I get this question a lot so I have an FAQ for it: whatever.scalzi.com/2017/09/10/w... - ThreadSky

scalzi.com • 36 days ago

I get this question a lot so I have an FAQ for it:

https://whatever.scalzi.com/2017/09/10/which-john-scalzi-novel-should-i-read-first/

Comments

missmarplessister.bsky.social•36 days ago

I always recommend The Dispatcher as a first read. And it’s worked for quite a few folks (like me).

wilhelmgere.bsky.social•36 days ago

The Collapsing Empire:

I was getting to it, I was getting to it...

alistairl.bsky.social•36 days ago

I went through a phase of listening to audio book versions of scifi books I hadn't read for a while (every 7 years depending on memory) and the audio book of redshirts was a delight because of the narrator.

anythingbagel.bsky.social•33 days ago

Thanks for posting this! It got me to get off my ass and I'm halfway through Kaiju Preservation Society and loving it.

fpatrick.bsky.social•36 days ago

I started with The Interdependency Series (didn't really notice the profanity, but the idea of blaming hypoxia stuck with me), then Kaiju Preservation, and I was looking for something to occupy me on Jan 20, so I started Old Man's War. I'm now about halfway through book 5, The Human Division.

andrewsalter.net•36 days ago

Mine was “The Dispatcher,” but specifically with Zachary Quinto’s narration. Excellent!

waters4.bsky.social•36 days ago

My first read was Red Shirt. 😀

nobodyowens1.bsky.social•36 days ago

This is exactly where I started, and have jumped randomly around the Scalziverse ever since. My goal is to get my mostly female, faire smut reading book club compatriots to read Old Man's War. 😂

jenniejiggity.bsky.social•36 days ago

I began with starter villain and went on to Kaiju preservation society and I was hooked. ❤️

humzas-brain.bsky.social•36 days ago

Old man’s war. I think I read that 2 or 3 times a year.

patrixilent.bsky.social•36 days ago

First one I've read was Red Shirts and I really liked it.

treeblebrox.bsky.social•36 days ago

The post below this in my feed:

https://bsky.app/profile/marysuesays.bsky.social/post/3licrsmwlts2m

somhlth.bsky.social•36 days ago

Redshirts was the first for me. I had no idea who John Scalzi was, but am a Star Trek fan, so it caught my eye, and I enjoyed the quirky take. Next was the audiobook Lock In, where I became a true fan, and also discovered that Wil Wheaton is awesome to listen to.

alex038.bsky.social•36 days ago

I for one love Zoes Tale ... the story how the Oben get into her life, protect her end evolve with her help ... love it and the end of the story too ^.^!!!

sbherr.bsky.social•36 days ago

I’m definitely a weirdo, but I read (and got hooked by) Unlocked first 🤓

maxt2024.bsky.social•36 days ago

I've also read Unlocked without reading the other novels! I should go back and read them, I really enjoyed Unlocked

alternategait.bsky.social•36 days ago

I loved that series, but was already into his writing by the time they came out.

rawrtigerlily.bsky.social•36 days ago

I was limited by what was currently available at my local library, but it appears the titles I had to pick from that weren't obviously part of a series were all solid options. I went Starter Villain, Redshirts, Kaiju Preservation. Will probably start Old Man's War series next.

hairbear1965.bsky.social•36 days ago

They were the first three I read as well. Old man's war was next, less comedy but really good.

kp-tx.bsky.social•36 days ago

Starter Villain. It’s awesome.

tacertain.bsky.social•36 days ago

Thanks for this. I picked up The Collapsing Empire trilogy because it was in an "employees picks" section. I really liked all three books - the concept, the stories, the characters. Then I tried Redshirts and, as you say, bounced off the humor. You've given me encouragement to try Old Man's War!

noa253.bsky.social•36 days ago

I just finished 'Starter Villain' 📚 and it was a great start for my first book of yours. It was very funny and a fun quick story. The narrator is excellent as well. I'll have to check out the others on here. Thanks!

thebluemountain.bsky.social•36 days ago

Old Man's War for sure. I read it ages ago.

anotheriain.bsky.social•36 days ago

Thank you for taking the trouble to do this faq, Mr Scalzi, so helpfully and genially. I don't remember how I came across you here - I wasn't previously familiar with your work - but I enjoy your 'short-form' writing, and I shall make it my aim to read one of your books before too long. Best wishes.

scarista.bsky.social•34 days ago

Mr. Scalzi quickly became one of my favourite Sci-Fi authors after I read Old Man's War some time ago. Since then I've read his books as soon as I could lay my grubby paws on them. A good stand alone novel to start with would be Redshirts.

anotheriain.bsky.social•34 days ago

Thanks; I like the sound of it, and Old Man's War too.

anotheriain.bsky.social•34 days ago

He's a very genial presence on here, which is also more likely to make me read someone's book.

scarista.bsky.social•34 days ago

From his presence here and on other social media you feel he's a very sound cove. Some great stuff over on his Whatever blog too.

