If your father is a sci-fi bookworm like me, these science fiction book recommendations will help you knock it out of the park.
It can be tough to find something for someone who has everything.
Nothing compares to escaping into another world. Here are my five top science fiction classics and new releases.
Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard
In the far future, Earth has been taken over by an alien race known as the Psychlos who are stripping the Earth of its mineral wealth. The Psychlos dominate both by their advanced technology and by their physical form, standing nine feet tall and weighing over a thousand pounds. The few human survivors live in scattered, primitive tribes.
In a chance encounter, the chief of security of a mine (Terl) encounters human Jonny Goodboy Tyler and takes him captive. It so happens that Terl plots to mine gold from the Rockies to fund an escape from this backwater world, but his plot requires human miners. Thus Tyler and his small crew begin to learn how to use the Psychlos technology, and more importantly, how to turn it against the aliens in an effort to retake the planet.
Battlefield Earth is a massive book, with as many adventures and close scrapes as intellectual ponderings. For example, late in the story a consortium of intergalactic bankers seeks to repossess the Earth for unpaid debts. They cannot be destroyed by battle the way the Psychlos can, and thus must be outsmarted.
Believe it or not, I first heard about this fantasy novel an announcer on NPR—the only fantasy recommendation I’ve ever heard there.
In a fictionalized China called Kitai, General Shen Tai has just won an impressive victory against invaders. Filled with remorse at the needless death, the general asks for and receives permission to retire. He takes his freedom to move to the site of the now-haunted battlefield and begins burying the dead. He buries Kitai soldiers and their enemies without prejudice. Every time he buries someone, a voice haunting the battlefield falls silent.
Hearing of this honorable deed, a princess gifts General Tai two hundred fifty of her finest horses. He regards this as a death sentence. The horses are so valuable that people will come from hundreds of miles to steal them. But if he refuses the gift or turns the horses loose, he will insult the princess—also a death sentence.
General Tai decides the only way to survive is to drive the horses several hundred miles and present them as a gift to the Kitai emperor. But with only a female warrior as bodyguard, that is a long way to survive.
If you are a science fiction fan, you have probably heard of Pournelle’s The Mote in God’s Eye. This prequel gives us the background of the formidable ex-Marine turned mercenary John Christian Falkenberg.
Imagine a United Federation of Planets-type government happily and peacefully managing a backwater world—until the planet’s resources run low and bureaucracy abandons the planet to its own devices. War ensues, faction against faction, brother against brother, as rival groups vie for dominance. One faction appears to have won power—except that the losers scrape together enough coin to hire the ex-marine turned mercenary John Christian Falkenberg and his men. Making a quick assessment, Falkenberg determines he can win if he strikes hard and fast—and if he manages to convince his opponents he’s landed with overwhelming force when in fact he’s short of about everything.
What I loved about The Mercenary is that Falkenberg is facing overwhelming odds—but he keeps on winning. Modern writing theory dictates that the hero must be beaten down, down, down, nearly to the point of giving up, until in the final scenes he orchestrates a reversal. But some classic works show the hero winning over and over; the joy is in trying to anticipate how he will pull it off. TV shows like Columbo use this technique, as do the Sherlock Homes stories, and the excellent tales of Ole Doc Methuselah from L. Ron Hubbard.
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglass Adams
This is probably the funniest book ever written. Aliens plan to demolish the Earth in order to make way for an intergalactic superhighway. The only thing standing in their way is Authur Dent, an Englishman who is far, far from being heroic. Dent carries a Babel Fish to translate languages, and a Electronic Thumb with which he can hitch a ride on just about any spacecraft that flies near—spacecraft that might be powered by an improbability drive.
Adams’ humor is dry, ironic, and full of surprises. If dad hasn’t already read this, he should.
(For those of you under thirty, hitchhikers were people who used to stand by the side of the road holding a thumb out. Automobile drivers, not driven paranoid by the internet, would stop and give them a lift.)
