Your Favorite Science Fiction.

[readyeddy?]

Let's talk about Science Fiction. Who do you like to read? I started reading Science Fiction in the third grade when my librarian put "The Red Planet" by Robert E. Heinlein in my greedy little hands. Later I discovered Andre Norton and the next thing I know I was space happy.
Some of my favorites to read are Roger Zelazny, Philip Jose Farmer, Philip K. Dick, Poul Anderson, Keith Laumer, Jack Vance and Gordon R. Dickson.

Luckily I've paced myself so there's still stuff by all of them that I haven't read yet. One good way to ruin an author for yourself is to read too much of his/her stuff at one time. I still have trouble looking at Stephen King novels because of that.

What's irritating is that once these guys pass away; with the exception of Heinlein, most of these guys become obscure in the book stores. Newer authors I see don't appear to have the imagination the older authors had.

[theanalogkid]

I like Jack Chalker's Four Lords of the Diamond series. Poul Anderson was great also.
They may be obscure in the bookstore, but not in the library. Mine has a huge Sci-Fi section full of new and old titles.

[BudPalmer]

I was a big fan of Larry Niven's Known Space series of books.

[readyeddy?]

Ahhh the library. I remember those days I'm a serial paperback purchaser. I see a book that looks good and I'm snatching it up. So I'll never get caught up enough to return to the library.

Larry Niven's fun especially when he's working with Jerry Pournelle. Have you read "The Mote In God's Eye"?

[BudPalmer]

I haven't. I have to admit my Sci Fi reading was pretty limited. I got into Niven when I bought a game for my PC called "Ringworld" The game included a book that I didn't want to go to waste. I'm a bit of a completist so I read the rest of the books that took place in that universe. Then I went back to reading my usual fiction.

[Maniac_nmt]

I'm a fan of Heinlin's Starship Troopers. It had a good take on a militaristic future involving the surival of mankind. I like the fact that his future humanity hasn't done away with religion, money, etc. We're still human in it.

Anderson's Phule's Company series are fun if you like lighter fare.

[theanalogkid]

Starship Troopers is a classic.

[Iron Ham]

The Dune series is amazing.

I just picked up Ringworld at the school library (by accident, I was looking for another book but the title intrigued me.) and it's very good.

Orson Scott Card's Ender/Bean books are amazing.

Shade's Children (by Garth Nix IIRC) is also pretty damn good.

[AlienFlanders]

Thanks to a grandfather, I have 20 years of Analog Sf magazine to read and reread, including the serialisation of Dune (which I couldn't read in the book form at the time - hooray for talking books I have been able to work through the series again).

Also through the 90's we visited a lot of Library discard book sales, I have built up a fine collection of Sf.

For series:
Cordwainer Smith's Space Lord stories,
Fritz Lieber's spider/snake time war series (can't remember the title),
H Beam Piper's stuff.
Joe Haldeman's Forever War series,
Steven King's the Dark Tower Series (again Hooray for talking books).

As a single novel Audrey Niffeneger(sp?) The Time Travellers Wife was a great read.

[Darkseid Sr.]

Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game is still a benchmark book for me.

[Zatara55]

Mars and Return to Mars by Ben Bova. Didn't really care for alot of his other planet books.

Nightfall by Asimov.

[readyeddy?]

Interesting; I started three different threads about three different genres, Horror, Fantasy and Science Fiction. This thread has received the least attention. When I look at book shelves at bookstores for Fantasy and Science Fiction the Fantasy novels seem to outnumber the SF by about fifteen to one. This doesn't look good in my eyes. I can enjoy a good fantasy as much as anybody, but it's a shame the good Sci-Fi seems to be getting pushed to the background.

[Maniac_nmt]

Well, I certainly prefer a good sci-fi book, but I'm usually not keen on a lot of sci-fi authors.

I usually have a harder time finding a good sci-fi story then a good fantasy.

[HCannonFodder]

I've got to say that Starship Troopers NEVER gets old for me. I got the book after seeing the movie, and I figured out the movie SHREDDED the book after about 5 pages. I've reread it at least 7 times.

