There are several science fiction books that explore the concept of slow interstellar or interplanetary travel without relying on faster-than-light travel. Here are a few notable examples:
"Aurora" by Kim Stanley Robinson: This novel follows the crew of the generation ship, the spacecraft meant to carry humans to a new star system. It delves into the challenges of long-duration space travel, the impact on the crew and their descendants, and the complexities of sustaining life on the ship.
"Seveneves" by Neal Stephenson: In this book, humanity faces the impending destruction of Earth and embarks on a project to preserve the species by sending a small group of people to live in space. The story spans thousands of years, exploring the struggles of rebuilding civilization and adapting to life in space.
"Children of Time" by Adrian Tchaikovsky: This novel explores the evolution of a new civilization on a terraformed planet, as well as the remnants of humanity traveling on a slower-than-light ark ship. It delves into the concepts of time dilation and the consequences of long-term space travel.
"The Long Earth" by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter: This series imagines a multitude of parallel Earths that can be accessed through a simple device. The story follows the exploration of these alternate Earths and the challenges of interplanetary travel using slow but continuous stepping from world to world.
"Pushing Ice" by Alastair Reynolds: This book revolves around a crew of astronauts who are unexpectedly caught up in an alien artifact and propelled into deep space. As they try to survive and make sense of their situation, the story explores the psychological and physical tolls of prolonged space travel.
These books offer diverse perspectives on the challenges and implications of slow interstellar and interplanetary travel, highlighting the human experiences and scientific concepts involved.