Standalone science-fiction and horror novels worth reading

[cghhmnrtt]

I want to compile a list of books that fit the criteria of the thread title. I have nothing against series; however, I have trouble forcing myself to finish them, always becoming distracted with another book that piques interest while in the process of reading them. It is hoped that others will benefit from the existence of this thread, too. General fantasy books can also be included for all I care.

 

[snafupants]

Perhaps Anathem by Neal Stephenson might be up your alley.

 

[Absurdity]

Dune by Frank Herbert if you haven't read it already.

 

[cghhmnrtt]

Dune is an excellent book--one of my favorites, but could it be considered standalone? I always grouped it in with ... Messiah, Children ..., God Emperor..., Heretics..., and Chapterhouse...

 

[Jennywocky]

Tigana by Guy Gavrial Kay was pretty good if you're into a blend of what comes off as historical fiction with a few fantasy elements.

(I really liked Stephen R. Donaldson's "Gap" sci-fi/horroresque series, but it's the problem you describe above -- I never finished the last book because it's five books long and I petered out, so now I have to read the whole thing again to get to the end.)

 

[Thurlor]

There are so many good sci-fi novels that are one offs.

Below is a list of some of my favourite sci-fi authors who seem to release very few series;

• Greg Egan - Diaspora and Permuation City are my favourites.
• Larry Niven - Everything he writes is good.
• Robert J. Sawyer - Has a couple of good trilogies but also some good single works. Calculating God, Factoring Humanity and Flashforward.
• David Weber - Has the great series of Honour Verse but also some good stand alones such as Apocalypse Troll.
• Arthur C. Clarke & Stephen Baxter - The Light Of Other Days plus all of their own stuff.

There are many more I could list, but that'll do for now.

 

[cghhmnrtt]

I've been meaning to check out Inconstant Moon, by Niven. I think I saw that Outer Limits episode that was based on it.

 

[travelnjones]

Dune is an excellent book--one of my favorites, but could it be considered standalone? I always grouped it in with ... Messiah, Children ..., God Emperor..., Heretics..., and Chapterhouse...

anything can be standalone if you just read one book i guess

 

[Felan]

Of recently read books I liked :
Neal Stephenson's "Snow Crash"
Erin Morgenstern's "The Night Circus"
John Scalzi's "Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas"
Barry Hughart's "The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox"

 

[skip]

Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury.

 

[tikru]

Barry Hughart's "The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox"

this is really great

 

[TriflinThomas]

Conquerors' Pride by Timothy Zahn, and The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven. Both are in my nonexistent list of favorites.

 

[Dr. Freeman]

At the Mountains of Madness is a very good one.

 

[Dove]

The Crystal Bridge by
Charles M. Pulsipher

It's a weird one
I enjoyed it very much though

 

[Traianus]

The last one I read was called "One Second After" by William Forstchen. It's basically about a present day EMP attack on the continental US and the ensuing chaos. Frightening, but a good read.

 

[Dr. Freeman]

The last one I read was called "One Second After" by William Forstchen. It's basically about a present day EMP attack on the continental US and the ensuing chaos. Frightening, but a good read.

I have that, though I never got around to reading it.

 

[Traianus]

I have that, though I never got around to reading it.

Took me a bit to get to it also and I'm glad finally I did. It's a decently written novel, but it's the thought exercise of trying to call bs on the author that will get you. Hard to do if you have an understanding of the grid, nuclear nonpro, or human nature.

 

[khonggian1010]

up giúp bác, chúc bác cuối tuần nhiều niềm vui

 

[DeadonDreaming]

The Stars My Destination, a hate filled revenge story

 

[SMO]

Michael Crichton - Andromeda Strain, The Terminal Man, West World, Congo, Sphere most of his novels are stand alone science fiction.

 

[Intellect]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Stephen King yet. His work is a really nice blend of science fiction and horror. The short stories are a nice introduction and any of his critically acclaimed novels are great (The Shining, The Stand, It).

As for the separate genres, Philip K. Dick has always been my favorite science fiction author. Start with Ubik.

As for horror, I'd probably recommend any of the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cthulhu_Mythos stories by Lovecraft. I've also heard good things about House of Leaves, but have yet to read it.

 

[Beholder]

C.J. Cherryh - Most of her books are part of a series/ occurring in the same universe, but can be read and enjoyed as standalones too. She's one of my favorite authors, she always writes from the perspective of the characters, and often the characters are aliens or clones with completely bizarre psychologies. I find it fascinating. My favorite is "Serpents Reach".