We’ve had a ton of threads here soliciting science fiction book recommendations, which are always full of great suggestions. But here’s the problem: Of the books that are generally recommended, I’ve either already read them or they’re on the to-read-when-I-find-a-cheap-copy-or-want-to-bother-filling-out-an-inter-library-loan-request list. Or I’ve specifically decided not to read them. (Dhalgren, I’m looking at you.) There’s a ton of newer stuff out there, but I don’t know what’s any good.
So let’s talk about newer science fiction books. Say, books published in the last 10 years or so. What do you think is worth a read? It doesn’t have to be a future classic or anything–just something that you think other people would enjoy.
Please include a brief description of what the book is about and why you are recommending it.
(Also, recently published books that are part of an established series don’t count. For example, Ender’s Game is already mentioned over and over in the other threads, and I’m sure the Orson Scott Card fans already know that Ender’s Colonoscopy came out earlier this year. )
I’ll start:
Spin. Robert Charles Wilson. 2005.
This is the book that inspired this thread, and I’m still in the middle of reading it. The present-day earth becomes shrouded in some sort of weird membrane that blocks out the stars and the moon. And it is soon discovered that time outside the membrane is moving millions of times faster than it’s moving on earth. Ooo!
Note: If you don’t like spoilers, don’t read the blurb on the back of the book. It gives away the whole darn story.
Futureland. Walter Mosley. 2001
This is a set of 9 related short stories. It’s very disturbing, but fascinating. From wikipedia: “The novel is set in a postcyberpunk dystopian universe populated by humans living in a shellshocked, unfairly stratified society overseen by super-rich technocrats.” Walter Mosley is best known for his detective stories, most notably Devil in a Blue Dress. All of the stories in Futureland have black protagonists and most deal with issues of race and class.
The Visitor. Sheri S. Tepper. 2002.
Well, a big asteroid hit the earth and the fundies took over. Fast forward nearly a thousand years. Things are even weirder than you might expect. I absolutely love this book and have read it many times, even though it has fantasy elements in it. If you liked Gate to Womens’ Country, read this. (also check out Tepper’s The Family Tree from 1997.)
The Yiddish Policemen’s Union. Michael Chabon. 2007.
This is a murder mystery set in an alternative history, based on the idea that during World War II, a settlement was created in Alaska for Jewish refugees. I didn’t love this one, as I find Michael Chabon’s work kind of tedious in general, but I think it’s worth a read. Some say that it’s not really science fiction, but it won the Hugo and the Nebula, so that’s good enough for me.