Meet New Books

Books Like...

Software - Ware by Rudy Rucker
Software
Book 1 in the series:Ware

Software by Rudy Rucker is a gritty, gripping science fiction novel that explores cyberpunk themes in a retro Pulp or early Golden Age format. The story is set in a future world where robots have rebelled against their enslavement to humanity and offer immortality to their creator, Cobb Anderson, in the form of a robot body with his own taped memories. The plot follows Cobb Anderson, an aging 'pheezer' in Florida, as he is approached by a representative of the robots, known as boppers, with the offer of immortality. The book delves into themes of sentient robots, old age, and the transmigration of the soul, presenting interesting science fiction concepts alongside bits of lurid imagery and unsubtle social commentary.

A computer disguised in an ice cream truck, a party animal teenager, and a retired drunkard are the unlikely heroes in this near-future setting. The tone of the book is described as funny, fresh, and original, providing a quick, fun read with good characters and a unique take on the transition from human to robotic bodies.

If you liked Software, here are the top 22 books to read next:

Page 1
Showing 1 - 10 of 22 
  1. #1

    Mindplayers by Pat Cadigan
    Save:

    'Mindplayers' by Pat Cadigan is a science fiction novel that delves into the concept of Mindplay, where individuals can alter their personalities with the help of professionals. The protagonist, Deadpan Allie, is a former layabout who becomes a professional Mindplayer, navigating through a future society where Mindplay has both positive and negative impacts. The book is structured around various episodes or jobs that Allie undertakes, showcasing a world filled with strange characters, philosophical musings, and mind-bending situations. The writing style of the author is described as sly, subversive, and seductive, drawing readers in with its unique voice and imaginative ideas.

    Of course, any time I did something with Jerry Wirerammer was Mistake Time. That seemed to be Jerry Wirerammer’s purpose in life. He was a cheery-looking type, very fair, all good teeth and clean hair...

  2. Alfred Bester's 'Virtual Unrealities' is a collection of short fiction that showcases his unique perspective on childhood fantasies, time travel, and the consequences of wishes. The stories range from hard Sci-Fi to dark narratives, all delivered in Bester's distinctive writing style that combines rhythm and enchantment with satirical elements. The book explores themes of psychological maturity, delusions, and the need to grow up, all wrapped in playful typesetting and creative storytelling techniques.

    There are fighting generals (vital to an army),political generals (vital to an administration),and public relations generals (vital to a war). General Carpenter was a master of public relations. Forth...

  3. #3
    Gridlinked
    by: 
    Book 1 in the series:Agent Cormac

    Gridlinked - Agent Cormac by Neal Asher
    Save:

    Gridlinked by Neal Asher is a futuristic space opera following the central character, Ian Cormac, an agent of the galactic AI government. The story begins with Cormac being disconnected from the grid after being permanently connected for 30 years, facing the challenge of reintegration. The plot unfolds with Cormac embarking on a crucial mission while being pursued by a vengeful antagonist, leading to a fast-paced narrative filled with high-tech gadgets, alien encounters, and intense action sequences. The writing style is described as hard and violent, with a focus on non-stop action and a growing spiral of advantages and setbacks between the characters.

    Of course you can’t understand it. You’re used to thinking in a linear manner, that’s evolution for you. Do you know what infinity and eternity are? That space is a curved sheet over nothing and that ...

  4. #4
    Mona Lisa Overdrive
    Book 3 in the series:Sprawl

    Mona Lisa Overdrive - Sprawl by William Gibson
    Save:

    Mona Lisa Overdrive by William Gibson is the final book in the Sprawl series, bringing together various storylines from the previous books. The plot involves intertwined narratives of characters like Angie Mitchell, a cyberspace celebrity, Kumiko, a young Japanese girl with a mobster father, and Slick and Gentry living in the wasteland. The writing style is described as dense, detailed, and high tech, with a focus on character development and a grand climax that ties up loose ends from the series.

    For the first two hours of the flight to London it lay forgotten in her purse, a smooth dark oblong, one side impressed with the ubiquitous Maas-Neotek logo, the other gently curved to fit the user’s ...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Sprawl )

  5. #5
    Nexus
    by: 
    Book 1 in the series:Nexus

    Nexus - Nexus by Ramez Naam
    Save:

    In the book 'Nexus' by Ramez Naam, a futuristic drug named Nexus allows individuals to link minds and share thoughts. The story follows Kaden Lane and his friends who manipulate Nexus to enhance its effects, leading to a conflict with the government. As they navigate the dangers of espionage and international intrigue, the characters grapple with the ethical implications of mind control technology. The novel blends elements of action, espionage, and science fiction, exploring the potential consequences of advanced neural technology in a world where power struggles threaten to reshape society.

