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1
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Gold [Novelet]
by Isaac Asimov
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Compu-drama director Jonas Willard is looking for a new project when he is successfully bribed by a wealthy author to dramatize his science fiction novel. The creative challenge is a bit daunting, but when Jonas learns the payment of the bribe will be in actual gold coins if the author approves of the final piece... (Published: 1991) Locus Poll Award Nominee, Hugo Award Winner
Words: 10497 - Reading Time: 29-41 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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264 Reader Ratings:
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2
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Shards of Honor [Vorkosigan Series Book 1]
by Lois McMaster Bujold
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First novel in the popular series that begins with the inauspicious meeting of Betan astrocartographer Cordelia Naismith and Barrayaran Captain Aral Vorkosigan during a treacherous war. As captor and prisoner on an abandoned outpost planet, the honorable captain and the resolute scientist must rely on each others' trust to survive a trek across dangerous terrain, thus sparking a relationship that shares the struggles of culture and politics between their worlds. (Published: 1986) Locus Poll Award Nominee
Words: 78689 - Reading Time: 224-314 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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924 Reader Ratings:
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3
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Robot Visions
by Isaac Asimov
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A robot is sent forward 200 years in a test of the first time machine ... and returns with visions of a future that seem too good to be true. (Published: 1990)
Words: 5569 - Reading Time: 15-22 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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330 Reader Ratings:
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4
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Second Contact
by Mike Resnick
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This novel brings a unique spin to alien contact stories. It combines action/adventure, mystery and science fiction in a rousing storyline. (Published: 1990)
Words: 74133 - Reading Time: 211-296 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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323 Reader Ratings:
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5
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Potential
by Isaac Asimov
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A pair of genetic scientists discover a DNA pattern that may indicate a potential toward telepathy in humans. As they are pondering the immense odds against finding someone with the identical genetic makeup, they discover a farm boy in Iowa who is a virtual match, but doesn't have the personality--or intelligence--they would expect in a telepath. (Published: 1983) Locus Poll Award Nominee
Words: 2967 - Reading Time: 8-11 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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548 Reader Ratings:
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6
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Eon
by Greg Bear
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Perhaps it wasn't from our time, perhaps it wasn't even from our universe, but the arrival of the 300 kilometer long stone was the answer to humanity's desperate plea to end the threat of nuclear war. Inside the deep recesses of the stone lies Thistledown: the remnants of a human society, versed in English, Russian and Chinese. The artifacts of this familiar people foretell a great Death caused by the ravages of war, but the government and scientists are unable to decide how to use this knowledg... more info>> (Published: 1985)
Words: 155830 - Reading Time: 445-623 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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362 Reader Ratings:
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7
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Double Star
by Robert A. Heinlein
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From the dark recesses of a moon-based hotel bar, unemployed actor Lorenzo Smythe is hired to impersonate Joseph Bonforte, a politician who's been kidnapped in the middle of an election campaign. Peace with the Martians is at stake--failure to pull off the act could result in interplanetary war. Lorenzo knows nothing of the issues concerning free interplanetary trade and equal rights for aliens--and cares even less, but the politico's top aide offers a handsome compensation, and assurance that t... more info>> (Published: 1956) Hugo Award Winner
Words: 55166 - Reading Time: 157-220 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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305 Reader Ratings:
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8
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Dead Hand
by Isaac Asimov
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[A "Foundation" Novella] Imperial General Bel Riose and his ships comb the Periphery in search of the Foundation, the rumored domain of magicians and their fantastic technical wizardry. Anxious for the glory of battle in the name of Emperor Cleon II, Riose faces an opponent more powerful than any military force: the doomed fate of his campaign--and the decline of the Empire--that has already been mathematically proven by the late psycho-historian, Hari Seldon. .[PUBLISHER NOTE: The novella "Dead... more info>> (Published: 1945) Hugo Award Nominee
Words: 25164 - Reading Time: 71-100 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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295 Reader Ratings:
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9
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At the Core [A Beowulf Shaeffer Story]
by Larry Niven
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A human spaceship pilot accepts an offer to guide a cramped (but very fast) experimental alien ship to the center of the galaxy on a promotional stunt--but what he finds at the core is much more important than just publicity. (Published: 1966)
