I really enjoy your sci fi reviews (the fact you have Peter Watts books behind you won me over). Sci fic Novela have a history of being were some of the best of scifi thought resides and its so great that 2021 was a good year for great Novela. I'm going to give Day Zero a spot on my reading list.
I only found your channel a couple of weeks age and I enjoy it very much. Your synopses of books are like a little taste of a new dish that makes you want set down right away and enjoy the meal. I look forward to more.
Great list! And I’ve got to move We Are Satellites up on my list. It seems like something I will love. Shards of Earth sounds amazing-just a bit nervous after not loving Children of Time but I’ll give it a try some time. I absolutely loved Day Zero! Definitely pulled at my heart strings also.
I just finished Day Zero a couple of days ago. I had to buy it based on your recommendation and I absolutely loved it. I was so invested in the story that my anxiety levels were rising the further into the story I went. Thank you so much for the recommendation. I have Elder Race up next to read.
Great list, Rachel! You know I always get so many great recommendations from you! I've had We Are Satellites on my TBR for a while now so I need to get to it in 2022. Also need to check out Refraction, Day Zero and Elder Race. Happy New Year! 🥂
Great list! I also enjoy so much the expanse series and I think is the best so far. I'm looking for other books to fill in the gap that leviathan falls had left.
Good to hear that Leviathan Wakes is your top of the list. I'm currently reading Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky. A respite from The Expanse series. Next up in that series is Tiamat's Wrath. So, I'm getting near the end of that series. Really loving Children of Time. And, as such, I'm really interested in more by Tchaikovsky. Probably will look into the sequels to Children of Time. Not all that sure which books that I'm interested in were published in 2021. Project Hail Mary is on my TBR. As is both Tchaikovsky books on your list.
M.R. Carey finished his Rampart trilogy in early 2021 with his book “The Fall of Koli”. That series is one of the handful of post-apocalyptic books that I actually enjoyed and The Fall of Koli was the best book in the series, but no one has really talked about it.
I loved that trilogy. I am anxiously awaiting what comes next from M. R. Carey. Klara and the Sun is one that floored me. Ishi has a way of slowly crafting his tales to a conclusion that leaves you in deep thought for days after finishing the read.
A bit late to the party, but I'm currently reading Elder Race by Tchaikovsky, and I'm loving it ! This is my first book by him, and it looks like he's a very clever writer. I'm probably gonna follow that up with Shards of Earth as the Hardcovers are still available...
I'm glad you liked Lightchaser. The 2nd author seems to have exerted a positive influence on some of Hamilton's other writing "quirks". Made the novella far more enjoyable. Started my reread of The Expanse series so I could read the last few I haven't read yet without struggling to remember who is who and what they've done. Am on third one, Abaddon's Gate (audiobook). Some chapters were slow enough that I could also read Gridlinked (Neal Asher) at the same time, and not miss much in the Expanse audiobook. I also finished the 2nd in Asher's Splatterjay series (The Voyage of the Sable Keech). Another good read from Asher. His Polity universe and the Splatterjay biology feels like a real thing. Refraction is on my very soon tbr, esp after you've praised it several times. I read Welker's Medora. A solid 3.5-4 star read. Enjoyable, and I want to read the second book in the duology now, and move on to Refraction. I currently have 3 eReaders (one will be for my sister) and have all three with books I'm reading, and two devices with audiobooks, so am listening to two audiobooks (not at the same time although I sometimes wonder if I could actually do that if I slowed the audio done to 1x speed (usually 1.8-2x speed is my preference); hmm, might be a fun experiment).
Every year is a great year for science fiction! I credit you with introducing me to Wick Welker. Refraction is a great book. His book Dark Theory is coming out this Spring and blends both sci fi and fantasy elements. Shards of Earth is also fantastic. For 2022 expand your "best of list" to 15....I would like to have seen Becky Chambers there.
Great selection of sci-fi books! Just started reading Project Hail Mary, first book of my 2022 reading year. Leviathan Wakes is on my 2022 TBR and looking forward to reading the series in it's entirety, thanks to you!
