Seeking Science Fiction Recommendations

[beamjockey]

Someone I know has turned to me for help. Her male cousin

"is turning 13 I think… I always buy him books. He is really smart, more geeky than dreamy and likes science fiction. Any suggestions??"

I don't know more about his reading habits than this.

I have a few clues, but haven't read extensively in recent SF. I could recommend a bunch of books that were great 20 to 60 years ago.

I'm looking for suggestions for books published recently-- let's say in the 21st century-- that are a nearly-sure bet to interest someone who fits the description above. Books that would make a suitable gift.

(At 13, he's probably ready to read some SF published for adults, but really good young-adult stories are also worth considering. And I gather there are a lot of good ones around these days.)

Comments

[vnend.livejournal.com]

I would include (or replace) the Asimov with "The Gods Themselves", one of the few Asimov books that I think is *good*. But I vastly preferred Clarke to Asimov.

I reread 'The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress' just a few years ago, and with the exception of the size of the computers, I thought it held up well. Not my favorite Heinlein, but probably his best book.