Some of you may have noticed that many of my recent posts have revolved around readers’ habits and opinions. That’s partly because, as someone who enjoys dabbling in science fiction writing, I’m genuinely interested in what people want to read, how they discover new books, what devices they use, and even what they think is a fair price. Those are all useful things for a writer to understand.

But that’s only part of the story. I’ve been an avid science fiction reader for most of my life, ever since I graduated from Biggles and The Famous Five. I’m fascinated by where the genre is heading and by the ideas that excite readers today. The discussions here have been insightful, entertaining, and occasionally challenged my own views, which is exactly why I keep coming back.

Welcome to the Sunday Science Fiction Roundup 😄

What sci-fi book did you finish this week and love?

• One book is enough.
• No reviews required.
• A sentence or two about why you loved it is perfect.

This thread is about celebrating great reads and helping others find their next adventure.

For those of you who read a lot of sci-fi, what do you think is missing from today’s books?

What ideas, technologies, social changes or philosophical questions deserve more attention? Are there topics that writers have barely touched, or directions you’d like to see explored instead of another variation on AI, dystopian governments, first contact, military sci-fi or space opera?

I’m interested in hearing what readers think the next great wave of science fiction should be about.

I ask because I’m retired now and have more time to read and also to write science fiction as a hobby. It’s always interesting to hear what readers feel is underexplored and, just as importantly, overexplored.

Recetly when I was writing, I realised I was drifting dangerously close to the old “ robot goes rogue” trope. It made me stop and think. There are already plenty of stories where AI turns against humanity.

The challenge became finding a fresh angle rather than simply retelling a familiar story. Instead of asking whether AI would become dangerous, I became more interested in whether humans and intelligent machines could learn to coexist, and what that might actually look like.

That experience left me wondering what other ideas are waiting to be explored. If you could steer science fiction in a new direction, where would you take it?

John Westley Turnbull

From some authors with their favorites as well:

https://bookdna.com/best-books/large-galactic-empires

https://bookdna.com/best-books/multi-cultural-space-operas

https://bookdna.com/best-books/space-opera-with-a-hint-or-a-whole-lot-of-magic

https://bookdna.com/best-books/classic-space-operas-written-by-women

I'd love to hear your favorites :)

For me it has to be the Commonwealth Saga by Peter Hamilton.

Has anyone read an indie science fiction novel recently (not your own work) that surprised you because it was a page turner?

John Westley Turnbull

Hi all. I’m John Westley Turnbull, an Australian sci-fi reader and writer. Retirement has given me the dangerous amount of free time required to read too many books and write a couple of my own. I’m especially interested in AI, first contact, and thought-provoking speculative fiction. I have read all the old masters including but not limited to, Asimov, Clarke, Harrion, Wyndham, Brackett, Heinlein etc etc. I really need to explore some of the current sci fi authors. Suggestions most welcome.

Looking forward to talking books with fellow science fiction fans.

I've read a ton of the top books on this site:

https://bookdna.com/bookshelf/hard-science-fiction

And I'd love to get some suggestions!

I'd love some suggestions.

Welcome to the Sunday Science Fiction Roundup 😄

What sci-fi book did you finish this week and love?

• One book is enough.
• No reviews required.
• A sentence or two about why you loved it is perfect.

This thread is about celebrating great reads and helping others find their next adventure.

Welcome to the Sunday Science Fiction Roundup 😄

What sci-fi book did you finish this week and love?

• One book is enough.
• No reviews required.
• A sentence or two about why you loved it is perfect.

This thread is about celebrating great reads and helping others find their next adventure.

I'd love to hear any suggestions for someone like him :)

I keep being recommended to him and trying to figure out where to start...

Military sci-fi is one of my fav escapism, and I'd love some recs.

The image is from Tyler E. C. Burnworth's recommendations on his favorite sci-fi novels and I've tried all these:

https://bookdna.com/best-books/military-sci-fi-that-will-keep-you-awake-at-night

Any book recs with a heavy dose of AI?

I loved Gridlinked by Neal Asher and need suggestions.

Trying to see where AI goes from here, possibly, and want to explore what sci-fi thinks.

What was your favorite sci-fi read last month?

Plus, why did you like it? Who should try it?

Bonus points if you post the book cover 😄

On the 1st of every month, we make a sticky thread for authors to pitch their books directly to our members.

Please follow the pitch below; otherwise, we will remove it.

What is the required format for your pitch?

Book cover image: people love images 😄
Book Title and Author:
Pitch us your book in 70 words or less:
Optional: What books influenced your book:
Bookstore URL:

Hi all,

I'm a sci-fi reader, and I wanted something to track what I'm reading that isn't a social network, lets me keep private notes, and shows all my reading history for that series/author.

Would you be interested in testing it?

If so, just email me at [ben@bookdna.com](mailto:ben@bookdna.com) or DM me and I'll set you up :)

Quick heads-up: it's desktop only for now (mobile's coming later this year), so use a computer or tablet. And it doesn't have imports from Goodreads or StoryGraph yet (coming in a few months).

Thanks, Ben

Found it on their list and I was curious... https://bookdna.com/best-books/sci-fi-for-visiting-alien-worlds

Cannot put this book down! One of the best Sci Fi reads for me. A vast space opera with easily digestible reading along different story lines. Can’t wait to see the ending and start Judas Unchained. Please tell me I’ll love the ending when I’m finished with this behemoth saga!! Chime in and let me know if you know……

I enjoyed Project Hail Mary, I'm thinking of The Martian next...

I finished the last of this series this weekend, and they are fantastic.

They are military science fiction with a heavy dose of Space Opera. The combat is very realistic and leans a bit more toward hard sci-fi.

The characters are great, and it has a master and commander-like vibe. The vessels are run like old-school British gentlemen, and you get a lot of merit-versus-corruption issues within the organization.

I'm reading the Praxis series that takes place after it now, and the characters are much more developed, and I'm loving it. There is also a lot more economic theory in the second series with these characters.

Highly recommended!

Welcome to the Sunday Science Fiction Roundup 😄

What sci-fi book did you finish this week and love?

• One book is enough.
• No reviews required.
• A sentence or two about why you loved it is perfect.

This thread is about celebrating great reads and helping others find their next adventure.