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by __rito__ 818 days ago
I never really cared for SciFi before I read Neal Stephenson. I read Cryptonomicon (among my all-time top-5) and Diamond Age and I was hooked.

Then I read 3BP, and I really really loved it. Historical plots, present day, big ideas, imaginitive author, focus on multiple technologies rather than one, and so on.

Since then, I have been trying to find the high I found in them. And I am mostly failing. I disliked Blake Crouch's Dark Matter. But I liked the lighthearted "Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir. I am currently reading "Anathem" by Stephenson. I really like it, and it's different from 3BP. I also found Ted Chiang's short stories, and liking them.

Can you suggest me books that are like 3BP? I know they are not perfect, but damn did they blow my mind!

I got Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu, but they read like fanstasy, and haven't given the series a proper chance.

I wrote about my own thoughts on SciFi here: https://ritogh.substack.com/p/project-hail-mary-andy-weir-a-...

3 comments

Seven Eves. You'll love it. It doesn't have aliens, but it does have lots of tech, space, extiction, survival and politics.
Reading Anathem now. Will read Seveneves next.
While I haven't read 3BP yet, you might be interested in the Zones of Thought series by Vernor Vinge. Extremely grand and unique universe, some politics, diverse cast, lots of interesting tech. I use it as a benchmark for grand space operas.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Chiming in late to wholeheartedly endorse Seveneves.
Greg Egan anything. Can't recommend him enough. BIG ideas.
I already have two of his books. Will definitely read them.

Anything else?