The Sword and Laser discussion

Hey, im going to be missing this months and the next pick and going to do some other reading but cant make up my mind what to read. I dont want anything that is a series im already reading the Robin Hobb series and having a break before I carry on with it (it helps me not get bored if I mingle the series with other books).

This is my list of possibilities so far.

Redshirts - or any other John Scalzi (I have never read any of his books im more fantasy but trying to read more sci fi)
Warbreaker or Legion - Brandon Sanderson (I have enjoyed the mistborn trilogy and The Way of Kings)
Snow Crash - or any other Neal Stephenson (I have never read any of his books either)
Ready Player One - Ernist Cline (I have seen a few recommendations for this)
Calibans War (I dont know why im not jumping all over this to read first seeing as I have read the first book and I thought it was ok but im just not feeling it.
Tigana - Guy Gavriel

I think that will do for now, which ones do you recommend I read, or maybe recommend a better book by the author I want to read or another author I might check out.

Thanks just feeling indecisive.

First you have to file for a deferment with the Sword and Laser Central Office, Reading Exemption Division -- but be warned, they're very finicky about letting people skip books.

Haha ok I will look into that.

make sure it's in triplicate on a stone tablet chiseled by hand and also you have to post a notice of open meeting discussion for 14 days and 2 hours to allow anyone who wanders by to comment.

seriously though I would do Snow Crash if you haven't read that yet.

Go for Caliban's War. Then you can tell me if it is any good before I buy it myself lol

Out of all those I like Tigana the best.

I loved Ready Player One. But I'm very 80s and video game nostalgic. It's fun and has great characters. The plot is engaging and a nice ride.

I think Old Man's War is a better start to John Scalzi.
Concerning Neal Stephenson, my favourite book of his is Cryptonomicon (Recommended if you are interested in the Enigma machine / Ultra and WWII.)
If you like space opera, there are always Pandora's Star and Revelation Space.

I vote for Cryptonomicon.

Mm ok alot of different suggestions its to be expected but its good, it helping me decide.
I think I might actually keep it laser for this month, if not in keeping with the pick then in keeping with the genre. Snow Crash has piqued my interest more and maybe a John Scalzi Old Mans War as suggested.
I do like Peter Hamilton Michael alot but I have to get around to reading Reality Dysfunction again, I didnt finish it the first time and havnt gotten around to it again, will have to do a reread, it been that long time and its a big book.
Thanks people.

I don't think you can go wrong with anything on your list, but Ready Player One would be my top suggestion, followed by Snow Crash.

Redshirts has the benefit of being short.

I would suggest Ready Player One followed by Redshirts (assuming you like the old TV references).

Of the titles you have listed the only ones I read are the Scalzi books. While I love Redshirts I kinda suspect your enjoyment will vary significantly on how big a Star Trek fan you are or how much you are aware of some of the TV SF conventions.

I read Foundation in July during summer break so I am looking for something else this month. I would like something along the line of a human vs alien war story, where the humans are out gunned as Earth is invaded. Something along the lines of the story of the Xcom video games. Anyone have any recommendations?

Nathan have you looked at a series by William C Dietz? It starts with Legion of the Damned it is a military SF but is all about aliens attacking earth. Fun reads

Thanks for the recommendations ill give a look!

I'll join the crowd here and chime in for Ready Player One. As a child of the 80s, this was a really enjoyable read. Jammed with 80s pop culture references, it really is a lot of fun. Pro tip: Go for the audible version. Its read by Wil Wheaton and he does a spectacular job.

Warbreaker is amazing! Highly recommended!

Oh no another I have to read now lol, I like Brandon Sanderson and havnt heard anyone talk about Warbreaker. My boyfriend is trying to persuade me to read Peter F Hamiltons Reality Dysfunction as well its a trilogy and they are massive and im not overly fast at reading or do I read for long periods of time, it would take me months, but they are great books. I thought I had decided what I wanted to read but now im confused again haha.

Lucy wrote: "Hey, im going to be missing this months and the next pick and going to do some other reading but cant make up my mind what to read. I dont want anything that is a series im already reading the Robi..."

If you're going with Redshirts or Ready Player One and you do audiobooks at all ever, these are both great listens: Wil Wheaton (once upon a time Wesley Crusher) is the perfect voice actor for these books. In RPO, he even gets to read a name-check on his old character (along with hundreds of other 80s pop references -- all crucial to the plot, as you'll see).