SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I recently read The Martian and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir and I’m desperate to find more books like them - if you have any suggestions i would be very grateful! I’m also looking to get more into Sci-Fi horror too -)

Maybe you might like Elizabeth Moon's first contact classic, Remnant Population. Whilst it's not exactly *like* the Weir books, for me it had something of the same flavour. It's a terrific read, anyway.

That is a tall order!

While it doesn’t include the humor that Weir does, Dark Matter by Blake Crouch is similarly fast-paced and excitingly suspenseful. I’ve heard that all his books are, but I haven’t read any others.

I'm just getting into Christopher Ruocchio Sun Eater series. It is less Sci-Fi and more fantasy in space, but alot of fun. You have the young hero's journey, action, and political intrigue.

What The Martian excelled at was it's use of modern language rather than the plot or the way it goes about solving problems. I can think of books that do problem solving, rescue missions, and/or colonisation of a lifeless planet but I wouldn't say they're like The Martian (and I'm assuming Project Hail Mary) as they don't in any way match the tone or personality of Weirs writing.

Caitlin, what an excellent question! I will be watching for the answer. Hard Science Fiction that is well researched, clever and witty is as rare a Unicorn poop.

I would definitely recommend you Dark Matter and Recursion by Blake Crouch.

Another suggestion will be the Murderbot diaries series starting with All Systems Red, if you liked the adventurous aspects.

Also check out To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers if you like hard sci-fi/space opera

The Martian is a hard book to find comparisons with. It and the movie were both fantastic in my opinion.

You should try Station Eleven
another that might appeal to you is, The Circle
Lastly I would recommend, Wool

If you enjoyed the humor in scifi try, Old Man's War and Ready Player One

a bit more fantasy I would recommend Red Rising

for humor from the main characters point of view: Rats, Bats & Vats

Thank you so much for all the recommendations - my TBR is now a lot longer 😅

Closest books/style to PROJECT HAIL MARY or THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir I would go with Blake Crouch’s DARK MATTER and RECURSION.

Is the movie Interstellar based upon a novel?

nope.

nope

I've become hooked on The Expanse series. Given that I like The Expanse, what other books would you recommend?

I highly recommend a wonderful series by Caroline Noe: Canellian Eye: Prophecy, Canellion Eye: Rebellion and Canellian Eye: Chosen.

J.J. wrote: "I highly recommend a wonderful series by Caroline Noe: Canellian Eye: Prophecy, Canellion Eye: Rebellion and Canellian Eye: Chosen."

Thank you, J.J. I will look into that.

Ron, please start a new thread for your specific recommendation needs, as this one is for recommending books to Caitlin 🙂

the best sci fi "Three body Triology"

Iain M. Banks, Alastair Reynolds, Vernor Vinge if you want epic space opera towards the expanse end

Ender's Game Quartet by Orson Scott Card

Reed wrote: "Ender's Game Quartet by Orson Scott Card"
I’ve not played read any of these and was put off by the film, which had young teens. Feel free to enlighten me on what I’m missing?

Jeff wrote: "Reed wrote: "Ender's Game Quartet by Orson Scott Card"
I’ve not played read any of these and was put off by the film, which had young teens. Feel free to enlighten me on what I’m missing?"

I liked the book, but hated the film. IMO the book is well worth a read.

Agree. Ender's Game, the book is better than the movie.