Books matching: near future earth
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- #1
Save:Cosmonaut Keep by Ken MacLeod is a science fiction novel that intricately weaves together two separate timelines - one set on Earth in the mid-21st century and another on the distant planet Mingulay within a remote interstellar polity called the Second Sphere. The story follows characters involved in the human achievement of interstellar travel and their encounters with extraterrestrial intelligences. MacLeod's writing style alternates between first and third-person narratives, creating suspense and cliffhangers throughout the novel. The book explores themes of politics, religion, technology, alien cultures, and the complexities of human relationships across different timelines.
A god stood in the sky high above the sunset horizon, his long white hair streaming in the solar wind. Later, when the sky’s colour had shifted from green to black, the white glow would reach almost t... - #2
Save:"Contact" by Carl Sagan is a science fiction novel that explores humanity's first contact with an extraterrestrial civilization. The story follows astrophysicist Ellie Arroway who decodes a message from space providing instructions to build a Machine. Along with a group of scientists, she embarks on a journey into space to meet the intelligence behind the message. The book delves into how society, religion, politics, and individuals react to the possibility of contact with beings from another world. Sagan's writing style is described as detailed and in-depth, with a focus on scientific accuracy and philosophical contemplation.
The plot of "Contact" starts slowly but gradually builds up the tension as the characters navigate through the complexities of deciphering the alien message and preparing for the encounter. Sagan's unique approach to visualizing the aliens and his exploration of how the world might react to such an event make the book captivating and thought-provoking. Despite some pacing issues and a divisive ending, the novel offers a mix of hard science fiction, spiritual exploration, and social commentary, making it a compelling read for fans of the genre.
Since I first gained the use of reason my inclination toward learning has been so violent and strong that neither the scoldings of other people…nor my own reflections…have been able to stop me from fo... - #3
Save:Existence by David Brin is a dense and complex novel that explores various futuristic concepts such as ubiquitous AI, virtual reality, elevated sea levels, economic inequality, and the Fermi Paradox. The story involves multiple characters and time jumps, leading to a narrative that delves into themes of alien contact, survival beyond Earth, and the impact of technology on society. The writing style is described as intelligent, idea-packed, and lexically clever, with elements of universe-building and intricate world-building.
Like a fetus in its sac, Gerald floated in a crystal shell, perched at the end of a long boom, some distance from the space station Endurance. Buffered from its throbbing pulse, this bubble was more s... - #4
Save:'The Seep' by Chana Porter is a thought-provoking novella set in a utopian society invaded by noncorporeal aliens known as The Seep. The story follows Trina Goldberg Oneka, a woman struggling with grief and identity in a world where The Seep offers immortality, transformation, and a life free from scarcity and illness. As Trina navigates her personal journey of self-discovery, she grapples with the concept of utopia, self-identity, and the meaning of humanity, all while engaging in existential conversations with The Seep through a self-help pamphlet named Pam.
When the aliens first made contact, Trina and her not-yet-wife, Deeba, threw one of their famous dinner parties for a select group of friends. It wasn’t difficult to keep the guest list small. Everyon... - #5
Save:Starfarers by Vonda N. McIntyre follows the story of several people who have applied for passage on the Starfarer, a spaceship designed for peaceful scientific exploration and first contact with aliens. However, they soon discover that the U.S. Government intends to weaponize the ship instead. The book focuses on interpersonal relationships, political intrigue, and the characters' struggle against the government's plans, all set against the backdrop of space travel and alien encounters. The narrative is character-driven, with diverse and interesting characters such as an alien contact specialist, a genetically altered diver, and a black woman involved in a polyamorous relationship.
Starfarers is a mix between character drama and a Big Dumb Object novel, with a slow-paced plot that delves into the detailed design of the ship, the political situation, and the characters' backgrounds. The story is told from multiple viewpoints, providing a sense of scope and depth to the narrative. Despite some initial setup typical of a first book in a series, the book gains momentum towards the end as the U.S. Government's menacing intentions become clear, leading to an exciting climax and a compelling cliffhanger that leaves readers eager for the next installment.
