Why you should give science fiction and fantasy novels a try!

Written by my nephew, Joey Rapp…

So, you want to read a sci-fi or fantasy book, but you are intimated. I’m here to tell you that you can do it! I’d like to share some advice on how to read books within these genres without getting frustrated or overwhelmed. But first, let me tell you how I developed an interest in these types of books. There are a few reasons why they have always called to me. I am a life-long, head-in-the-clouds dreamer and nerd. (Not quite to the level of Comic-Con nerdom, but nerdy, nonetheless!)

My love for fantasy and sci-fi started at a young age, in the late 90s, with my mom reading to me the first few Harry Potter books. During elementary school, I became a voracious reader. I would read anything I could get my hands on. At the age of 12, I read all the Lord of the Rings books. Sci-fi and fantasy become my genres of choice.

During my childhood, I dealt with chronic health problems. These issues, unfortunately, kept me home from school and away from friends very frequently, sometimes for months at a time. Being a kid and feeling isolated from the life you are supposed to be living is tough. I don’t want to delve too deeply into my emotional state during and after those times. That is what I pay my therapist for. But books became my escape. It didn’t matter how down I was on a particular day; I knew that when I opened up a book, I could enter a world of wonder that was so different from anything that I had ever experienced or even dreamed of. Within seconds I could step onto a planet where the very laws of physics were different, or the lifeforms were silicon-based instead of carbon-based. I could fight alongside a time-traveling teenager leading a fight against an all-oppressive evil. I could travel in space hundreds of light-years away. My curiosity and imagination were continually engaged and enthralled. As difficult as those childhood years were for me, I’m so grateful for the love of reading that was instilled in me during that time. A love that has never faded.

There are several connotations with sci-fi and fantasy books and, yes, many of these books DO fit into the boxes people tend to expect. There are many ridiculously long sci-fi and fantasy books with 1,000 plus pages and more than 10 books in the series. Many of these books include elves, aliens, and phasers. Some of these books even have entire languages that were created by the author. However, not all sci-fi and fantasy books fit into these expected categories. There are a wide range of nerdiness that can be found. Within the sci-fi and fantasy world there are short stories, stand-alone novels, long series, hard reads, and easy reads. Whatever fits best for what you want, or need, can be found.

Starting a new sci-fi or fantasy book can sometimes be difficult. There may be terms or words that you have never seen before. There may be worlds, magic, or technology with rules and limits that may be difficult to initially figure out. Be okay with the initial confusion. The author will give you context clues, a bit here and a bit there, until the full picture can be seen. Have that curiosity push you to continue reading. Embrace the imagination factor. Be amazed as a new world is built in your mind’s eye. I would always advise you to give a new sci-fi or fantasy book at least 100 pages before you decide not to read it. Some of these books are a slow burn, but the rewards are great.

I hope that you give these genres a chance. You may end up, as I have, with a life-long love affair with sci-fi and fantasy. As an adult, these types of books are some of the only places where I can still feel child-like wonderment!

Joey’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Recommendations…