SCIENCE FICTION
Adams, Douglas. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
This book is the first of four satirical novels that comprise Douglas Adams' "trilogy" of Hitchhiker stories. Arthur Dent is the hapless rescuee of Ford Prefect who is traveling the galaxy in search of data forhis travel guide. The stories are a satirical commentary of twentieth century life on earth.
Anderson, Poul. People of the Wind.
A story of an intergalactic war raging on a distant planet, with Terrans (earthlings) fighting against the native population of bird-like creatures called Ythrians. Terrans want to annex the planet but the natives resist. A strange malady befalls the Terrans and the Ythrians show how peaceful they can be by assisting in rescuing troops from death. There is a romance going on between several of the main characters and its denouement provides a surprise twist to the interplay between the cultures.
Anthony, Piers. Ghost.
Captain Shetland is an experience leader in futuristic expeditions through space and time, yet none of his previous journeys have prepared him for the supernatural, omnipotent presence he encounters in Ghost. Piers Anthony assembles a colorful crew of time travelers who learn some unexpected lessons about both the laws of the universe and the laws of human nature during their mission to locate a new energy source for Planet Earth.
Asaro, Catherine. Primary Inversion.
This science fiction adventure novel is the first of a series set in the distant future. Sauscony Valdoria, a bioengineered fighter pilot and heir to the Skolian Empire, meets and falls in love with Jaibriol,heir to the throne of the enemy Trader Empire. The book combines cutting-edge science, adventure, and romance.
Bova, Ben. Mars.
Jamie Waterman, half Navaho Indian, is selected to be on the first manned expedition to Mars. He finds himself in the middle of one controversy after another as he and the others on his flight team attempt to discover life on Mars.
Bujold, Lois McMaster. Miles Vorkosigan series.
Bujold is the multi-award-winning author of many sub-genres of science fiction and fantasy: "hard" science, adventure, military, mystery,political intrigue, and romance. Above all she is the master of characterization,as is shown by her series hero, Miles Vorkosigan. Crippled by short stature and brittle bones on a planet obsessed with physical prowess, Miles uses his brilliance, charm, and sheer forward momentum to win himself a military career, a starfleet, and a position a heartbeat away from the Imperium.
Crichton, Michael. Sphere.
In the middle of the South Pacific, a thousand feet below the surface of the water, a huge spaceship is discovered resting on the ocean floor.A select group of academics and military personnel are chosen to investigate this sunken aircraft that's half a mile long and made of materials unknown on earth. Could it be a spaceship from a past, advanced civilization and what is the incredible silver sphere? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this quick read science fiction adventure.
Dozois, Gardner, ed. The Good Old Stuff: Adventure SF in the Grand Tradition.
Dozois has compiled an anthology of 16 classic science fiction adventure stories from the 1940s to the 70s, the time period he believes when most science fiction was just plain "fun." the stories are a who's who of the formative authors from science fiction's early period. They range from stories of human vs. alien to the grandest of space operas,but the entire volume offers an entertaining read from many of science fiction's greatest masters.
Drake, David and Janet Morris. The Fourth Rome.
ARC (Anti-Revision Command) Riders whose mission is to guard history as we know it are engaged in a time-travel adventure and combat in post-Soviet Russian and the first-century roman frontier. Fast-paced, gritty dialogue,"language" and lots of high-technology.
Foster, Alan Dean, and Eric Frank Russell. Design for Great Day.
The setting is the future. The people of Earth are the enforcers of an intergalactic code of behavior subscribed to by a commonwealth of planets. An earthling (highly evolved in the moral sphere) and his extra-terrestrial allies use pressure more subtle than war and a thousand times more effective to maintain free trade and prosperity in the universe.
Gaiman, Neil. Neverwhere.
The hero, Richard Mayhew, is drawn into an alternate reality by a chance encounter with an injured young lady. The story is well written and would appeal not only to fans of science fiction literature but also to readers unfamiliar with the genre. It could also be recommended to young adults because there is no sex or adult language and minimum violence.The author is an award winning novelist.
Harper, Tara. Wolfwalker.
Wolfwalker (a person who communicates with wolves through mental telepathy) captures your attention from the moment you begin reading. It's an exciting romp during an unknown time, when people ride dnus, battlecreatures called worlags, and fight off raiders who will sell them into slavery. There is unending suspense, tenderness, and humor throughout the book.
Harrison, Harry, and Marvin Minsky. The Turing Option.
The year is 2023 and Brian Delaney has made a significant breakthrough in the field of Artificial Intelligence. But during a demonstration of his research, Brian is shot in the head and left for dead. Using the technology that he developed, Brian's severely damaged brain is repaired. Now he must reconstruct his stolen research and memory before the competition can strike again.
Heinlein, Robert. Stranger in a Strange Land.
Heinlein is credited with shaping science fiction into a true literary genre. The 60's cult classic Stranger in a Strange Land revolves around a human child born and reared on Mars mainly by non- humans, who is brought to earth as a young man. While retaining powers of hypnotism and magic from his earlier life, he is tutored in American ways by an older mentor through whom Heinlein criticizes American sexual, political, and other cultural mores.
Niven, Larry. Ringworld series and Oath of Fealty.
Niven is the recipient of several awards including the Hugo and Nebula.His science fiction speculates on the technologies of the future and is usually optimistic. The author places heavy emphasis on science. His Ringworld series follows this pattern and has proved quite popular. Oath of Fealty,written with Jerry Pournelle, is a tale of a high-rise structured city with many problems threatening the promised utopia. A quick read with a minimum of unbelievable technology.
Scott, Melissa. Night Sky Mine.
This book was more of an enjoyable read than anticipated. Her novel about humanity's future in the virtual reality world is fascinating. Her writing is ingenious, with a plot that has many twists in it. This is the story of Ista Kelly, a foundling, the only survivor of a pirate raid onan asteroid mine. She is an apprentice hypothecary, whose job it is to tame, neuter, and put to work living computer programs known as hammals.In a world where identity is everything, Ista travels back to the mine where she was made an orphan. She is accompanied by Justin Rangsey and Sein Tarasov of the elite Police patrol, who are trying to find out why the mine was abandoned. They discover there is a demogorgon, one that is so powerful that it can destroy all of the invisible world and its' flora and fauna. Eventually it will cause a second crash in cyberspace. Piracy and conspiracy in the NMS Co Corporation is unveiled in this detailed science fiction thriller. A must read for science fiction fans.
Wood, N. Lee. Looking for the Mahdi.
A futuristic spy/thriller set in the Middle East. Kay Bee Sulaiman,a former field reporter, goes undercover disguised as a man to deliver John Halton to his new position as bodyguard to the sheikh. She gets entwined in a web of murder and intrigue, where the only one she could trust is not human.