I wanted to include a modern novel in my recommendations. I’ve always loved the Arthurian legends, and this purports to take the Author Pendragon—Merlin stories and move them into modern times. Really, these are new adventures with new characters, while the Arthurian references create resonance and depth.
Teenager Tamsin Lark lives in present-day Boston, a town full of sorcerers and Hollowers—those who can see and hunt ancient magic. Unfortunately for Tamsin, she has no such ability. Without power herself, Lark is viewed as something of a joke by most Hollowers, including (she thinks) her own crew. When rumors begin swirling that Lark’s missing guardian discovered a powerful magic ring, rivals and enemies begin circling. Lark discovers she must find a way to Avalon to unravel both modern and ancient mysteries to have any chance of finding the magic ring—not to mention having to defeat the Wild Hunt and Lord Death himself.
This two-book series has adventure, romance, heartbreak, and most importantly, mystery galore.
By Award Winning Debut Authors, and L. Ron Hubbard, Tim Powers, and Sean Williams
This collection of fantasy and science fiction short stories—most in the vein of adventure—can’t be beat. Several of the stories feature time travel, although that is not its official theme. As the collection is by debut authors, you are guaranteed to read something fresh and new. I’ve read most of the entries, and Volume 41 is one of the strongest.
Zephyr’s Flight by Ray Strong is perfect for readers who love a fantasy series that masterfully weaves together themes of sacrifice, defiance, and survival. With richly drawn characters and high-stakes conflict, it explores the harrowing choices made in the face of destiny—where even love becomes a perilous gamble. A gripping saga that promises both emotional depth and thrilling adventure.
Which line stood out from all the others in the book?
Astria realizes that Fynn cares for no one but himself, and certainly not her, when she says “ Was it too hard to visit me when you knew I was struggling to survive?”
General Summary for Context:
Embark on a journey into a magical land that is both fraught with perils at every turn, yet flourishing with status and power.
Astria longs to become a Rider, the highest order of the Council. She can then continue in the search for her father, who disappeared years ago, never to be seen again. She feels strongly (and perhaps irrationally) that he is alive and well out there, but she needs a dragon to ride on and accompany her on the search. Enter Zephyr, an adorable, loyal and devoted dragon who stays by Astria’s side through thick and thin. However, there is one major problem with the cute little dragon. He is unable to fly, and without possessing that particular skill, Astria cannot use him to become a Rider. She also requires permission from the Council, which she has not yet obtained (and may never, as they consider her to be a Rogue).
In plain English, she is a problem to them, and they don’t want to afford her any privileges or advantages that may make her more valuable and important to others. But she is persistent, strong, and clever, and she works on a concoction to give her dragon that will enable him to grow strong and fly. She embarks on her voyage to protect her land from their enemies, and ends up falling in love with Lance, a gentleman of the highest order. He reciprocates her feelings but tells her he has to join the battle to do his duty, and she, although fearful for his safety, understands his responsibility to serve.
Concise Review:
It’s a real page turner. What’s enticing is, weaved into the fantasy of dragons and villains and supernatural powers, the sweet and enduring romance that blossoms between Astria and Lance. Like a love from a gothic novel, he protects her from the clutches of someone evil, and she falls hard for him (as he does for her). So you have, in the midst of all the gore and fighting and unendurable actions within the environment, a love that is pure and true. The lovers’ fate as well as the bond between dragon and Rider shapes this novel well.
General Thoughts on the Novel:
Combining both fantasyland, evil, and romance, the novel takes off and never stops. You will chuckle at Zephyr’s antics but also be astounded at his strength and bravery as he protects his mistress. You will feel anger and frustration at the unfairness with which Astria is judged, and sigh when she meets her true love. It’s a compelling story that merges all the above elements into one comprehensive novel, and if you are one who enjoys plots that go off in a myriad of different directions that add greatly to the original storyline, then this is a book you will not want to miss out on.
Today, we’re talking with Alastair Bowman about his book, Creative Destruction: We Can Cure Capitalism.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I love living in France – and I will get my European passport back in a couple of years!
