I love how you sectioned this between liked and disliked! I don’t know where I’ll land with Three Body Problem, but I’m so glad I read Dawn thanks to you! 😊💜
Dawn was a great book. 3BP is one of those books you have to look at from the end and take it as a whole. The trilogy, in my opinion, makes 3BP a better book. It's a book that I have a sense of accomplishment about finishing, which is to say that it was a tough read but a rewarding one.
I need to read The Three Body Problem first!! But really interesting to see the two seperate recs. Would definitely enjoy seeing more of these videos :)
that was fun, speaking of fun, can you do a vid on sci-fi books that are happy reads? Like Andy's book. such as low stress, easy fun stories. Sometimes I just want to take a ride into the unknown without thinking too hard about it.
Loved Dawn. I read it after you recommended it in a video about Butler’s books. I ended up immediately reading almost all of Butler’s works and enjoyed them all. However I agree that Dawn is the best and one of my all time favourite books. Thank you for introducing it to me!
This style of video is great (especially for popular-yet-contentious books)! I like how you acknowledge that it's legitimate to like/dislike a book even when so many others feel the opposite. I feel like there's often too much pressure in the community to like the booktube darlings. As for 3BP, I fall into both camps because on first read I had to DNF, but with all the hype I gave it another shot and really liked it. My hot take is on Dark Matter by Blake Crouch, which I thought was awful. Maybe you could do a video in the same vein for lovers/haters of that one!
Fantastic video Whitney. Deepness in the sky and The Forge of God are going on the TBB. I'm going to just have to build another bookcase lol. Thanks Whitney
Thank you for this great video. I loved the 3BP series and you provided some interesting recommendations. I read Oryx and Crake several years ago and it still bothers me.
Loved the TBP - Different take, Cultural Revolution, original first contact and interplay, sobering ideas. I loved the Tencent cinematic film over the Hollywoodish Netflix version. I recommend the 30 episode Tencent version which actually follows the book unlike Netflix.
🔥 Agree, Tencent is more true to book but Netflix can be an ok starting point for folks who have trouble getting into the book or is fun for people to compare! Like they made 5 characters out of 1- and now there are emotions….
Great idea for a video. I would say Three Body Problem became wearisome. Would you say that perhaps Three Body Problem was also a discourse on the relation between humanity and totalitarian government?
I was very neutral with 3BP...but out of the ones you suggested, in both directions, that I have read, you were spot on...a couple of my favorites were Forge of God and the Opi Hotline....I am a HUGE fan of John Varley, so that is an immediate YES! Agree on all points. Nice video...a little different from the most...keep up the good work!
The Ophiuchi Hotline was on my radar at some point. Will be looking out for it, but then again, I haven't read the Three Body Problem yet 😂 Watched the first season of the Netflix show, looking forward to the books. And OMG Butler's Xenogenesis series hits quite hard. Listened to the audio books, can recommend. But probably one of those books I wouldn't want to re-read... And I remembering being quite excited about Gateway and the first couple of sequels from the Heechee series (I hope that's the one), I wanted to get all of the books as ebooks at some point.
I urge you to watch the Chinese version which actually follows the book. Most of those who did read the book like the Netflix whereas book readers prefer the Tencent version (free on Prime
In a sense Pandora's Star is related. Humans sort of accidentally cause a very dangerous alien to come to them. I think the characters are better too, and it has some science.
You were on point about Dawn. It was brilliant. It didn't mess around, & it was compellingly written. The Forge of God didn't do it for me - sadly. To much thriller; not enough SF - but it did have a spectacular ending. & I have The Ophiuchi Hotline, & Gateway, on my shelf. Looking forward to reading both of them this year.... & may I suggest The Harvest, by Robert Charles Wilson. A somewhat bleak & scary first contact novel. I've read several by this author, & he's always entertaining.
Not a fan, at all, of the 3BP. However for first contact, humanity in lots of trouble, big hard (neuro-) science concepts....Blindsight by Peter Watts hits it out of the park for me.
I need an advice or just a page count that will I need to work trought: You see I am not interested in the chinese gouverment of the time period the book starts with. How long is that part in the book? Keeping track of events and people is no problem. Or following the mistery. So how much of the book one do I need to push trough until I get to the point where it is more about the different event taking place on Earth and characters and mistery ?
