The Sword and Laser discussion

My girlfriend's book club has had a tough year; rough things have happened to women in Iran, women in the US, women all over the world to be fair.

They are looking for a science fiction title and, having already read "The Handmaid's Tale", something much more upbeat for their next title. Modern, accessible, fun.

I'm thinking something like a more accessible "Ready Player One" or "Redshirts" or a less dystopian "Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits"

Any suggestions?

I think your thoughts are good ones. I'd also put forward The Collapsing Empire - action packed and laugh out loud funny. I guess some drama, but not in a psyche-eviscerating way like the dystopias. And the women steal the show in this one.

And then there's Digital Divide, which isn't as funny, but is like a perfect summer sci-fi read. Thoughtful, light, a great what if, shenanigans and a big show down! Plus, an Asian, lesbian, cyborg cop!

Allison wrote: "IThe Collapsing Empire - action packed and laugh out loud funny. I guess some drama, but not in a psyche-eviscerating way"

Exactly! Drama is fine, trauma is what they are trying to avoid.

Thanks for the suggestions!

May I be so bold to offer for consideration my novel, Traveling in Space? It's a first contact novel told from the POV of the aliens

Here's a link for the Sword and Laser podcast on the audiobook edition:

http://tinyurl.com/TIS-S-L


Some reviews of TIS:

"Superbly entertaining and unique...thought provoking." -- The Mindquest Review of Books

"Many of the aliens' encounters with human beings are downright funny...much to think about and I'm sure that "Traveling in Space" will play on my mind for some time to come" -- Russell Blackford, Neworld Review & Metamagician and the Hellfire Club blog

In 'Traveling In Space', we have a book of three parts. It starts with the humorous meeting of two civilizations followed by the contemplation of the rights and wrongs of each one...I'm not going to divulge too much more here as I'm running the risk of revealing spoilers. What I will say is that it's a good ending. A satisfying ending, in fact...It's well worth a read. -- Andy Whitaker, SFcrowsnest

"A unique spin of science fiction... With much humor and much to think about...not to be overlooked" -- Midwest Book Review.

And the books Amazon page: http://tinyurl.com/o5ovb37

Date Night on Union Station

I'd suggest The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet which is fun, non-traumatic, and has a much more optimistic view of the future in general and gender relations in particular

Because you mentioned Ready Player One and Redshirts, I'd highly suggest The Punch Escrow. Lighthearted, but existential. And even though the future in it is controlled by power hungry corporations, it's definitely not a dystopia. Probably my favorite SF book of the year. My wife loves it, too.

How about something by Robert Sawyer like WWW: Wake. Or maybe Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi.
Most of his are fantasy but I always recommend Christopher Moore. The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove is technically science fiction and pretty funny. So is The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde.

Some good ones here. I second "The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet." If they like quirky and weird, All the Birds in the Sky.

Going Indie, I'm partial to Kate Danley's works and would recommend Maggie for Hire. That's definitely on the F side of SFF as Maggie is a "magical tracker' who hunts down objects for bounty. She travels between our world and the Other Side, generally trying to keep magical objects and beings off Earth. Aaaand she has an Elf colleague, a troubled relationship with her future-reading mother, and routinely stakes a vampire or twelve.

Great suggestions. I can't believe I forgot "All the birds in the sky" as I really enjoyed that one.

I've just read Arcadia by Ian Pears, which was excellent and I would heartily recommended. I also think it's a great 'book group book', with lots of threads and ideas to give the group to talk about..


I'd also suggest anything by Ursula Le Guin or Sheridan Tepper. The Dispossessed and The Gate to Women's Country, respectively, are good bets.

Sheri Tepper. Bloody autocorrect!

The Martian is one of my favorite sci-fi books. It's actually really funny despite the premise.

The Lives of Tao is really funny with a relatable protagonist.

You can also check out the suggestions in this thread for some funny, upbeat sci-fi recommendations: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

The Humans by Matt Haig. Sci-fi with a small scope and some funny commentary on the human condition.

Or something from the Culture by Ian M Banks

Quote from wikipedia:

The Culture is characterized as being a post-scarcity society, having overcome most physical constraints on life and being an egalitarian, individualistic, stable society without the use of any form of force or compulsion, except where necessary to protect others.

Echoing others:

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet -- lots of empathy, a dose of humility, and plenty of action that doesn't feel like an action novel

Fuzzy Nation -- Scalzi's take on the classic H. Beam Piper story about adorable yet fierce miniature aliens, championed by a rapscallion of an explorer. And his dog.

The Martian -- witty and fun, despite being a dramatic tale of science and survival.

One that's in my TBR pile that sounds perfect for this is Year Zero, a book about how aliens have been listening to Earth's music for decades when a Galactic Court rules that humans are owed royalties for all their music, and Earth ends up owning the entire galaxy. I haven't read it, but the premise sounds like a hoot.

Trike wrote: "One that's in my TBR pile that sounds perfect for this is Year Zero, a book about how aliens have been listening to Earth's music for decades when a Galactic Court rules that humans are owed royalties for all their music, and Earth ends up owning the entire galaxy. I haven't read it, but the premise sounds like a hoot."

