Any Sci Fi Book Recommendations Similar To Star Trek

Which Star Trek books should I start with (no fan fiction)?

I can tell you what some of my favorite ones are. But I’m not sure what you are looking for. That is to say, which one of the series you are interested in. Most of the ones I like the best are stand-alone novels from the original series.The Wounded Sky and Spock’s World are both by Diane Duane. Spock’s World is the history of Vulcan. The Wounded Sky is about an alien scientist who can make traveling the great distances of space with her mind.Strangers From the Sky- About the first meeting between humans and Vulcans. It was written years before First Contact though.Yesterday’s Son and Time for Yesterday are both sequels to the original series episode All Our Yesterdays.I also like Uhura’s Song.I like the novel Imzadi for Next Generation. Time’s Enemy for Deep Space 9. Marooned for Voyager. Surak’s Soul for Enterprise.

What writing books do you recommend for aspiring sci-fi/fantasy authors?

None specifically for the genres. For that I’d recommend reading the kind of SF or fantasy you want to write (without that you’re absolutely flying blind), but also watching out for other styles and whole different genres. Mystery can be a crash course in plotting, historical in how to reveal world details, and so on, and every different idea can inspire a spin on your own thoughts.Writing books I recommend for everyone are:Wired for Story by Lisa Cron—the best book I’ve found for showing the heart of what makes a story work.2K to 10K by Rachel Aaron—mostly about writing more, but in the process you learn plenty about how to do it well, and it’s a fun and easy read. (Bonus: Rachel’s in the SF/F genres herself.)Story Engineering by Larry Brooks—a clear structure and proven for anyone who’s interested in planning. (But if you’re a pantser, half the book is trying to convert you.)On Writing by Stephen King—the most famous, a deep dive into how he lives and feels about writing, less about technique. (Note: it’s King’s own experience and beliefs, not claiming to apply to anyone else. Mostly.)Finally, to thrive in a writer’s career or just not get robbed blind, follow Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s blog. Every delicious word.

Is Babylon 5 a science fiction classic on the level of Star Trek and the like? Is it essential science fiction viewing like Trek, or is it just extremely hyped?

If we're being critical here, it's not hyped, it really is a masterwork of scifi.  However, you have to accept it on its own terms.  Babylon 5 functions much more like a theatrical production with scifi window dressing, than a typical scifi show in the mold of Star Trek.  That is to say it's a drama about people who happen to be in space; rather than a crew of idealized officers on a perfect ship, exploring the most impossible goals with the noblest ambitions.However, like most science fiction television series it doesn't hit its stride until the midpoint of the second season.  Several early episodes are lackluster, and the acting of guest actors ranges from middling to poor.  While most of the primary and secondary characters quickly come into their own, a few nail them out of the gate.  You almost have to picture the first season as entirely expositional; it lays the groundwork for the rules the universe follows in subsequent seasons.The computer generated effects in the early episodes are barely tolerable by todays standards.  However, this is offset by a veritable golden age in prosthetic makeup.  The variety and shape of aliens leans more towards the exoticism  found in the Star Wars camp, than the minimalism of Trek.  Much credit is deserved to the artists of Optic Nerve with how they were able to layer on so many prosthetics without actors losing the ability to emote.  While the CGI models used don't look very impressive, in a relatively short amount of time many of the shots become much more kinetic and dynamic than Star Trek, rivaling and besting parts if not most of the Dominion War (DS9).The beauty of the show is that characters grow and change.  Events happen and have consequence.  Ideas are introduced and (mostly) not forgotten.  And by the time the story reaches a literal epic scale, you're able to look back and see a journey through the eyes of many different perspectives.Taken individually a single episode of Babylon 5 isn't as good as a random episode of Battlestar Galactica.  Taken as a whole it's not even a competition.  Babylon 5 elevates the material to a new level entirely, and does so by giving you heroes, villains, and those in between; with a consistent vision and an emotional center.If you watch it long enough this is a show you will fall in love with.  But it's probably not going to be love at first sight.

Why are there no new science fiction series like Star Trek or Babylon 5?

The Expanse is the finest SciFi series in literally a decade. It’s compelling. It’s got great FX. It’s a fun show. It’s got an incredible story. It’s true “outer space based” SciFi. If you’re not watching it, you are missing out.

What book got you into sci-fi when you previously had no interest?

When I was 9 to 11 years old, I was at a small public library with my mother. I came across “Lucky Starr and the Moons of Jupiter” in the kids’ section — a “juvenile” novel by Isaac Asimov.That novel got me interested in science fiction. From then on, I looked for similar books and authors at the library. Along the way I also found the “juvenile” novels by “Andre Norton” which I enjoyed.That was in the mid-1960′s. Soon I discovered a lot of amazing books — “Dune” and others.Around the same time I also saw some good sci-fi movies (e.g. “Forbidden Planet”) and TV shows (“Outer Limits” and “Star Trek”).