Number 5: The Book of the New Sun: Shadow and Claw by Gene Wolfe

#postapocalypse #scififantasy #unreliablenarrator

The first volume of The Book of the New Sun consists of two books. To be honest, I had to push through the first because I was still getting used to the archaic words Wolfe used in the story. However, as I kept on reading, I found myself completely fascinated by the world-building and couldn’t put down the book anymore.

There are still a lot of ambiguities regarding the plot and the characters, but according to Neil Gaiman (the author of American Gods and Coraline), you will gradually discover new things in every re-reading of this book.

Number 4: Permutation City by Greg Egan

#uploadconsciousness #immortality #artificiallife

Consciousness? Yeah! Computer? Uh-duh! Aliens? Amazing!

I was introduced to Egan by Media Death Cult (great booktuber, go check him out!) early this year. A hard sci-fi, but apparently this is, allegedly, Egan’s most approachable work! The story is told from different perspectives of multiple characters, painting a complete picture of the world Egan created. I love how Egan explained computer science and possible consequences if we connect our brain to computing machines.

In my opinion, the characters aren’t the best thing about Permutation City, but the idea and philosophy behind intelligently make up the flaws.

Number 3: Dying Inside by Robert Silverberg

#telepathy #loneliness #love

This book reminds me of Flowers for Algernon, but shines in its own way. Being a telepath sounds cool, but is it a gift or a curse?

David Selig, a 41-year-old man who is born with the ability to read the minds of others. By looking into all the darkest truths within souls, he gains pleasure and misery from it. However, as he grows older, he notices his power is dying…

Robert Silverberg is no doubt a master in writing. It’s a real mind orgasm to read his words flowing between the lines. He goes deep into David’s mind, showing no mercy in revealing his madness and vulnerabilities. David Selig is human, too human perhaps. After all, he is as fragile as us.

With a sincere heart, I hope Robert Silverberg’s work gets the recognition he deserves.

Number 2: Count Zero by William Gibson

#artificialintelligence #cyberpunk #gods

Gibson’s work never fails to disappoint me. I read all three books of the Sprawl Trilogy (Neuromancer, Count Zero, Mona Lisa Overdrive) this year, but I favor Count Zero because the characters are more fleshed out and the story is more fast-paced than the other two.

Although Neuromancer is the first book, but Count Zero serves as a better introduction to the universe as one protagonist (yes, we follow three different characters in Count Zero) is a rookie hacker who has just plunged into the dark, gritty world—we get more explanations on the world-building and unfamiliar terms without having to struggle with them like in Neuromancer.

Thoroughly enjoyed the story!

Number 1: Blindsight by Peter Watts

#firstcontact #consciousness #human

The book delves into the darker aspects of consciousness, evolution, and intelligence. Intelligence is believed to be crucial for evolution. However, is it true that the more intelligent a species is, the more dominant it becomes over others?

One of the biggest reasons I love this book is because I identify myself with the protagonist/narrator, Siri. After going through a surgery that removed half of his brain, he becomes emotionally detached and unable to have empathy for others. His job on the ship is to record and translate everything he sees objectively into something easily understandable to the people on Earth. After all the horrific events happened on this journey, he finally rediscovers the sense of humanity within himself.

Reading this book made me reflect on the meaning of life and consciousness. I even wrote a short story inspired by the concept introduced in this book, which is why I’m proud to say this is my favorite book of the year!