Science fiction is defined as “fiction based on imagined future scientific or technological advances and major social or environmental changes, frequently portraying space or time travel and life on other planets.” Essentially these portrayals exist in the realm of possibility making it more realistic than fantasy as a genre but straying off the path of contemporary into an imagined world.

Science fiction emerged over two hundred years ago resulting in a diverse range of books, however, the genre we know and love today developed mainly during the 20th century. This boom was largely due to the increase of scientific innovation and the integration of science into everyday life leading to an interest in books exploring the link between technology and society itself.

Delving into sci-fi can sometimes seem a bit intimidating, which may prevent you picking up books like Frankenstein or The War of the Worlds, so with this in mind, we have composed a list of five books you should read if you’re thinking of dipping your toes into the genre. These books are definite page turners so they should put you well on your way to finding a new genre to love!

The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal
The Calculating Stars was Kowal’s sci-fi debut and won her the Nebula, Locus and Hugo Awards for Best Novel. It is is fairly realistic in that it draws on events that actually happened, like NASA employing women as calculators, and only features humans, not any other species. This book is part of the Lady Astronaut Series, which currently consists of three books—so if you love this one, there’s two more for you!

The plot follows Elma York, a WWII pilot and mathematician, after a meteorite destroys Washington DC and triggers global warming on an alarming scale. With her husband, Elma figures out that this means the oceans will heat up to such a degree that Earth itself will be inhabitable. The result is the formation of the International Aerospace Coalition (IAC) in order to explore Space and potentially find humanity a new home on the Moon or Mars. The problem is, it’s 1952, and much like in the early days of NASA (or rather the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics as it started out as) women were not employed as astronauts and Elma can only get a position as a calculator. She is brilliant at maths but she wants to explore the stars from a rocket and not from the ground. 

The Calculating Stars explores what it’s like for Elma to fight for herself and other female pilots to have the right to become respected astronauts but it also explores how the system is rigged to discourage Black and POC women from making it too. Elma is a white woman who throughout the book has various realisations and learning experiences with the black community, opening up her eyes to systemic racism. This is definitely not the focus of the book but it is good that it was included. This book also features anxiety rep as Elma has severe anxiety (to the point of vomiting) about speaking in a public space, to the press or on TV. The root cause of this is explained and her anxiety was explored in a way that would have made sense both in the 50’s and as an astronaut in the public eye. The side characters are developed well and the plot moves at a steady pace.

Overall, if you are looking for a strong female main character against a backdrop of the early days of space exploration, this is the one to read.

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
This one is an absolute page turner and seriously underrated! It is part of a duology but this first book is the better read.

April May is leaving work in NYC at 3am when she stumbles across what looks at first glance, to be a ten foot tall statue in samurai gear. Instead of walking past it as she, and probably most of the city, would usually do, she stops and calls her best friend Andy. Together, they film a video and post it online. When April wakes up, she finds out that the video they had filmed has gone viral—the statue they called Carl, isn’t the only one.

These ‘Carls’ have appeared overnight all over the world and April and Andy were the first to document it, thus establishing themselves as somewhat unconventional experts. Thrust into the spotlight, April has to deal with the instant pressure that comes with fame whilst trying to find out everything she can on the sudden emergence of the Carls. 

This book is better the less you know. It is a compulsive and hugely relevant novel about the demands of fame and the influence it can have on an individual, about what happens when a group of people learn to work together and about vilification and mob mentality. 

The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
This book is easily a popular one and for good reason. If you like your books on the heartwarming side with a big dollop of found family, then add this to your TBR. It was shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the Bailey’s Women’s Prize for Fiction 2016 and is part of a series that are set in the same world but can be read as standalone novels.

““Ninety percent of all problems are caused by people being assholes.”
“What causes the other ten percent?” asked Kizzy.
“Natural disasters,” said Nib.”

This book follows the crew of the Wayfarer and their newest recruit, Rosemary Harper as they travel through space punching holes and building tunnels. The Wayfarer crew are a mix of species, each with their own distinct personalities that really shine through. They are given the opportunity of a lifetime—their chance to build a tunnel to a distant planet the galaxy has just formed an alliance with, thus earning them a large payout. But as everyone knows, the jobs that pay the most are never the easy ones.

A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet tackles so many issues that are relevant today including gun control, colonialism, xenophobia, and racism. It serves as a stark reminder that whether we stay on Earth or manage to expand to other planets in the Universe, these things will still be something we need to address, we can’t just leave them behind. The characters don’t conform to the gender binary (one character is Non-Binary and another starts life as female, then changes to male and end their life as Non-Binary) and there is LGBTQ+ rep. Not only that but the characters are loveable and perfectly flawed. This book is a warm comforting hug and the epitome of found family. Perfect for cuddling up to on a rainy day with your favourite hot drink.

