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The Best Science Fiction Series for Newcomers to the Genre

Posted on by Posted in Literature .

Some of the best science fiction novels you might see on fan lists are also part of a series. If you’re new to the genre, choosing from among the different titles can be overwhelming, that is why most science fiction fans will advise you to try one series first as an introduction.

Here are some of the best science fiction series for beginners.

Space Odyssey Series by Arthur C. Clarke

The series consists of four novels and two short stories detailing humanity’s foray into space exploration. The first book, 2001: A Space Odyssey, introduces the idea that aliens have influenced the primitive ancestors of humans and may be grooming them for a task in the future.

Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold

The first book, Falling Free, was released in 1988 and serves as the backbone of the long-running series that details various themes such as politics, military and warfare, medical ethics, personal identity, bioengineering, and technology.

Ender’s Game Series by Orson Scott Card

Also called the Ender Saga, the first trilogy is part of the Enderverse, a collection of novels, short stories, comics, and audioplay that chronicles humanity’s encounters with different alien species. The first novel, Ender’s Game, introduces Andrew Wiggin, a child soldier and genius schooled in the ways of battle to protect the Earth from the aliens.

The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolf

The series, also called Solar Cycle, is available either as four separate books, or one novel with four volumes. The books detail the exploits of Severian after he was exiled from Thrax.

Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons

The first book in the series, Hyperion, features the different stories of a group of pilgrims on their way to the Time Tombs to make a request from the Shrike.

Ringworld by Larry Niven

Made up of five books, Ringworld, is also a part of the Known Space story set in the giant space artifact. Another five novels are the sequel to the last book of the Ringworld series, Fate of Worlds.

Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov

Besides the trilogy, Asimov also wrote two prequels and two sequels. Foundation shows how a prophecy has propelled one mathematician to find a way to steer events into a favorable conclusion.

Hainish Cycle by Ursula K. LeGuin

This series includes two of LeGuin’s most famous novels, The Left Hand of Darkness and The Dispossessed, the fourth and fifth books, respectively. They are all set in an alternate history of Earth.

Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson

Although there are plenty of books about man’s attempt to settle on Mars, this series takes a different approach by discussing scientific advances, egalitarianism, ecological problems, and overpopulation.

Majipoor Series by Robert Silverberg

The first book of the series, Lord Valentine’s Castle, introduces the planet Majipoor, where humans have been living with other alien races for thousands of years.

The Culture Series by Iain M. Banks

Besides the usual aliens and humans, the series also features artificial intelligences trying to live in the fringes of a utopian space communist galaxy.

Does Your Child Need a Nutritional Supplement?

Posted on by Posted in Gourmet World, Health and Wellness, Parenting .

As parents, you would always want to give the best for your child, including complete healthy meals to allow them to grow strong and healthy. Most parents also choose to give vitamin supplements during the crucial growth years especially when the child is picky with the food, but is it worth it?

Children Need Complete Meals

If your child already eats a variety of food, then the short answer is no, because there is no better substitute to food as the primary source of vitamins and nutrients. However, if your child is picky or has feeding problems, you need to consult a pediatrician first before adding a supplement to his/her diet.

Be Wary of Supplements with Promises

Supplements that claim they can make your child smarter or disease-free are probably lying to you. After all, these are just supplements, not medication; and there are no valid proofs that can back up their claims. Be wary as well of supplements that have not been regulated and tested properly, even if the label says it’s all-natural and herbal.

Your child might have allergic reactions or intolerance to the ingredients in suspicious supplements. Some of them are known to have contaminants and are usually less well-regulated than medications, not to mention the host of side effects caused by the ingredients and their reaction to medications currently taken by the child.

Know What Your Child Lacks

Not all children lack the essential vitamins and nutrients needed for growth and development, even the picky eaters. Most of vitamin A, B, C, and E are found in most food; however, vitamin D, fiber, calcium, and omega-3s are only found in low doses in most meals according to various studies. To meet the daily nutritional needs, the pediatrician will advise you to serve more milk, soy, orange juice, cheese, yogurt, fortified eggs, fish oils, canola oil, nuts, flaxseed, high-fiber cereals, and fruits and vegetables.

Know What to Look For

Follow instructions from the pediatrician when looking for children’s supplement. Generally, you should look for products that have a clear instruction and dosage for specific ages and are packed specifically to be child-proof. Be careful when trying to self-medicate and adding more supplements other than that already recommended by the doctor, because it can lead to an overdose. Supplements, however, should never substitute healthy meals consisting of fish, whole wheat, vegetables, dairy, and fruits.

Know the Food Pyramid

To give you an idea how much vitamins and minerals your child needs during his/her growing years, follow the simple food pyramid guide recommended by most pediatricians in Singapore.

  1. Two or three servings of milk, cheese, and yogurt
  2. Two or three servings of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dry beans, and nuts
  3. Three to five servings of vegetables
  4. Two to four servings of fruits
  5. Six to eleven servings of bread, cereal, rice, and pasta
  6. Occasional treats with fats, sweets, and oils