Nervous and excited and rushed and late, J.D. Sauvage hurried down the corridor of the terminal. The satchel carrying her personal allowance thumped against her hip. The other passengers had already b... - #6
Save:'Dust' by Charles Pellegrino is a thought-provoking eco-horror story that explores the devastating ecological repercussions of the disappearance of insects. A group of scientists races against time to find a solution to global events that could lead to the extinction of the human race. The author delves into scientific explanations to back up the chilling spiral of events, leaving readers questioning the plausibility of such a catastrophic scenario.
- #7The Man Who Sold the MoonBook 2 in the series:Future History/Heinlein Timeline
Save:Containing some relatively early stories, this collection feels more dated than most Heinlein works, if only because his predictions for the future were so far off, leading to the book feeling anachronistic. Some stories are truly engaging and captivating in their own way, but more are sadly lacking. Full of the usual mild Heinlein sexism, this book will likely be truly enjoyable only to the dedicated Heinlein reader. The stories in this book are a bit dated, so while the ideas in them might have seemed far fetched back when they were written, they seem quaint and strangely described today. Heinlein was an engaging writer, and the ending to the titular story is pretty sweet. A Collection of the first of Heinlein's future history collection. Heinlein, as always, mixes amazing technological foresight and scientific knowledge with well-crafted characters and how humans deal with the trials that are thrown at them.
George Strong snorted at his partner’s declaration. “Delos, why don’t you give up? You’ve been singing this tune for years. Maybe someday men will get to the Moon, though I doubt it. In any case, you...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Future History/Heinlein Timeline ) - #8
Save:The Forge of God by Greg Bear is a science fiction novel that explores the end of the world scenario caused by an alien threat. The book follows the central questions of whether the aliens are good or bad, and if humanity can survive. The plot is described as starting with a mystery but taking a dark turn, focusing on human psychology and reactions to terrible events. The story moves at a slow pace initially but picks up midway, leading to a climactic ending that is both heart-wrenching and vividly detailed.
The book is praised for its interesting science fiction elements, especially the portrayal of alien invasion and the end of the world. It is noted for keeping readers engaged with a thrilling narrative that includes multiple perspectives on the impending destruction of Earth. Despite some criticism for certain aspects like character development, the book is recommended for its unique take on alien invasion and the thought-provoking exploration of human reactions to existential threats.
Arthur Gordon stood in the darkness by the bank of the Rogue River, having walked a dozen yards away from his house and family and guests, momentarily weary of company. He stood six feet two inches in... - #9
Save:Greg Egan's 'Quarantine' is a sci-fi detective story set in the year 2067, where the protagonist, Nick Stavrianos, investigates a kidnapping mystery in a world where Earth is quarantined by an impenetrable gray shield. The plot delves deep into quantum mechanics, eigenstates, and the implications of humans observing reality, all woven into a complex narrative that challenges the reader's understanding of physics and consciousness. Egan's writing style is described as a blend of hard science fiction and noir elements, with detailed exploration of futuristic technologies like nanobots for brain modifications and quantum computing.
Of course, nobody wants a sensitive call electronically decoded and flashed up on the screen of an ordinary videophone; even if the room isn’t bugged, radio-frequency spillage from the unscrambled sig... - #10
Save:'Live Free or Die' by John Ringo is a space opera that follows the story of Tyler Vernon, an American entrepreneur who rises to become the richest man in the world and takes on alien invaders to defend Earth. The plot involves first contact with aliens, the exploitation of resources, the development of advanced technology including a prototype Death Star, and the protagonist's efforts to save the planet. The writing style is described as a mix of hard science fiction, humor, and detailed explanations of technology and action sequences.
Chris Greenstein, in spite of his name, was a gangling, good-looking blond guy who most people mistook for a very pale surfer-dude. He'd found that he was great with the ladies right up until he opene...
