Let’s face it. 2020 has been a rough year. There’s no shortage of people looking for a way to escape into their imaginations in the face of such disarray on the global stage. 

If you count yourself among them, a great science fiction book might be the answer. A genre that has continuously examined and predicted the progress of human civilization; it’s the perfect form of art to escape into parallel universes or alternative realities that are similar yet different to our own. Good science fiction has readers inhabit a compelling and utterly convincing fictional world that can have a cathartic effect for many reasons.

If we’re honest with ourselves, exploring the fake problems of fictional worlds can be more relaxing than dealing with the very real and daunting problems that are presented to us day in and day out by the media. Let’s explore a few of the most memorable and transporting sci-fi books to replace our pressing day-to-day problems with some fictional ones. After reading one, you might just be able to come back to reality with fresh eyes and a renewed sense of purpose. 

Wanna Get Away? Escape 2020 Reality with These Transporting Sci-Fi Books

1. Ender’s Game

Ender’s Game is a 1985 novel written by Orson Scott Card that follows a teenage boy named Ender that is handpicked to participate in an intergalactic military training camp. Ender captured the minds of young people and adults alike because of the coming-of-age story is told about a well-intentioned yet imperfect hero that finds himself being used and manipulated by an unforgiving, violent world. 

The book is set in a future version of Earth in which human civilization faces an impending invasion of an alien species. The brightest military minds convene to vet and train the next generation of military geniuses that will be needed to fight off the alien species. Ender is one of the most promising recruits. 

Throughout his training, Ender is forced to come to terms with the dread of an impending invasion and to navigate the tricky social politics of fellow recruits. Ender shines as an up-and-upcoming military mastermind, but all is not as it seems. Throughout his journey, Ender peels back one layer of illusion after another until making contact with the reality of his position in this volatile world at the end of the book.

It has become a science fiction classic that was adapted into a movie in 2013. It’s a great book that will allow readers to engage with social, strategic, and civilizational problems in its fictional world. The novel even made the list of best science fiction books from Cool Things Chicago. 

2. Dune

Dune is a science fiction novel written by Frank Herbert in 1965. The novel is set in a distant foreign galaxy for many years in the future. In the enchanting world that the novel takes place, the galaxy is ruled by a number of royal families. 

The novel follows its main character Paul Atreides, a young member of a royal family that has accepted the responsibility of ruling a planet called Arrakis. Arrakis is a desert-like, barren planet that proves to be a primitive and unforgiving environment. However, it contains a vitally important natural resource called melange, or “spice” as it’s regularly referred to in the novel.

Melange is the most valuable resource in the fictional Dune universe because it enables navigation in space as well as other mysterious abilities in users that consume it as a drug. The nature of dust, as well as the abilities it provides, becomes more clear through the story of Paul Atreides and his rulership over Arrakis. 

Dune is a terrific book that explores themes around politics, environmentalism, and religion. It continues to find an audience of new readers even today, as talked about in this piece from the New York Times.

3. The Handmaid’s Tale

The Handmaid’s Tale is a science fiction novel written by Margaret Atwood that is set in the United States after a future totalitarian takeover of the country orchestrated by a fanatical religious group. Infertility has become a widespread condition in this dystopian universe and has given rise to practices of ritualistic rape and impregnation by members of this totalitarian regime.

In response to a kind of moral panic that took hold after widespread infertility, a quasi-religious, fascist group takes power and proceeds the role back much of the moral progress and human rights enjoyed by the Western world. The group called the Sons of Jacob in the novel, strip women of their human rights and force them to live subjugated lives purely focused on bearing children. Fertile women are dubbed handmaids and are forced into lives of indentured servitude for rich families for which they bear children after being raped. 

The book is a staunch and sober look at the fragility of moral progress and human rights that we take for granted and how easily they can be eroded in the face of crisis and fascism. It follows the life of handmaiden Offred as she navigates this dismal, masochistic world after being stripped of her rights and forced to be raped and bear children for powerful families. This piece by the Washington Post explores how the book, later adapted into a TV series, reflects or exaggerates existing patterns in our current civilization.

4. A Scanner Darkly

A Scanner Darkly is a semi-autobiographical novel written by renowned author Philip K. Dick. The book follows Bob Arctor, a drug addict that lives in a household of other addicts. 

Arctor leads a double life. In secret, he is an undercover police agent that is attempting to crack down on illegal drugs. Through his undercover work, pretending to be a drug user, he becomes addicted to a drug called Substance D that is known for its dangerous qualities. 

Arctor falls in love with Donna, a drug dealer and a fellow addict. Due to his addiction, Arctor’s superiors realized that he isn’t fit to continue his duties. 

The book’s author, Philip K. Dick, is known to have struggled with drug addiction, and the story draws inspiration from some of his darkest moments. This piece by the LA Times explores Dick’s history and many of the themes that ultimately ended up in the book.  

5. The Martian

The Martian is a science fiction novel written by Andy Weir that follows the life of an astronaut that is stranded on Mars after his entire crew is killed in an accident. Believed to be dead by all of the civilization after his long-range radio fails, the protagonist of the book is forced to come to terms with surviving in solitude on Mars. 

The novel immerses the reader into the loneliness of being marooned on Mars but does so with surprising wit and a comedic narrative. The book is loved by many die-hard science fiction readers because of its accurate inclusion of real science. It’s a testament to Weir’s commitment to researching the science related to his story. 