The history part of the book is only the first (and maybe second) chapters. And its really to give motivation/reason for the main character’s choices later in book. So in summary, its hardly there at all.
About half of the recomendations for disliked i did read and did like or love. None of the books in the first list i have red. Now i'm wondering if i'm intended to like this series as much as i do so far. (in the middle of the second book so opinion might change).
Hey cutie!! Happy New Year!! I just finished "Pilgrims" by M R Leonard and let me recommend it to you: Sci-Fi with a religious twist, an easy and fast read to start this 2025!
Can I add one comment? I I came across a section of women writers in my library and was stunned they are so obscure. Pamela Sargent - Seed Trilogy, "Venus" trilogy (predates Stanley's Mars) & more. Kage Baker - Her Company time travel series is the best - 8 books, literary, captivating, exciting, romance and world building. Patricia Anthony - unusual First Contact. Brother Termite (aliens run the govt but to what purpose? - James Cameron has the movie rights), Cold Allies (aliens come during WW3), Happy Policeman (the world ends except Coomey, TX - inspired the Dome), God's Fires (aliens crash in Portugal during the Inquisition, finally (Yeah!) Sheri Tepper (sci-fi, ecology, mystery) Thanks!
Cool format for people that like and dislike (me)! And actually I've tried all the dislike recommendations, but I'm very picky/critical. Oryx and Crack & Gateway were each 2 stars for me, and the rest were DNF. I was loving Dawn to start with just the aliens though! Once other humans were mixed in I dropped out.
I still haven't read this series! Thanks for the reminder. I will have to check my library. Edit: And, once again, "all copies are in use." Good grief. You'd think I lived in a tiny/isolated town, instead of a major city like Chicago.
I loved Three Body Problem, and by chance read Project Hail Mary after. It is definitely the opposite, and was not a good choice. My mind wanted earth to wipeout the aliens before they wiped us out. 😂Probably not what Andy Weir was trying to do.
I thought The Three Body Problem was dreadful. Just dull and inept. Poorly written, amateurish, pedestrian. I would probably have recommended Andy Weir to folks that liked 3BP. For more discerning readers - those that hated it - I would suggest some Silverberg, Ballard, Philip K Dick. Or Iain Banks for something more up to date.
The title of the video poses an incredibly easy question to answer: literally anything whatsoever would be better.
Ha! ooof. 😅 guess u didnt like it much.
I love how you sectioned this between liked and disliked! I don’t know where I’ll land with Three Body Problem, but I’m so glad I read Dawn thanks to you! 😊💜
🔥
Dawn was a great book. 3BP is one of those books you have to look at from the end and take it as a whole. The trilogy, in my opinion, makes 3BP a better book. It's a book that I have a sense of accomplishment about finishing, which is to say that it was a tough read but a rewarding one.
Some great books recommendations here W, awesome!
Thanks!!
I need to read The Three Body Problem first!! But really interesting to see the two seperate recs. Would definitely enjoy seeing more of these videos :)
🔥
that was fun, speaking of fun, can you do a vid on sci-fi books that are happy reads? Like Andy's book. such as low stress, easy fun stories. Sometimes I just want to take a ride into the unknown without thinking too hard about it.
Yes!! Ive been working on an optimistic books vid and also a candy reads video!!
Great video! Well thought out and some great recommendations- thanks 👍🏼
Glad it was helpful!
Great idea for a video! I hated the series, but powered through, and the third book grew on me a bit, so there are some things I like. Thanks!
I hear you. It can be a hard one to like but fun to discuss why!
Loved Dawn. I read it after you recommended it in a video about Butler’s books. I ended up immediately reading almost all of Butler’s works and enjoyed them all. However I agree that Dawn is the best and one of my all time favourite books. Thank you for introducing it to me!
Yay!! 😁 do glad to hear it!! Hope her work spreads in popularity!
This style of video is great (especially for popular-yet-contentious books)! I like how you acknowledge that it's legitimate to like/dislike a book even when so many others feel the opposite. I feel like there's often too much pressure in the community to like the booktube darlings. As for 3BP, I fall into both camps because on first read I had to DNF, but with all the hype I gave it another shot and really liked it. My hot take is on Dark Matter by Blake Crouch, which I thought was awful. Maybe you could do a video in the same vein for lovers/haters of that one!