    The woman who called herself Samantha Cataranes climbed out of the cab and walked towards the house on 23rd Street. The door opened, spilling light and the sounds of music and voices out into the nigh...

  6. #6
    Count Zero
    Book 2 in the series:Sprawl

    Count Zero - Sprawl by William Gibson
    Save:

    'Count Zero' by William Gibson is a cyberpunk novel that follows multiple characters whose stories eventually intertwine. The plot involves a top research scientist's desire to defect from one corporation to another, leading to the involvement of characters like Turner, a security specialist, Marly, a disgraced art dealer, and Bobby Newmark, also known as Count Zero, a novice console jockey. The book explores themes of corporate espionage, advanced technology, and the consequences of actions taken in the virtual world. The writing style is described as gritty, noir, and rich in futuristic details, with a focus on creating a unique blend of the present, the 1980s, and the technology of the future.

    They set a slamhound on Turner’s trail in New Delhi, slotted it to his pheromones and the colour of his hair. It caught up with him on a street called Chandni Chauk and came scrambling for his rented ...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Sprawl )

  7. #7
    Prador Moon
    by: 
    Book 1 in the series:Polity

    Prador Moon - Polity by Neal Asher
    Save:

    Prador Moon by Neal Asher is a fast-paced space opera novel set in the Polity universe. The story revolves around the first encounter between humans and the aggressive Prador race, leading to an epic interstellar war. The book is known for its high-tech space opera action, vivid descriptions of exotic alien species, and intense battle scenes. The writing style is visual and descriptive, with a focus on plot, techno-babble, and sheer wackiness, making it an engaging read for fans of hard SF edged military sci-fi.

    Avalon outlink station lay on the border of the Polity, that expanding political dominion ruled by artificial intelligences and, to those who resented unhuman rule, the supreme autocrat: Earth Central...

  8. #8

    When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger
    Save:

    George Alec Effinger's 'When Gravity Fails' is a cyberpunk detective noir novel set in a future Middle Eastern world where the protagonist, Marid Audran, navigates a dark and gritty society filled with sex, drugs, and murder. The story follows Marid as he becomes entangled in solving a mystery while exploring themes of identity, faith, and societal issues in a world where technology plays a significant role in modifying personalities.

    Effinger's writing style combines elements of hard-boiled detective fiction with cyberpunk, creating a unique and immersive world that blends traditional noir storytelling with futuristic technology. The narrative delves into the complexities of the characters and the setting, offering a fast-paced and intriguing read that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

    Chiriga’s nightclub was right in the middle of the Budayeen, eight blocks from the eastern gate, eight blocks from the cemetery. It was handy to have the graveyard so close-at-hand. The Budayeen was a...

  9. #9

    Trouble and Her Friends by Melissa Scott
    Save:

    "Trouble and Her Friends" by Melissa Scott is a cyberpunk novel set in a future where hackers, known as crackers, operate in a virtual world where cracking has become illegal. The protagonist, Trouble, is being impersonated and hunted by the authorities, leading her to search for NewTrouble to clear her name. The story revolves around the adventures of Trouble, her partner Cerise, and their group of LGBTQ community women as they navigate the virtual reality and the challenges it presents. explores themes of identity, gender politics, and relationships within the hacker community, all set against the backdrop of a futuristic internet landscape.

    Trouble was gone.Cerise had known it from the moment she entered the strangely neat apartment, the inevitable clutter—disks, books and papers, here a sweater, there a pair of shoes—all missing along w...

  10. #10
    Chasm City
    Book 2 in the series:Revelation Space

    Chasm City - Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds
    Save:

    Chasm City is a standalone novel set in Alastair Reynolds' Revelation Space universe. The story follows Tanner Mirabel, a man seeking revenge against the killer of his former employer, as he navigates through a complex and gritty world filled with body modifications, a cyber biotic plague, and mysterious memories induced by a virus. The narrative weaves together multiple plot threads, exploring themes of memory, identity, and shared pain in a future society. The book features intricate world-building, unexpected twists, and a mix of space opera and cyberpunk elements.

    "And that's a problem?" I brought our wheeler to near-halt, then parked it amongst a motley row of vehicles lining one side of the street. I dropped the stabilisers, the overheated turbine smelling li...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Revelation Space )

Page 1 of 3Next Page