[Herodotus38]

My opinion is to read 3 body problem first and complete the trilogy. I like Hyperion and read all the series but found each subsequent book less satisfying than the last (kind of like reading the sequels to Ender's Game). On the other hand, the series by Cixin gets even better after the first.

Have you read The Sparrow or any of Ted Chiang's short stories?

[spappal]

I read Chiang's Exhalation [0] prompted by your question. So much story in so few (6505) words! Great use of a crafted universe to tell a story relevant to us. That's the beauty of sci-fi as I understand it. Worth the 30 minutes.

[0]: http://www.nightshadebooks.com/Downloads/Exhalation%20-%20Te...

[Herodotus38]

Thanks, I haven't read it yet, as I wanted to order the new collection it's published in. I really enjoyed his collection of short stories:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stories_of_Your_Life_and_Oth...