The best books that capture the not-so-distant future

Why am I passionate about this?

Ever since middle school, when our teacher promised that we would have flying cars in our lifetimes, I’ve had a keen interest in scientific and technological breakthroughs. And now, with the advancements in Artificial Intelligence and genetic engineering, my interest has only grown. I love technology, but my concern is that with the acceleration of AI, science is outpacing common sense. Are we creating our replacements? I hope you read my new novel: Crystal and the Underlings: the future of humanity, and discover what could happen when AI takes over!


I wrote...

Crystal and the Underlings: The future of humanity

By Jack Kelley,

Book cover of Crystal and the Underlings: The future of humanity

What is my book about?

Crystal, a genetically enhanced Elite warrior, learns her brother and other Elites have been captured or killed by the Underlings, mere humans, living in the Mojave. Her mission is to free the missing Elites or kill those responsible for their demise, namely Brownstone, the Underling’s aggressive commander. After learning that the Elites are not captives of the Underlings, but free to come and go as they please. She feels differently about the handsome Underling General.  

When their mutual enemy, Prime, the evil Android overlord, shows up in the Mojave with his army of Bots intent on killing all Underlings, she must choose between completing the mission or following her heart by standing with Brownstone, in a desperate fight for the survival of humanity.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Next

Jack Kelley Why did I love this book?

When I read Michael Crichton’s Next, my first thought was that we’re entering a dangerous time with our ability to manipulate the genomes of many different species.

The central message is about the possible negative ramifications of manipulating the DNA of humans and other animal species and even the creation of transspecies. Crichton leads us through diverse stories of corporate greed to the life and death struggles of others just wanting a cure for cancer.

Crichton does a masterful job of tying the different agendas into a compelling, interwoven narrative. 

By Michael Crichton,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Next as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Number One international bestselling author of Jurassic Park, Congo and Sphere blends fact and fiction to create a near-future where genetic engineering opens up a whole new world of terrifying, page-turning possibilities...

Is a loved one missing body parts?
Are blondes becoming extinct?
Has a human already cross-bred with a monkey?

We live in a GENETIC WORLD. Fast, frightening - and potentially VERY lucrative. There are designer pets; a genetic cure for drug addiction; a booming market in eggs and sperm. But is there also a talking ape in Borneo? Has a 'master' gene for controlling others been found?…


Book cover of The Island of Doctor Moreau

Jack Kelley Why did I love this book?

I first read The Island of Dr. Moreau many years ago and it struck me that this could really happen.

A cautionary tale of a Mad scientist who operates on humans and animals with the end result of creating transspecies with human-like characteristics. Although written at a time when we didn’t know how to manipulate human and animal genomes, the novel presents a chilling story of what can happen when scientific knowledge outpaces common sense.

We don’t know what we don’t know.

By H.G. Wells,

Why should I read it?

7 authors picked The Island of Doctor Moreau as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Island of Doctor Moreau has inspired countless homages in literature, film and television.


Book cover of Visions: How Science Will Revolutionize the 21st Century

Jack Kelley Why did I love this book?

Michio Kaku’s Visions inspired me to write my first novel focusing on artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and Androids.

Kaku interviewed one hundred and fifty peers in the scientific community to predict what the future might be like. Genetic Elites will roam the earth as well as Humanoid Robots, where Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing lead the way to seemingly impossible breakthroughs.

Kaku’s Visions is fast becoming our reality.

By Michio Kaku,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Visions as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

New in paperback, from the bestselling author of Hyperspace, this spellbinding book brings together the cutting-edge research of today's foremost scientists to explore the science of tomorrow. Michio Kaku describes the development of computers and artificial intelligence, reveals how the decoding of the genetic structure of DNA will allow us to alter and reshape our genetic inheritance, and observes how quantum physicists are perfecting new ways of
harnessing the matter and energy of the Universe. Visions is an exhilarating adventure into the future of our planet and ourselves.


Book cover of Brave New World

Jack Kelley Why did I love this book?

