If you loved the immersive world-building and technological inventiveness of Steel Beach—from the sprawling Luna colony to the quirky Central Computer—you’ll be fascinated by Red Mars. Robinson’s vision of the first hundred colonists terraforming Mars is brimming with intricate social systems, plausible science, and the same kind of living, breathing setting that makes Varley’s Luna unforgettable.

If you found yourself drawn to the way Steel Beach uses its futuristic society to wrestle with questions about identity, freedom, and the nature of existence, then The Dispossessed is a must-read. Follow Shevek as he navigates two contrasting worlds, questioning utopia and what it means to live a meaningful life, all with the same thought-provoking depth you found in Varley’s narrative.

If Hildy Johnson’s struggles with identity and morality in Steel Beach kept you turning the pages, you’ll be hooked by Takeshi Kovacs in Altered Carbon. Set in a gritty, tech-saturated future, this book explores what happens when the boundaries of self and ethics blur—often violently and always unpredictably.

If you appreciated the sardonic wit and offbeat humor that runs through Steel Beach, you’ll love Gateway. Robinette Broadhead’s adventures in a mysterious alien space station are laced with dark humor and sharp social commentary, echoing Varley’s unique ability to make you laugh and think in the same breath.

If you were captivated by the way Steel Beach envisions a society fundamentally changed by technology—especially the all-encompassing Central Computer—you’ll find Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom just as intriguing. Doctorow explores a post-scarcity future with brain-computer interfaces and social reputation economies, delivering a world as inventive and provocative as Varley’s Luna.