I think that's been on my TBR pile for about 5 years and I still haven't read it. I have no good reason why.

Alex wrote: "The Humans by Matt Haig. Sci-fi with a small scope and some funny commentary on the human condition.

Or something from the Culture by Ian M Banks
."

I wouldn't describe most of the Culture books as 'upbeat' though, especially Use of Weapons

Trike wrote: "One that's in my TBR pile that sounds perfect for this is Year Zero, a book about how aliens have been listening to Earth's music for decades when a Galactic Court rules that humans are owed royalties for all their music, and Earth ends up owning the entire galaxy. I haven't read it, but the premise sounds like a hoot. "
Trike and Dara,
You are right this fits the category pretty well. It's a fairly quick reed, and I think it would be a good "Double Bill" with Scalzi's Agent to the Stars. Very similar writing styles, but with two opposite takes on the entertainment industry.

I hear Rob Reid has a new book out, with several internet stars having parts in the audio book, but I haven't read it yet.

Crystal Singer is a good, heartwarming, easy to get into SF story from the late, great, Anne McCaffrey

I forgot to mention Callahan's Crosstime Saloon by Spider Robinson. The whole series is full of puns and the message is "shared pain is halved and shared joy is multiplied".

There have been a couple of recommendations for The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, and I say that's a fantastic choice. I absolutely love that book. The sequel: A Closed and Common Orbit can certainly be read standalone, and is just as great. Also, from your initial post, if your girlfriend's book club has a focus or leaning towards woman leads in their books, on top of being generally awesome, A Closed and Common Orbit has two women as leads (whereas The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet has more of an ensemble cast)

Another one to try might be The Sculpted Ship, another lighthearted SciFi book about a young woman starship captain who acquires a grand starship that's missing some parts that let it get into outer space.

Thanks everybody! I've crafted up a list of options and now I'm waiting to see what they've picked :-)

Year Zero was pretty fun and lighthearted!

This thread is turning into a great recommendation list. I can't resist adding Earth Girl by Janet Edwards. I know it has an awful, cheesy, title - but it's one of the best SF books I've read in recent years.

Ignore the marketing that is trying to sell it as the hunger games - the universe is a surprisingly diverse and believable one (once you accept Hamilton-Commonwealth-style portals). Society has issues, particularly a prejudice against those who can't use portals, but it's much less Dystopian than your average news show today.

It's a darn good modern SF book that makes you think - but leaves you feeling happy at the end. I need that these days.

William wrote: "This thread is turning into a great recommendation list. I can't resist adding Earth Girl by Janet Edwards. I know it has an awful, cheesy, title - but it's one of ..."
First, I must declare an interest - I knew Janet, some years ago (and still follow her on Twitter)
By my reckoning, Earth Girl is YA, and that needs saying to give potential readers fair warning, But its at the upper end of YA, and it has near enough a total absence of the sloppy Romance that spoils so much YA material.
If you like Grimdark, you won't find much here!
I don't normally read much YA, but Janet's work is an exception - I like it! It is well researched and well written (and find her on the Awards list here)
Also check my review (if this damned thing copies properly!) here

Love this thread as its added some good ones to my list

I want to reiterate alot of the above suggestions of Scalzi, Scalzi, Scalzi. I think his style is perfect for this thread and although some if his novels are more serious there is always a lighthearted humerous feel to it.

Another great suggestion would be Becky chambers which i have seen by a few people. Its absolutely brilliant.

The Ketty Jay series by Chris wooding is brilliant too, i recently started it after hearing about it on here and its great.

Here is one i haven't seen though, what about Tuf Voyaging by Mr George R Martin? Thats another fun space romp. I would love him to do more science fiction in that style. Was great fun read.

Callum wrote: "Love this thread as its added some good ones to my list

I want to reiterate alot of the above suggestions of Scalzi, Scalzi, Scalzi. I think his style is perfect for this thread and although some ..."

Agent to the Stars by John Scalzi would be a perfect choice. The premise of the book sounds ridiculous, an alien race hires a Hollywood agent to represent them during their introduction to Earthlings, but its actually good, funny, and enjoyable. Plus its a stand alone book, something that we need more of these days.

Alan wrote: "By my reckoning, Earth Girl is YA, and that needs saying to give potential readers fair warning, But its at the upper end of YA, and it has near enough a total absence of the sloppy Romance that spoils so much YA material ..."

After reading your review, you are quite right.

My memories were rather hazed with later books in the series which are much less YAish, and pretty darn epic.

You are also correct about the lack of soppy romance - this series does involve romance, but in a grown up and well handled way that deepens characters - no love triangles in sight.

If it's not too late - Pay Me, Bug! is like reading an alternate version of Firefly

@Callum: This is a late reply. Wonder why you think Tuf Voyaging is upbeat. I never thought of that. Sure, there are some fun parts like the awesome ship and the alien worlds Tuf travelled to.
I seem to remember feeling a bit sad/somber at times when reading it.

And glad you liked the Ketty Jay series!