The Starlight Watchmaker by Lauren James
This is a novella so it comes in at a little over a hundred pages. It is a YA aimed at struggling or dyslexic readers so the writing is easy to follow and possible to read through in one sitting. This novella is the perfect thing to read if you aren’t sure if you prefer your sci-fi more on the realistic, mostly human side or are happy with the addition of other species.

Hugo is a watchmaker at a prestigious academy. He is one of the lucky ones—many androids like him are jobless and homeless as their owners get newer and better models, abandoning the old ones without a moment’s notice. But when Dorian nearly breaks down Hugo door demanding his time-travel watch be fixed before his exam, Hugo is thrust into an adventure where he and Dorian have to reconcile their differences and get to the bottom of a mysterious scheme within the academy.

Hugo is a loveable character to follow as a narrator. He knows how androids are viewed so he stays tucked away in his attic, fixing watches and convinces himself he prefers to be by himself, that is until Dorian crashes into his life and pulls him out of his attic to help him find the part to fix his watch.

He slowly realises he actually enjoys being around people and making conversation and it turns into one of the best days he has ever had. The mystery running throughout is just enough to grip you too. It is also great to see interaction between an android, a human and well, a planet who is currently a wall. They are all curious about each other but not to the point of rudeness and it is a great lesson on appreciating everyone’s differences. This is another relevant book, specifically whilst we are still living in COVID times. It is a reminder that no matter who you are or how introverted you are, everyone needs that connection with other people to enrich their lives.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

You can’t really have a sci-fi list without adding The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It’s a pop-culture classic and has been a radio show, TV series, novel, stage play, comic book and a film. 

The original novel came out in 1979 and it’s part of a series so if you love it, there are more books set in this world. It is full of British satire, irony and biting wit so if that’s not your thing, feel free to skip this one.

This book follows Arthur Dent, who after getting his house bulldozed then finds the Earth getting demolished to make way for a new hyperspace bypass. Mere seconds before this obliteration, Arthur is saved and taken off planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor. Thus follows one crazy, strange road trip in space.

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Five Books For Readers Who Are New To Sci-Fi appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Faithless Hawk by Margaret Owen
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Kings become outcasts and lovers become foes in the thrilling sequel to Margaret Owen’s The Merciful Crow.

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson
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A young woman living in a rigid, puritanical society discovers dark powers within herself in this stunning, feminist fantasy debut.

Shielded by KayLynn Flanders
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For fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Furyborn comes a thrilling new fantasy about a kingdom ravaged by war, and the princess who might be the key to saving not only those closest to her, but the kingdom itself, if she reveals the very secret that could destroy her.

Axiom’s End by Lindsay Ellis
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The alternate history first contact adventure Axiom’s End is an extraordinary debut from Hugo finalist and video essayist Lindsay Ellis.

Trouble the Saints by Alaya Dawn Johnson
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The dangerous magic of The Night Circus meets the powerful historical exploration of The Underground Railroad in this timely and unsettling novel, set against the darkly glamorous backdrop of New York City at the dawn of WWII.

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor (An Absolutely Remarkable Thing #2) by Hank Green
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A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor is the bold and brilliant follow-up to An Absolutely Remarkable Thing. It’s a fast-paced adventure that is also a biting social commentary, asking hard, urgent questions. How will we live online? What powers over our lives are we giving away for free? Who has the right to change the world forever? And how do we find comfort in an increasingly isolated world?

A Peculiar Peril (Misadventures of Jonathan Lambshead #1) by Jeff VanderMeer
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An epic about three friends on a quest to protect the world from a threat as unknowable as it is terrifying.

Quantum Shadows by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
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Bestselling author of The Mongrel Mage, L. E. Modesitt, Jr’s Quantum Shadows blends science fiction, myth, and legend in an adventure that pits old gods and new against one another in a far future world.

Scarlet Odyssey (Scarlet Odyssey #1) by C.T. Rwizi
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Magic is women’s work; war is men’s. But in the coming battle, none of that will matter.

Peace Talks (The Dresden Files, #16) by Jim Butcher
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When the Supernatural nations of the world meet up to negotiate an end to ongoing hostilities, Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, joins the White Council’s security team to make sure the talks stay civil. But can he succeed, when dark political manipulations threaten the very existence of Chicago—and all he holds dear?

Ghost Wood Song by Erica Waters
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Sawkill Girls meets Beautiful Creatures in this lush and eerie debut, where the boundary between reality and nightmares is as thin as the veil between the living and the dead. 

Ashes of the Sun (Burningblade & Silvereye #1) by Django Wexler
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Long ago, a magical war destroyed an empire, and a new one was built in its ashes. But still the old grudges simmer, and two siblings will fight on opposite sides to save their world, in the start of Django Wexler’s new epic fantasy trilogy.

Will you be picking up any of these books? Tell us in the comments below!