An excellent list. I had let my read of the Expanse series fall by the wayside but I’ve picked it up, due to your review of Leviathan Falls. I’m almost halfway through Babylon’s Ashes and thoroughly enjoying it. I do plan to read the Andy Weir book because I love The Martian. We are Satellites sounds reminiscent of the old Outer Limits episode Stream of Consciousness, which I love, so I’m keen to check that out. As for 2021 sci fi releases, I think I’m going to say that Boundless by Jack Campbell was my favourite. I’m invested in the characters and the ongoing story so it’s to it’s good to see him return to the setting. Have a great New Years.
I just wanted to mention that I've been enjoying all your end of the year videos and I love your channel so much. Thank you for the great content + amazing recommendations!
Charles Stross’ INVISIBLE SUN, the final part of a trilogy, was my fave of 21. It’s an involved series that takes place on several time lines, but Stross ties things up so good it’s worth the time invested.
@@TheShadesofOrange I highly recommend starting with THE ATROCITY ARCHIVES, the first in his “laundry” series, which is pretty much like 007 battling Lovecraftian threats. So much fun!
Good video! I appreciate helping us to find good scifi to read. I read lots of scifi but often buy books that are tough to get through by accident thinking they sound good by the descriptions. Klara and the Sun was very good, Hail Mary was good too and Leviathan Falls was awesome! But I will soon read your suggestions that I have not yet read🧐
I just started Star Trek Coda: Moments Asunder. It hooked me. It came out in September 2021. I don't know why Star Trek hooks me so much. Maybe it's the characters? I'm ready to start the Expanse after this.
I love your sci-fi videos! Your enthusiasm keeps getting me closer and closer to try it! And I trust your taste, so bookmarking this for reference! Which of these would you say is the best gateway to a thriller/horror reader?
@@NakiasHideaway I’m taking the plunge! I’m nervous though, because when I read I can’t picture things. So I feel I need to start with one that is character heavy, and doesn’t rely as much on world building.
Great video again - I am about to buy Project Hail Mary and can't wait to read it! - Day Zero was amazing; I did a video recently about that and the book that came before it, if you're curious. We Are Satellites is intriguing, as I really enjoyed her "Song for a New Day". Tchaikovsky is someone I'm loving at the moment...have you read Cages of Souls? What did you think of that?
@@TheShadesofOrange I partly asked because I bought it, to add to my Tchaikovsky reading, and then started seeing a few negative reviews...I will still read it with an open mind, but I was curious about what you thought.
from your list I've only read shards of earth and project hail mary but they're both in my top ten for the year too. these all sound great though, in fact you need to stop. I can only read so many books.
I'm celebrating New Year’s Eve quarantined and your voice gives me so much comfort. Thank you!
Aw sorry to hear that... happy to keep your company
Day Zero sounds AMAZING!!!! Adding to my TBR for sure!!!
Oooh Yes! I hope you like it!
I really enjoy your sci fi reviews (the fact you have Peter Watts books behind you won me over). Sci fic Novela have a history of being were some of the best of scifi thought resides and its so great that 2021 was a good year for great Novela. I'm going to give Day Zero a spot on my reading list.
Oh thanks! And yes loved Blindsight... I hope you caught my gushing review in my top 10 backlist sci fi video
I only found your channel a couple of weeks age and I enjoy it very much. Your synopses of books are like a little taste of a new dish that makes you want set down right away and enjoy the meal. I look forward to more.
Aw thanks so much
I have Shards of Earth and Elder Race on my shelf, so i'm looking forward to getting to those even more now!
I hope you enjoy them both!
Great list! And I’ve got to move We Are Satellites up on my list. It seems like something I will love. Shards of Earth sounds amazing-just a bit nervous after not loving Children of Time but I’ll give it a try some time. I absolutely loved Day Zero! Definitely pulled at my heart strings also.
Yeah I haven't read Children of Time so I can't compare them
I just finished Day Zero a couple of days ago. I had to buy it based on your recommendation and I absolutely loved it. I was so invested in the story that my anxiety levels were rising the further into the story I went. Thank you so much for the recommendation. I have Elder Race up next to read.
Yay! I'm SO happy you enjoyed it! I hope the Elder Race works for you as well
Oooo I have Refraction on my list and I think I need to move it up to read asap!
I hope you enjoy it!
Great list, Rachel! You know I always get so many great recommendations from you! I've had We Are Satellites on my TBR for a while now so I need to get to it in 2022. Also need to check out Refraction, Day Zero and Elder Race. Happy New Year! 🥂
Thanks Nakia... happy to add to your tbr!
