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Alicorn comments on [Book Suggestions] Summer Reading for Younglings. - Less Wrong Discussion

8 Post author: Karmakaiser 12 May 2012 04:57PM

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Comment author: Alicorn 12 May 2012 06:56:32PM *  2 points [-]

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?

Comment author: Karmakaiser 12 May 2012 09:07:54PM 2 points [-]

Why is sci-fi preferable here at all?

Pure Uncle Bias in this case.

Comment author: maia 13 May 2012 02:02:39AM 1 point [-]

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.

Comment author: Manfred 12 May 2012 09:18:35PM 1 point [-]

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.

Yeah, this one more suited for the uncle than for the niece :P Too much sexings.

Comment author: Karmakaiser 12 May 2012 09:56:54PM 2 points [-]

Sold!

Comment author: dugancm 15 May 2012 12:13:53AM 0 points [-]

Seconding "The Tripods Trilogy" by John Christopher. It was my introduction to sci-fi and had a stong emotional impact.

Comment author: NancyLebovitz 12 May 2012 11:24:44PM 0 points [-]

What did you hate about Uglies?

Comment author: Alicorn 12 May 2012 11:29:30PM 1 point [-]

The main character was completely unlikeable. I didn't approve of a single thing she thought, did, or said.

Comment author: NancyLebovitz 12 May 2012 11:36:24PM 0 points [-]

That's pretty thorough. I liked the book, but not its sequels.