# Recommend a sci-fi book for a female non sci-fi fan? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 7, 2010, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688 "2010-05-07T22:40:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/101 "2010-05-12T00:22:04Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Well, actually, it’s a PARODY of SF, not “recognisably science-fiction”. To the newbie Sci-Fi reader, all science fiction is spaceships, robots, lasers, alien planets, and strange worlds. All of that is in the Hitch-Hiker’s Guide. It’s being parodied, but it’s still recognisably science fiction for the beginning reader, and it’s not some dark tale of a far off universe where everyone is miserable and the Space Theocracy suppresses all [del]heresy[/del] original thought or something. More importantly, the only knowledge of SF themes you need to read HHGTG is stuff you’ll have absorbed via pop culture osmosis anyway. It’s probably the most accessible science fiction book for a new reader and they should enjoy it immensely as they read it and laugh at the silliness. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/102 "2010-05-12T00:24:34Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > To the newbie Sci-Fi reader, all science fiction is spaceships, robots, lasers, alien planets, and strange worlds. All of that is in the Hitch-Hiker’s Guide. It’s being parodied, but it’s still recognisably science fiction for the beginning reader, and it’s not some dark tale of a far off universe where everyone is miserable and the Space Theocracy suppresses all [del]heresy[/del] original thought or something. > > More importantly, the only knowledge of SF themes you need to read HHGTG is stuff you’ll have absorbed via pop culture osmosis anyway. It’s probably the most accessible science fiction book for a new reader and they should enjoy it immensely as they read it and laugh at the silliness. And then leave it and never read other SF. It’s not a good introduction because it’s shallow and, while funny, really not much by way of a story. I’ve read it. It made me laugh. It never inspired me to do anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/103 "2010-05-12T00:32:45Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Is it just me or whenever someone tries to have a serious discussion about Dick, somebody always brings up Sheep? Funny you should mention that, Hal. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/104 "2010-05-12T00:38:23Z")
> [@](#): > > I also want to give a shout-out to Ted Chiang, and his collection “Story of your Life and Others.” Virtually every story in it has won a high honor, for good reason. Chiang’s a great writer. The problem is his work is very inaccessible - physically not metaphorically. _Stories of Your Life and Others_ is out of print and copies are very hard to come by - you’ll probably pay fifty dollars for a used copy. The good news is that a new edition is scheduled to be released in October. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/105 "2010-05-12T00:42:17Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Is it just me or whenever someone tries to have a serious discussion about Dick, somebody always brings up _Sheep_? The classic punch line about Dick and sheep (and you also need a cliff) is, “Because the sheep push back.” ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/106 "2010-05-12T00:55:20Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Chiang’s a great writer. The problem is his work is very inaccessible - physically not metaphorically. _Stories of Your Life and Others_ is out of print and copies are very hard to come by - you’ll probably pay fifty dollars for a used copy. Well shizzle, I had no idea my 1st run hardcover could be worth that! I was involved in marketing “Stories of My Life…” when it came out and I really, really tried to sell the hell out of it. I sometimes (often) wondered what the hell Tor was thinking with that heinous cover art, though. It’s like… perfectly calculated to not appeal to the sort of people that would enjoy reading the book. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/107 "2010-05-12T01:10:12Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > And then leave it and never read other SF. It’s not a good introduction because it’s shallow and, while funny, really not much by way of a story. I’ve read it. It made me laugh. It never inspired me to do anything else. The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide was one of the books that got me into Science Fiction as a young teenager. I’d always thought Sci Fi was boring stodgy stuff, but after seeing that there was a fun side to it, I developed an interest in reading more of the “proper” SF stuff- knowing full well that it wasn’t humorous, but at least being able to see that it wasn’t _all_ Serious Business. The other book I’d recommend for the OP’s friend is _Red Dwarf: Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers_. That _is_ science fiction, but also comedy (based on the TV series, but the books are still excellent) and very readable. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/108 "2010-05-12T02:26:25Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Is it just me or whenever someone tries to have a serious discussion about Dick, somebody always brings up _Sheep_? Only in New Zealand. ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/109 "2010-05-12T04:07:46Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide was one of the books that got me into Science Fiction as a young teenager. I’d always thought Sci Fi was boring stodgy stuff, but after seeing that there was a fun side to it, I developed an interest in reading more of the “proper” SF stuff- knowing full well that it wasn’t humorous, but at least being able to see that it wasn’t _all_ Serious Business. > > The other book I’d recommend for the OP’s friend is _Red Dwarf: Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers_. That _is_ science fiction, but also comedy (based on the TV series, but the books are still excellent) and very readable. Yep, gotta agree 100% with **Martini Enfield** here, on both counts. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/110 "2010-05-12T06:01:07Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > And then leave it and never read other SF. It’s not a good introduction because it’s shallow and, while funny, really not much by way of a story. I’ve read it. It made me laugh. It never inspired me to do anything else. If my first introduction to SF had been HHGG, I’d have read about half of it, and then found something else to read. Something that engaged me. Now this is probably just a case of different personality types, but I’m generally not looking for a book that’s a laugh a minute, but something that makes me think as well. _Good Omens_ is a hilarious book, and it’s a great introduction to fantasy, because the authors took the time to actually think the book through. I enjoy humorous books, but they have to work well as stories as well as being funny. Adams just threw together a bunch of funny situations and tried to bridge them into stories, his books really don’t work well as stories, but only as funny anecdotes. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/111 "2010-05-12T10:40:41Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Dick novels can be disconcerting; while petite they can deliver a mental pounding. My friend, who happens to be gay, also enjoys a little sci-fi from time to time, and she originally recommended his books to me. The experience taught me a valuable life lesson: If a lesbian enjoys some Dick from time to time, it’s got to be something special. ---
**Author:** ![Tanaqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Tanaqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanaqui)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/112 "2010-05-12T13:36:38Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Chiang’s a great writer. The problem is his work is very inaccessible - physically not metaphorically. _Stories of Your Life and Others_ is out of print and copies are very hard to come by - you’ll probably pay fifty dollars for a used copy. > > The good news is that a new edition is scheduled to be released in October. Sadly true, so it may not be the best for the OP’s friend, but if anyone else is interested, a lot of his stories are available online–some of them in podcast form (all strictly legal, as far as I know.) Of course, support him when the book comes out, etc. but if you just want to check him out, you can find a lot of links [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Chiang). I thought the EscapePod reading of “Exhalation” was particularly impressive. The PodCastle version of “Hell is the Absence of God” is also great. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/113 "2010-05-12T14:08:17Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide was one of the books that got me into Science Fiction as a young teenager. It was a book that utterly failed to get me into science fiction, as a young teenager or as an adult. It seems a lot of people are answering this question coming from the perspective of sci-fi fans. I’m coming from the perspective of a female non sci-fi fan who can still point out books that I’ve found worth reading. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/114 "2010-05-12T20:34:58Z")
If I’m going to recommend “a good sci-fi book”, I recommend a book because it’s good sci-fi. Likewise, if I recommend a funny book, I recommend a book because it’s funny. I’d recommend Hitchhiker’s Guide because it’s funny. Not because it’s good sci-fi. Even though it _is_ sci-fi, if you squint at it sideways. But mostly, it’s funny. You don’t put it down and say “Wow, what a good sci-fi book that was”. You say “Heh, that was funny.” Anyway, the _better_ recommendation for funny book with familiar subject matter that’s sci-fi if you squint at it sideways is _How Much For Just The Planet?_, by John M Ford. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/115 "2010-05-13T03:15:22Z")
Wow, I didn’t know Phillip K. Dick’s short story, _Second Variety_, was also made into a feature film. But I should have guessed Dick would be the one responsible for _[Screamers.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screamers_%281995_film%29)_ ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/116 "2010-05-13T03:35:09Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > It seems a lot of people are answering this question coming from the perspective of sci-fi fans. Even sci-fi fans were non-sci-fi fans once. We all had to start somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/117 "2010-05-13T03:55:31Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Is it just me or whenever someone tries to have a serious discussion about Dick, somebody always brings up _Sheep_? What is wrong with Sheep? For PKD it is pretty accessible. The movie was only loosely based upon the book so even if they have seen the movie they are in for a different experience. UBIK would be a good choice if only there weren’t so many other entertainments with the guy being dead all along. Or as I suggested some short story collections. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/118 "2010-05-13T06:28:25Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Even sci-fi fans were non-sci-fi fans once. We all had to start somewhere. As soon as I was able to read more than “See Spot run”, my maternal grandfather started handing me science fiction magazines and books. Not fantasy, and DEFINITELY not sci-fi, but science fiction. I have to say, I found the Foundation Trilogy hard to grasp when I was eight, so he had to give me something a bit simpler at first. Grandpa loved me best of all his grandkids, but he wasn’t really a person who was good with kids. Or a person who was good with adults. And he had problems with teens, too. But he did try his best to instill a love of SF in me, and he mostly succeeded. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/119 "2010-05-13T09:07:08Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Even sci-fi fans were non-sci-fi fans once. We all had to start somewhere. When I was a baby, Mom held me in her lap, & watched _Star Trek:TOS_ as a first-run, broadcast show. I was a Trekkie before I was weaned. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688/120 "2010-05-13T09:49:00Z")
[The Light of Other Days](http://www.amazon.com/Light-Other-Days-Arthur-Clarke/dp/0765322870/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273743417&sr=1-1). It involves a future invention that alters every aspect of life as we know it today. Imagine the internet in the 4th dimension. My sister enjoyed it and she is not a sci-fi buff. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-sci-fi-book-for-a-female-non-sci-fi-fan/538688.md?page=7)