Great list! I also enjoy so much the expanse series and I think is the best so far. I'm looking for other books to fill in the gap that leviathan falls had left.
I hear ya!
Good to hear that Leviathan Wakes is your top of the list. I'm currently reading Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky. A respite from The Expanse series. Next up in that series is Tiamat's Wrath. So, I'm getting near the end of that series. Really loving Children of Time. And, as such, I'm really interested in more by Tchaikovsky. Probably will look into the sequels to Children of Time.
Not all that sure which books that I'm interested in were published in 2021. Project Hail Mary is on my TBR. As is both Tchaikovsky books on your list.
I still need to read Children of Time... hopefully next year!
M.R. Carey finished his Rampart trilogy in early 2021 with his book “The Fall of Koli”. That series is one of the handful of post-apocalyptic books that I actually enjoyed and The Fall of Koli was the best book in the series, but no one has really talked about it.
Oh yes I've been meaning to try that trilogy
I loved that trilogy. I am anxiously awaiting what comes next from M. R. Carey. Klara and the Sun is one that floored me. Ishi has a way of slowly crafting his tales to a conclusion that leaves you in deep thought for days after finishing the read.
Project Hail Mary is on my top of the year as well. I have Elder Race to check out soon. I really enjoyed Light Chaser this year as well. Great list!
Glad you enjoyed those... hope you like Elder Race
I could not agree more about the Expanses series of James SA Corey
C Robert Cargill’s other book, Sea of Rust, was also very readable and a great foray into SciFi
Oh yes I enjoyed that one
A bit late to the party, but I'm currently reading Elder Race by Tchaikovsky, and I'm loving it ! This is my first book by him, and it looks like he's a very clever writer. I'm probably gonna follow that up with Shards of Earth as the Hardcovers are still available...
So glad you're enjoying it
I'm glad you liked Lightchaser. The 2nd author seems to have exerted a positive influence on some of Hamilton's other writing "quirks". Made the novella far more enjoyable.
Started my reread of The Expanse series so I could read the last few I haven't read yet without struggling to remember who is who and what they've done. Am on third one, Abaddon's Gate (audiobook). Some chapters were slow enough that I could also read Gridlinked (Neal Asher) at the same time, and not miss much in the Expanse audiobook. I also finished the 2nd in Asher's Splatterjay series (The Voyage of the Sable Keech). Another good read from Asher. His Polity universe and the Splatterjay biology feels like a real thing.
Refraction is on my very soon tbr, esp after you've praised it several times. I read Welker's Medora. A solid 3.5-4 star read. Enjoyable, and I want to read the second book in the duology now, and move on to Refraction. I currently have 3 eReaders (one will be for my sister) and have all three with books I'm reading, and two devices with audiobooks, so am listening to two audiobooks (not at the same time although I sometimes wonder if I could actually do that if I slowed the audio done to 1x speed (usually 1.8-2x speed is my preference); hmm, might be a fun experiment).
I hope you enjoy Refraction and your reread of the Expanse.
Every year is a great year for science fiction! I credit you with introducing me to Wick Welker. Refraction is a great book. His book Dark Theory is coming out this Spring and blends both sci fi and fantasy elements. Shards of Earth is also fantastic. For 2022 expand your "best of list" to 15....I would like to have seen Becky Chambers there.
So happy to introduce you to a new scifi author! And that's great to know that you wouldn't mind if I expanded this to a top 15 next year
I agree about Project Hail Mary except it would not be in my top 10. Thanks for the list! I'll be adding a few to my TBR.
Yeah I was really hoping to find another true favourite to replace it at number 10
Great selection of sci-fi books! Just started reading Project Hail Mary, first book of my 2022 reading year. Leviathan Wakes is on my 2022 TBR and looking forward to reading the series in it's entirety, thanks to you!
I hope you enjoy them both!
Best of the best of the best! Love the top ten lists Rachel!
Oh thanks Raymond! One more Top 10 coming next week!
