Check Me Out - Haven October 2025

CONTACT

By Carl Sagan

A classic that blends science, philosophy, and wonder. Sagan takes the big question “what would it mean if we actually made contact with intelligent life?” and turns it into a deeply human story. It’s not just about aliens; it’s about faith, skepticism, connection, and our place in the cosmos. Thoughtful and page-turning, it lingers long after you close it.

UFO

By Garrett M. Graff

From Cold War sightings to modern Pentagon UAP programs. Graff isn’t a believer or a skeptic; he follows the evidence wherever it leads and offers a balanced and open-minded view. Meticulously researched yet never dry, it blends history, culture, and mystery, making it a compelling overview of one of humanity’s greatest questions: Are we alone in the universe?

THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY

By Douglas Adams

Sometimes the best way to explore the vast unknown is with humor, and Adams does it brilliantly. This book takes all the existential questions about life, the universe, and everything, and filters them through absurdity. It’s sharp, clever, and endlessly quotable. It is an easy read; wholly silly with a side of unexpected depth.

THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM

By Cixin Liu

A blend of hard sci-fi and political intrigue. Liu imagines humanity encountering an alien civilization so advanced it challenges everything we know. Packed with physics, sociology, and biology, it is dense with explanation, but what kept me reading was what happens when the cosmic and the human collide. How fear, curiosity, and a stubborn sense of hope drive people when faced with the truly unknown.

IMMINENT

By Luis Elizondo

Elizondo takes readers inside the U.S. government’s efforts to investigate UFOs, now called UAPs, and the people, politics, and processes behind it all. The book combines the rigor of scientific investigation with a respect for the persistent human curiosity that drives it, keeping alive the question that has fascinated the world for decades: what’s really out there?

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHTING

By Mallory Marlowe

Silly, spicy, sci-fi rom-com - is that even a genre? If not, Mallory Marlowe just invented it. El Martin, a social media influencer, captures footage of an unidentified flying object and crosses paths with Agent Carter Brody. What follows is a delightful mix of humor, romance, and mystery. Pick up this book for a perfect weekend escape.

SHROUD

By Adrian Tchaikovsky

When two crew members are stranded after a crash, they must navigate a hostile environment alive with alien intelligence. The creatures don’t speak English or follow human logic - they perceive and communicate in ways we can barely imagine. Tchaikovsky blends suspense with philosophical depth, exploring communication, survival, and the unknowable. I could say so much more, but I won’t spoil it. It’s perfect for fans of darker, first-contact stories.

ARRIVAL

By Ted Chiang

This is a book of short stories, and while the entire collection is worthy of exploration, I want to highlight my favorite: “The Story of Your Life.” I first came across this story through the film adaptation, “Arrival,” and it completely blew me away. The main focus of this alien encounter is on communication and perception. Chiang’s writing blends science with emotion, creating a story that feels both intimate and vast.