TOP 10 SCI-FI BOOKS I READ IN 2021

[@JasonBerekLewis]

I discovered your channel yesterday; I really appreciate your content. I feel the same way about Children Of Time; it's my favourite sci-fi book. The sequel is very good, too. Tchaikovsky is becoming my favourite sci-fi writer.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks so much, that means a lot Jason! I’m excited for Shards of Earth and will pick up Children of Ruin at some point too. I’ve heard great things about Dogs of War as well!

[@callmeal4183]

Hi. Just found your channel. My top 10 SF reads of the year are 10. Ursula K Le Guin - The Dispossessed 9. Mary Doria Russell - The Sparrow 8. Peter F Hamilton - Pandora’s Star 7. Scott Westfeld - The Risen Empire 6. China Mieville - Embassytown 5. Vernor Vinge - The Peace War 4. John Scalzi - Redshirts 3. Robert Charles Wison - Spin 2. Ann Leckie - Ancillary Justice And my very favourite is 1. Iain M Banks - Inversions (but I think that you need to have read the previous books to fully appreciate it)

[@WordsinTime]

This is an awesome list! I’ve actually only read Spin (one of my all-time favourite books) but I have read different books by 6 of the authors on this list. I own Pandora’s Star and Ancillary Justice and will be reading them in 2022. I’ve read a couple Culture series books and will eventually make my way to Inversions. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the channel!

[@callmeal4183]

The Ancillary trilogy as a whole is impressive, although another book set in the same universe, Provenance, is not of the same high standard. Redshirts is a hoot (especially for Trekkies) and a quick read. I took a punt on Vernor Vinge and Scott Westerfeld and was not disappointed. I have the Hyperion Cantos on my bookshelf ready for later in the year. Also Axis and Vortex, the remaining two in the Spin triology. Good luck with the channel.

[@WordsinTime]

@@callmeal4183 Thanks so much for the recommendations! I’ll let you know when I get to them and I hope you enjoy Hyperion!

[@bmoneybby]

that is a legitimate list

[@aliciacampos5789]

Jonathan, I completely know what you mean about flowers for Algernon. I read it a long time ago when I was in high school and it was devastating. I think you’re right in that you’ll remember this book for the rest of your life because I’m a lot older than you and I still remember it. I know I can never read it again, as it was just Too heartbreaking. Children of time will be a future classic, for sure. How is Adrian Tchaikovsky so prolific?

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad it had a lasting impact on you as well! I don’t know how Tchaikovsky writes so much, but Children of Time is something special!

[@nikolavitorovic6857]

The Expanse is sort of up and down book by book in the first 2/3 of the series and the last third is just amazing, so keep at it, I'm sure you'll love it.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks, that’s great to hear! I’ll be reading Cibola Burn in February and Nemesis Games in March or April!

[@UncleMonk23]

Alastair Reynolds is one of my top 3 SciFi authors and Love his books…Yes House of Suns is still one of his best books and it is a stand alone as is Pushing Ice which I rank as his next best stand alone followed by Century Rain and then Terminal World…Chasm City is a prequel and a part of the Revelation Space series and should be read before Revelation Space…It’s a wonderful book and a great kickoff to his most well known series to date… new to the channel and liking it so far…keep up the good works…👍🏻

[@WordsinTime]

That’s great to hear Bob! House of Suns is one of my absolute favourite books of all-time, so I’m excited to hear you think so highly of Pushing Ice. I’m excited to read that one this year!

[@Joe-lb8qn]

A Memory Called Empire "there isnt much action" ... understatement of 2021 ! I'm late to the party with this vid and its some time since i read the book but i recall leaving an "extremely dull" review on Amazon and i dont think theres ANY action in it LOL. I liked Recursion, Rendevous, all the Hyperion series though Endymion really must be read third, it doesnt stand alone IMO, & Flowers. Ive literally just bought Empire of Silence due to a recommendation by you in another vid (8 sci fi books to read).

