Need More Sci Fi Book Suggestions

[skb12172]

Because of this board, I've read the Dahak series, Footfall, Lucifer's Hammer, Old Man's War, The Postman, and a couple of notable others. What am I still missing? What are your favorites? Fire Away!

[HTRN]

Larry Niven's Known Space series, especially the Man-Kzin wars

Homicidal alien carnivores, who consider all other species either dinner or slaves, discovers a primitive human spaceship, from a future earth that has had 300 years of tranquility(called the long peace), and even considers violence a mental illness.

I almost felt sorry for the damn ratcats.

There's a of throwaway line on the back of first book that sums it up nicely:
This was a fatal mistake for the Kzinti, of course; they learned the hard way that the reason why humanity had decided to study war no more was that humans were so very, very good at it.


HTRN

[Greg]

Oh there's lots of good stuff out there.

From David Drake, the Hammer's stories, the Leary/Mundy series, the Reaches books, (sort-of) the Northworld books, and many many one-offs that need to be read, like Redliners.

Couple series from Ringo and friends- the Posleen books (the ones with Kratman tend to be my favorites, while the Cally books are irritating but necessary), the Looking Glass series, the Empire of Man books... I personally don't care for the Council Wars books.

If you can find them, most anything by Gordon Dickson. Superb short stories by the bushel if you like shorter fiction, and he is famous for the Dorsai books (the earlier ones are best).

For variety, anything by Keith Laumer pre-stroke. The Retief books are hilarious and brilliant, the Bolo stories can be heartbreaking. Lots of worthwhile one-offs, Dinosaur Beach/The Timesweepers, The Great Time Machine Hoax, Once There Was a Giant....

Everyone has to read Asimov's Foundation books at some point.

From Orson Scott Card, the Ender and Ender's Shadow books.

[Kommander]

Ciaphas Cain: Hero of the Imperium!

[Bob K]

Haven't read scifi in years, but must recommend A Canticle for Leibowitz.

[Greg]

Mind you, that was kind of an off-the-top-of-my-head listing. There's so much more our there that interesting and worth reading. It really does depend on your taste.

Some more authors with good stuff that I'd recommend: (not listed in any kind of order)

David Brin
Vernor Vinge
Poul Anderson
Charles Stross
Greg Benford
Jerry Pournelle
Larry Niven (the last 2, both individually and together- not just Footfall)
Frank Herbert
Glen Cook
Randall Garrett (please try this)

[MiddleAgedKen]

John Boyd's The Last Starship from Earth.

If you have any tolerance for Star Trek at all, John M. Ford's (RIP) The Final Reflection and How Much for Just the Planet?

Heinlein, as Chris Byrne said. In addition to his list I'll specifically mention Double Star, The Puppet Masters, Methuselah's Children, and Job: A Comedy of Justice.

Not specifically sci-fi, but I first read it in a science fiction lit class in high school, is Pat Frank's Alas, Babylon!

[Darrell]

Voyage of the Star Wolf, by David Gerrold. It kicks ass. It's the story of a bad luck starship out to earn a name for itself, against the backdrop of humanity in an all out war against the Morthans, augmented humans who took off for space long ago. They're so highly developed they're "more than" human, hence the name, and are very nasty customers, and reminiscent of the Kzin mentioned by HTRN.

I've mentioned Gene Wolfe before, he's a great writer. Though he's lumped in with sci fi, his work might be considered closer to fantasy at times. Book of the New Sun is a classic four parter, not an easy read, though. Soldier of the Mist is great, and has two sequels. I'm into his Book of the Long Sun series at the moment. Wizard Knight is very good too.

Joe Haldeman is good, though I haven't read anything by him for years. John Scalzi is good, try Old Man's War.

[Precision]

David Brin -Uplift Wars series

Orson Scott Card -- Ender's Game and associated books. there are 3 trilogies I think

Stephen R Donaldson has a Sci fi series but I can't remember the name of it. The first book isn't very good all character development work but the rest of them are quite good.

[arctictom]

John Ringo I like most of his stuff , and I'm with Chris , Heinlein is a good place to start.
I like Williamson as well , if you get enough Sci Fi , try WEB Griffin, and Vince Flynn.