Some of science fiction’s dustiest paperbacks have become blockbuster blueprints. With the Dune films leading the way—and a third on the horizon—it’s clear that the genre’s classic era still casts a long shadow. That’s part of what drew me to the old stories in the...

Have you ever felt like you missed your moment? Like everyone else got handed a purpose and you’re just… here? I'm talking about that deep-down ache that maybe your life was supposed to mean something more. That if you just found the right job, or read the right book,...