Well, it’s that time of year again when we start thinking about presents to give to our family and friends. This year I thought I would help out and suggest some cool gift ideas based on science fiction short stories.
The following “gift ideas” are composed of a famous short story from classical science fiction and a recent movie based on that short story. (In a few cases I also suggest a novel too) So if you are gift-hunting for a fan of science fiction then consider giving them one of these book/movie bundles – I know that I would be ecstatic to receive any of them. (Yes, I said “ecstatic”) Better yet, if you are looking for a gift for yourself then email your benefactor a link to this page! (hint, hint!)
But hey, you'll be getting a cool gift for someone, and you'll be contributing in your own small way to my awesome web site! 
]1. Isaac Asimov’s "I, Robot"
What It’s About: Crazy robots that introduce us to Asimov’s all-important “Three Laws of Robotics.”
What To Buy:
- Book: I, Robot
– short story collection by Isaac Asimov
- DVD: I, Robot
– 2004 movie starring Will Smith
2. Philip K. Dick’s "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale"
What It’s About: A classic story that intermingles reality and false memories of Mars. (Read my review of this story)
What To Buy:
- Book: We Can Remember It for You Wholesale (The Collected Stories of Philip K. Dick, Vol. 2)
- DVD: Total Recall
– 1990 movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger
3. Arthur C. Clarke’s "The Sentinel"
What It’s About: A short story about a monument on the moon that inspired a movie and a novel! (Read my review of this story)
What To Buy:
- Book: The Collected Stories of Arthur C. Clarke
- Novel: 2001: A Space Odyssey
- DVD: 2001 – A Space Odyssey (Two-Disc Special Edition)
– 1968 movie directed by Stanley Kubrick
4. Ray Bradbury’s "A Sound of Thunder"
What It’s About: The ultimate hunting expedition that takes place millions of years in the past. (Read my review of this story)
What To Buy:
- Book: A Sound of Thunder and Other Stories
by Ray Bradbury
- DVD: A Sound of Thunder (Widescreen Edition)
– 2005 movie starring Ben Kingsley
5. Isaac Asimov’s "The Bicentennial Man"
What It’s About: This story of a household servant robot won the 1977 Hugo award for Best Novelette.
What To Buy:
- Book: Bicentennial Man
– a collection of short stories by Isaac Asimov
- DVD: Bicentennial Man
– 1999 movie starring Robin Williams
6. Philip K. Dick’s "Paycheck"
What It’s About: A hunted man with no memory leaves unbelievable clues for himself! (Read my review of this story)
What To Buy:
- Book: Paycheck And Other Classic Stories By Philip K. Dick
- DVD: Paycheck (Special Collector’s Edition)
– 2003 movie starring Ben Affleck
7. Jerome Bixby’s "It’s a Good Life"
What It’s About: A boy who gets anything he wishes for! (Read my review of this story)
What To Buy:
- Book: The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume One
– a collection of super-famous short stories
- DVD: Twilight Zone – The Movie
– 1983 flick directed by Steven Spielberg
8. Lewis Padgett’s "Mimsy Were the Borogoves"
What It’s About: Futuristic toys make kids super smart! (Read my review of this story)
What To Buy:
- Book: The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume One
- DVD: The Last Mimzy (Widescreen Infinifilm Edition)
– 2007 movie starring Chris O’Neil
9. Philip K. Dick’s "The Minority Report"
What It’s About: The head of the pre-crime division is accused of commiting a crime in the future! (Read my review of this story)
What To Buy:
- Book: The Minority Report and Other Classic Stories
by Philip K. Dick
- DVD: Minority Report (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
– 2002 movie starring Tom Cruise
(You don’t have to just take my word on this – check out Carl’s very cool post at Stainless Steel Droppings which compares the movie and the story!)
Happy Holidays!
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5 users responded in this post
You must have been reading my mind over the last two days…and if so, please accept my sincerest apologies. That empty void of space and all.
For some reason I’ve had all these gift basket ideas pop into my head for things similar to what you suggest here, although I hadn’t really considered the excellent short story angle. I want all of these on my Christmas list!!!
I think what started it with me is that I was thinking how cool it would be, if I were rich and money were no object, to make a present to someone of a copy of Fallout 3 and the Boneshaker novel, since they remind me in ways of each other. Throw some bottle caps into the basket just for fun (they are the currency in Fallout 3) and there you have it!
I may be posting on this sometime myself, so glad you did this and got my creative juices flowing even more.
Carl,
Thanks for comments. The idea of Fallout 3 and Boneshaker is pretty cool, and even more so if you include the bottle caps!
And I must admit that it was your post on The Minority Report that got me thinking about this very idea many months ago. So thanks for providing the inspiration for this list… which will hopefully inspire you now too.
I like the idea, but if I personally was to receive bundles 4 and 6, I would see it more as a punishment than a gift: those film adaptions are hideous!
Ha!
I saw the Paycheck film years before I read the story, and I liked it then. After reading the story I watched it again and then realized that it was quite a bit different, but I still liked it.
I think the key idea is to watch the movie first, then read the story – maybe that way the movie won’t disappoint so much!
To be honest, it depends on how much the viewer knows the source material. I suppose its because I pride myself on trying to read the novel/short story before watching the film–yes, I am that sad!