Science Fiction

Recommended by Hannah Jarzombek, Branch Supervisor for the Chase Architecture Library: Matha Wells' Murderbot Diaries follows a part-organic/part-mechanical clone designed to be a literal killing machine for an intergalactic corporatocracy. Luckily, by the start of the books, it has broken its programming and spends its time ignoring orders and watching TV programs instead. Across the course of seven books, the titular Murderbot (it named itself) grapples with free will, companion and friendship, community, accountability and expectation, being loved, and what it means to be a person, even though it's not a human. Murderbot has a dry, sarcastic voice and pessimistic view of the world it moves through, which makes the books delightfully readable, along with a host of characters—human and otherwise—who will find a home in any reader's heart, just like Murderbot's. (Metaphorically. It literally doesn't have a heart. Just a lot of emotions it doesn't know what to do with.)

Recommended by Carl Teegerstrom, Creative & Instructional Technologies Librarian: Samuel R Delany is part of the New Wave of Science Fiction, a movement that strove to push the limits of the genre and explore its literary potential. Nova is a fantastic example of his science fiction. The novel is a colorful, psychedelic, space opera about a race to a supernova to retrieve a near-mystical material from the collapsing core.

Recommended by Grant Hardaway, Librarian for Psychology & Life Sciences: Dutch author Slovej Balle's On the Calculation of Volume presents a unique spin on the daily time loop (a la Groundhog Day). Part one of a planned seven volume series, this volume lays the groundwork for the series' peculiar fixations. As a meditation on daily routines, the rhythm and flow of relationships, and the alienation of isolation, Calculation of Volume stands apart as a meditative sci-fi novel that subverts expectations.

Recommended by Anna McGilvray, Librarian for Physical & Computational Sciences: This book, which is half action/thriller half speculative/philosophical science fiction, was created in collaboration between two well-known but very different sci-fi authors. Keanu Reeves (yes, the actor) recently released a popular comic book series, BZRKR, which tells the story of an immortal warrior seeking to learn about (and potentially end) his immortality. This book is loosely an adaptation of that comic series, though Miéville – who is known for being a “weird sci-fi” author – does make it much weirder.

Recommended by Taylor Grobelny, Libraries Administrative Coordinator: Not only does this collection of short stories have the best title ever, it’s also a fantastic introduction to Izumi Suzuki (1949–1986) – a pioneering Japanese science fiction writer and countercultural icon. Blending dystopian futures with biting social commentary, the stories in Terminal Boredom tackle alienation, gender dynamics, and the absurdity of modern life with a playful punk sensibility that feels fresh – even decades after they were written. You’ll be anything but bored.

Recommended by Gina Bastone, Librarian for English and Women's & Gender Studies: Set in a dystopia where the discarded living experiments of a nefarious biotech corporation run amok, a scavenger Rachel (a human) raises Borne (a hybrid creature, maybe sentient plant?). Rachel teaches Borne what it means to be a good person and harnnes his power, against the backdrop of the corporation's ever-growing control, which at one point includes weaponizing a giant flying bear. Borne is unlike anything else I've read yet manages to maintain a kind heart at its core. That's my favorite kind of book.

Recommended by Carol Pettijohn, Digital Reformatting Coordinator: Written by local author Stina Leicht, Persephone Station features a gang of women mercenaries fighting corporate exploitation and colonization. The action is punchy and exciting, and Leicht's diverse characters shine. I loved the layered worldbuilding and had fun watching the different character POVs overlap. If you like action-packed space adventures with strong characters, you should check out this book.