Please Recommend some modern Science Fiction

[marksman]

My wife's book club is interested in trying some science fiction. They generally only read standard fiction, but are willing to gove sci fi a go. Most of the sci fi I know is the classics from the 1960's, Zelazny, Bradbury, Asimov, Clarke, etc. I think that might feel dated, so I'm looking for recommendation for good, serious sci fi from the last ten years or so. Something that is good for people not well-versed in sci fi, which is not part of an ongoing series of books, and which raises interesting subjects for a book club to discuss.

Thanks in advance!!

[Professor Yaffle]

Is it specifically sci-fi, or would they go for something more fantasy oriented? If so, I would recommend American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gods

[marksman]

No fantasy. My wife is still shocked they suggested sci fi. This is not their normal miieu. They asked for sci fi -- let's give them sci fi. If they like that, my wife will suggest some modern fantasy, and Gaiman would definitely be near the top of that list.

[gtc]

The Handmaiden's Tale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Handmaid's_Tale) is from 1985 so might be too old but that seems to have appeal to people who don't necessarily follow Sci Fi.

Zoe's Tale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoe's_Tale) is the fourth novel in a series by John Scalzi but I think it stands alone as it is written from the perspective of a 17 year old girl.

A Million Open Doors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Million_Open_Doors) is from 1992 but its sequels are more recent. The set up is that, after yet another world war, cultural diversity on Earth was strongly discouraged but strongly encouraged for colonies on other planets. On Earth cultural diversity could lead to another war but, safely seperated by the speed of light and vast expense of travelling from one planet to another, could provide a safety valve for cultures not wanting to assimilate and provide a store of diversity in case it was ever needed again.

Some colonies were existing cultures from Earth, others were recreated cultures that no longer existed on Earth and others were various people's idea about what a Utopian culture should look like. This works well until instantaneous travel between planets is discovered and humanity has to learn to deal with cultural differences once again.

The protaganist of the story is young man from a recreated Occitan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occitan_language) that values art and swashbuckling derring do. He is sent to a planet with a culture that values puritanism and economic rationalism to help it adjust to faster than light travel.

Like most of the Science Fiction I value, the science is a way to create a premise for an interesting story.

ETA. I didn't see the requirement about not part of an ongoing series. A million open doors stands alone but the sequels are really good.

[quadraginta]

My wife's book club is interested in trying some science fiction. They generally only read standard fiction, but are willing to gove sci fi a go. Most of the sci fi I know is the classics from the 1960's, Zelazny, Bradbury, Asimov, Clarke, etc. I think that might feel dated, so I'm looking for recommendation for good, serious sci fi from the last ten years or so. Something that is good for people not well-versed in sci fi, which is not part of an ongoing series of books, and which raises interesting subjects for a book club to discuss.

Thanks in advance!!

Bummer.

I would have suggested Eric Flint's "1632" as good book club discussion material (lots of different ideas to talk about, and the social philosophy essence of much SF is well showcased.), but the "not part of an ongoing series" thing shoots that down.

Double bummer.

I would have suggested nearly anything by Heinlein, but the "last ten years" thing shoots that down.

I urge you to reconsider that last. Both my sons grew up Fantasy/SF addicts, but I was only recently able to convince my 28 yr. old to dip into Heinlein. He hasn't forgiven me yet for not browbeating him into doing it many years earlier.

[Jeff Corey]

"Sci Fi"? What is this atrocity? I understand "scientifiction" or SF. But "sci fi".
The Good Doctor would invoke a golden shower on youse all.

[D'rok]

How about Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oryx_and_Crake

[marksman]

Oryx and Crake is a great choice! Thanks! Keep 'em coming!

[Dunstan]

The Handmaiden's Tale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Handmaid's_Tale) is from 1985 so might be too old but that seems to have appeal to people who don't necessarily follow Sci Fi.

A good suggestion, although I'd note that if there are any Christian fundamentalists in the book club, they won't appreciate Atwood's take on what Christian theocracy in the U.S. would look like.

Zoe's Tale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoe's_Tale) is the fourth novel in a series by John Scalzi but I think it stands alone as it is written from the perspective of a 17 year old girl.

Funny, I was going to suggest the beginning of that series, Old Man's War. I've only read the first three so far.

