Good Sci-Fi is Hard to Find, but It’s Out There Somewhere

I enjoy reading good books in the Science Fiction genre, but it is hard to find good new books in the category.

Andy Weir is one of my favorites.  His best-selling novel “The Martian” provides a lot of the things I look for in such books.  The main character is likable, smart and has a good sense of humor.  He’s a slightly nerdy “everyman” who finds a store of personal courage.  The book applies science and math in the solution of a seemingly insurmountable problem.  The book was faithfully adapted into a major movie and I strongly recommend both the book and movie.

Weir’s more recent novel, “Project Hail Mary” is a completely separate storyline, but it uses similar plot and character qualities to create another great story.  It is being adapted into a major movie, expected to premiere in March 2026.  I strongly recommend the book and hope that the movie is as good as the advance trailers and commentaries suggest.  My favorable review of the novel also explores these questions- “What happened next?”  and  “Is there intelligent life on other planets?”  To see this review (include the option for an entertaining YouTube video adaptation of the review), follow this link:  [Epilogue for Project Hail Mary]

I recently tried the 2025 novel “Hole in the Sky” by Daniel H. Wilson.  He is the author of the bestselling “Robopocalypse,” which I had enjoyed.  The book jacket description is promising.  But I won’t be finishing it.  Perhaps the third chapter title isn’t meant to warn readers: “Flagged for Profanity.” However, based on the first chapters and then flipping through the rest of the book, that warning is fitting.  I am not willing to swim through a stream of profanity, vulgarity or obscenities to find the story.  Perhaps writers mean for such language for impact, or to make a character seem strong or gritty, but when used with any frequency, it diminishes what might otherwise be a worthwhile read.  It has the appeal of rancid Spam and I’ll pass on that.