Oooh thats a great idea!!! 💡
I found that A. G. Riddle's Winter World and Joshua T Calvert's Teleport trilogies helped scratched that itch.
Both authors i’m just becoming aware of! Thanks for the suggestions!
Great video, looking forward to more. Thought I liked 3 Body but enjoyed more of the books for people who didn’t like it!
Hahaha oh no! Maybe thats a me problem!!! 🫣
Great video! I really want to read Waste Tide & Gateway now. Would love a video with the same format on Empire of Silence.
Will have to work on ginishing that series before i can do that but will add it to suggestion pile!!!
Fantastic video Whitney. Deepness in the sky and The Forge of God are going on the TBB. I'm going to just have to build another bookcase lol. Thanks Whitney
You are gonna love them!
Thank you for this great video. I loved the 3BP series and you provided some interesting recommendations. I read Oryx and Crake several years ago and it still bothers me.
Thanks for the recommendations! I really liked "Upgrade" by Blake Crouch.
Great suggestions; from the book here I haven’t read, I’m most curious about Embassytown and Gateway. Thanks
Embassytown is absolutely harrowing!! Would recommend
@@secretsauceofstorycraft I'll likely read one Mieville this year: Embassytown or Perdito Street.
Loved the TBP - Different take, Cultural Revolution, original first contact and interplay, sobering ideas. I loved the Tencent cinematic film over the Hollywoodish Netflix version. I recommend the 30 episode Tencent version which actually follows the book unlike Netflix.
🔥 Agree, Tencent is more true to book but Netflix can be an ok starting point for folks who have trouble getting into the book or is fun for people to compare! Like they made 5 characters out of 1- and now there are emotions….
Great idea for a video. I would say Three Body Problem became wearisome. Would you say that perhaps Three Body Problem was also a discourse on the relation between humanity and totalitarian government?
Absolutely yes! 👍🏻
I was very neutral with 3BP...but out of the ones you suggested, in both directions, that I have read, you were spot on...a couple of my favorites were Forge of God and the Opi Hotline....I am a HUGE fan of John Varley, so that is an immediate YES! Agree on all points.
Nice video...a little different from the most...keep up the good work!
🔥🔥🔥 I'm glad you enjoyed them. Im pretty sure im a varley fan too
The Ophiuchi Hotline was on my radar at some point. Will be looking out for it, but then again, I haven't read the Three Body Problem yet 😂 Watched the first season of the Netflix show, looking forward to the books.
And OMG Butler's Xenogenesis series hits quite hard. Listened to the audio books, can recommend. But probably one of those books I wouldn't want to re-read...
And I remembering being quite excited about Gateway and the first couple of sequels from the Heechee series (I hope that's the one), I wanted to get all of the books as ebooks at some point.
I urge you to watch the Chinese version which actually follows the book. Most of those who did read the book like the Netflix whereas book readers prefer the Tencent version (free on Prime
Whew yes!!! Dawn is a quiet hammer to the face! I hope u get a chance to pick up the 3BP - if only to decide if u like it
I love this series, but I’m going to read all your recommendations anyway 😆.
Hahah that’s allowed!
I love the idea for this video. I need to read more Butler.
🔥 u should def check her out!
In a sense Pandora's Star is related. Humans sort of accidentally cause a very dangerous alien to come to them. I think the characters are better too, and it has some science.
Hmmm i will know later this month when i pick it up :)
You were on point about Dawn. It was brilliant. It didn't mess around, & it was compellingly written.
The Forge of God didn't do it for me - sadly. To much thriller; not enough SF - but it did have a spectacular ending.
& I have The Ophiuchi Hotline, & Gateway, on my shelf. Looking forward to reading both of them this year....
& may I suggest The Harvest, by Robert Charles Wilson. A somewhat bleak & scary first contact novel. I've read several by this author, & he's always entertaining.
Ooh ok. I havent heard of the harvest.. and thanks for trying dawn!
I love Three Body Problem. Forge of God is up next for me.
🔥 yay!! 😃
Not a fan, at all, of the 3BP. However for first contact, humanity in lots of trouble, big hard (neuro-) science concepts....Blindsight by Peter Watts hits it out of the park for me.