[MetalSeagull]

What about The Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_Book_%28novel%29

The premise is historians of the near future have the ability to time travel into the past for their research. It also involves a future flu epidemic as well as the black plague, so there might be some connection with H1N1 and the fear of a superbug.

[rhtufts]

I highly recommend the Posleen war series (Legacy of the Aldenata) by John Ringo or the Honor Harrington series by David Weber.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legacy_of_the_Aldenata

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honor_Harrington

.02
Russell

[MetalSeagull]

I just remembered one that I read a few years ago and that remains very memorable.

As She Climbed Across the Table, by Jonathan Lethem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_She_Climbed_Across_the_Table

[TShaitanaku]

Is it specifically sci-fi, or would they go for something more fantasy oriented? If so, I would recommend American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gods

I heard that this is reminiscent of Zelazny, who I rather liked, and put it on my read list, but haven't picked it up yet. How would you compare it with say the "Lord of Light"?

[gtc]

A good suggestion, although I'd note that if there are any Christian fundamentalists in the book club, they won't appreciate Atwood's take on what Christian theocracy in the U.S. would look like.

Good point.

Funny, I was going to suggest the beginning of that series, Old Man's War. I've only read the first three so far.

I think you will enjoy it.

What about The Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_Book_%28novel%29

The premise is historians of the near future have the ability to time travel into the past for their research. It also involves a future flu epidemic as well as the black plague, so there might be some connection with H1N1 and the fear of a superbug.

That is a very good book. My grandma, who is definitely not into Science Fiction, really enjoyed it when we leant it to her.

[Spacetime Inhabitant]

I would recommend Alastair Reynolds' House of Suns (however it is rather scientifically sophisticated so probably not suitable for tyros; but it has a lot of characterisation).
Anther possibility is Adam Roberts' Stone.
I will have to come back later to add more suggestions, as most I can think of are either older than 10 years or part of a series.
Although I am a David Weber fan and also have read a number of John Ringo, I wouldn't advise them as suitable for a book club (& anyway almost all their books are part of series) as an earlier poster did.

[Bikewer]

I just read Greg Bear's new one, The City at The End Of Time. Bear is consistently good; a "big idea" man. This one is wound up with the ultimate fate of the universe and all..
Very good. Lots of interesting bits for a discussion group.

[Marduk]

Julian May
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_May
your wife would approve because
1. Julian is a woman
2. shes american
3. her saga of the exiles blends sci fi with equal parts fantasy
;)

[Doctor Evil]

Spin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spin_%28novel%29) by Robert Charles Wilson
Pushing Ice (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pushing_Ice) by Alastair Reynolds

[Audible Click]

Old Mans War by John Scalzi.

[StuBob]

I seem to be able to find decent fantasy fiction easier than good sci fi. I do agree with the Scalzi recommendations, though.

I've also recently read the Lost Fleet series (incomplete atm) by Jack Campbell. It starts with "Dauntless: The Lost Fleet, Book 1". There are 5 books so far, and they all reside happily on my Kindle. The series is fairly entertaining, with lots of good geeky combat and battle tactics taking place at fractions of light speed (.1c etc). I give the series 4 tentacles out of 5.

[JohnG]

If you like "hard" Science Fiction I'd recommend Stephen Baxter. He is a British Science Fiction author in the grand tradition of Arthur C. Clarke (in fact the two collaborated on a few novels). I haven't kept up with his most recent novels but I really enjoyed The Time Ships (1995) and the first couple of novels in his "Manifold" series.

The Time Ships is a sequel to H.G. Wells' The Time Machine, but goes off on some wild, brain bending tangents. He writes about technology thousands of years in advance of our own and somehow convinces the reader that the technology is not only plausible, it is almost inevitable.

[Skeptic]

Not a specific suggestion, but...

The guide for science fiction is Clute's and Nicholls' The New Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Science-Fiction-Peter-Nicholls/dp/1857238974/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254692168&sr=8-1).

Look it up in the local library and just start playing "encyclopedia tag" (start at some entry that gets your fancy, then start following the "see also" at the end.) You will soon find a lot information about lots of excellent books on just about any type of science fiction story imaginable.

