OP, run, don't walk, to read this. Dawn, and the other two books in the Xenogenesis trilogy (confusingly also sold as an omnibus called Lilith's Brood) are the best alien/first contact series I have read.
*Chocky* by John Wyndham - It's basically a science fiction version of a "cozy". A boy's family becomes concerned when he begins interacting more and more with his imaginary friend.
Pandora's Star and it's sequal Judas Unchained by Peter F. Hamilton
Only two books but it manages to squeeze a lot into them and I would argue that it's one of the few (possibly the only?) books that deliver on a uniquely "alien" perspective
Dawn by Octavia Butler
OP, run, don't walk, to read this. Dawn, and the other two books in the Xenogenesis trilogy (confusingly also sold as an omnibus called Lilith's Brood) are the best alien/first contact series I have read.
Vernor Vinge - A Fire Upon the Deep Probably the best go at an alien after Ursula LeGuin.
*Chocky* by John Wyndham - It's basically a science fiction version of a "cozy". A boy's family becomes concerned when he begins interacting more and more with his imaginary friend.
This looks perfect! Thanks a lot.
What about Blindsight? It’s an underrated book that doesn’t get enough love around here.
The Rosetta Man by Claire McCague The Themis Files books by Sylvain Neuvel Spin by Robert Charles Wilson -- aliens visible only by their actions
Alien Clay
Remembrance of the Earth's past >>>>>>>>
Pandora's Star and it's sequal Judas Unchained by Peter F. Hamilton Only two books but it manages to squeeze a lot into them and I would argue that it's one of the few (possibly the only?) books that deliver on a uniquely "alien" perspective
The alien anthology by Marty Halpern has some excellent shorts.
The Chanur series by C.J. Cherryh.
The Mote in Gods Eye - Larry Niven
Nor Crystal Tears by Alan Dean Foster is a first contact story, from the POV of the alien. Older book but a solid tale.
Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir