a far older Haldeman, somewhat more world-weary but also more thoughtful. Overall I'd call it more positive because its vision for breaking out of the cycle of violence is deeper and more concrete. In my opinion, the best thing about the novel is the nuanced relationship between Julian and Amelia. Like its predecessor, Forever Peace won both a Hugo and a Nebula.

Yeah I heard about the movie, apparently it something Ridley Scot was wanted to do for years, now is as good a time as any as we've got the technology to do it justice. I've read both Forever Free and Forever Peace, there's a good omnibus floating around with all three. I didn't enjoy those two as much as Forever War, but they were still quite good. Forever War was one of those books you "Just another chapter" into the wee hours of the morning.

That said Forever Peace did have the putty knife, which is freakin' badass.

 

[Mechalemmiwinks]

Read "The Chronicles of the Lensmen" by E.E. "Doc" Smith. It's the core of all epic sci-fi.

 

[Alex_P]

My favorite writer ever is James Tiptree Jr. (real name Alice Sheldon -- she had a remarkable and complicated life).

Tiptree is a name that has sort of fallen through the cracks these days, but she was very important in her time, and most of her work is still insightful and inspiring today. One of the remarkable things about Tiptree is her ability to write in a variety of subgenres effectively: she had "hard" stories and "soft" stories, she wrote space opera and New Wave, she wrote cyberpunk before cyberpunk even really existed. Tiptree's writing is both thoughtful and loving. She embraces the vibrant idealism of old-school science fiction but tempers it with deep existential ambiguity; she wields the conventions of the genre skillfully but isn't afraid to repudiate its cliches.

Thematically, Tiptree is pretty heavy -- I'd say she's all about death: the death of a species, the death of a culture, the death of hope and desire, the death of personality, death as something to be feared and death as something to be embraced.

The short story anthology Her Smoke Rose Up Forever is a great read. I'd recommend it for readers who like Dick, LeGuinn, or Harlan Ellison even a little bit. It's also a good fit for folks interested in stories that deal with psychology, culture, and gender.

-- Alex

 

[Lyri]

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

by Philip K. Dick.

It's the book that became Blade Runner.

 

[Acaroid]

With Christmas coming up, I am looking in to getting my dear father a neat gift. He happens to be a big fan of sci-fi, so I thought I'd get him a sci-fi book. As far as I know, he likes the "old-school" kind of Sci-fi, Asmiov, Clarke, Herbert etc, I know he's read the Foundation series, the Chanur saga and the Dune series (currently reading Dune, very good book). So something in that vein, not Doom as my classmate said.

Just to add to the discussion, feel free to talk about everything concerning science fiction literature as well.

You should get some Harry Turtledove, his worldwar tetralogy is a really good read. He does alternate history writing and is easily one of the best at it. Worldwar in the Balance is the first in the series.

here is a bit from wiki about the series

The premise of the series is an alien invasion of Earth in the middle of World War II. The military invasion begins on or around May 30, 1942, but the aliens, who call themselves the Race, reached Earth orbit in December 1941. Presumably, six months were spent making preparations for the attack.

Although the Race, a reptilian species, has the advantage of superior technology, their last information on humans was collected by a robotic probe during the 12th century. Their technology is only marginally ahead of 21st century Earth technology, and much of their equipment relies on basic principles still in use. The "Lizards," as their human antagonists quickly dub them, are extremely surprised that humankind has progressed so far since their probe visited Earth. No species they have ever encountered has advanced so rapidly: they thought the toughest military force on the planet would still be Crusader knights on horses.

On finding the real situation, the commander of the alien fleet considers turning back and asking for fresh instructions but feels that he would lose face if he does.

The narrative follows the intersecting fortunes of a large number of human and alien characters. Most notably the series depicts how the Axis and Allied powers must cooperate to fight the alien menace. A follow-up trilogy, Colonization, carries the story forward into a very different 1960s. The timeline ends with Homeward Bound.

 

[Alex_P]

Dear Lord, Ender's Game. Even if you despise the genre, you'll love this book.

Some people who love the genre despise the book, though. John Kessel in partciular [http://www4.ncsu.edu/~tenshi/Killer_000.htm].

-- Alex

 

[darkless]

The ender saga by orson scott card

Divergence by Tony Ballanyne that was a fantastic book ("Just seeing what happens")

 

[Kuchinawa212]

Ooooh SO Many
Eisenhorn, Gaunts Ghosts, First men in the moon, Have Space Suit, Will Travel, I, Robot, The moon is a harsh mistress, Ender's game, The Ghost Brigades (meh, I don't like it so far), and if you really are pressed for something, Area 51 or patron Saint of plagues

I take a Sci-fi English course at my school

EDIT and I almost forgot, Anything in "The Brick" http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IT5OQG/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0312336608&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1N0FSR34KV31B14X44P4
They are pretty good short Sci-fi stories

 

[War Penguin]

Farhenheit 451. Great book, one of Ray Bradbury's greatest works. You know, actually I recommend anything by him. Anything at all.

I agree. Bradbury is a great writer.

Also, if he likes short stories, get Martian Chronicles and Illustrated Man. Both are by Bradbury and both are some of his best.

 

[Toaster Hunter]

"Starship Troopers" by Robert A. Heinlein.

Strongly seconded. If he is interested in the military or politics at all, this is the perfect novel. Its much different (better) than the movie.

 

[RUINER ACTUAL]

reading the Halo books was much more satisfying than the storylines in the games. they really arent too bad.

 

[ShotgunShaman]

Buy Neal Stephenson greatest cyberpunk work, "Snow Crash." (others would contest that Cryptonomicon was the best. I say, close second. )

Damn you, I thought I was going to be original by saying this. But yes, it's an awesome book.

"Starship Troopers" by Robert A. Heinlein.

Haha, I can't believe someone actually recommended that book. I suppose it's fun reading though.

If I could suggest a sci-fi novel the first book I think of is Ender's game by Orson Scott Card.
Brilliant book.

Also, Left hand of darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin (or anything else by her, for that matter).

The book is actually a fairly high-quality book as I remember it, nothing like the camp and silliness of the movie. And Ender's Game was fantastic.

 

[Pegghead]

YES! It's set in a post-apocalyptic, steampunk inspired world where a system dubbed "Municipal darwinism" is in effect. This basically involves cities being built on traction wheels, roaming around the destroyed earth and eating each other. You HAVE to read this book. Trust me.

 

[Vek]

The Forever War by Joe Haldeman, The Sands of Mars by Arthur C. Clarke, Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton (it's sci-fi, shut up...), and Red Dwarf by Grant Naylor (if you've seen the TV show, this is the book it's based on).