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

[planettom.livejournal.com]

I was going to suggest Neal Stephenson's CRYPTONOMICON, but at 1999 it doesn't break the 21st century barrier.

If I was going to pick one Old School science fiction book for a teenager, I'd pick Arthur C. Clarke's RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA. Just that, ignore the co-authored sequels.

[ritaxis.livejournal.com]

Also, honestly? The 13 year old that would like that is pretty rare. Not nonexistent, but really rare.

[beamjockey.livejournal.com]

The 13 year old that would like that is pretty rare.

Do you refer to the Clarke or the Stephenson? The latter, I suspect.

[ritaxis.livejournal.com]

The Stephenson. But I'd recommend either Snowcrash or The Diamond Age without reservation. From my experience, younger people like Snowcrash better, but The Diamond Age does have the advantage of very young major characters. Some people would say that young readers want only one point of view in a book, but I enjoyed Stand on Zanzibar when I was twelve.