transeignante.bsky.social•36 days ago

When asked, I always recommend Old Man's War. It's been such a delight to discover it.

saraleigh.bsky.social•36 days ago

Redshirts was my first, and I absolutely loved it! It also cemented my preference to listen to your audiobooks as read by Wil Wheaton. I haven’t read everything yet, but nearly.

qole.bsky.social•35 days ago

I noticed that the link to the Fuzzy Nation cover image is broken.

kated0218.bsky.social•36 days ago

I was introduced via Starter Villain. It quickly became a favorite, with me trying to force as many people as possible to enjoy the dolphins. An “A” is underselling the enjoyment I got from this one. Hmmm… might be time for a re-read 😍

pilotnoel.bsky.social•36 days ago

I’ve read many of your books and loved many of them as well. But I dearly loved The Interdependency!

Will you take us on a journey one day with Marce and Chenevert on the Auvergne to find Earth? What a story arc that would be. Part Voyager, part The Lost Fleet.

normajane.bsky.social•35 days ago

📌

rafrasilecs.bsky.social•35 days ago

Lock In wins for me

gaynixon.bsky.social•36 days ago

i put head on in one of those roadside library boxes in exchange for a copy of atlas shrugged. big wins. someone else gets a book i liked a lot, i get to take some goofball nonsense out of circulation

bmw-1138.bsky.social•36 days ago

Agent to the Stars followed by Red Shirts. Then I discovered Old Man’s War

endaze.bsky.social•36 days ago

Old Man’s War is one of my favorite books. I recommend it to everyone and buy it for them at Christmas. I love everything about this book. (The other books are excellent too.) I also gift the first book in the Expanse series.

finl3y.bsky.social•36 days ago

I started with Lock In

pauldb.bsky.social•36 days ago

Your books have never been on my radar before, John, but this summary means I'm definitely going to give them a try. Thank-you.👍

dchloe.bsky.social•36 days ago

Oh dear, I want to be naughty snarky so bad right now.

lindaz.bsky.social•36 days ago

Starter villain is the best! I’m hoping for more super-cat books in this world

quindimarlena.bsky.social•36 days ago

I saw the date on this and was getting ready to say you needed to update it, but then found you already had.

Starter Villain was my first John Scalzi and I loved it (excellent book to start with) so I bought your ebook bundle on special.
Loved Redshirts too, Old Man's War will be next I think.

knowncitizen.evilsoft.org•36 days ago

I read a similar one for Neil Asher

msamios.bsky.social•36 days ago

Agent to the Stars was my first Scalzi read. I loved it.

chris-ibey.bsky.social•35 days ago

I was recommended Old Man's War by a friend. I finished the series. Then I started reading everything I could find after that.

letchnerd.bsky.social•36 days ago

I think the first one I read was Redshirts based on a friends recommendation.

figmentpudding.com•36 days ago

📌

divawen.bsky.social•36 days ago

Kaiju Preservation Society was my first, as an audio book read by Wil Wheaton. After I stopped laughing I headed down the rabbit hole to catch up on what I’d missed!!

tanalam.bsky.social•36 days ago

Redshirts!!! Then OMW

pumpkin2021.bsky.social•36 days ago

Old man’s war…the series. Then Agent to the stars.

alternategait.bsky.social•36 days ago

Android’s Dream was the first book of yours that I read and it definitely sold me on following up on more of your work. That said I am an avid reader.

handgottes.bsky.social•36 days ago

Too late, i went straight for Red Shirts, than starter villain, KPS, collapsing Empire…

dclouv.bsky.social•36 days ago

Yay! I got an A !!!
Or you got an A.
Maybe you Made an A.
yAy!

fecklessan0n.bsky.social•36 days ago

Placed a hold on my library app.

cjniland.bsky.social•36 days ago

When I first read the question, I said 'Android's Dream hands down because it best demonstrates your sense of humor", but as I read your FAQ article, I kept saying "oh yay that one would be good too" . So let me say, any book that's not a follow up to a previous book. You can't go wrong!

matherrunning.bsky.social•36 days ago

I started with Starter Villain and really enjoyed it. I’ve got a lot more of your stuff on my ever growing TBR

trainerjill.bsky.social•35 days ago

silly me. I forgot to check if you sell ebooks through BN. You do!! :) Thank you. I will start with your Kaiju book because Kaiju

xaver1785.bsky.social•36 days ago

“if you like it you can continue with the characters”

When I remember me right, you kill a lot of the characters. I mean a lot…

Actually that’s something I really enjoyed in this novel.

danwrites.bsky.social•36 days ago

Friends are shocked I haven’t read Old Man’s War yet. For some reason, I grabbed Lock In a few years ago and recently read the Kaiju Preservation Society. Old Man’s War is on my list though. 🤷

merelyrachel.bsky.social•36 days ago

I simply went with my gut and picked up Old Man’s War as my first Scalzi. Finished it today, in fact! I really enjoyed it. Just added Starter Villain and Lock In to my To Read pile.

dylankinney.bsky.social•36 days ago

I started with Redshirts. Highly recommend.

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