[@WordsinTime]

I liked it, but yes, there’s not much action haha. I’m glad you enjoyed those other books, I hope you like Empire of Silence! The series feels like it was influenced by Dune, Hyperion, and Book of the New Sun. I just finished book 5 and loved it!

[@ianthereader]

Oooo I was so close with my guess! I am so excited that the series gets even better after book one of Suneater. I can’t wait to continue! Side note, Flowers for Algernon is one of my favorite books. Such a thought provoking and heartbreaking novel.

[@WordsinTime]

Haha yes, you almost picked it! Most fans seem to think the series gets a lot better after book 1, but I already loved book 1, so for me it was only a slight improvement. But yes, it seems to be getting better and better! And I’m glad Flowers for Algernon had such an impact on you too!

[@tokyoreads4019]

Children of Time!! YES!! I’m really excited to start the Sun Eater series this year. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed Memory of Empire. It was one of my most disappointing books of the year, but I think I went in with different expectations. It wins cover of the year though, for sure!

[@WordsinTime]

Children of Time is stunning! I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on Sun Eater. I can see A Memory Called Empire not working for everyone. I think it executes what it tries to do quite well, but it does have a particular focus. If it doesn’t work for someone in the first 100 pages or so, then it might not suit them, because the book doesn’t change a lot stylistically.

[@BetterChessTraining]

Good picks...I had to click off though because some of your descriptions were semi-spolierish so didn't want my reading experience of a couple of your picks spoiled. Not a criticism but I'll come back to the video after I've finished a couple of the books.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad the video helped you find some books to try!

[@Nxrth2001]

Enjoyed the recs for sure.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks Chirag! Let me know if you pick any of them up and I hope you enjoy them!

[@JohnG225]

Some great choices. Children of Time was the book that restored my faith in (modern) sci-fi.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks John! I’m glad to hear Children of Time made an impact on you as well! It sets a high bar for modern sci-fi, so it will be interesting to see if I find anything that compares in 2022!

[@JohnG225]

@@WordsinTime it's a hard act to follow. I didn't enjoy the follow up (Children of Ruin) as much. I'm not sure I've found a modern sci-fi novel that I think beats Children of Time...yet.

[@WordsinTime]

@@JohnG225 I’ve heard some good things about Children of Ruin but also heard mixed reviews. I’d like to read it at some point but it’s not a top priority. If you are looking for a modern sci-fi recommendation, check out House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds. It has an amazing story with interesting characters and it introduces a mind blowing concept every 50 pages or so. I loved it!

[@JohnG225]

@@WordsinTime thanks. House of Sun has been sat on my shelf for a while (along with Pushing Ice and Revelation Space) so I must give them a read. CoR wasn't bad, but just failed to live up to CoT.

[@WordsinTime]

@@JohnG225 Let me know what you think of it if you get around to House of Suns! I also own Pushing Ice and will be reading it later this year, so hopefully I enjoy that one too.

[@Yesica1993]

I've read Rendesvous, Hyperion, & Recursion but not the rest. I need them all!

[@WordsinTime]

Nice! Let me know if you pick up any of the others, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

[@TuftyMcTavish]

🚀 I had two ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ SF reads in 2022, according to my GR, and they were “Catalyst Gate” by Megan E.O'Keefe (3rd in “The Protectorate” trilogy), and “Machine” by Elizabeth Bear (2nd in her “White Space” series). I adored “Children of Time” and like you it was my first exposure to Tchaikovsky. I’ve since bought several more of his books… I’ve been a huge Reynolds fan for a great many years, so I’m excited to see how you approach more of his extensive body of work.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks for the recommendations! I hadn’t heard of either of those books but I looked them up and they sound interesting. I’m glad to hear you enjoy Tchaikovsky and Reynolds. I’m excited to read more from them!

[@DREWSBOOKREVIEWS]

Children of time is on my TBR I have only ever heard good things

[@WordsinTime]

Let me know what you think of it when you get to it. The human storyline didn’t always hold my interest as much as the spider storyline, but the depth of the world building and the themes is just fantastic.