The post July 2020 Book Releases: Fantasy & Sci-Fi appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

So, yes, we know. This kind of article has been written time and time again. But please, bear with us. We can assure you that this one will be different. No, we will not recommend you your typical classic books—don’t expect to read about Charles Dickens, Charlotte Brönte, Jane Austen, or William Shakespeare. Even if we do enjoy these beloved authors, it is time we broaden our horizons. Without further ado, here are five classic not-so-common recommendations based on some of your contemporary favourites!

The Silent Companions (2017) by Laura Purcell > The Turn of The Screw (1898) by Henry James

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell proved to be one of the spookiest releases of the last few years. Driving both the main character and the readers themselves through the most paranoid parts of the mind, the book plays numerous mind games that do not give you (or the poor protagonist) a single second to rest. Similarly, The Turn of the Screw by Henry James relies heavily on its “unreliable narrator”, keeping you at the edge of your seat and not allowing you to put the book down until you uncover what is real and what is not. Dive head first on the gothic atmosphere of Henry James’ masterpiece and unravel the mystery of this delightful piece of gothic fiction.

Scythe (2016) by Neal Shusterman > Brave New World (1932) by Aldous Huxley

Have you ever wondered about the future? Do you think it is possible for humanity to reach a perfect society? And what if that idyllic society is not as perfect as it appears to be at first glance? If you enjoyed the paradoxical dystopian utopia of Neal Shusterman’s Scythe, get ready for Aldous Huxley’s masterpiece. Polarising to George Orwell’s 1984, where humankind deeply resents their futuristic situation, Huxley offers the reader a future where people are happy with their situation, or so it seems. Dealing with similar topics, both Shusterman’s and Huxley’s works offers a glimpse of the possible outcome of our world, where humanity has surrendered to abusing our power as a species for the sake of greater good. Deliciously dark food for thought.

Tess of the Road (2018) by Rachel Hartman > Don Quixote (1615) by Miguel de Cervantes

This one may seem like a bit of a stretch, but hear us out. The hero’s quest trope is not uncommon in epic novels of self-discovery, and it is the main link between these two books. Even if Tess lacks Don Quixote’s madness, and the latter is missing a dragon companion, both characters share that certain feeling of adventurous picaresque. Furthermore, Rachel Hartman wrote her undergraduate thesis about Cervantes’ masterpiece, so it is not that crazy to find some reminiscence of it on her novel. If you enjoyed the lazy, episodic rhythm of Tess’ journey, don’t hesitate to immerse yourself in the world of Don Quixote —one of the central pieces of Spanish literature.

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (2018) by Hank Green > Slaughterhouse V (1969) by Kurt Vonnegut

Surrealism at its finest. For fans of Hank Green’s imaginatively weird debut novel, Slaughterhouse V by Kurt Vonnegut should definitely be your next read. If you enjoy the literary production of Hank’s brother, John, you will have definitely heard about Slaughterhouse V, as it is quoted several times throughout The Fault in Our Stars, which is written by his brother, John Green. Painstakingly odd yet utterly gripping, Vonnegut’s novel will give you that same sense of uneasiness characteristic of what almost appears to be an alternative reality, where everything is not quite right. In both cases, you will not be able to stop yourself from quoting that meme with the crazy-haired guy saying aliens.

All The Crooked Saints (2017) by Maggie Stiefvater > Love Medicine (1984) by Louise Erdrich

Were the miracles that happened in Bicho Raro not enough for you? Then, you have a few more waiting for you thanks to Louise Erdrich collection of short stories. Even if this book is the closest to our days, it is widely considered a classic now, even if it is not as popular as it should. For lovers of Stiefvater’s masterful use of magic realism and folklore, Love Medicine will hook you in with the mysterious and enchanting stories of three Native American families whose lives are irrevocably intertwined. Like All the Crooked Saints, the collection also explores the depths of family bonds, love in all of its forms, and self-discovery.

Have you ever heard about any of these classics? Do you have any other recommendations? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Classic Recommendations Based On Contemporary Books appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below which ones you are most excited for!

The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton
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Told by multiple voices across time, The Clockmaker’s Daughter is a story of murder, mystery and thievery, of art, love and loss. And flowing through its pages like a river, is the voice of a woman who stands outside time, whose name has been forgotten by history, but who has watched it all unfold: Birdie Bell, the clockmaker’s daughter.

Black Swan Rising by Lisa Brackmann
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Sarah Price wants a career in politics. But she has a secret past that won’t stay past, threatening her job on a San Diego congressman’s reelection campaign. Casey Cheng wants a story. An ambitious local television reporter, Casey needs to get her career back on track after being seriously injured in a mass shooting. When she investigates the man who nearly killed her, she finds a connection to a group of online harassers called #TrueMen–and realises her shooter may not be the only killer they have inspired.

