More like A Rose for Ecclesiastes

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The Sirens of TitanNovel
Kurt Vonnegut & Jr.standalone novel1959
Space opera, funny in tone, set in space.
SparrowSeries
series2 books1996
First contact, about grief and loss, set in other star systems and near future.
“The title refers to Gospel of Matthew 10:29–31, which relates that not even a sparrow falls to the earth without God's knowledge thereof.”
from the catalogue
Start with The Sparrow →
Ender's GameUniverse
universe39 books1977
Science fiction, set in far future.
“To beat your enemy you must first understand him so completely that you love him — and in the instant you love him, you destroy him.”
from the catalogue
Start with Ender's Game →
includes Ender Wiggin, First Formic War, Second Formic War, Ender's Shadow, Fleet School
Red PlanetNovel
Robert A. Heinleinstandalone novel1949
Adventurous in tone, about space colonization and coming of age.
“A boy colonist on Mars takes his bouncing ball Martian pet with him to boarding school, but the new Headmaster is a controlling tyrant.”
from the catalogue
Stranger in a Strange LandNovel
Robert A. Heinleinstandalone novel1961
First contact, about psychic powers, set in north america and near future.
StarmotherNovel
Sydney J. Van Scyocstandalone novel1976
About genetic engineering, set in other star systems.
“The whole society there could fall apart at any time, but Jahna finds out that the locals have plans for her, and new role, that of Starmother to these new children.”
from the catalogue