Over in the last SFF swap, Giz played for the first time, but kept telling us that she felt intimidated. I posted a couple of books that I would recommend for someone who hasn't read SFF, and I figured it might be a good idea to collaborate on a list of SFF books that might be a good introduction to the genre(s).
Over at
Project Gutenberg Australia, they define
"SF" as being "Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Superhero Fiction, Swords Fiction, Sorcery Fiction, Spies Fiction, Supernatural Fiction and Scary Fiction."
Here is a quick list I put together for Giz ... definitely slanted toward a woman who hasn't read much (if any) SFF and wanting to make sure that the experience is pleasant. (I've updated the descriptions and included comments from Pepper.)
Science FictionEnder's Game by Orson Scott Card. Ender Wiggin is a very bright young boy with a powerful skill. One of a group of children bred to be military geniuses and save Earth from an inevitable attack by aliens, known here as "buggers," Ender becomes unbeatable in war games and seems poised to lead Earth to triumph over the buggers. Meanwhile, his brother and sister plot to wrest power from Ender. Twists, surprises and interesting characters elevate this novel into status as a bona fide page turner. It captured the Nebula and Hugo Awards.
If you like this one, there are 3 direct sequels and then a parallel series (essentially the same events from the perspective of a couple of different characters).
The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey. The Rowan, a powerful but lonely psychic in charge of the Federal Telepath & Transport service, touches minds and falls in love with another of her ilk who needs help fighting extraterrestrials. "In this sensitive portrayal (expanded from the author's first published story, 'Lady in the Tower') McCaffrey draws a warm and vivid picture of a struggling frontier society," said Publisher's Weekly.
This is the first of five books (The Rowan, Damia, Damia's Children, Lyon's Pride,
The Tower and the Hive); again giving you more books set in the same universe if you enjoyed this one. I can also recommend anything else written by Anne. She's given us so much pleasure over the past 40 years.
Tunnel in the Sky by Robert Heinlein. The final exam for Dr. Matson's Advanced Survival class was meant to be just that: only a test. But something has gone terribly wrong...and now Rod Walker and his fellow students are stranded somewhere unknown in the universe, beyond contact with Earth, at the other end of a tunnel in the sky. Stripped of all comforts, hoping for apassage home that may never appear, the castaways must band together or perish. For Rod and his fellow survivors, this is one test where failure is not an option....
I love Heinlein's books. He produced a number of SF books that are classified as juvenile or young adult" fiction, but these books have just as serious topics as his books intended for adults. In some cases, the "juveniles" are even better than his adult fiction.
Rite of Passage by Alexi Panshin. In 2198, one hundred and fifty years after the desperate wars that destroyed an overpopulated Earth, Man lives precariously on a hundred hastily-established colony worlds and in the seven giant Ships that once ferried men to the stars. Mia Havero's Ship is a small closed society. It tests its children by casting them out to live or die in a month of Trial in the hostile wilds of a colony world. Mia Havero's Trial is fast approaching and in the meantime she must learn not only the skills that will keep her alive but the deeper courage to face herself and her world. Published originally in 1968, Alexei Panshin's Nebula Award-winning classic has lost none of its relevance, with its keen exploration of societal stagnation and the resilience of youth.
Similar theme as
Tunnel in the Sky and it might be interesting to read both and compare the way in which the authors approached the subject.
The Revolving Boy by Gertrude Friedberg. Derv had always known that some day he would learn a frightening truth about himself. Now Derv knew the truth -- and terror became delight. He was the only human being to be born weightless in free flight. At last Derv felt wholly in tune with the outside influence which had turned and pulled him since birth -- the Direction.
Although this book has not been reprinted since 1980, it's worth finding a copy in a library or used sale.
FantasyI haven't read as much fantasy, so I don't have as many recommendations.
Alanna by Tamora Pierce. Call it fate, call it intuition, or just call it common sense, but somehow young Alanna knows she isn't meant to become some proper lady cloistered in a convent. Instead, she wants to be a great warrior maiden--a female knight. But in the land of Tortall, women aren't allowed to train as warriors. So Alanna finds a way to switch places with her twin, Thom, and take his place as a knight in training at the palace of King Roald. Disguising herself as a boy, Alanna begins her training as a page in the royal court. Soon, she is garnering the admiration of all around her, including the crown prince, with her strong work ethic and her thirst for knowledge. But all the while, she is haunted by the recurring vision of a black stone city that emanates evil... somehow she knows it is her fate to purge that place of its wickedness. But how will she find it? And can she fulfill her destiny while keeping her gender a secret?
First of a dozen books for Young Adults. Features strong women and girls; swords and sorcery sub-genre.
Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper. The first book in Cooper's highly acclaimed fantasy sequence, The Dark Is Rising, this novel sets the stage for all that follows, as the three Drew children discover an ancient map in the attic of their vacation home in Cornwall. With map in hand, the children begin their quest to find the grail and thwart the forces of evil. Alex Jennings, accomplished British stage and screen actor, is brilliant in this performance, capturing the emotions of all the children with deft inflection and pacing. He does an especially delicious job bringing to life the menace of the shadowy characters of the novel.
First of five books (Over Sea, Under Stone; The Dark is Rising; Greenwitch; The Grey King; Silver on the Tree) in an award-winning series. The Grey King won the Newbery Medal. The Dark Is Rising was the only Newbery Honor Book of its publication year. Two other books in the sequence were runners-up for Britain's Carnegie Medal.