The Three Body Problem? Not my problem. Dune? Dust in the wind. The Hyperion Cantos? I couldn’t be bothered on a good day. I don’t have time to deal with a series of sci-fi tomes thicker than quantum physics textbooks. I’m too busy spending my time in unscientific ways. Eating yogurt. Drawing on walls. Staring up at the moon and wondering if it’s made of gruyere or brie. When it comes to intelligent contemplation of big ideas, there are only so many hours in the day, and mine are occupied by the opposite. That’s why when I read sci-fi, I expect it to stand on its own two feet and not require a massive commitment. I need the 10 best standalone sci-fi books, and these authors have delivered.
