Some Days You Just Have to Laugh

What Do You Read When You Just Need Cheering Up?

Some science fiction is read for the laughs. This series is one: EarthCentAmbassador. Currently the 16 books are listed with Kindle Unlimited.The stories are based on the adventures of an Earth ambassador to Union Station where the sentient planets send their ambassadors. The first in the series is Date Night on Union Station, rated 5 star on Amazon. Most of the series is rated 4.5-5 stars.


What is unique about these books is that they are suitable for all ages. The author E. M. Foner claims he wrote the first book as a relaxing relief from the toils of writing his science fiction epic. His comedic and personable style can be enjoyed in the author bio on Amazon and in his blog. 

 Another series takes place in contemporary Earth-- the AI Diaries.

In the AI Diaries an AI travels to today's Earth to observe humans. The Turing Test is the first in the series.

In Meghan's Dragon, a teenager in this coming-of-age novel must mature into a mage and control her dragon. Foner states that his goal in writing this book is to explore the world of young adults who must face challenges as they interact with aliens and AI in adventures that are not world-shatteringly dangerous.
Enjoy the laughs!

And read these out loud to the kids. Or let them read these themselves. Have fun.

I am also a believer in using good science fiction to encourage reading, to encourage an interest in science, to expand the ability to imagine and conceptualize, and to foster discussions between teachers/parents and youth. As a science teacher, I have written about this in various blog posts and my websites. Check out some of these posts by clicking on the labels. 

A New Set of Military Space Operas to Read

Ok, so actually they were new to me because I recently discovered them. I read the first one and got hooked on the series in each case. So I am telling you about them. (Click on the books to go to Amazon for more info and to get your copy.) (Updated 2020)

My Favorites

You might remember from past posts that my favorite space opera authors are these, although not in this order:

1. David Weber
2. Elizabeth Moon
3. Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

David Weber has a new series called Manticore Ascendant that introduces a new hero as a midshipman. Although in the Honorverse, there is little mention of Honor Harrington. Also, this book can be read by a young adult. It is a good coming of age novel.

For the YA Reader

Then there is the series for YA readers that features a teenage Honor Harrington. This series begins with the book A Beautiful Friendship. 

Trade Secret by Lee and Miller is another book for YA, but it has a higher reading level than some. At least the grades 7-9 kids I introduced to it thought it difficult to relate to. The story is rather complex, but I enjoyed it.

Elizabeth Moon long ago wrote Sheepfarmer's Daughter that is part of The Deed of Paksinarrion anthology. Paks is another warrior that the YA reader will enjoy knowing.

For You and Me, as Adult Readers:  Space Operas to Enjoy

But let's get back to the military space operas. Some have female heroes. Some are actually in the space service of the universe. Some have several trilogies in the series; some just a few. All have lots of challenges to be solved and plenty of interpersonal relationships with ongoing friendships, different crew members with which to deal, families and at times a love interest.

Then there are the different approaches to what a spaceship is like. And how it moves through space. Seldom is there an alien species, but what the hey. These were enjoyable and I even paid to read the next one when the first was from Kindle Unlimited, but not the next or 5th or whichever. There are hundreds more.

• Trading in Danger (Vatta's War Book 1) by Elizabeth Moon
• Space Viking by H. Beam Piper
• Midshipman Henry Gallant in Space (The Henry Gallant Saga Book 1) by H. Peter Alesso
• On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington Book 1) by David Weber
• Star Nomad by Lindsay Buroker
• Dragon and Thief by Timothy Zahn

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More to come.

This picture and the spaceship above are from Fotolia, which is now part of Adobe Stock.