[Tebtenri]

The modern mythology SF, yes perhaps Neal Stephenson the 1st 3 were good Diamond Age being one them, some of the old lads still good, try J Wyndham H Harrison Blish or PJ Farmer J Brunner, and A Bester each has a classic or two, Lord of Light was one of Zelazny's classics. supposed to be a movie they say that every 5 years

[Ambrosia]

Would definitely suggest "Snow Crash" or "Diamond Age: A Young Ladys Illustrated Primer" by Neal Stephenson

If you'd prefer more "Space Opera" then have a look at Iain M Banks "Consider Phlebas" (or any of his culture novels, "The Player Of Games" is one of my favourites.)

Or anything by Alistair Reynolds, "Pushing Ice" is one of his better titles.

[Dr. Tobias Fünke]

I recommend the trilogy of "Takeshi Kovacs" - novels by Richard Morgan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeshi_Kovacs

I don't recommend his last book ("Black Man"): rampant Bush Derangement Syndrome.

[Terry]

How about "The Player of Games" or "Look to Windward" or "The Agebraist" by Iain M Banks?

[Ambrosia]

Iain M Banks work is mostly the 'Culture Novels' they are not a series as such, they are all standalone books that are written in the same universe. "Feersum Endjinn" is older but not a culture novel and is very good. "The Algebraist" is a newer work that is also set apart from the Culture universe.

For added bonus he also writes 'normal fiction' under the name Iain Banks and the book club could possibly review one of his non sci-fi books after that.

[paiute]

My wife's book club is interested in trying some science fiction. They generally only read standard fiction, but are willing to gove sci fi a go. Most of the sci fi I know is the classics from the 1960's, Zelazny, Bradbury, Asimov, Clarke, etc. I think that might feel dated, so I'm looking for recommendation for good, serious sci fi from the last ten years or so. Something that is good for people not well-versed in sci fi, which is not part of an ongoing series of books, and which raises interesting subjects for a book club to discuss.

Thanks in advance!!

Isn't there an inherent irony in reading wild futuristic spectulative fiction in a mass of pressed cellulose? That's so 1500s.

Try some online science fiction:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/13604389/Weaseljumper-Part-I

[horza66]

I was going to repeat a number of recommendations here (Banks, Stephenson) only to realise that they weren't really "modern" any more. For instance Snow Crash is 17 years old now, and has dated simply because its massive influence has already been felt in the interfaces of the net.

I'd recommend the Hugo Awards for finding really "modern" SF. Charlie Stross gets a runner up prize every year. Ian Macdonald, John Scalzi, Ken Macleod all get regular nods. Alasdair Reylonds and Vernor Vinge are still doing a fair bit of Space Opera. Robert Sawyer I haven't read, but is geting a lot of notice lately since the big budget TV adaption of his Flash Forward, and is also a regular Hugo runner-up. Richard Morgan is decent, but I can't recommend whole heartedly due to his (so far) exclusively alpha male characters.

Only trouble is that the Hugo's are fairly "establishment" - it can take a while for new writers to get recognised, especially if they're regarded as experimental. Anyone have recommendations for modern SF that is pushing the envelope?

[Horatius]

I'd suggest some of John Varley's books. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Varley_(author)#Novels) Steel Beach (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_Beach) and The Golden Globe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Globe) are interesting takes on interplanetary colonization, with lots of transhumanist ideas mixed in.

His series that started with Red Thunder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Thunder_(novel)) in is 2003 is reminiscent of some of Heinlein's juveniles, but with a more modern feel. Great adventure stories. It's a series, but each is pretty good as a stand-alone.

[Morrigan]

Hyperion (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553283685?ie=UTF8&tag=encymetatheme-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0553283685) and Fall of Hyperion (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553288202?ie=UTF8&tag=encymetatheme-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0553288202), by Dan Simmons. Only two books, but very deep and epic and fairly recent (late 80's, early 90's). Highly recommended.

[Pugilist]

"The Electric Church" - Jeff Somers.
"Red Mars" "Green Mars" "Blue Mars" Kim Stanley Robinson.

[quadraginta]

"The Electric Church" - Jeff Somers.
"Red Mars" "Green Mars" "Blue Mars" Kim Stanley Robinson.

That's a good one. One of my sons turned my on to that, and the sequel, "The Digital Plague". I second the recommendation.

The "Mars" books are good reads, too, but as someone pointed out already they are modern day juveniles reminiscent of Heinlein. Maybe not the best for book club discussion.