I read Brave New World when I was in college, and I was struck with the methods of controlling the masses through environmental conditioning and with the drug soma.

Huxley’s Brave New World has a caste system with everyone’s lane defined. Those who question the status quo are to be punished. Brave New World is considered by many to be one of the classic works of fiction. It will leave you with a fundamental question, could that ever happen to us? I believe the answer is yes!

By Aldous Huxley,

Why should I read it?

19 authors picked Brave New World as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

**One of the BBC's 100 Novels That Shaped Our World**

EVERYONE BELONGS TO EVERYONE ELSE. Read the dystopian classic that inspired the hit Sky TV series.

'A masterpiece of speculation... As vibrant, fresh, and somehow shocking as it was when I first read it' Margaret Atwood, bestselling author of The Handmaid's Tale.

Welcome to New London. Everybody is happy here. Our perfect society achieved peace and stability through the prohibition of monogamy, privacy, money, family and history itself. Now everyone belongs.

You can be happy too. All you need to do is take your Soma pills.

Discover the brave new…


Book cover of Toys

Jack Kelley Why did I love this book?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading James Patterson’s and Neil McMahon’s Toys.

Patterson doesn’t delve into science fiction often, but when he does, thought-provoking ideas are present that question the social consequences of those imaginary worlds. In Toys, Genetic Elites rule and ordinary humans being the subjugated class.

The Elite Agent of Change, Baker, thinks he’s an Elite only to learn that he’s an ordinary human. He searches for his true origins while being hunted by the very Elites he protected from ordinary humans.

This novel is even more compelling today than when was written due to the advancement of Artificial Intelligence and Genetic Engineering.

A plausible prophetic future for those willing to listen.

By James Patterson, Neil McMahon,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Toys as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

James Bond and Jason Bourne have just been topped! A battle for the world is set into unstoppable motion and Hays Baker is the only one who can save it. Hays Baker and his wife Lizbeth possess super-human strength, extraordinary intelligence, stunning looks, a sex life to die for, and two beautiful children. Of course they do--they're Elites, endowed at birth with the very best that the world can offer. The only problem in their perfect world: humans and their toys!The one with the most toys--diesThe top operative for the Agency of Change, Hays has just won the fiercest battle…


You might also like...

Ferry to Cooperation Island

By Carol Newman Cronin,

Book cover of Ferry to Cooperation Island

Carol Newman Cronin Author Of Ferry to Cooperation Island

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Sailor Olympian Editor New Englander Rum drinker

Carol's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

James Malloy is a ferry captain--or used to be, until he was unceremoniously fired and replaced by a "girl" named Courtney Farris. Now, instead of piloting Brenton Island’s daily lifeline to the glitzy docks of Newport, Rhode Island, James spends his days beached, bitter, and bored.

When he discovers a plan for a private golf course on wilderness sacred to his dying best friend, James is determined to stop such "improvements." But despite Brenton's nickname as "Cooperation Island," he's used to working solo. To keep historic trees and ocean shoreline open to all, he'll have to learn to cooperate with other islanders--including Captain Courtney, who might just morph from irritant to irresistible once James learns a secret that's been kept from him for years.

Ferry to Cooperation Island

By Carol Newman Cronin,

What is this book about?

Loner James Malloy is a ferry captain-or used to be, until he was unceremoniously fired and replaced by a girl named Courtney Farris. Now, instead of piloting Brenton Island's daily lifeline to the glitzy docks of Newport, Rhode Island, James spends his days beached, bitter, and bored.

When he discovers a private golf course staked out across wilderness sacred to his dying best friend, a Narragansett Indian, James is determined to stop such "improvements." But despite Brenton's nickname as "Cooperation Island," he's used to working solo. To keep rocky bluffs, historic trees, and ocean shoreline open to all, he'll have…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in genetic engineering, totalitarianism, and islands?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about genetic engineering, totalitarianism, and islands.

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Islands Explore 72 books about islands