Books you can't put down
These are books that you have to just keep reading. They are gripping, easy to read and tell fascinating stories about fascinating characters.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells (2019)
The so called “murderbot” stories. This book has great humor, with lots of time spent in the protagonist’s head, who is odd, snarky, doesn’t like humans, but loves TV dramas.
There are a 5 books in the series, with a 6th coming out in 2021. I recommend them all; they’re that good.
We Are Legion (We Are Bob) by Dennis E. Taylor (2017)
This is a very positive book. Bob is an uploaded mind who has to save humanity from itself. He is launched into space and needs to fend for himself. Lots of introspection and interesting ideas; what happens if you can replicate yourself at will? What names will you call all your replicated copies?
A book that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and is a really fun read. Also the first book in a 4-part series.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (2014)
This is feel-good science fiction. It has a ramshackle spaceship, a mismatched crew and their adventures. Yes, bad stuff happens, but mostly good stuff happens. You really engage with the characters and they are fully fleshed out. This book also has great world building, with a seemingly endless variety of alien species, including their history and other details.
Also, as with a lot of books these days, part of a 4-part series. They’re all good.
The Martian by Andy Weir (2014)
This is probably my favorite science, “lots of science” book. What happens when you dump an engineer on Mars by himself? The science and just survival described in this book is almost all based on real fact and there is a lot of it. How to grow potatoes on Mars and how to contact Earth without a working radio are all discussed in depth.
While this might not be a book for everyone, it is one of my favorites. If you liked the movie, you will like the book.