[Mark6]

I highly recommend the Posleen war series (Legacy of the Aldenata) by John Ringo or the Honor Harrington series by David Weber.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legacy_of_the_Aldenata

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honor_Harrington

Posleen war series? For people who do not normally read science fiction?

No. Freaking. Way.

Posleen War is not science fiction, it is carnography. It is a good way to turn a novice off SF permanently, if they get into their head that's what SF is about.

[Mark6]

I would recommend Alastair Reynolds' House of Suns (however it is rather scientifically sophisticated so probably not suitable for tyros; but it has a lot of characterisation).

Alastair Reynolds is my absolute favorite SF writer, but I agree about "House of Suns" being a bit dense. I would recommend "Pushing Ice" as a good introduction to Reynolds.

[quadraginta]

Posleen war series? For people who do not normally read science fiction?

No. Freaking. Way.

Posleen War is not science fiction, it is carnography. It is a good way to turn a novice off SF permanently, if they get into their head that's what SF is about.


"Carnography"!!! Never heard that one before. I love it. Neologisms so appropriate are rare.

You're absolutely right, of course. (I'm reading "Watch On The Rhine" right now.)

[Skeptical Greg]

Isn't there an inherent irony in reading wild futuristic spectulative fiction in a mass of pressed cellulose? That's so 1500s.

Try some online science fiction:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/13604389/Weaseljumper-Part-I


Couldn't get past the first paragraph ..

The flashing neon click-ads did me in ..

[Pure_Argent]

Would the last 20 years be acceptable, rather than the last 10? Neil Stephenson's Snow Crash is one of my all-time favorite books, and was a very enjoyable technopunk novel. The opening stands as one of the greatest ever.

And if you don't agree, I'll fight you. :p

[Professor Yaffle]

Would the last 20 years be acceptable, rather than the last 10? Neil Gaiman's Snow Crash is one of my all-time favorite books, and was a very enjoyable technopunk novel. The opening stands as one of the greatest ever.

And if you don't agree, I'll fight you. :p

You scared me there, I thought there was a Neil Gaiman book I hadn't read! I think you meant to type Neal Stephenson.

[Pure_Argent]

You scared me there, I thought there was a Neil Gaiman book I hadn't read! I think you meant to type Neal Stephenson.

:mgduh

My bad. Fixed.

ETA: I was reading a review of Good Omens at the time. ('s by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett)

[Garrette]

Thirded: Snow Crash (Stephenson).
Seconded: The Doomsday Book (Connie Wills).
Firsted: Neuromance (Gibson).

Beyond that, the best suggestons are horza66's and Skeptics':

Browse the Hugo and Nebula Award winners, and jump into The New Encyclopedia of Science Fiction.

[Pure_Argent]

Thirded: Snow Crash (Stephenson).
Seconded: The Doomsday Book (Connie Wills).
Firsted: Neuromancer (Gibson).

Fixed.

[GreyICE]

Truly modern (as in recent) Science Fiction is introverting and changing, because to paraphrase William Gibson, 'we are living in science fiction.'

[lionking]

Iain M Banks work is mostly the 'Culture Novels' they are not a series as such, they are all standalone books that are written in the same universe. "Feersum Endjinn" is older but not a culture novel and is very good. "The Algebraist" is a newer work that is also set apart from the Culture universe.

For added bonus he also writes 'normal fiction' under the name Iain Banks and the book club could possibly review one of his non sci-fi books after that.

I used to think all the best sci-fi had been written (and I read all the classics) until I discovered Iain Banks. I'm reading his latest, "Transition" which may or may not be sci-fi, but is a great read.

[Mojo]

I just remembered one that I read a few years ago and that remains very memorable.

As She Climbed Across the Table, by Jonathan Lethem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_She_Climbed_Across_the_Table


I preferred Gun, With Occasional Music (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun,_with_Occasional_Music).

I would also vote for Neal Stevenson's The Diamond Age, or Iain M Banks's Against a Dark Background (one of his non-Culture novels).

[GreyICE]

Oh, and since I should toss something in:

Stations of the Tide - Michael Swanwick

[roger]

Would the last 20 years be acceptable, rather than the last 10? Neil Stephenson's Snow Crash is one of my all-time favorite books, and was a very enjoyable technopunk novel. The opening stands as one of the greatest ever.

