Chad Orzel, whom a student once described as “an everyday guy who just happens to have a vast but hidden knowledge of physics,” read a couple of dud novels in a row and decided he needed a better system than simply picking the next book from his to-read pile.

Chad wrote “Science Fiction Disappoints Me” on his Uncertain Principles blog appealing for help.

SF may disappoint, but the combined wisdom of the internet did not — the comments are filled with solid recommendations.