The movie is pure camp, but honestly doesn't do the book justice at all.

Of course, Douglas Adams is a favorite, too!

[Shinigami]

To me there is only one high quality scifi book and thats Frank Herbert's Dune saga. This includes all Dune books that he wrore but not "proloque" books that Kevin J Anderson and Brian Herbert wrote.

[SeekerMuadib]

DUNE will always be my all time favorite sci-fi story. When I do not even have any thing new to read and I want to read a good book. I usually end up reading the whole DUNE series. It's a curse, but what are you going to do?

After that John Carter Warlord of Mars was also a nice read for me.

And as corny as it may sound H.G. Wells was literally my first introduction to the world of sci-fi. And opened my eyes to much a bigger world of possibilities.

[Kalel21]

I'll also shout out for Larry Niven's "Known Space/Ringworld" stories (though I didn't care for the 3rd or 4th Ringworld novels) and the Dune books.

Isaac Asimov's Robot stories and the original Foundation trilogy are excellent.

Burroughs' "John Carter of Mars" books probably qualify more as fantasy than SF, but are wonderful adventure stories regardless of how you catagorize them.

Poul Anderson's future history involving the Polesotechnic League and the Terran Empire are excellent. "The Man Who Counts" is particularly good. Anderson has a real talent for building believable civilizations.

Anderson also wrote "The High Crusade," about a group of medievel crusaders who get kidnapped by aliens. Great storytelling.

L. Sprague de Camp's book "Lest Darkness Falls" is superb.

[SeekerMuadib]

Anderson also wrote "The High Crusade," about a group of medievel crusaders who get kidnapped by aliens. Great storytelling.


This sounds interesting, I may have to try to hunt down a copy of this and check it out.

[Batmandu]

I'm very fond of Arthur C. Clarke's Rama series. I rate it higher then his Odyssey series, though it follows the same pattern of the earlier books being better, with a gradual decline as more and more is revealed.

[charlesx]

Frank Herbert's Dune books are awesome (though I like to pretend that the sequels/prequels by his son and Kevin J Anderson don't exist.)

The Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons are also excellent.

Asimov's original Foundation trilogy (and the fourth book) are classics. I didn't care too much when they tried to integrate his Foundation books with the Robot series.

Philip K Dick writes quirky, off-the-wall, very good science fiction as well - The Game Players of Titan, Now Wait for Last Year, We Can Remember It For You Wholesale, The Man in the High Castle.

Timothy Zahn's "Heir to the Empire" trilogy was one of the best group of Star Wars related novels that I have ever read. You could almost make it into the next three sequels in the saga.

Oh, and how could I not mention:

The Martian Chronicles - Ray Bradbury
The Urth of the New Sun - Gene Wolfe
Stranger in a Strange Land - Robert A Heinlein
The Number of the Beast - Robert A Heinlein
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress - Robert A Heinlein

[charlesx]

This sounds interesting, I amy have to try to hunt down a copy of this and check it out.

I highly recommend "The High Crusade." Not only does Poul Anderson find a good blend of sci fi and humor, but the story is a solid read. Oh, and BTW, the medieval knights don't exactly get kidnapped. More like it, they are in the alien space ship when the automated controls take off. Chaos ensues. I have to find a copy once again, 'cause it's been too long since I have read it.

[mike_houghton]

I second the Dark Tower... I started that last week and am on the third book now... I have fallen in love with that series... and again thank god for audio books

[Batmandu]

I've just added Matter by Iain M. banks to my To-Read pile. Even though I haven't started it yet, just owning it has reminded me how much I love his work.



If I could live in any fictional civilisation it would be the Culture, it more closely resembles my idea of a utopian society then, say, the Federation from Star Trek.

And they have cooler names for their ships...



Anyone new to his work should probably start on Player of Games, its the second in the series, but I think it sets up what the Culture is about better then Consider Phlebas. Excesion is my favorite, but it probably requires some knowlege of the setting.

[Frontman]

Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game. That was one of the best books EVER written.

Timothy Zahn's "Heir" trilogy for Star Wars was great.

Peter David's Star Trek novels were always entertaining.

