Audiobook Recommendations

[Orcadian]

Thanks @Orcadian -- is that the order you'd recommend reading them in? I know a lot of people recommend reading Banks out of order -- or at least not starting with Consider Phlebas-- and wasn't sure if that was the same here. Thanks!

Cherryh's books are arranged in 'universes', and each universe has a timeline. (There are vague connections between some universes and others.) In a given 'universe' many of the stories can be enjoyed alone, though you will understand more if you know the back stories of the main characters. (In some cases these stories take several novels to be fully revealed.) So within a 'universe' I would probably choose to read them in order. The series with simple timelines and clear development are the Faded Sun trilogy and the 5-volume Chanur series. A standalone story is Cuckoo's Egg.

The Alliance-Union novels and their complex universe of ships, stations and organisations do take some work. Of this series I found Heavy Time, Hellburner and Finity's End difficult to get into, and Tripoint, Rimrunners and Merchanter's Luck easy. Downbelow Station is slow to get going, full of politics & manoeuvering, but gripping and un-put-down-able.

 

[Rodders]

I lean more to audio books for a re-read, but as i cycle more, i will look to reading books anew.

I struggled to read Ann Leckie's Ancillary Justice, but the audio book might be a good way into the series.