Words: 6976 - Reading Time: 19-27 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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463 Reader Ratings:
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10
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The Hole Man
by Larry Niven
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A team of astrophysicists land on Mars to study an abandoned alien base that was used to study humans during the Ice Age. All the environmental and communications systems are still running … but their operation remains a mystery. When one member of the team tries to prove his crazy quantum black hole theory about how the alien communications unit works, he inadvertently unleashes an astrophysical time bomb that threatens the very existence of the Red Planet. (Published: 1974) Hugo Award Winner
Words: 5104 - Reading Time: 14-20 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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598 Reader Ratings:
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11
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Cleon the Emperor
by Isaac Asimov
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[A "Foundation" Novella] Cleon I sits on the throne of the slowly deteriorating Galactic Empire. Psycho-historian Hari Seldon and his wife Dors Venabili conspire to ensure the Emperor's safety by sending their adopted son Raych to uncover a plot of sabotage against the infrastructure of Trantor, and a suspected attempt on the Emperor's life. [Publisher Note: 'Cleon the Emperor' was originally published as a novella in the April 1992 issue of Asimov's SF magazine. It was then included as Part II ... more info>> (Published: 1992) Locus Poll Award Nominee
Words: 27736 - Reading Time: 79-110 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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304 Reader Ratings:
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12
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The Vor Game [Vorkosigan Series Book 5]
by Lois McMaster Bujold
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[Sequel to "The Warrior's Apprentice"] Miles Vorkosigan graduates from the Barrayaran Military Academy with high expectations of ship command, but is disappointed with an assignment as meteorologist to Lazkowski Base, an arctic training camp. His tenure in the windy, snow-covered north is cut short when Miles narrowly averts a massacre between the trigger-happy base commander and mutinous recruits. After a brief stay under 'house arrest', Miles is re-assigned to investigate a suspicious military... more info>> (Published: 1990) Locus Poll Award Nominee, Hugo Award Winner, HOMer Award Nominee, SF Chronicle Poll Nominee, Seiun Award Nominee, Fictionwise eBook of the Year (2002)
Words: 98365 - Reading Time: 281-393 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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693 Reader Ratings:
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13
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The Dream [First in the Dream Series]
by Isaac Asimov
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On the eve of the American Bicentennial, Isaac Asimov communicates with Benjamin Franklin in a dream. When their subconscious discussion of spectacular scientific advancement turns to the disappointing state of global politics, Franklin draws on his expertise in nation-building by suggesting a plan to unite the world of the 20th century. (Published: 1974)
Words: 2948 - Reading Time: 8-11 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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264 Reader Ratings:
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14
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Procrustes [A Beowulf Shaeffer Story]
by Larry Niven
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Spaceship pilot Beowulf Shaeffer groggily awakens on a deserted island and considers the events leading up to the moment his head was blown off. The small ship with its six passengers had just landed on Fafnir to catch an outbound spaceliner when his crewmate had inexplicably turned and fired her weapon directly at his head. The Intensive Care Cavity that saved him shows that more than four months have passed, and his friends are nowhere to be found� (Published: 1993)
Words: 16181 - Reading Time: 46-64 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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437 Reader Ratings:
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15
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Think Like a Dinosaur
by James Patrick Kelly
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Lizard-like aliens have given humanity the key to interstellar travel, but there's one catch: to use it you must be prepared to think like they do about the meaning of personal identity. Beautifully written, shocking work that was a breakthrough for James Patrick Kelly. (Published: 1995) Hugo Award Winner
Words: 7752 - Reading Time: 22-31 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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528 Reader Ratings:
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16
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Barrayar [Vorkosigan Series Book 2]
by Lois McMaster Bujold
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Second novel in the popular SF Vorkosigan series. Cordelia Naismith has deserted her home planet and a career in astrocartography for her husband Aral Vorkosigan, who has just been appointed Regent of Barrayar by the dying Emperor. As Lord and Lady Vorkosigan, they struggle to establish stability in a fragile government thrown into confusion by the transition of power. When a palace coup endangers the government, their lives, and her unborn son, Cordelia takes action to secure the safety of her ... more info>> (Published: 1991) Hugo Award Winner, Nebula Award(R) Nominee, Locus Poll Award Winner
Words: 104037 - Reading Time: 297-416 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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757 Reader Ratings:
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17
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The Warrior's Apprentice [Vorkosigan Series Book 4]
by Lois McMaster Bujold