[@DREWSBOOKREVIEWS]

@@WordsinTime will do for sure, a bit of a ways down the TBR but I will get to it

[@Yesica1993]

Wow, I didn't know Rendezvous was going to be a movie! This may be one of the odd times where a movie may be an improvement over the book. (In a way.) The visuals are already there. If they can get some well done characters along with that, it could be very enjoyable!

[@WordsinTime]

It was just announced a couple of weeks ago! I love cinematic visuals but I often watch films more for story than visuals. However, I think this is one where the visuals could really make the film. With a little more character depth as well, this could turn out to be very enjoyable indeed!

[@hardikjeena8387]

Love your videos.... Great channel.... I would be keen to hear your thoughts on spin by robert charles Wilson..... Just finished reading it and absolutely loved it.... (in retrospect I wouldn't recommend reading the synopsis....)

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks so much, I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos! I absolutely loved Spin as well! One of the most awe inspiring sci-fi books I’ve read. I would definitely like to film a review for it in the future.

[@JamesI88]

I also read flowers for algernon last year. If I had to do a top sci fi only list I read last year, it would consist of flowers for algernon, deaths end, and timeline.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you enjoyed it! I will be starting The Three-Body Problem in March and Sphere is on my TBR list for this year too. I’ll check out Timeline as well, thanks!

[@zrienkersh1475]

Also love Valis by PKD. So prophetic for our times.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks for the recommendation! I haven’t heard much about that one, I’ll look it up!

[@epiphoney]

Peter F. Hamilton - Pandora's Star. You're welcome. I DNF'd Children of Time, but you say the ending is the best part.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks for the recommendation! I have bought a copy of Pandora's Star and will read it at some point in 2022! I liked Children of Time from the beginning, but didn't love it until the last 200 pages.

[@thecryptile]

I read Chasm City last year too, it's one of the best books in the Revelation Space Universe

[@WordsinTime]

The worlds and concepts that Reynolds creates are amazing. Can’t wait to read more!

[@willp2877]

I'm reading Shards of Earth right now. Excited to see your review!

[@WordsinTime]

Awesome! I’m looking forward to this series! I should have a review uploaded in a couple of weeks!

[@WordsinTime]

Awesome! I’m looking forward to this series! I should have a review uploaded in a couple of weeks!

[@willp2877]

@@WordsinTime hope you enjoy! It is exciting to be following the series in real time as the books come out. That's the only series I am reading that is up to date. Although i plan on hopping on Sun Eater sometime this year.

[@WordsinTime]

​@@willp2877 I'm just seeing this comment now as KZbin held it for review for some reason. Sorry about that. I now have a Shards of Earth review uploaded if you're interested. That's awesome that you're starting Sun Eater. Let me know what you think of it!

[@willp2877]

@@WordsinTime no worries at all. Saw your SOE review and very much agree with your opinion. At the moment i am working on Pandora's Star. & will probably do A Memory Called Empire & Children of Time and then possibly Empire of Silence. Loving my tbr right now. Excited for my year of reading. Excited to be watching your reviews all year too!

[@UncleMonk23]

The Sun Eater series has been getting a lot of play on BookTube and I have it at the top of my TBR for this year and with books 4 and 5 coming out this year I want to get caught up quickly…You’re the first Demon in White review that I have seen and that has me ramping it up even more…Also Children of Time has been on my TBR for awhile now but it’s been getting more and more raves on BookTube so that’s next on my TBR for this year after Sun Eater…Hyperion Cantos is a top 5 SciFi series of All Time for me but the best SciFi book that I personally rank #1 All-Time for me is A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge…Have you read it? Love to hear your thoughts on it…Love Philip K Dick although he isn’t for everyone he is a bit of an acquired taste…Can’t wait to hear your views on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? New to your channel and enjoying it so far…Keep up the good works 👍🏻

[@WordsinTime]

I’ve also noticed Sun Eater getting more attention recently, which is great to see. It often gets compared to Dune and Red Rising but I also see a few Hyperion influences. The Hyperion Cantos is my favourite completed series that I’ve read, so perhaps you might enjoy Sun Eater too! I have read A Fire Upon the Deep and I loved some of the ideas but I didn’t connect with it overall as much as some of my favourites. I know a couple of very well-read sci-fi fans including yourself that love it, so perhaps I will re-read it one day and see if I get something different out of it the second time. I’m excited to read more PKD. He might not be for everyone but he definitely seems like a unique writer!