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
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The Carls just appeared. Coming home from work at three a.m., twenty-three-year-old April May stumbles across a giant sculpture. Delighted by its appearance and craftsmanship–like a ten-foot-tall Transformer wearing a suit of samurai armor–April and her friend Andy make a video with it, which goes viral. News quickly spreads that there are Carls in dozens of cities around the world and April, as their first documentarian, finds herself at the center of an intense international media spotlight.

Leave No Trace by Mindy Mejia
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Ten years ago a man and his son trekked into the wilderness and never returned. Search teams found their campsite ravaged by what looked like a bear. They were presumed dead until a decade later…the son appeared. Discovered while ransacking an outfitter store, he was violent and uncommunicative and sent to a psychiatric facility. Maya Stark, the assistant language therapist, is charged with making a connection with their high-profile patient. No matter how she tries, however, he refuses to answer questions about his father or the last ten years of his life.

When The Lights Go Out by Mary Kubica
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Jessie Sloane is on the path to rebuilding her life after years of caring for her ailing mother. But when her college informs her that her social security number has raised a red flag, Jessie discovers a shocking detail that causes her to doubt everything she’s ever known. As days pass and the insomnia worsens, it plays with Jessie’s mind. Her judgement is blurred, her thoughts are hampered by fatigue. Jessie begins to see things until she can no longer tell the difference between what’s real and what she’s only imagined. Meanwhile, twenty years earlier and two hundred and fifty miles away, another woman’s split-second decision may hold the key to Jessie’s secret past. Has Jessie’s whole life been a lie or have her delusions gotten the best of her?

I Know You Know by Gilly Macmillan
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Twenty years ago, eleven-year-olds Charlie Paige and Scott Ashby were murdered in the city of Bristol. A man was convicted of the brutal crime, but decades later, questions still linger. For his whole life, filmmaker Cody Swift has been haunted by the deaths of his childhood best friends. The loose ends of the police investigation consume him so much that he decides to return to Bristol in search of answers. Hoping to uncover new evidence, and to encourage those who may be keeping long-buried secrets to speak up, Cody starts a podcast to record his findings. But there are many people who don’t want the case—along with old wounds—reopened so many years after the tragedy, especially Charlie’s mother, Jess, who decides to take matters into her own hands.

The Winter Soldier by Daniel Mason
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From the gilded ballrooms of Imperial Vienna to the frozen forests of the Eastern Front; from hardscrabble operating rooms to battlefields thundering with Cossack cavalry, The Winter Soldier is a story of war and medicine, of family, of finding love in the sweeping tides of history, and finally, of the mistakes we make and the precious opportunities to atone.

Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart
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When his dream of the perfect marriage, the perfect son, and the perfect life implodes, a Wall Street millionaire takes a cross-country bus trip in search of his college sweetheart and ideals of youth in the long-awaited novel, his first in seven years, from the acclaimed, bestselling author of Super Sad True Love Story.

Foe by Iain Reid
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Told in Reid’s sharp and evocative style, Foe examines the nature of domestic relationships, self-determination, and what it means to be (or not to be) a person. An eerily entrancing page-turner, it churns with unease and suspense from the first words to its shocking finale.

She Would Be King by Wayetu Moore
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A novel of exhilarating range, magical realism, and history—a dazzling retelling of Liberia’s formation
Wayétu Moore’s powerful debut novel, She Would Be King, reimagines the dramatic story of Liberia’s early years through three unforgettable characters who share an uncommon bond.

I Will Never Leave You by S.M Thayer
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Banking heiress Trish and her husband, James, seem to have it all, from a lavish lifestyle to a historic mansion in the nation’s capital. The only thing that’s missing to make their family complete is a baby, until Trish holds Anne Elise in her arms. There’s just one problem: Trish isn’t the mother. The baby belongs to Laurel, James’s young mistress. And more than that, James and Laurel want to start a new life together—despite an ironclad prenup standing in their way. When Trish becomes dangerously obsessed with making Laurel’s baby her own, the lovers’ plan to break James’s marriage quickly goes awry. How far is each of them willing to go for happiness?

The Storyteller’s Secret by Sejal Badani
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Nothing prepares Jaya, a New York journalist, for the heartbreak of her third miscarriage and the slow unravelling of her marriage in its wake. Desperate to assuage her deep anguish, she decides to go to India to uncover answers to her family’s past. Intoxicated by the sights, smells, and sounds she experiences, Jaya becomes an eager student of the culture. But it is Ravi—her grandmother’s former servant and trusted confidant—who reveals the resilience, struggles, secret love, and tragic fall of Jaya’s pioneering grandmother during the British occupation.

Check out our other September book picks on our Goodreads list!

Any other releases you’re excited to read this month? Tell us in the comments below!

The post September Book Releases: Fiction appeared first on The Nerd Daily.