CHECK IT OUT:Tales for dreamers await in the science fiction section

Have you ever looked to the stars and wanted to explore mysterious and exotic worlds? Did you ever think to yourself, “Why can’t I have a flying car?” while enduring rush-hour traffic? Will we ever have robot maids, fully automated houses or Netflix movies beamed directly to our brain?

While modern science is unable to provide such luxuries and adventures, the world of science fiction has the ability to take us to far-off worlds and futuristic mega cities where such things are easily possible. Here are just a few suggestions for taking a thrilling trip into the future.

“Blade Runner: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” by Philip K. Dick: Popularized by the film “Blade Runner,” starring Harrison Ford, Dick’s novel is set in the year 2021, where the earth is slowly dying as a result of a global world war, cities have become heavily industrialized, real animals are a rare luxury, people have their emotions induced by strange machines, and Replicants — androids that are nearly indistinguishable from humans — are tasked with slave labor on off-world colonies. When six Replicants go rogue and hide out in San Francisco, former bounty hunter Rick Deckard is called into action to locate and “retire” these rebellious machines.

“Star Wars: Heir to the Empire” by Timothy Zahn: An Empire splintered, a New Republic born. The death of Emperor Palpatine and the redemption of Anakin Skywalker brought the promise of peace to the war-torn galaxy. However, the remnant of the Imperial Navy begins to stir, led by the Empire’s last Grand Admiral. A military genius, Grand Admiral Thrawn constructs a complex plan that will spell doom for the New Republic and restore order to the Empire. On Coruscant, Luke Skywalker struggles with his understanding of the Force and the restoration of the Jedi Order while Han Solo prepares for his biggest challenge yet: fatherhood.

“Dune” by Frank Herbert: The year is 10,191. The planet Arrakis, a world devoid of water and its scorched desert surface ravaged by fierce sandstorms and massive sandworms, is the most valuable planet in the universe. Spice, the essence of space travel and commerce, can only be found on this desert world. When House Atreides is given charge over the planet’s spice production from their cruel rivals, House Harkonnen, they become the victims of a deadly plot fueled by jealousy. Paul Atreides and his mother Jessica, the survivors of an assault on the Atreides line, flee into the vast desert and must bear the savage elements of Arrakis in order to survive.

“2010: Odyssey Two” by Arthur C. Clarke: The sequel to Clarke’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” focuses on Dr. Heywood Floyd’s attempt to understand why the Discovery’s mission to Saturn turned to disaster after the HAL-9000 computer malfunctioned. Set during the backdrop of a major conflict brewing between the United States and the Soviet Union, Floyd is given the opportunity to participate in a joint mission with the Russians to unlock the secrets of the Discovery, which has been in orbit over Jupiter. Floyd also hopes the journey will reveal what has happened to David Bowman since his disappearance after encountering the mysterious Monolith.

“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams: The story begins with a man, Arthur Dent, a middle-aged resident of Britain, who has no idea what fate has in store for him. Within hours of waking up, Arthur discovers that not only will his house be knocked down, but that his friend Ford Prefect is an alien from a planet in the vicinity of Betelgeuse, all the dolphins have mysteriously vanished, and a Vogon Constructor Fleet is due to arrive and demolish Earth to make way for a hyperspace galactic bypass. With towel in hand, Arthur joins Ford in exploring all the surprises and oddities the galaxy has to offer and ultimately discover that there was more to the planet Earth than anyone could have ever believed.