Summer Science Fiction Reading and Viewing - Part 1

I taught a science fiction English class for the first time this year. This Monday is the last day. A student asked for recommendations for reading over the summer. I pointed back to our list of literature that includes more than thirty novels. Yet, there are plenty of novels that did not make that list because they were too long or felt inappropriate for use in class.

On the second to last day, my co-teacher and I asked our science fiction students to give us feedback by filling out a form. One student asked about Star Trek. This student thought since I am such a big fan, that there would have been a Star Trek unit.

I struggle saying goodbye to my seniors. I feel like anything I say is inadequate. And while I invite them to return for a visit, connect to me on social media to stay in touch, and to email me with updates, I fear that, when they walk across the stage at Ravinia, that will be the end of the story. And that makes me sad.

There are only a few things I treasure more than the gift of a good book (or movie or television show). So, for my almost former students, my actual former students, and for anyone else who is interested, here are some ideas for some science fiction summer and future reading and viewing. Beyond the joy of our relationship and time together, I can think of nothing better I can give you:

Consider reading the works that have been nominated for the Hugo award. The Hugo awards are open to anyone who participates in the World Science Fiction Convention. These novels, stories, and other works were all published or released last year. There are novels, stories of various lengths, non-fiction, artwork, television shows, and movies. If you like this list, look at past finalists and winners, too! Similarly, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America has its own awards called the Nebulas. Professional science fiction and fantasy writers select these awards. You’ll see there is some overlap between the two lists.

There are some titles on the class list that students have loved, and if you haven’t yet read, you might enjoy. I am not going to summarize or sell each book. I will leave it up to you to do a little research. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline was a big hit this year. Several students have suggested that it become required reading. Every group that read Fifth Season by N.K. Jemison loved it.

A few years ago, I made some lists of books that I love. Some titles from that group that we couldn’t put on the list for the course that you might enjoy include Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein, Hyperion  (and The Fall of Hyperion) by Dan Simmons, Ancillary Justice by Anne Leckie, and American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

Going beyond the lists, here are a few more titles to consider:

Dune by Frank Herbert (give it at least 250 pages – be patient!)

Contact by Carl Sagen

Redshirts or Lock-In by John Scalzi

Lathe of Heaven by Ursula Le Guin

Bellwether by Connie Willis

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

The Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffery

Remember, short stories work, too! I love the collection Welcome to the Monkey House by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Ray Bradbury has several collections including Illustrated Man, I Sing the Body Electric and The Martian Chronicles. The Locus reading list even links directly to many pieces of short fiction!

Yes, I know that my recommendations could be more diverse and I am working on this. Stay tuned.

Speaking of tuned, here are a few movies you might want to add to your summer viewing:

2001: A Space Odyssey

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension

Arrival

Brazil

Galaxy Quest

Gattaca

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Princess Bride

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Star Wars (the original)

Sleeper

Finally, if you want to know what Star Trek is all about, here is a list of episodes and movies to view that will give you an idea of why I love it so much.

Begin with episodes from the original series:

"Where No Man Has Gone Before"

“Balance of Terror,"

"Shore Leave,"

"Devil in the Dark,"

"City on the Edge of Forever."

Look at a few of the films:
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Then you are ready to move into the other series, which I will include in a future post like this.

I also strongly recommend The Final Reflection by John Ford. It is a Star Trek book, and it is outstanding science fiction. It is worthwhile even if you are not a Star Trek reader.

I know this collection leaves out very important novels, movies, and television series. It is woefully incomplete, thus the “part 1” in the title. The most important thing is to keep exploring: books, movies, graphic novels, and anything else – and then share them!