by Renee Holden, Head Editor, INALJ Nebraska

Great Sci-Fi for Those Who Don’t Like Sci-Fi

I used to read sci-fi books as a kid, but when I became a teenager I traded sci-fi stories for the passion of teen romance books. As a reader’s advisory librarian, I talk to adults who like me fell out of love with sci-fi years ago. Now, they have children who love sci-fi and would like to fall back in love with the genre. So, I often hear…what sci-fi books you would recommend for those who fell out of love with sci-fi years ago?

Here are some of the picks that make patrons fall back in love with sci-fi all over again:

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

This is the story of a child genius and his struggle to save humanity from invading aliens. Orson Scott Card has created an awesome book about the taxing toll of war told entirely through the eyes of children. This book is so good that you can read it in one sitting.

The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

This book is a true example of how science fiction can be used to emphasize the idea that war changes people…you return an entirely different person to an entirely different place.  Joe Haldeman uses space travel and time to age his character, William Mandella, months while Earth ages centuries.  The story is full of hard science fiction, but really it’s ultimately about war and change.

Fledgling by Octavia Butler

Vampire novels are all the rage. Thanks, Twilight. However, Fledging is a captivating vampire story dripping in science fiction (these vampires are from outer space) that also delves into struggles with race, sexuality, and the ultimate need to belong.

So, if you would like to dive into sci-fi, but don’t really know where to start or aren’t too sure that you like the genre, then try some of these books. You won’t be disappointed.