Why do you write?
To share. And to make people think.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
My passion for economics and social justice.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
Scifi gives lots of possibilities to explore new worlds and see ourselves in them.
How would you describe your writing process?
I generally start early. If nothing feels right, then I read and re-write what I’ve previously written or go and do something else. It has to feel right in the moment even though it will likely be re-written.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Community.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Keep going, as long as you enjoy it.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
The title is whatever feels right. I held a competition for the cover, with the brief to convey jeopardy using the world, a drop of water and barbed wire. The winner added the eye to make a tear, which I think is very effective.
What’s your next step?
I am writing the sequel to ‘Creative Destruction’ – ‘Icarus Falls’.
What book do you wish you’d written?
I owe a lot to John Steinbeck’s ‘The Grapes of Wrath’, but for the writing, either Kazuo Ishiguru’s ‘The Remains of the Day’ or Sebastian Faulk’s ‘Birdsong’.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
It’s always flattering to have a reader, and even better if they give feedback.
Today, we’re talking with James Lance about his book, The Gateway.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I once woke up in a hospital in Spain. I had no idea how I got there.
Why do you write?
To entertain, to help give someone that necessary escape we all need at times. If I can inform and educate on top of that, that’s even better.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
All around me; everything I’ve read, heard people say, seen with my eyes. Many great authors, including Huxley and Pullman, helped along the way.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
It allows you to fully utilise your imagination as long as you follow the rules.
How would you describe your writing process?
Partly hyper-organised and strict, partly chaotic and mad. My sleep pattern agrees!
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
You can reach new fans and establish a following. You’ll find people that like your style and the way you write.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Trite but true: never give up. This is a long game, and you improve every day. Keep going, keep writing. Find an author who inspires you, someone with experience. In my case: Anthony Horowitz, who once told me to be ‘persistent to the point of annoyance’.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Both the title and cover have to quickly summarise the mood and feel that readers can expect—the story they’re getting involved with before turning a single page. We’ve all seen a book title and cover before, and instinctively, thought: ‘I think this was made for me’.
What’s your next step?
I haven’t taken a holiday in over six years. It’s time to recharge! After that, it’s on to the second book.
What book do you wish you’d written?
The Great Gatsby.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
Today, we’re talking with Nathan Gregory about his book, Cicada Serenade: Bloodlust and Desire Under Texas Stars.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I make things up. That’s what we writers do, make things up.
Why do you write?
After the crash of the 2000s I became depressed. As an outlet, self-therapy, I started writing. I never wrote for any audience but myself, and never had any intention of publishing. But a good friend persuaded me to put that first story, ‘Chromosome Quest,’ on Amazon, and to my shock and surprise, it sold. It keeps selling, a steady trickle, but sales nonetheless, and spawned two sequels and a prequel. This new book is a sequel to the prequel. But old CQ outsells all the other books combined, to my constant amazement.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
The current book flows naturally from the ones before it in the series. The series, the entire story arc, is deeply rooted in various mythologies around UFOs, extraterrestrial life, and ancient aliens. The story arc represents my original ideas about how Aliens might exist on Earth. I borrow equally from Erich Von Daniken and E.E. “Doc” Smith. I used so much of Smith’s fictional world in ‘Chromosome Conspiracy’ that I asked the author’s estate, in the person of his grandson, for permission, which he kindly granted.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
As an engineer, one might assume my interest lies with the technological innovations and fantastical worlds depicted in sci-fi. There is truth in that, but I equally enjoy exploring the ways in which these speculative futures reflect and critique our present-day societal structures and norms. Science fiction serves as a lens through which complex issues such as power, identity, and morality can be explored in imaginative and thought-provoking ways.
How would you describe your writing process?
Three cups (at least) of strong coffee, NIFOC, and total silence. I usually start sometime between 3 AM and 4 AM, and stop when the coming day refuses to accept “go away.”
What advice would you have for other writers?
