Nautilus

I read only book #4 two decades ago (without knowing it was a four book series) but now I read books #1 and #2 series in November and December 2025 and  books #3 and #4 in January 2026.

I really liked this series and wish there were more books in it. It is cozy but there are stakes and important deep themes in it pertaining to what means to be an evolved civilization ready for contact with other civilizations. 

The awesome writing makes you care for all characters, human and alien, but my favorite was J.D..