An excellent list. I had let my read of the Expanse series fall by the wayside but I’ve picked it up, due to your review of Leviathan Falls. I’m almost halfway through Babylon’s Ashes and thoroughly enjoying it. I do plan to read the Andy Weir book because I love The Martian. We are Satellites sounds reminiscent of the old Outer Limits episode Stream of Consciousness, which I love, so I’m keen to check that out. As for 2021 sci fi releases, I think I’m going to say that Boundless by Jack Campbell was my favourite. I’m invested in the characters and the ongoing story so it’s to it’s good to see him return to the setting. Have a great New Years.
Happy New Years! I'm so happy you're continuing on with the Expanse. I definitely need to read more Jack Campbell
I just wanted to mention that I've been enjoying all your end of the year videos and I love your channel so much. Thank you for the great content + amazing recommendations!
Oh thank you! Your comment made my day
Charles Stross’ INVISIBLE SUN, the final part of a trilogy, was my fave of 21. It’s an involved series that takes place on several time lines, but Stross ties things up so good it’s worth the time invested.
I still need to read Stross
@@TheShadesofOrange I highly recommend starting with THE ATROCITY ARCHIVES, the first in his “laundry” series, which is pretty much like 007 battling Lovecraftian threats. So much fun!
Good video! I appreciate helping us to find good scifi to read. I read lots of scifi but often buy books that are tough to get through by accident thinking they sound good by the descriptions. Klara and the Sun was very good, Hail Mary was good too and Leviathan Falls was awesome! But I will soon read your suggestions that I have not yet read🧐
Thank you! I'm happy that you find my sci fi content helpful
I haven't read the Martian yet, or Project Hail Mary, but I do have PHM on my TBR since I was gifted it a while back.
I think you'll really enjoy it!
This sounds great!
many interesting books, going to check out all of them - thanks :)
I just started Star Trek Coda: Moments Asunder. It hooked me. It came out in September 2021. I don't know why Star Trek hooks me so much. Maybe it's the characters? I'm ready to start the Expanse after this.
Love the Star Trek shows. Admittedly haven't read many of the novels
You did entice me into The Elder Race.
Wonderful!
Subscribed.
Happy New Year!
Thank you! Happy new years to you too!
I love your sci-fi videos! Your enthusiasm keeps getting me closer and closer to try it! And I trust your taste, so bookmarking this for reference! Which of these would you say is the best gateway to a thriller/horror reader?
Oh thank you! You might enjoy some scifi horror or mysteries like Into the Drowning Deep, 14 by Peter Clines or Six Wakes
Definitely try some, Paulina! 😁
@@NakiasHideaway I’m taking the plunge! I’m nervous though, because when I read I can’t picture things. So I feel I need to start with one that is character heavy, and doesn’t rely as much on world building.
@@FrostaWingsIt Oh, I don't do world building sff. 😄
For me, the best book of 2021 was Alastair Reynold's Inhibitor Phase. It was fun to return to the Revelation Space Universe.
I suspect it would have been on my list if I had read the original trilogy first
Have you watched the Expanse show? Is it worth tuning into?
I watched the first two seasons. It was good but I personally prefer the books
Yay you made this list so I don't have to because our lists are basically the same.
I'd still love to see yours in January but no pressure
@@TheShadesofOrange anything for you! I'll compile a list and film it!
Great video again - I am about to buy Project Hail Mary and can't wait to read it! - Day Zero was amazing; I did a video recently about that and the book that came before it, if you're curious. We Are Satellites is intriguing, as I really enjoyed her "Song for a New Day". Tchaikovsky is someone I'm loving at the moment...have you read Cages of Souls? What did you think of that?
Glad you enjoyed the video and awesome that we have some overlap on our lists
And no I haven't read that one
@@TheShadesofOrange I partly asked because I bought it, to add to my Tchaikovsky reading, and then started seeing a few negative reviews...I will still read it with an open mind, but I was curious about what you thought.
loved this, are you on audea? was trying to find some of your content to listen to there!
Nope
Should I finish Tchaikovsky's Children of Time? I stopped around 55%.
I haven't read it myself so I can't weigh in on that
I'm not ready to finish the Expanse 😭😭😭
It's so sad to be done
Hey
from your list I've only read shards of earth and project hail mary but they're both in my top ten for the year too. these all sound great though, in fact you need to stop. I can only read so many books.
Haha happy to add to your tbr... sounds like we have similar tastes!
🛸
Elon musk is already working on brain implants for people 😟
We are satellites
Why am I not surprised