Becky Chambers specializes in “hope-punk” sci-fi. Her “Wayfarer” series is sweet, uplifting space-jazz about people and aliens trying their best to do right by eachother. “To Be Taught, If Fortunate” is a glimpse of a more possible future of space travel. I’ve also heard good things about the “Robot and Monk” books, but haven’t read it.
“Daughters of a Coral Dawn” by Katherine V. Forrest has the earnest enthusiasm of an early Star Trek episode, but can veer into camp territory (which I enjoy, but isn’t for everyone). Like, if there was a Star Trek:TOS episode about an all-lesbian planet, it would read like this. The third book in the series comes to some interesting conclusions about the divide between generations of queer women.
EDIT- after some thought, I’d also like to add Terry Pratchett’s “Tiffany Aching/Wee Free Men” series, about a young shepherd finding her place in the world.
EDIT2- The “Native Tongue” trilogy by Suzette Haden Elgin is about linguists who set out to create a language that will allow people to better express their feelings, and ultimately save humanity from itself. She actually created a whole conlang for it, Laadan. I don’t agree that it’ll save your life, but it IS hopeful and trusts in humanity, though there are still scenes of suffering.
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Becky Chambers specializes in “hope-punk” sci-fi. Her “Wayfarer” series is sweet, uplifting space-jazz about people and aliens trying their best to do right by eachother. “To Be Taught, If Fortunate” is a glimpse of a more possible future of space travel. I’ve also heard good things about the “Robot and Monk” books, but haven’t read it.
“Daughters of a Coral Dawn” by Katherine V. Forrest has the earnest enthusiasm of an early Star Trek episode, but can veer into camp territory (which I enjoy, but isn’t for everyone). Like, if there was a Star Trek:TOS episode about an all-lesbian planet, it would read like this. The third book in the series comes to some interesting conclusions about the divide between generations of queer women.
EDIT- after some thought, I’d also like to add Terry Pratchett’s “Tiffany Aching/Wee Free Men” series, about a young shepherd finding her place in the world.
EDIT2- The “Native Tongue” trilogy by Suzette Haden Elgin is about linguists who set out to create a language that will allow people to better express their feelings, and ultimately save humanity from itself. She actually created a whole conlang for it, Laadan. I don’t agree that it’ll save your life, but it IS hopeful and trusts in humanity, though there are still scenes of suffering.