Been out of work for a while so buying books is out the question (yeah, I get there’s always the library, but I don’t like it for a lot of reasons).

I like how PG has free books. I realize I’m not going to find top-tier modern writers on PG, but I’m open to suggestions of good reads.

What I look for in sci fi:

  • An idea to chew on; something that stays with me even after I turn the last page.
  • Some emotional intrigue; I want to feel what the characters feel.

What I like to avoid:

  • Technobabble. I like a good story; I don’t want to spend half the book understanding how the ship works. (I found Frank Herbet was good with avoiding technobabble…he often obeyed the rule of “show don’t tell”)

  • Stock characters. Gimme some depth.

A few I’ve read so far that I’d consider “passable” are Off on a Comet by Jules Vern (I only listen to about 2/3 of this on librivox) and Space Prison by Tom Godwin (although the plot is pretty simplistic).

I just finished Frankenstein. A lot of people think its The Greatest Novel. It was kinda meh. I see why people would get excited about it, but it didn’t grab me like it does other people.

Any suggestions?

  • Guzzi
    2•2 years ago

    A book I really enjoyed was Space Prison

    Looks like it was published in 1958. The title sounds pulpy but it is more then that.

    • @PlanetOfOrdOP
      1•2 years ago

      Yes, thank you. I mentioned it above as one that I read. Technically, it was on audio book. Wasn’t that in-depth but I was entertained. I was actually working a full-time job at the time. I listened to the entire book during my shift. After walking out for the day I had to remember, “oh yeah, a millennium didn’t pass, only 8 hours. 😆”