And if you don't agree, I'll fight you. :p
You are a villain; I jest not:
I will make it good how you dare, with what you
dare, and when you dare. Do me right, or I will
protest your cowardice.

*slap's face with glove*

Come on. A 'race' in virtual vehicles??? Walking through virtual 'woods' as a cryptographic device? etc. Languages as code???? I was rolling my eyes through the whole thing.

[Garrette]

You are a villain; I jest not:
I will make it good how you dare, with what you
dare, and when you dare. Do me right, or I will
protest your cowardice.

*slap's face with glove*

Come on. A 'race' in virtual vehicles??? Walking through virtual 'woods' as a cryptographic device? etc. Languages as code???? I was rolling my eyes through the whole thing.I shall be his second and see you cast down for your bilious libel.

[Ysidro]

I shall be his second and see you cast down for your bilious libel.

Cast him down and run him through with a glass spear?

[Wudang]

Come on. A 'race' in virtual vehicles??? Walking through virtual 'woods' as a cryptographic device? etc. Languages as code???? I was rolling my eyes through the whole thing.

Normally I hate the VR SF genre but Snow Crash was a bit of a giggle. The language as code was at least better handled than say Peter Hamilton's "downloading personalities via a second's flash of laser in someone's eye" in the otherwise enjoyable Greg Mandel books. Not literature but fun.

[Pure_Argent]

You are a villain; I jest not:
I will make it good how you dare, with what you
dare, and when you dare. Do me right, or I will
protest your cowardice.

*slap's face with glove*

Come on. A 'race' in virtual vehicles??? Walking through virtual 'woods' as a cryptographic device? etc. Languages as code???? I was rolling my eyes through the whole thing.

Hey, I never said that it was anywhere near realistic, just that it was a hell of a fun read.

[Arkyrion]

May I recommend John Steakly's Armor, as well as Terry Pratchett's Johnny Maxwell trilogy?

The Ender series is also quite good, though I'm unsure of the author.

[Pure_Argent]

May I recommend John Steakly's Armor,

Seconded, even though it's not really on the same level as the rest.

as well as Terry Pratchett's Johnny Maxwell trilogy?

Meh. For his science fiction work, I much preferred Strata, simply for "the lights in the sky are scenery".

The Ender series is also quite good, though I'm unsure of the author.

Seconded, but perhaps you should start with Speaker For the Dead rather than Ender's Game. All that's really necessary to do before reading SFtD is to know the basic plot of EG, and Speaker is just flat-out a better book.

[Jeff Corey]

The Sheriff of Yrnameer by Michael Rubens is medium to mildly amusing. It starts with a Prologue - The Bad Men set off at dawn...
And then to the semihero, Cole, being threatened with an ovipositor to his eye.
Not as funny as Pratchett, but worth a shot. Think Support Your Local Sheriff on some other planet,

[Policenaut]

Already said but highly suggest Somers books: The Electric Church, The Digital Plague, and The Eternal Prison.

I like Stephenson and Snow Crash is probably the most accessible of his books. I really like Cryptonomicon but they may hate you for suggesting a 900 page book. Also you can't go wrong with any Philip K Dick.

[Scootch]

Dan Simmons' Hyperion series was great and should be at the top of the list.

[Pure_Argent]

Dan Simmons' Hyperion series was great and should be at the top of the list.

^-this-^

I just wasn't sure of when it was published.

[Wowbagger]

I was going to recommend HHGG, but I suspect it might not be their cup of tea.

I hear there are some rumors going around about some Nobel prize winning paper about bee dancing language, that might qualify.... (just kidding!)

[metzomagic]

Hmm. I've been a big sci-fi reader for about 30 years now. Though I started out on stuff like Heinlein and back-filled with all the Hugo and Nebula award winners (the Doomsday Book, already mentioned, was one of them), it's not very difficult to come up with quality stuff produced in the last 10 - 15 years. Basically, you can't go too wrong with anything by:

Iaian M. Banks (Consider Phlebas, his first Culture novel, is probably the most accessible - but it's more than 20 years old already. Yikes!)
Alastair Reynolds (I really liked the Revelation Space novels, but my favourite is Chasm City. Probably too dark though :-\ I would recommend Pushing Ice, as others already have)
Peter F. Hamilton (probably not as accessible to people new to sci-fi as the previous 2 authors. But Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained are extremely imaginative works)

For a nostalgic one that won the Hugo and would be very accessible, I could recommend Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang by Kate Wilhelm. Of course, if you're going to allow older works, then Frank Herbert's Dune should be considered.

