SciFi Summer Reading List

Have you made time to catch up on all those books you have been meaning to read? Why not reach for a science fiction novel and immerse yourself in a new, captivating world? Or start a book club with your labmates? (Hint: read about imaginary innovations in stories and then discuss the real science innovations of today.) Perhaps you will even find inspiration that can help you take your research to the next level. Here’s the list of our favorite science fiction books to keep you entertained and inspired:

1) Dune by Frank Herbert

Dune is the first book in a series written by Frank Herbert and is frequently chosen as one of the best science fiction books ever written. This book follows a boy and heir, Paul Atreides, and his noble family as they leave their home planet Caladan for the dry, desert wasteland planet of Arrakis. After a betrayal to House Atreides, Paul’s life is set on a path to fulfill his destiny and become the prophesied Muad’Dib.

2) The Atlantis Gene by A.G. Riddle

The Atlantis Gene by A.G. Riddle is the first novel in The Origin Mystery trilogy and a fan favorite science fiction thriller. As a group of people called the Immari seek to induce an evolutionary breakthrough at the cost of humanity, Dr. Kate Warner makes a huge genetic discovery and must work together with Agent David Vale to uncover a global conspiracy and save the human race.

3) Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

You may have seen these pop-culture favorite films, but did you know that Jurassic Park was an equally if not more impressive book before the movie adaptation? Written by Michael Crichton in 1990, this book follows the course of what happens when humans make a scientific breakthrough that allows scientists to recover and clone dinosaur DNA and use this technology to create a park where dinosaurs can roam. What could possibly go wrong with that idea? Read along to find out!

4) Spliced by Jon McGoran

From the author of The Dead Ring, which is the basis of television series, The Blacklist, comes Spliced, Jon McGoran’s first book for young adults. Follow sixteen-year old Jimi as she tries to save her friend Del from possibly becoming a chimera—a human with animal genes spliced into their DNA. What does it mean to be human when you have the choice of genetic modification in front of you? Ruminate over that and more in this thriller that is rapidly gaining popularity.

5) The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Last but certainly not least, our list wouldn’t be complete without the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. This novel is the first in the comedy science fiction series and explores the story of Arthur Dent, who is saved by his friend Ford Prefect, right before the earth is scheduled to be destroyed to make room for a galactic freeway. Follow these characters as they embark on a whimsical journey and hitch hike through the galaxy.

If the list above reinvigorates your lab life, don’t forget about the Connect to Science life science news portal. Check it out between bouts of sci-fi reading to stay up to date on the real innovative technologies and trends in science!