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Miles Naismith Vorkosigan comes of age. After failing the Barrayaran Military Academy physicals, the brittle-boned, dwarfish son of Cordelia and Aral Vorkosigan uses a clever touch of creativity to finance a shipment of munitions into a war zone. When the simple merchant expedition draws the attention of an unexpected enemy, Miles is forced to masquerade as commander of a fictional fleet of hired guns he names after the mountains near his home--the Dendarii Mercenaries. His original crew of misf... more info>> (Published: 1986) Locus Poll Award Nominee
Words: 99705 - Reading Time: 284-398 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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764 Reader Ratings:
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18
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Sandkings
by George R.R. Martin
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When Simon Kress returned to his home planet of Baldur from an offworld business trip, he was amused to find that his tank of Earth piranhas had cannibalized themselves into extinction, and of the two exotic animals that roamed his estate, only one remained. Now, in search of some new pets to satisfy his cruel pursuit of amusement, Simon finds a new shop in the city where he is intrigued by a new lifeform he has never heard of before ... a collection of multi-colored sandkings. The curator expla... more info>> (Published: 1979) Hugo Award Winner, Locus Poll Award Winner, Nebula Award(R) Winner
Words: 15471 - Reading Time: 44-61 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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745 Reader Ratings:
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19
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Out of All Them Bright Stars
by Nancy Kress
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A polite alien visits a small-town diner. (Published: 1985) Nebula Award(R) Winner
Words: 2877 - Reading Time: 8-11 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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319 Reader Ratings:
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20
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Neutron Star [A Beowulf Shaeffer Story]
by Larry Niven
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One of Niven's most beloved characters, Beowulf Shaeffer, is forced to take a dangerous mission to explore a neutron star. The last group who went there never came back alive, but Shaeffer faces life imprisonment if he doesn't take the job. Will he determine the mysterious force that turned the prior crew to hamburger before he suffers a similar fate? (Published: 1966) Hugo Award Winner
Words: 6947 - Reading Time: 19-27 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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508 Reader Ratings:
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21
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Flatlander [A Beowulf Shaeffer Story]
by Larry Niven
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Traveling on a spaceliner headed for Earth, spaceship pilot Beowulf Shaeffer strikes up a friendship with Gregory Pelton, the fabulously wealthy descendant of the inventor of the transfer booth--known to his friends as Elephant. Irritated at being labeled a flatlander, Elephant decides visit the most unusual system in the galaxy ... with Beowulf piloting his ship, of course� (Published: 1967) Nebula Award(R) Nominee
Words: 14081 - Reading Time: 40-56 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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382 Reader Ratings:
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22
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Think!
by Isaac Asimov
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A neurophysiologist develops a laser imaging system that forms the first mind-link between humans and an unexpected member of the development team. (Published: 1977)
Words: 3016 - Reading Time: 8-12 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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156 Reader Ratings:
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23
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Falling Free [An independent Vorkosigan Novel]
by Lois McMaster Bujold
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[An independent novel in the Vorkosigan universe.] In an attempt to corner the market on labor contracts across the galaxy, the medical research corporation GalacTech bio-engineers a thousand human embryos into a new race of humans perfectly suited to a weightless environment. In addition to many carefully engineered internal adjustments for a life without gravity, the Quaddies' most visible improvement is the substitution of legs for an additional pair of arms. Expert space welder and engineer ... more info>> (Published: 1988) Prometheus Award Nominee, Nebula Award(R) Winner, Hugo Award Nominee, Locus Poll Award Nominee
Words: 81014 - Reading Time: 231-324 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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511 Reader Ratings:
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24
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Kid Brother
by Isaac Asimov
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A woman is forced to choose between her own son and his robotic younger brother. (Published: 1990) Asimov's Reader's Choice Award Nominee
Words: 3576 - Reading Time: 10-14 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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160 Reader Ratings:
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25
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Memory [Vorkosigan Series Book 12]
by Lois McMaster Bujold
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Dying is easy. Coming back to life is hard. At least that's what Miles Vorkosigan thinks and he should know, having done both once already. That was when he last visited the planet of Jackson's Whole, while rescuing his brother. Thanks to quick thinking on the part of his staff, and incredible artistry on the part of the specialist who revived him, his first death won't be his last. But his next one might be, a realization he finds profoundly unsettling. Even after he returns to military duty, h... more info>> (Published: 1996)
Words: 135056 - Reading Time: 385-540 min.
Category: Science Fiction
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464 Reader Ratings:
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