I just finished Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson, and consider it to be the most entertaining book I have ever read. But it's too heavy, and I don't think you could remotely class it as sci-fi.

Oh yeah, and I would second Dan Simmons' Hyperion. It's one of the few books I've read 3 times. But I liked Endymion and Rise of Endymion even more (having said that... they're more than a bit anti-Vatican. That's probably why I like them)!

MetzO'Magic

[Pure_Argent]

Oh yeah, and I would second Dan Simmons' Hyperion. It's one of the few books I've read 3 times. But I liked Endymion and Rise of Endymion even more

BLASPHEMY!

(having said that... they're more than a bit anti-Vatican. That's probably why I like them)!

MetzO'Magic

Hey, Father-Captain De Soya was my favorite character!

ETA: Aside from the Shrike, of course.

[AvalonXQ]

The one SF book that I've found was enjoyed by many non-SF folks is Ender's Game. For a group wanting to try something different and be introduced to the genre, that's pretty good.

[marksman]

My wife has decided to recommend World War Z by Max Brooks. I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks again for all the suggestions!

[gtc]

That is a good one. It is a companion to the Zombie Survival Guide.

[metzomagic]

Hmm. Just read a review of World War Z, and it sounds more like horror that sci-fi. I would have thought a space opera-type book would have served as a better introduction to the genre. But, whatever floats your boat...

[marksman]

It's sci fi enough for the group.

By the by, someone else in the group has put Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book on the reading list, so that's two horror books for the group. Must be Halloween!

[Uzzy]

While recommending the Hyperion Cantos highly, I'd bare in mind that they are huge books, and as such might not work for all book clubs. Still, the masses of literary references might very well make for great discussion among the group.

I'd also recommend any of Peter F Hamilton's work, though again, those are huge, multi novel series. Something that seems to be an issue with most modern sci-fi.

[Mark6]

I'd also recommend any of Peter F Hamilton's work, though again, those are huge, multi novel series.
And even individual novels are 800-1000 page bricks.

[normdoering]

Thirded: Snow Crash (Stephenson).
Seconded: The Doomsday Book (Connie Wills).
Firsted: Neuromance (Gibson).

Beyond that, the best suggestons are horza66's and Skeptics':

Browse the Hugo and Nebula Award winners, and jump into The New Encyclopedia of Science Fiction.

Ahhh, a cyberpunk, eh?

I'll throw in one of my favorite biopunk books: "Blood Music" by Greg Bear.
Read online:
http://books.google.com/books?id=uZR44LJJ_MYC&dq=blood+music,+greg+bear&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=TvwZNFAWc8&sig=Sw37D9bZ4tmQxmDNSAZugJ7CNeo&hl=en&ei=MxrvSuDJAY3SM6rhuYIM&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CBUQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Do you also like black metal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddlg4HXLkXI

[catsmate1]

How about Steve Perry's "The Man Who Never Missed"? OK it's part of an extended trilogy but it works as a stand alone novel.

[FFed]

The Depths of Time (http://www.amazon.com/Depths-Time-Roger-Macbride-Allen/dp/0553574973/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_c) which is the first book of three in The Chronicles of Solace series.

And for older I always recommend the Rama (http://www.amazon.com/Rendezvous-Rama-Intermediate-Macmillan-Readers/dp/1405073039/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257296062&sr=1-1) series.

[Scootch]

Also anything written by Phillip K Dick. He is the scifi master.

[Andrew Wiggin]

Would the last 20 years be acceptable, rather than the last 10? Neil Stephenson's Snow Crash is one of my all-time favorite books, and was a very enjoyable technopunk novel. The opening stands as one of the greatest ever.

And if you don't agree, I'll fight you. :p

But will you deliver a pizza along with that smackdown?

A

[Redtail]

How about Steve Perry's "The Man Who Never Missed"? OK it's part of an extended trilogy but it works as a stand alone novel.

I spent almost 10 years putting together the entire Matador series.
(I refused to use any online stores)

[Pure_Argent]

But will you deliver a pizza along with that smackdown?