Great suggestion i agree!!!
I need an advice or just a page count that will I need to work trought:
You see I am not interested in the chinese gouverment of the time period the book starts with. How long is that part in the book? Keeping track of events and people is no problem. Or following the mistery.
So how much of the book one do I need to push trough until I get to the point where it is more about the different event taking place on Earth and characters and mistery ?
The history part of the book is only the first (and maybe second) chapters. And its really to give motivation/reason for the main character’s choices later in book. So in summary, its hardly there at all.
@@secretsauceofstorycraft Thaaaanks! Than its a go on the book. 🙀
About half of the recomendations for disliked i did read and did like or love.
None of the books in the first list i have red. Now i'm wondering if i'm intended to like this series as much as i do so far. (in the middle of the second book so opinion might change).
Hey there are no rules!!! Dont let me make you question what you like! 👍🏻 u can like them all if u want - remember its just a silly video
Hey cutie!! Happy New Year!! I just finished "Pilgrims" by M R Leonard and let me recommend it to you: Sci-Fi with a religious twist, an easy and fast read to start this 2025!
Sounds interesting!! I'll add….. holy crap!?!! Its jeff hayes and soundbooth theater for audio!!! Bought!
@secretsauceofstorycraft is a First Contact novel in a not so far away future, to put you in context.
Does Ball Lightning spoil the 3BP series? Or do you have to have read the series to understand it?
No! Its seperate….
Can I add one comment? I I came across a section of women writers in my library and was stunned they are so obscure. Pamela Sargent - Seed Trilogy, "Venus" trilogy (predates Stanley's Mars) & more. Kage Baker - Her Company time travel series is the best - 8 books, literary, captivating, exciting, romance and world building. Patricia Anthony - unusual First Contact. Brother Termite (aliens run the govt but to what purpose? - James Cameron has the movie rights), Cold Allies (aliens come during WW3), Happy Policeman (the world ends except Coomey, TX - inspired the Dome), God's Fires (aliens crash in Portugal during the Inquisition, finally (Yeah!) Sheri Tepper (sci-fi, ecology, mystery) Thanks!
I really liked 3Body, except for one part, but no soilers so.🤐 Waste Tide sounds interesting.
🔥 i dont think it was a perfect series by any means but fun to talk about what worked and didnt work….
I love Oryx & Crake!
🔥
Do the same with The Martian, please!!!
I have dune coming next then will try martian after :)
I think I both loved it and hated it
So all these books are good for you then!!
@ The best of both worlds! Well, except for Mercy of the Gods. As an Expanse fan, I was very disappointed with that one.
Cool format for people that like and dislike (me)! And actually I've tried all the dislike recommendations, but I'm very picky/critical. Oryx and Crack & Gateway were each 2 stars for me, and the rest were DNF. I was loving Dawn to start with just the aliens though! Once other humans were mixed in I dropped out.
Well im glad u gave dawn a try. She had some very cool ideas. U do sound picky!! Thats good as long as u find books you do love 💕
I still haven't read this series! Thanks for the reminder. I will have to check my library.
Edit: And, once again, "all copies are in use." Good grief. You'd think I lived in a tiny/isolated town, instead of a major city like Chicago.
Yeah i hear u, houston is same…. But get on the list. Would be interested in your opinion
Thanks for this. IMO The Redemption of Time is unreadable. Prose quality even lower than 3-Body.
Oh wow! 😥 thanks for the heads up
Prose quality even lower than 3BP? Is that even possible?
@@chriswright9096 exactly
I loved Three Body Problem, and by chance read Project Hail Mary after. It is definitely the opposite, and was not a good choice. My mind wanted earth to wipeout the aliens before they wiped us out. 😂Probably not what Andy Weir was trying to do.
Haha 🤣 i totally get that
Did I like the trilogy? I'll let you guess. In other news, gad I wish there was a Folio version.
Ha!!!
I thought The Three Body Problem was dreadful. Just dull and inept. Poorly written, amateurish, pedestrian. I would probably have recommended Andy Weir to folks that liked 3BP. For more discerning readers - those that hated it - I would suggest some Silverberg, Ballard, Philip K Dick. Or Iain Banks for something more up to date.
🔥
"Pedestrian" 🚩gatekeeper vibes