Recs if you like Floating Hotel...

Not all science fiction is laser battles and intergalactic warfare! This list is aiming for the softer side of sci-fi. The kind where the stars hum quietly, the characters pause to breathe, and discoveries are found within. ✨

I’m attempting to cultivate a collection of books that are low stakes, cozy sci-fi, filled with found family, gentle exploration, and quiet wonder. 😌

If you have recommendations, please leave them in the comments! 📝

For when things seem hopeless. We can always try again and again ❤️

This list is a community project, I asked in the club and received multiple suggestions which I then added onto a list: fiction and nonfiction, fantasy, contemporary, sci-fi, the main theme is just hope. Some people said their recommendation might not fit very well but I added it anyways.

Also, in the og post, I mentioned The Good Place and if people have recommendations tending to that, so some books are related to that.

Intersectionality, baby! Disability includes many conditions, including - but not limited to - physical disabilities, chronic illnesses, psychiatric disabilities, sensory disabilities, and neurodivergence.

Short-ish (& sometimes spicy) standalone speculative stories.

“the universe is what we make of it. it’s up to you to decide what part you will play.”

space opera focuses on interstellar travel and epic adventures, often with larger-than-life characters, dramatic plots, and an optimistic tone. originally coined in the 1940s as an insult, it has since grown into a vibrant and expansive subgenre.

gays in space (or I guess sometimes dealing with space shit on earth), with a tending toward optimistic futures. this list will continue to grow and change over time. this list includes trans folks, queercore, and graphic novels.

if a book is part of a series, I'm only listing the first book just so the list doesn't get overrun.

Books that inspired Wes Anderson movies or have that same feeling of whimsy, quirkiness and a bit of nostalgia 💛

science fiction about people living and working on space ships or space stations, in the near or far future.

“from the ground, we stand. from our ships, we live. by the stars, we hope.”

ᯓ★

This is is for mysteries (with a dash of thriller or horror) set on spaceships, space cruise ships, space hotels, generation ships, and sometimes even a colony...a niche sub-genre that I love and want more people to discover. Will update as I find more!

A spaceship somehow makes the best place to find a family right?

Today (May 22) is Sherlock Holmes Day! Whether you read queerness into the original Holmes stories or not, no one can disagree that this is a wonderful moment to highlight some mystery books starring queer characters! (This list is presented by Duck Prints Press, the indie publisher focused on publishing queer art and stories by queer creators! A group of us collaborate to make these recommendations.)

frequently i am like, "why do i love this story so much-- oh, it's found family on a ship"

cozy sci-fi

required reading—I mean, recommendations—for my sci-fi/fantasy-loving partner. (maybe yours too?) (most i’ve added because i think you’ll love them, but a couple are just to indulge me hehe)

Interconnected short stories tell us about a community. Big or small.

Science fiction written by the girlies*

** ok ok and some guys

the next list is here hehe ^^ p.s: this is not a personal list, so please don't downvote. i found these recommendations myself. so please, enjoy :)

A list of books selected for the Sword and Laser Podcast