A

Of course.

[catsmate1]

I spent almost 10 years putting together the entire Matador series.
(I refused to use any online stores)

Including The 97th Step, The Musashi Flex and The Omega Cage I hope.

I picked up The Man Who Never Missed many years ago at college, finished it that night and bought the other two the next day. Superb. :)

[Morrigan]

The one SF book that I've found was enjoyed by many non-SF folks is Ender's Game. For a group wanting to try something different and be introduced to the genre, that's pretty good.

Urge to kill rant... rising....

[quadraginta]

Urge to kill rant... rising....


Calm down. Take it easy.

They didn't say it was great literature, or even great sci fi. They said it was an enjoyable read that they had found to be good for introducing new fans to the genre.

I agree. I can think of lots of books like that. To extend the idea, many of the very best of the genre might be somewhat impenetrable to someone starting out with a possible bias.

Sure, there are probably better choices, but there are also certainly worse ones.

There are so many choices.

[Sunray Breaker]

Anything by China Mieville...I highly recommend starting with the New Crobuzon series which includes in this order:

Perdido Street Station
The Scar
Iron Council

He also wrote:
Un Lun Dun
The City The City
King Rat (a modern day retelling of the pied piper)

[Wudang]

Urge to kill rant... rising....
http://www.xkcd.com/635/

[Morrigan]

http://www.xkcd.com/635/

Hehehe.

They didn't say it was great literature, or even great sci fi. They said it was an enjoyable read that they had found to be good for introducing new fans to the genre.
Except that it isn't, and I wouldn't recommend it to my worse enemy.

[AvalonXQ]

Except that it isn't, and I wouldn't recommend it to my worse enemy.

It is an enjoyable read. The Shadow sequels are even better.

[CriticalSock]

Zoe's Tale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoe's_Tale) is the fourth novel in a series by John Scalzi but I think it stands alone as it is written from the perspective of a 17 year old girl.

GTC, thanks SO much for making this recommendation! I bought the first in the series (Old Mans War) after reading your post and then the wiki, then ordered all the others a couple of days later! :) The first book is currently on loan to my brother, the second book is being read by my dad and the third book is on loan to a work colleague!

I did manage to mess things up as usual and read Zoe's Tale before reading the Last Colony, but seeing as they cover the same time frame but from different perspectives, it still worked pretty well.

[cornsail]

I can't believe no one has recommended Vernor Vinge yet. A Fire Upon the Deep and A Deepness in the Sky are amazing.

I second Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead also, but I'm not sure I'd recommend any of his other stuff (except for Lost Boys, which isn't science fiction). Xenocide was decent, Shadow's of the Mind mediocre, Ender's Shadow pretty bad. I couldn't really get into his Alvin Maker series either.

[gtc]

GTC, thanks SO much for making this recommendation! I bought the first in the series (Old Mans War) after reading your post and then the wiki, then ordered all the others a couple of days later! :) The first book is currently on loan to my brother, the second book is being read by my dad and the third book is on loan to a work colleague!

I did manage to mess things up as usual and read Zoe's Tale before reading the Last Colony, but seeing as they cover the same time frame but from different perspectives, it still worked pretty well.

Thanks for the lovely comments! I'm so glad that I've encouraged someone else to read them.

[Soapy Sam]

"Moxyland" Lauren Beukes.

[marksman]

FYI: The book club met to discuss World War Z last night and it was generally well-received. They will not be adverse to future sci fi or horror books, but don't want to read them exclusively. (The next book is a travelogue of some women living in Paris or somesuch.)

So thanks for all the suggestions. Mission accomplished!

[gtc]

Great news.

Will they be prepared once the zompocolypse comes?

[Myriad]

Engine Summer by John Crowley.

Not so recent, but unmatched. Crowley's last true SF novel; having perfected SF he then moved on.

Respectfully,
Myriad

[Redtail]

Including The 97th Step, The Musashi Flex and The Omega Cage I hope.

I picked up The Man Who Never Missed many years ago at college, finished it that night and bought the other two the next day. Superb. :)

Oh yeah I got'em. I picked up Black Steel in a used book store. Found The Albino Knife a few weeks later and a few of years ago finally got The Omega Cage.

ETA: Actually, including The Musashi Flex That would up it to 14-15 years.