HARD SCI FI for Beginners & Advanced Readers | Sci Fi Book Recommendations  

I'm wondering now if he doesn't quite count as hard science... because I do like this work

@@TheShadesofOrange I definitely think it’s hard sci-fi. People don’t consider him a sci-fi writer , I think, because he has very broad appeal, wrote things other than sci-fi, and his sci-fi is heavily based in real scientific theory/speculation and comes across as possible and not fantastical.

He was also a medical doctor (I think he went to Harvard Medical school) and wrote Andromeda Strain while in medical school, which I would count as hard sci fi

Yeah 'thrillers' sometimes get left out of the sci-fi talk. Like Blake Crouch.

My favorite Michael Crichton sci-fi work is Sphere.

I felt the same way! It was one of the first heavy science fiction books I read and it wasn't that bad!

That book sounds great!

Laura, You've motivated me to read both Saturn and Inherit the Stars. I bought the KIndle trilogy, but something else keeps jumping the que. 😎

Awesome. I know some people had a different definition so I'm glad it's similar to yours

Glad you also enjoy it

I imagine you are probably bothered by bad science because of your background

Oo yes Hidden Figures and Calculating Stars have a lot in common

Woo hoo!

Loge hearing your picks! I'll look up the ones I haven't read yet

I completely agree about Seveneves. I just reread and part 3 holds me back from giving it 5 stars

Oh yes that's a good one!

I thought The Martian was great and I may have loved Project Hail Mary even more!

Glad it wasn't just me!

I still need to read some of the classics you mentioned

@@TheShadesofOrange These novels and others of a similar vein shaped the genre ... Red Mars ‘A staggering book. The best novel on the colonization of Mars that has ever been written’ Arthur C. Clarke

@@TheShadesofOrange "Dragon's egg" is an excellent SF novel and is probably the "hardest" SF I have ever read. Highly recommended!

So cool to know that!

Yay

No I haven't read The Water Knife but I'll change that

Oh yes I loved the inverted world! It was one of my favourite backlist science fiction books last year

Thanks! And yeah thankfully I skipped the Ruins movie adaptation

Same!

I definitely need to read some of thriller novels

Yeah I can see bad science in books rough if that's your area

YES!

I've heard a fee definition so it's possible mine isn't quite right but I go with this

Oh yes that's a fun one

Glad you also love Neal Stephenson

That sounds cool

Appreciate the rec

Yes Egan could definitely be included in this list

I Need to finish that trilogy

Zodiac is SO good! I'll have to check out your picks

Michael (Fit2BRead) highlighted these in his video. He also had interviews with Rachel Aukes

Hopefully you get it back

I'll see if I can find the book

Love hearing your thoughts on this. I would love to see a full video if you ever feel inspired

Love your inclusions!

Awesome that our picks aligned on this topic. And now I want to know which Astrophysicist you're referring to

@@TheShadesofOrange I’m sure you know which character in the book I’m referring to …. Stephenson uses him as sort of the explainer for what is going on from an earthbound science explainer POV and he ultimately ends up on the station. It has been awhile since I read it, but I recall thinking that it had to be a thinly veiled version of Neil DeGrasse Tyson. I have hoped S would put out a sequel … several of the concepts introduced in the final section of the book (trying not to let slip too many spoilers) could be launch points for a continued story. Thank you again for your videos. While an avid reader, I can’t begin to approach you for sheer quantity, so I rely on you for offering your viewers menus (and by genre yet) that we can take suggestions from. I also agree with another commenter that Weir’s “Hail Mary Project” would have been ideal for this particular video.

@@TheShadesofOrange Rereading my first post to you, I think maybe I seemed a bit harsh when I wrote “I don’t always agree with your picks.” I’m very grateful that you put out your videos, and I have acquired and read many books as the result of your recommendations. While not as voracious a reader as you are, I do read 4-7 books a week and I am always on the lookout for new authors and new material. What I actually meant is that some of the categories you review have little interest for me (particularly fantasy) although I have sampled a few on your recommendation. Obviously you review a wide range of genres and you can’t please everyone all of the time. Individual tastes vary and sometimes you will give a book high marks that I and other readers don’t find appealing (you like Crichton; I think he was a mediocre writer whose character development and plotting was always given short shrift in favor of his science gimmick-du-jour (his earlier work was better). Perhaps my bias against him partly stems from his right-wing politics and climate-change denial. Anyway, different strokes and all of that. Thank you again for the videos and for your reviews; books play a significant role in enriching my life and I certainly appreciate being exposed to new (or never read older) ones through your videos.

@cedarwaxwing3509 I was wondering if it was DeGrasse... he's the only Astrophysicist I know 😅

@cedarwaxwing3509 first I didn't think you came across as harsh at all. And quite frankly I think it would be boring if everyone had identifical book tastes & opinions. I liked perspectives that challenge my preconceived ideas. And I also like watching my own tastes evolve. I do love Jurassic Park, so I won't pretend otherwise but I've only read a few of his books at this point so I'm not a diehard fan. That's disappointing to learn that the author has some very divisive views. I may now have to warily go a look up more about this....

I definitely need to read more Reynolds

Why thanks!

Happy I was happy to add some new titles to your potential tbr

Ooo they are ... not good

☺️

It definitely leans into as much realism as possible

Definitely not an exhaustive list. So many notable authors I didn't mention

Such a good novella!

You can always use her goodreads account… its what i do 😅

I wish too! RU-vid does me no favours. The Goodreads link is probably the best suggestion

@@TheShadesofOrange You don't say what books you're reviewing in the description. Listing the books would probably increase the views.

Haha love that

I appreciate your rec

@@TheShadesofOrange The trouble is that it is kind of far into the series and just jumping into the middle might not best present the story. But it is something that bugged me about all of the reviews I have watched. Have you read any of the Vorkosigan series?

I thought I was being sassy because I didn't realize it was controversial to believe protecting the environment is actually that controversial anymore

@@TheShadesofOrange My aplologies I was having a bad day yesterday. Yes, it is very important to keep our enviroment. It bothers me when people say "this and that is wrong you are bad". Basicly it's a matter of opinion just becuase I think this and that doesn't make it wrong. Different arguement different situation. MY BAD

@MoonLightAmethyst_ my sassy not funny hit a few people wrong so I don't think it was you. I recorded this a few months ago re-watching the clip didn't think it came across very cute

Yeah... I recorded this video a while ago and I'm questioning my past decision as I posted this ....

His books are still enjoyable though. Jurassic park is well worth the read!