Hard science fiction books from 2015 often had a strong focus on scientific accuracy. For example, they might accurately depict space travel, like in 'The Martian' where the details of living on Mars and the challenges of getting back to Earth were based on real science.
The books in the list of 2016 hard science fiction books probably had complex world - building. Take 'Luna: New Moon' for instance. To create a believable lunar colony, the author had to consider everything from the gravitational differences to the resources available on the moon. This level of world - building is characteristic of hard science fiction as it requires a deep understanding of scientific principles to construct a plausible and engaging fictional world.
Hard science fiction books in this list often have a strong basis in scientific principles. For example, they might deal with concepts like astrophysics, as seen in books exploring space travel and alien planets. They also tend to have detailed world - building based on these scientific concepts.
One great book from such a list could be 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson. It's a classic in the cyberpunk sub - genre of hard sci - fi. It delves into concepts like artificial intelligence and virtual reality in a really immersive way.
Another great book on the list might be 'The Three - Body Problem' by Liu Cixin. It presents a unique and complex view of extraterrestrial life and the challenges that come with it. The scientific concepts in this book, like the three - body problem in physics, are fascinating and well - integrated into the story.
One great book from that list could be 'The Martian' by Andy Weir. It's about an astronaut stranded on Mars and his fight for survival using scientific knowledge and ingenuity.
One of the great books from that list could be 'Seveneves' by Neal Stephenson. It presents a really interesting scenario of the moon getting shattered and the consequences for humanity.
Another book might be 'The Collapsing Empire' by John Scalzi. This one presents an interesting universe where the galactic empire is starting to fall apart due to some scientific anomalies. It has engaging characters and a plot that keeps you hooked while also exploring scientific ideas related to space and politics.
A good starting point could also be 'Contact' by Carl Sagan. It combines scientific concepts like radio astronomy and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence with a human story of a scientist's journey. It's written in an accessible way that makes it easy for new readers to get into hard science fiction.
I would also recommend 'Foundation' by Isaac Asimov. This series focuses on psychohistory, a fictional science that predicts the future of large populations. Asimov's ideas about society, technology, and the long - term development of civilization are truly remarkable in this work.