[@UncleMonk23]

@@WordsinTime Unique may be the best way to describe Philip K Dick and his books and that is a compliment…I enjoy them granted some more than others…He doesn’t always land for everyone though…

[@WordsinTime]

@@UncleMonk23 Yes, I can’t think of much else to compare Ubik too! I remember enjoying the film of A Scanner Darkly so I’m looking forward to reading that one!

[@BookInvasion]

New subscriber. Great list! I haven't read many of these as i tend to pick up the more odd selections. Maybe eventually...

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks so much and welcome to the channel! Feel free to recommend any lesser known books you think I might enjoy!

[@CD287-]

Apparently I need to read more sci-fi! I haven't read anything from most of these authors even! Sounds like I'm in for a treat!

[@WordsinTime]

Haha I feel the same way about fantasy, but I’m focusing on sci-fi for now. Let me know if you pick any of them up and I hope you enjoy them!

[@Rogue_VI]

I mostly read fantasy last year, but Children of Time was my top sci-fi book of the year.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it too! I’m focusing on sci-fi for now, but I enjoy watching fantasy BookTube videos as well. I have a long list of series to try for when I eventually get around to reading more fantasy. First Law and Mistborn sound like a couple of good ones to start with.

[@jdracing551]

Reading Empire of Silence right now!

[@WordsinTime]

That’s awesome! Let me know what you think of it. I hope you enjoy it!

[@willp2877]

Pretty neat. I want to read them all.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks! Let me know when you get to any of them. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

[@zrienkersh1475]

Also loved Ubik.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s great Kelly! It’s one that has really stuck with me. Have you read any other PKD books? I want to read A Scanner Darkly and maybe Do Androids later this year.

[@UncleMonk23]

Blake Crouch has also been getting a lot of play on BookTube and for me personally I just don’t get it… I guess he doesn’t connect with me like he does with so many others…Don’t get me wrong his books are fine and very readable…I still recommend them but I ask those that do decide to read them to temper their expectations based on the hype that they receive in reviews and on BookTube…For me Recursion was slightly better than Dark Matter but both are 3-3 1/2 ⭐️ or 6-6 1/2 ⭐️ based on whichever ratings system you prefer…again they are fine reads and recommendable but not the sensation that seems to be more the consensus for Goodreads/Amazon reviewers and BookTubers…Getting to know the channel and liking it so far…Keep up the good works 👍🏻

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks for the kind words Bob! I saw your Blake Crouch comments on my Recursion and Dark Matter videos and replied to them there. Thanks so much for the support!

[@mendisegal56]

Read Hail Mary!

[@WordsinTime]

I’m actually reading it right now! I’m about 200 pages in and very much enjoying it so far!

[@godofchaoskhorne5043]

I fkn hate ... Hate that most modern sci fi, dystopians and fantasy is YA... Almost all of it is either straight up YA or YA pretending to be adult by throwing a lot of curse words, poorly written violence and steamy scenes in between the love triangle at the magic school for gifted cyberpunk, lycanthropic vampire ^(hunters) with the right kind of special blood who never realised they were special untill their bullies pushed them too far that one dag, and they burst out in such an immense power that all the smart wise little green men in the world felt a tremor in the farce and sought them out to help them in their quest against Mr Evil Mc Evilson. But Oh NooOoOooOo! Mr McEvilson also felt the tremor and wants to convince you to join the shadow side, because even the bad guys think you're the sht. And he's hot. Real hot. Twice the age of our 15 year old naive but extremely smart and wise; plain but the most beautiful in the world; quirky but super stoic, female protagonist.

[@WordsinTime]

Haha this is quite a specific plot to repeat over and over again. I haven’t read a lot of sci-fi like this, perhaps it is more of a fantasy trope.