I too enjoy contemporary SciFi books. But unfortunately I think the newer books do not have much pipe smoking mentions.
I recall reading Stephen Kings The Stand. There was a character that pipe smoked Borkum Riff. The way King described the smell made me crave a smoke.
I enjoy the relaxation that comes with the hobby. And the taste of tobacco of course. And the more I think about it the more I enjoy the hunt. The hunt for the perfect tobacco & pipe combo.
I guess I'm the odd ball. I use to smoke cigs (15 years ago). I only smoked them for a few years. But now I mostly enjoy aromatics. But I do enjoy a VA/Per (mild on the Per) on occasion.