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maia comments on [Book Suggestions] Summer Reading for Younglings. - Less Wrong Discussion
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Comments (78)
Be careful - if you try too hard to change her opinions, she might decide Sci-Fi is no good at all. Try to cater to what you know about her interests.
The Scott Westerfeld "Uglies/Pretties" series might be a good introductory book for a girl who isn't interested in sci-fi yet. It has some interesting dystopian implications, but doesn't obviously have the "ALIENS! SPACE!" aesthetic overtones of most sci-fi, which is what turned me off from sci-fi books as a kid.
(I was also mostly into YA fantasy, and didn't like sci-fi until I discovered the part of it that was really about philosophical and ethical questions, not just aliens and space.)
I hated "Uglies" enough to demand that the audiobook be stopped partway through on a family car trip, but the general idea might be sound. Glancing at my shelf, sci-fi that might work includes:
Archangel series by Sharon Shinn (has a strongly fantasy aesthetic, but is technically sci-fi; the same author does some of both in other series/standalones)
The Host by Stephenie Meyer (especially if this girl likes Twilight, but it might not be young-audience-aimed enough; if you're giving her Ender's Game and its sequels, maybe it's fine)
Tripods series (has aliens in, but starts gently; first book IIRC only has tripods and doesn't explain them in terms of the aliens)
The Time Traveler's Wife is sci-fi while being heavily focused on its characters/relationships, but has plenty of adult content so maybe not that one.
I seem to have a lot more fantasy than sci-fi. Why is sci-fi preferable here at all?
Pure Uncle Bias in this case.
One reason sci-fi might be preferable: There doesn't seem to be a lot of fantasy that really explores the implications of different worlds and the ethical, social changes that might come with a different set of world-parameters...
That I know of, that is. I'd be happy to be pointed towards more of it.
Yeah, this one more suited for the uncle than for the niece :P Too much sexings.
Sold!
Seconding "The Tripods Trilogy" by John Christopher. It was my introduction to sci-fi and had a stong emotional impact.
What did you hate about Uglies?
The main character was completely unlikeable. I didn't approve of a single thing she thought, did, or said.
That's pretty thorough. I liked the book, but not its sequels.
I intend to not be too pushy. Just recommending books that have themes I know she'd enjoy. Thanks for the recommendation (books are currently on the reader now) and thanks for the warning, I'll keep it in mind.