Do the words "science fiction" conjure up thoughts of space operas, aliens, and dragons? Then you haven't tried these titles!
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger combines very traditional sci-fi themes – time travel and progressive medical technology – with the trials and foibles of life. The story follows a time traveling man and the woman who will be, has been, and is his wife. At once a beautiful love story and thought provoking science fiction novel, The Time Traveler’s Wife can appeal to many different tastes.
The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon is a novel narrated by an autistic man named Lou Arrendale in the very near future. He and his autistic coworkers provide their astonishing pattern-recognition skills to a large company. A “cure” for autism is discovered, and the group is given an ultimatum – be cured or be fired. Elizabeth Moon writes tenderly and factually from Lou’s perspective, drawing from her experiences with her son’s autism.
How Like a God by Brenda Clough weaves ancient Sumerian myth with American suburbia. Rob Lewis is an ordinary man who awakes one day with the ability to read minds. His powers steadily grow until he is forced to leave his home because he is unconsciously distorting his children’s development. He drifts alone for years, trying to save people from his power, until he meets someone that can help him control it. This novel gives an imaginatively honest look at the limits of the very powerful.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke is more in the fantasy vein, but it did win the science fiction community’s prestigious Hugo Award. It takes place in 19th century Britain in the midst of the Napoleonic Wars. The practice of magic had fallen away and been replaced by the study of magic for hundreds of years in England. Suddenly, two very different men come forward as real, practicing magicians just in time to rescue their country (and give bored society a huge boost.)
American Gods by Neil Gaiman is the story of Shadow, a man released from prison the day after his wife died. He meets a mysterious character, and in his desperation begins to travel with him. Little does he know that he has now entered a battle between all the old gods of myth and the new gods of technology. Gaiman writes with dark, quick humor, and makes his incredible story believable.
-- Jessica H, MCMLS reference assistant
Have a favorite science fiction title? Leave it in the comments!
The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon is a novel narrated by an autistic man named Lou Arrendale in the very near future. He and his autistic coworkers provide their astonishing pattern-recognition skills to a large company. A “cure” for autism is discovered, and the group is given an ultimatum – be cured or be fired. Elizabeth Moon writes tenderly and factually from Lou’s perspective, drawing from her experiences with her son’s autism.
How Like a God by Brenda Clough weaves ancient Sumerian myth with American suburbia. Rob Lewis is an ordinary man who awakes one day with the ability to read minds. His powers steadily grow until he is forced to leave his home because he is unconsciously distorting his children’s development. He drifts alone for years, trying to save people from his power, until he meets someone that can help him control it. This novel gives an imaginatively honest look at the limits of the very powerful.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke is more in the fantasy vein, but it did win the science fiction community’s prestigious Hugo Award. It takes place in 19th century Britain in the midst of the Napoleonic Wars. The practice of magic had fallen away and been replaced by the study of magic for hundreds of years in England. Suddenly, two very different men come forward as real, practicing magicians just in time to rescue their country (and give bored society a huge boost.)
American Gods by Neil Gaiman is the story of Shadow, a man released from prison the day after his wife died. He meets a mysterious character, and in his desperation begins to travel with him. Little does he know that he has now entered a battle between all the old gods of myth and the new gods of technology. Gaiman writes with dark, quick humor, and makes his incredible story believable.
-- Jessica H, MCMLS reference assistant
Have a favorite science fiction title? Leave it in the comments!
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