Science Fiction

Ender’s Game

Background

First published as a short story, Ender’s Game was published as a novel in 1985 but was first published as a short story a decade before. It is a science fiction story of an Earth in the future which has been invaded by aliens. These aliens were repelled but the humans want to be ready for the next time. Thus they build there military arms and look for the commanders of tomorrow. Ender Wiggin might be one of those commanders if he can survive the training.

Ender's Game
Ender’s Game

My Thoughts

Such an enjoyable book. We teach a course using it at the Marine Corps University to spark discussion about tactics and such. I first read it when I was 10 or so and enjoyed it even then. Now, several decades later, I was still able to get into the story and enjoy it again.

I particularly enjoyed the post script in this version of the book with Orson Scott Card telling the story of how the movie came to be. That was worth the read and gave me a lot more respect for the author. I resolved to read the rest of the series based on that feeling.

Recommendation

A must read for every young man

The Martian

Background

Andy Weir’s original book published in 2011 and made into a movie shortly thereafter. It follows an unfortunate astronaut who is stranded on Mars and does his best to survive.

The Martian
The Martian

My Thoughts

With no offense to Matt Damon, the book was indeed better than the movie. There is so much more detail in the book and I really enjoyed it. I was very taken into the character and pulled into the drama of surviving against all odds.

Recommendation

Great book! There was a reason it took the world by storm and became a movie so quickly.

Attack Surface

Background

Published in October of 2020, “Attack Surface” is a science fiction novel by author and activist Cory Doctorow, which explores the relationship between technology and social justice. The book follows the story of Masha Maximow, a former government cybersecurity expert who becomes disillusioned with her work and begins to use her skills to help oppressed communities around the world. As she becomes increasingly involved in these activities, Masha is forced to confront the ethical and political implications of her work, and to navigate the complex landscape of global power and technology.

Attack Surface
Attack Surface

My Thoughts

This is one of those stories which will make you look over your shoulder and 2nd guess everything you do with your cell phone. It forces you to think about everything your gadgets know about you and who might be listening in.

However, it also has this girl power vibe to the whole thing. I didn’t care for the tone and the underlying theme of the story. Too much forced drama…

Recommendation

I didn’t like it.

Brave New World

Background

Originally published in 1932, Brave New World is one of the first dystopian novels and has been the subject of discussion for almost 90 years. Set in some distant future, people are encouraged to forgo their family ties and live only for the good of the whole. They are conditioned to be obedient to authority and are encouraged to pursue cheap pleasures to distract them from anything uncomfortable. They use drugs whenever they feel any need to question or just want to escape. They are repeatedly told, “Everyone is happy” and everyone acts that way or they might have to see the psychologists…

A “savage” from the Indian reservation in Arizona is brought to this world. He was raised by the “old” beliefs of family, religion, and individuality. He finds their world strange but they find him even more so.

Brave New World
Brave New World

My Thoughts

This book effectively makes the argument of there being no real happiness simply by pursuing pleasure and suppressing pain. One can’t know the good from the evil if there is no concept of either. It is particularly interesting to put this work in the context of history as “the war to end all wars” had concluded, the Bolshevik Revolution had occurred and Stalin ran unchecked. The discussions on what constituted an ideal society were being had everywhere and nations were starting to become entrenched in their doctrine.

The book was ahead of its time in many ways. There are some dated references but it could have easily been passed off as something written 50 years later or more. As American society is trending more populist, it is very interesting to read the words of those who went before. Can we learn from the past or do we even bother to listen since so many people give their “revisionist histories” these days.

Recommendation

An important book. It’s worth the time to read it but you may have to plow through sections.

The Death Cure

Background

This is the last book in the Maze Runner series (chronologically) published in 2011. There are two books which were written after which became prequels to the series.

This book picks up right after the last and the reader learns the final fate of Thomas and his friends along with WICKED.

The Death Cure
The Death Cure

My Thoughts

First off -Spoiler Alert- he killed off my favorite character. Newt shouldn’t have died. I’m not happy about that…

The book is overly harsh. It was entertaining but overly harsh. It was a rough read.

Recommendation

Honestly, if you need closure, I can understand why you would want to read it. However, I don’t know it gave me much closure, and they left it wide open for the next book. I can’t really recommend it.

The Scorch Trials

Background

Published in 2010, The Scorch Trials is the sequel to The Maze Runner. This book picks up right where the last left off taking Tomas and the other “Gladers” into their next series of events. They quickly learn they are not out of peril yet…

The Scorch Trials
The Scorch Trials

My Thoughts

Good book all and all. It was a pleasure to read a novel again after doing a lot of more technical material.

This book was very similar to the first in that it does a good job of getting into the mind of a teenager who is trying to cope with a world that doesn’t make sense. However, it has some of the downfalls as the first book as well. The kids get over the death of their friends remarkably quickly. This is somewhat explained by their involvement and being “chosen” to participate in the trials. However, it felt pretty unrealistic.

Recommendation

It was worth the time. I didn’t get bored and was interested throughout the book.

Dune

Background

Written back in the 60’s, Dune is a dystopian look at a possible future where humans have made it to other planets and continue their wars and contentions.

Dune
Dune

My Thoughts

I had seen the 1984 movie and was still young enough to get that it was a big deal while only catching the broadest points the plot. I hadn’t seen it since then. Not to sound cliche but, the book was better.

There were some plot holes and the like but I thought Herbert did a great job. (Particularly since it is 60 years old.)

Recommendation

This was one of those books that I put off doing other things to continue. I would highly recommend it if you enjoy fantasy.

Flatland

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Background

First published in 1884, Flatland has been expanding the thoughts of readers for nearly a hundred and fifty years. It is the story of what happens when a two dimensional world discovers a world of three dimensions. It also tries to give us a framework of how we might start to conceive of yet another dimension beyond what we know.

Flatland
Flatland

My Thoughts

I remember my friend Chris trying to explain this to me back in the 90s. He was so excited by the concepts and I was interested. Just obviously not interested enough to bother to read the book. It was exciting to read. There was a lot of time and attention given to how the land of one dimension must work. Also how the land of two dimensions would try to cope with what we see as such a huge disadvantage. Part of the charm of the book is it does a good job of showing us how we may be horribly limited and yet not know it.

Recommendation

A great read for everyone

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

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Background

This is the book following the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and picks up right at the end of the previous book. Written in 1980, the book continues with Arthur, Ford, Zaphod, and Trillian finding their way through the Universe almost to the very end.

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

My Thoughts

As ridiculous as the first, I was entertained throughout the entire book. I didn’t get what the “end of the universe” was until I read the book. That concept had me rethinking how it would work several times.

Recommendation

If you liked the first, you will like the second. Definitely read them in order though as you would be very lost.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

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Background

Douglas Adams’ classic is read by the comedian Stephen Fry and brings us all back to a time when digital watches were the bleeding edge of technology. The Hitchhiker’s Guide is the first of a series of 5 books first published in 1979. It has since gone on to be a TV series and a full motion picture.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

My Thoughts

This book has brought a smile to me several times over my life. I really enjoy the dry wit and the general ridiculousness of each situation. Author’s character keeps getting placed in situations from ridiculousness to impossible. In each situation he somehow maintains his demeanor and sanity. Of course, this simply serves to juxtapose the ridiculousness of our daily lives against the over the top situations presented in the novel. Author somehow moves forward just as we do.

Recommendation

Don’t panic! Just read the book. You’ll enjoy it.