The novel features many more references to pop culture than is found in many science fiction books, and some readers may find they need to be up-to-date with the latest lifestyle narratives and pop culture trivia to truly enjoy its humor.

Hopefully, this list will offer some suggestions that will help readers transport themselves, if even for a few hours, away from their daily concerns and into a fictional world that is captivating and thought-provoking.

After a long Chicago winter, nothing is better than hearing chirping birds, smelling newy blooming flowers, and seeing green grass for the first time in months. Now is the time to end our annual Windy City hibernation and again head outside confident that summer is almost here.

Summer in Chicago can’t be beat. The weather is beautiful and there is so much to do. It is especially great for the parents of young kids. No longer confined indoors, parents (and grandparents and aunts and uncles and friends) of young kids can take their little ones exploring all over this amazing city.

While the simple act of walking down a Chicago street can keep a youngster fascinated for very long periods,  A Second City summer provides plenty of kid-friendly places to visit and activities to do. Here are nine fun summer activities for preschoolers in Chicago.       

Chicago activities for preschoolers:

1. Lincoln Park Zoo

The Lincoln Park Zoo is a classic kid-friendly locale.  This zoo has been thrilling visitors of all ages for more than 130 years and it’s still free! The zoo is located on 35 acres right in the middle of the Lincoln Park neighborhood. It houses over 1,000 animals and has a wide array of exhibits to visit.  So no matter what your child’s favorite members of the animal kingdom are it is very likely they can all be found here. You can check out such different areas as the African Journey, Arctic Tundra, Birds of Prey, Penguin Cove, Primate House, Birds of Prey, and Swan Pond. The Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo is specially created for little ones so make sure to hit that along the way.

2. Navy Pier 

Few things you can do feel more “Chicago” than taking a trip to Navy Pier in the summer. Just strolling down the pier that juts out into Lake Michigan is quite stimulating for kids and, if you want a little more fun, you can take them on a ride around the famous Centennial Ferris Wheel.  Bbe on the lookout for the free public events Navy Pier hosts throughout the summer such as free movies on their large, outdoor screen. These activities are great on your wallet and a true Chicago experience.

3. Chicago Children’s Museum

While you are at Navy Pier, if you want a little extra brain stimulation for your preschooler, you both will absolutely love the Chicago Children’s Museum. This museum, designed specifically for kids, encourages hands-on, creative play. For almost 40 years, the museum has provided a place that stimulates kids’ imaginations while teaching them about art, science, math, technology, and more. It is truly a special place that the kids of Chicago are lucky to have so close by. 

4. Millennium Park

On a sweltering summer day in Chicago, take your preschooler to Millennium Park to cool down. Crown Fountain, with its shallow pool and water-spouting art feature, is a great place to let your child splash around in the middle of the city. When you’ve beat the heat, you can walk over to the iconic Chicago landmark, The Bean (officially known as Cloud Gate), or to the Lurie Garden with its self-guided scavenger hunt that you and your kids can do together.

5. Maggie Daley Park

A short walk over a bridge from Millennium Park is probably the best park for kids in the entire city. Maggie Daley Park was built in 2014 and offers children of all ages some amazing play options. The rock climbing walls and mini-golf course will be fun as your kids get older, but plenty of other options welcome preschoolers. The park has six distinct play areas; The Wave Lawn, The Harbor, The Watering Hole, The Slide Crater, The Enchanted Forest, and The Sea. Exploring them all and seeing which your child likes best can easily occupy several hours. Chances are, though, they will love them all.

6. Margie’s Candies

You actually might want to hit Margie’s right before you go to Maggie’s so your preschooler can work off some of the sugar high they’ll get at this Chicago treasure. Your kids won’t likely be impressed that the original Bucktown location was a favorite haunt of Al Capone or was once taken over by the Beatles after they played Comiskey Park, but they absolutely will be impressed when they see their first Atomic Sundae. This giant ice cream monstrosity is every kid’s dream and to a little kid, it will seem even more enormous than it already is. 

7. Shedd Aquarium

If your preschooler liked checking out the land-based animals at Lincoln Park Zoo, they’ll love taking a tour beneath the sea at the Shedd Aquarium. Here they will find aquatic creatures from all around the world. There are big fish, little fish, colorful fish, scary fish, funny fish, and puffins!. If they are really into this underwater world, you can take them on the shark feeding tour or give them a chance to get in a tank with some stingrays.

8. White Sox Family Sunday

Even though preschoolers are probably a bit too young to sit through a whole baseball game, you can still take in a summer baseball game on the South Side on a Sunday. The White Sox have special Family Sunday games throughout the season with specially priced tickets and activities for the kids. Children even get an opportunity to get on the field and run the bases. It is a great way to solidify your child’s love of Chicago sports at a young age. 

9. The 606 Trail 

Take your kids on an urban hike down this converted elevated train line. There are art installations and plenty of things to look at along the way. The best part is the several playgrounds below in different spots so if your preschooler gets bored, you can hop off the trail and spend some time climbing, swinging, and sliding. It is a great place to get outside in the summer to let your kids stretch their legs and burn off some energy. 

Author Bio

Sandra Chiu works as Director at LadyBug & Friends Daycare and Preschool.