Illegitimi non carborundum. Scribe ut tibi ipsi placere primum. (Don’t let the bastards grind you down. Write to please yourself first.)
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
I consult the stars, deciphering their cryptic dance, for in their celestial choreography lies the truth of my decisions. If that doesn’t work, I often find I must kill a chicken for the blood and entrails to use in an obscure little ritual that was handed down from my distant Scots-Irish ancestors.
What’s your next step?
I think I may step back from fiction for a while. I have two non-fiction works I’d like to complete. But before I get to work on those, I want to take a road trip. A long road trip.
What book do you wish you’d written?
I won’t say I exactly wish I had written it, but a book which I love, which I can deeply relate to due to having grown up in the “Bible Belt,” and which I feel is vastly underrated, is Heinlein’s “JOB: A Comedy of Justice”
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
trepidation. fear. And sometimes, a sigh of blessed relief.
Retrievers by J.M. Holmes is perfect for sci-fi enthusiasts who enjoy high-stakes adventure, cunning protagonists, and vivid world-building, particularly those who appreciate strong female leads, treasure-hunting intrigue, and unique artistic enhancements in their reading experience.
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Which line stood out from all the others in the book?
A new planet had been discovered and it lay off the route through the most heavily traveled part of the settled Star systems.
General Summary for Context:
The two main characters in the novel, Kat (a beautiful and brilliant woman whose job title is “Retriever” and Jerome (a two-centuries old but rejuvenated being) work together to find new scientific discoveries and add to their wealth. They encounter dangerous and precarious situations at every turn, but their survival is both carefully planned and cunning.
Concise Review:
Kat, as a Retriever, is tasked with concealing her different identities until she has ultimately reached the pinnacle of success—registering a new planet into the Hall of Records. But there is a villain close by with the name of Nestor, who is determined to take from Kat the artifacts she has secured until she can register her discovery. Nestor is cruel and has help from his cohorts, each fiercely determined to steal Kat’s treasure and become wealthy beyond their wildest dreams.
The journey Kat and Jerome take and what they go through is astonishingly vivid, even realistic (to a point).
The illustrations peppered throughout the story are incredible. The detail of each stroke and the overall effect on what I was reading was something I had not seen before. A truly unique and talented artist that enhanced the experience of reading this novel.
General Thoughts on the Novel:
Science fiction at its finest! The writing was captivating, and I couldn’t wait to learn what dire situation would come up next. Kat displays both vulnerability and strength, and Jerry is smarter and more clever than he appears to be at first.
Intriguing and unusual, as most science fiction novels I’ve read don’t usually draw me in the way this one did. A thoroughly enjoyable read, and I recommend it highly.
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Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard
Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay
This is probably the funniest book ever written. Aliens plan to demolish the Earth in order to make way for an intergalactic superhighway. The only thing standing in their way is Authur Dent, an Englishman who is far, far from being heroic. Dent carries a Babel Fish to translate languages, and a Electronic Thumb with which he can hitch a ride on just about any spacecraft that flies near—spacecraft that might be powered by an improbability drive.
I wanted to include a modern novel in my recommendations. I’ve always loved the Arthurian legends, and this purports to take the Author Pendragon—Merlin stories and move them into modern times. Really, these are new adventures with new characters, while the Arthurian references create resonance and depth.
By Award Winning Debut Authors, and L. Ron Hubbard, Tim Powers, and Sean Williams
Scott T. Barnes
Zephyr’s Flight by Ray Strong is perfect for readers who love a fantasy series that masterfully weaves together themes of sacrifice, defiance, and survival. With richly drawn characters and high-stakes conflict, it explores the harrowing choices made in the face of destiny—where even love becomes a perilous gamble. A gripping saga that promises both emotional depth and thrilling adventure.
What advice would you have for other writers?
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Science fiction at its finest! The writing was captivating, and I couldn’t wait to learn what dire situation would come up next. Kat displays both vulnerability and strength, and Jerry is smarter and more clever than he appears to be at first.
