Books Like...
'The Big Book of Science Fiction' edited by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer is a massive anthology with almost 1200 pages containing over 50 stories from authors around the world. The stories range over more than a century and cover a wide array of emotional concepts and themes that may seem alien to readers. The book showcases international authors expressing unique perspectives on popular sci-fi themes, providing a glimpse into sci-fi from different cultures and challenging readers to think in new ways.
The anthology includes stories that inspire a range of emotions, from shudders of revulsion to moments of inspiration. While some readers found the stories challenging and emotionally weird, others appreciated the breadth of conceptualization and the opportunity to explore how far the science fiction genre has evolved over the years. Despite the mixed reactions to the stories, readers praised the VanderMeers' meticulous research and insightful introductions for each author and story.
If you liked The Big Book of Science Fiction, here are the top 37 books to read next:
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Save:'The Big Book of Classic Fantasy' edited by Jeff and Ann VanderMeer is a massive anthology that covers classic fantasy stories and excerpts from longer books dating from the early 1800s to World War II. The collection includes a wide range of authors, blending classic fantasy, sci-fi, weird, and literary legends dabbling in the fantastical. The stories have a folklore, fairy tale, or tall tale feel, with elements of magic realism, surrealism, and political satire. offers a diverse selection of stories, showcasing a variety of styles and themes, from archaic to modern, from simple to complex.
Bettina von Arnim was the title of Elisabeth Katharina Ludovica Magdalena Brentano (1785–1859), a German writer, composer, and activist. She wrote in an exuberant style that matched her paradoxical pe... - #2
Save:Invisible Planets by Ken Liu is a collection of contemporary Chinese science fiction stories that offer a diverse range of narratives, from social commentary to technological fantasy. The book showcases the distinctive characteristics of Chinese science fiction, exploring themes such as political satire, technological advancements, and social issues that resonate both in China and the US. The stories cover a wide spectrum, from hope-filled sci-fi to thought-provoking dystopian futures, providing a rich and varied insight into the world of Chinese speculative fiction.
The anthology includes works by various Chinese authors, translated and edited by Ken Liu, offering readers a glimpse into the imaginative worlds created by these talented writers. With stories that range from interstellar travel to social stratification, the collection presents a blend of hard science fiction, fantasy, and poetic writing that captivates and challenges readers to explore new perspectives on the genre.
My socks feel like greasy dishrags, so irritating that I want to punch someone. My stomach is cramping up from hunger, but I force my feet to keep moving. Wet leaves slap me in the face like open hand... 'The Best of the Best: 20 Years of the Year's Best Science Fiction' by author Gardner Dozois is a comprehensive anthology that showcases a wide range of science fiction stories selected from 20 years of annual collections. The stories cover various themes such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, consciousness, space travel, and humanistic narratives. The collection includes tales that explore futuristic concepts, high-tech methods of remembering loved ones, encounters with aliens, and the complexities of human emotions in a technologically advanced world.
The writing style in 'The Best of the Best' is diverse, ranging from fast-paced narratives covering scientific themes to thought-provoking novellas that delve into psychology, linguistics, and cultural dynamics. The stories are a mix of traditional science fiction elements like aliens and artificial intelligence, as well as more human-centric narratives that focus on relationships, memories, and societal impacts of technological advancements. Readers can expect a treasure trove of short fiction that offers a glimpse into the imaginative and thought-provoking world of science fiction.
Eleanor Arnason published her first novel, The Sword Smith, in 1978, and followed it with such novels as Daughter of the Bear Kingand To the Resurrection Station. In 1991, she published her best-known...- #4
Save:'The Time Traveler's Almanac' edited by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer is a collection of 70 short stories by various sci-fi authors that revolve around the theme of time travel. The book features a mix of genres, including romance elements, non-fiction sections on concepts of time travel, and explores themes like paradoxes, mazes, traps, and messages into the past and future. The stories range from slightly scary to totally hilarious, with some offering clever twists on classic time travel questions.
The anthology presents a variety of time travel tales, from hardcore to fantastical, and includes stories by renowned authors like Douglas Adams, Isaac Asimov, Ursula LeGuin, and Gene Wolfe. The book is praised for its sheer volume of electrifying stories that captivate readers, making the imagination soar and inspiring budding writers and artists. While some readers find certain stories to be dull or lacking interest, the compilation is considered a must-have for any fan of convoluted tales about time loops and paradoxes.
Time travelers, as you will soon discover, are often too busy to attend parties – and the parties they attend are only those they know in advance are going to be good ones. Just because you travel thr... 'Bradbury Stories: 100 of His Most Celebrated Tales' is a collection of short stories spanning Ray Bradbury's writing career. The stories cover a wide range of genres, from science fiction to fantasy, with locations ranging from Mars to back gardens. Bradbury's writing style is described as lyrical, poetic, and evocative, with each story painting vivid images and leaving the reader with subtle lessons about humanity. The book is praised for its vast collection of stories that explore different aspects of the human condition, showcasing Bradbury's ability to capture both the popular and literary imagination.
Warm summer twilight here in upper Illinois country in this little town deep far away from everything, kept to itself by a river and a forest and a meadow and a lake. The sidewalks still scorched. The...- #6
Save:'Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse' is a collection of post apocalyptic short stories written by various renowned authors like Stephen King, Octavia E. Butler, and Orson Scott Card. The anthology explores different scenarios after the end of the world, ranging from terrifying to despondent to hopeful. The writing style varies, providing a mix of action-packed lone survivor stories and more contemplative pieces that examine the human condition in the face of catastrophe.
'Broken Stars: Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation' by Ken Liu is a collection of sixteen short stories from various Chinese authors, exploring themes of family, love, friendship, and science fiction. The stories range from alien encounters to time travel, with a focus on human emotions and relationships. also includes three essays delving into the origin and rise of Chinese science fiction, offering readers a diverse and intriguing glimpse into the world of Chinese speculative fiction.
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Save:The New Weird is an anthology exploring the genre movement known as the New Weird. It includes a variety of short stories from well-known authors like China Mieville, Clive Barker, and Michael Moorcock, mixed with critical essays and discussions on the definition and importance of the genre. The book delves into themes of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy, presenting a collection of stories that are dark, extreme, and often grotesque, appealing to readers interested in weird fiction.
The anthology is divided into four segments: Stimuli, Evidence, Symposium, and Laboratory, each offering a unique perspective on the New Weird genre. The stories range from impressive to hit or miss, with some readers enjoying the vivid scenes and emotional resonance created by the authors. The book also includes non-fiction essays debating the existence and significance of the New Weird movement, adding depth and context to the stories presented.
But Miéville wasn't alone. By the time Harrison posited his question "What is New Weird?" it had become clear that a number of other writers had developed at the same time as Miéville, using similar s... The definitive collection of the best in science fiction stories between 1929-1964.
This book contains twenty-six of the greatest science fiction stories ever written. They represent the considered verdict of the Science Fiction Writers of America, t
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Save:'The Birthday of the World' by Ursula K. Le Guin is a collection of short stories exploring themes of love, relationships, gender roles, and societal pressures across different worlds. The stories delve into complex sociological and anthropological concepts, challenging readers to think about topics such as gender fluidity, sexuality, religious beliefs, cultural norms, and interpersonal relationships. Le Guin's writing style weaves intricate worlds with thought-provoking narratives that range from formalized rituals of sex to the impact of generational ships on human society.
I live in the oldest city in the world. Long before there were kings in Karhide, Rer was a city, the marketplace and meeting ground for all the Northeast, the Plains, and Kerm Land. The Fastness of Re...
