Until a couple years ago, I'd barely read any sci-fi or fantasy. Off the top of my head, all that comes to mind is "Ender's Game" and Deborah Harkness's All Souls trilogy. So it's mostly thanks to blogging -- and working at a library -- that I'm now a budding SFF nerd; the two are rapidly becoming tops on my list of favorite genres.
Sci-fi and fantasy can be a little intimidating to get into, so for today's Top Ten Tuesday post I've made a list of 10 entry-level SFF books -- ones that should appeal to readers who don't typically choose books from those genres. And they're all ones I'd recommend -- many have been on my best books of the year lists!
1. Red Rising by Pierce Brown (Red Rising #1): This is one of my all-time favorite books and I recommend it constantly! It's always going up as my staff pick at work, and everyone I've convinced to read it has loved it! It's kind of like "Ender's Game" + "Hunger Games" + Mars but sooooo much better! (my review)
2. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch: This book blew me away -- I just could not put it down. It involves the idea of parallel universes and is a compulsively readable sci-fi thriller. It's another book I've recommended a lot (one of the perks of working at a library) with positive results! (my review)
3. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: "RPO" is set in a pretty crummy near-future where everyone escapes their terrible lives with virtual reality. Enter a contest in the VR world to win a life-changing amount of money, a great protagonist and tons of '80s pop culture references and you have a damn fun read! (Plus the movie version comes out next year!) (my review)
4. The Martian by Andy Weir: This book is different from the rest in that there's nothing speculative about it -- the story is entirely plausible. It's about an astronaut (the brilliant, eminently likable and hilarious botanist Mark Watney) who accidentally gets left behind on Mars, his will to survive, and the efforts of NASA to save him. The book was phenomenal and so was the movie! (my review)
5. Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel (Themis Files #1): "Sleeping Giants" is the first in a trilogy about the discovery of ancient alien artifacts on Earth. It's an epistolary novel told in journal entries, interviews and the like, and the format makes the book absolutely fly by. (my review)
Sci-fi and fantasy can be a little intimidating to get into, so for today's Top Ten Tuesday post I've made a list of 10 entry-level SFF books -- ones that should appeal to readers who don't typically choose books from those genres. And they're all ones I'd recommend -- many have been on my best books of the year lists!
1. Red Rising by Pierce Brown (Red Rising #1): This is one of my all-time favorite books and I recommend it constantly! It's always going up as my staff pick at work, and everyone I've convinced to read it has loved it! It's kind of like "Ender's Game" + "Hunger Games" + Mars but sooooo much better! (my review)
2. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch: This book blew me away -- I just could not put it down. It involves the idea of parallel universes and is a compulsively readable sci-fi thriller. It's another book I've recommended a lot (one of the perks of working at a library) with positive results! (my review)
3. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: "RPO" is set in a pretty crummy near-future where everyone escapes their terrible lives with virtual reality. Enter a contest in the VR world to win a life-changing amount of money, a great protagonist and tons of '80s pop culture references and you have a damn fun read! (Plus the movie version comes out next year!) (my review)
4. The Martian by Andy Weir: This book is different from the rest in that there's nothing speculative about it -- the story is entirely plausible. It's about an astronaut (the brilliant, eminently likable and hilarious botanist Mark Watney) who accidentally gets left behind on Mars, his will to survive, and the efforts of NASA to save him. The book was phenomenal and so was the movie! (my review)
5. Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel (Themis Files #1): "Sleeping Giants" is the first in a trilogy about the discovery of ancient alien artifacts on Earth. It's an epistolary novel told in journal entries, interviews and the like, and the format makes the book absolutely fly by. (my review)
1. Uprooted by Naomi Novik: "Uprooted" is a rare fantasy standalone novel! It involves a teenage girl taking on some malevolent forces of the natural world, and I was completely and utterly enthralled from page 1! (If you like this book, check out the author's Temeraire series, which is an alternate history of the Napoleonic Wars with dragons added to the mix!)
2. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab (Shades of Magic #1): The Shades of Magic series features four parallel-universe Londons -- three of which have magic and one of which, Grey London, is the world we knew a couple centuries ago. You'll quickly fall in love with the two protagonists -- Kell (one of the few people who can move between the Londons) and Lila Bard, pirate extraordinaire. Bonus: all the books in the trilogy are out, so you can see this fun adventure all the way through! (my review)
3. The Bear and the Nightingale (The Bear and the Nightingale #1): "The Bear and the Nightingale" is a lovely tale drawn from Russian folklore. The story -- about a young girl who can see creatures others can't, like the little man who lives in the fireplace -- is beautifully written and richly atmospheric. And the next book comes out in January, so you won't have to wait a whole year to find out what happens next! (my review)
4. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (Broken Earth #1): This is the most hardcore of the fantasy books I've listed, and it also incorporates a bit of science fiction -- but once you get into the story, you won't be able to put it down! It's about people with the ability to manipulate the earth's power -- orogenes -- and though they literally hold the power to destroy the planet at their fingertips, they're kept oppressed and enslaved. (my review)
5. Written in Red by Anne Bishop (The Others #1): I don't pick up a ton of urban fantasy, but this book was just such a treat -- I'm glad I took other bloggers' recommendations to read it! It's got vampires, shapeshifters, prophecies and more -- and the whole thing is imbued with this wonderful cozy atmosphere. (my review)
2. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab (Shades of Magic #1): The Shades of Magic series features four parallel-universe Londons -- three of which have magic and one of which, Grey London, is the world we knew a couple centuries ago. You'll quickly fall in love with the two protagonists -- Kell (one of the few people who can move between the Londons) and Lila Bard, pirate extraordinaire. Bonus: all the books in the trilogy are out, so you can see this fun adventure all the way through! (my review)
3. The Bear and the Nightingale (The Bear and the Nightingale #1): "The Bear and the Nightingale" is a lovely tale drawn from Russian folklore. The story -- about a young girl who can see creatures others can't, like the little man who lives in the fireplace -- is beautifully written and richly atmospheric. And the next book comes out in January, so you won't have to wait a whole year to find out what happens next! (my review)
4. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (Broken Earth #1): This is the most hardcore of the fantasy books I've listed, and it also incorporates a bit of science fiction -- but once you get into the story, you won't be able to put it down! It's about people with the ability to manipulate the earth's power -- orogenes -- and though they literally hold the power to destroy the planet at their fingertips, they're kept oppressed and enslaved. (my review)
5. Written in Red by Anne Bishop (The Others #1): I don't pick up a ton of urban fantasy, but this book was just such a treat -- I'm glad I took other bloggers' recommendations to read it! It's got vampires, shapeshifters, prophecies and more -- and the whole thing is imbued with this wonderful cozy atmosphere. (my review)
I am not a huge sci fi person but I loved the middle three you listed. I am the same way with fantasy but really want to A Darker Shade of Magic. Great lists!
ReplyDeleteI think you'll really enjoy the Shades of Magic series, Grace! You would probably like "Uprooted" too.
DeleteVersion Control would also be a great pick for the person who isn't sure they like sci-fi yet.
ReplyDeleteI loved Uprooted. I will have to read Novik's series soon!
I haven't read "Version Control" yet but it IS on my to-read list! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Delete'A Darker Shade Of Magic' and 'The Bear & The Nightingale' are gorgeous books! 'Uprooted' is also on my list to be read soon because it looks awesome! If you're a fan of fairy tales, 'Bitter Greens' by Kate Forsyth is awesome! I read 'Red Rising' too and enjoyed it a lot, looking to get into more sci-fi so will look into these picks.
ReplyDeleteNice choices, feel free to check out my Top Ten Tuesday :)
"Bitter Greens" has been on my to-read list for years! I love that cover!
DeleteOf the sci-fi picks, I think "Dark Matter" is the most likely to appeal to just about anybody, so you might want to make that your next science fiction book!
I'm really curious about the Bear and the Nightingale and yes, Red Rising, Ready Player One, The Martian and Dark Matter were all amazing! Especially Red Rising my favourite read so far this year...
ReplyDelete"Red Rising" was my favorite book the year I read it too! Definitely check out "The Bear and the Nightingale!" I really enjoyed it, especially since I've gotten more interested in books set in Russsia. I really enjoyed the elements that came from the original folktale. And book 2 in the series comes out in a few months!
DeleteThese are great selections for a starter's list, Lindsay. Or for those of us who just haven't read some of them yet. :-) I haven't read The Martian, but I might. I really liked the movie. The Bear and the Nightingale is on my TBR pile. I really enjoyed the audio of Ready Player One. I have so much love for Written in Red. And I can't wait to read Fifth Season. Uprooted is another really good one! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI actually thought the film adaptation of "The Martian" was really, really well done, but the book, of course, is a little bit better. Andy Weir's new book comes out this fall and I'm SO EXCITED!
Delete"The Bear and the Nightingale" and "The Fifth Season" were both really solid reads! Plus, the next book of The Bear and the Nightingale series comes out in a few months and the last book in the Broken Earth trilogy just came out! I've only read the first book and I hope to read at least book 2 this year.