And as a Warhammer 40,000 player; I have completely enjoyed the "Horus Heresy" line of novels.

[Wyldstaar]

Harry Turtledove's "World War" novels- A great alternate history series. In the spring of 1942 as WWII rages, the Earth is invaded by the oddest bunch of anal-retentive lizards in the galaxy.

R.A. Heinlein's Friday

[AlienFlanders]

For alternate histories, can't go far without Howard Waldrop - Custers Last Jump and some of his other colaborations.

[Maniac_nmt]

After that John Carter Warlord of Mars was also a nice read for me.


One of the finest Sci-fi series of all time, without a doubt.

[tidge]

Frank Herbert's Dune books are awesome (though I like to pretend that the sequels/prequels by his son and Kevin J Anderson don't exist.)

Asimov's original Foundation trilogy (and the fourth book) are classics. I didn't care too much when they tried to integrate his Foundation books with the Robot series.


I strongly agree on both points.

BTW, does anyone remember the cartoon (it may have been Penny Arcade) in which the characters in the strip describe the new Dune series of books as "having Frank Herbert's dead body in a closet....and RAPING it."?

I'm listening to the 9-part BBC reading of Matheson's "I am Legend" right now...very good stuff.

The BBC has some good Sci-Fi adaptations of great work. There is an Ed Bishop version of "The Caves of Steel" that is good, and I just listened to an adaptation of "Tyger! Tyger!" (aka "The Stars My Destination") that was serviceable.

[Truffle Shuffle]

My love of reading started with Science Fiction. My first was John Varley's Titan, Wizard, Demon trilogy.

Sadly ever since I finished my last Heinlein book, I haven't been into SF as much. Heinlein was my favorite.

I have also read Larry Niven, Arthur C. Clarke and Frank Herbert. There have been others over the years, but those were the tops.

[readyeddy?]

My love of reading started with Science Fiction. My first was John Varley's Titan, Wizard, Demon trilogy.

Sadly ever since I finished my last Heinlein book, I haven't been into SF as much. Heinlein was my favorite.

I have also read Larry Niven, Arthur C. Clarke and Frank Herbert. There have been others over the years, but those were the tops.
Those John Varley books were a wild ride. If you lived near me I would loan you some Roger Zelazny, Philip Jose Farmer or Alfred Bester to see if I could kindle more interest. Really I wouldn't give up on the genre, you just might have to haunt libraries and used book stores for the really good stuff.

[krazydragon23]

It would have to be.............

Cell by Stephen King

Maybe more towards horror, but still sci-fi.

[readyeddy?]

It would have to be.............

Cell by Stephen King

Maybe more towards horror, but still sci-fi. I do have a horror thread up.

[lensnart]

Sci-fi isn't my favourite genre and I stear clear of anything that is part of a series (with the exception of Hitchhiker) but there are a few that I have really enjoyed.

Childhood's End- Arthur C. Clarke
1984 - George Orwell
Cat's Cradle and Slaughter House Five - Kurt Vonnegut (and any other Vonnegut really)
Hitchhikers Guide - Douglas Adams
Pretty much any Harlan Ellison short story

[tidge]

Harlan Ellison (at least) would probably prefer the term "Speculative Fiction" rather than "Sci-Fi".

If I can recommend a "SF" classic you might enjoy based on your enjoyment of Vonnegut and Ellison (and one I've just re-encountered through audio): "The Stars My Destination" (published as "Tyger! Tyger!" outside the USA) by Alfred Bester.

Bester typically has stories with "one big difference" present in a future society. In the case of TSMD there are two conceits: Humans have expanded throughout the Solar System, and that humans can teleport (but not between planets). It's definitely a story about human drives however.

[lensnart]

My used book store guy actually recommended that book to me also, but as someone that really isn't a fan of the SF genre I never bothered with it. But now that I have two people telling me it's worthwhile I may have to give it a whirl. My only question is does the story hinge on the science? Because I can really only get into sci-fi if it is an intersting, cleverly written book first and it also just happens to be set in the future or whatever. And if there is a mystery to be solved you can count me out.

[George Smiley]

I've read and enjoyed science fiction for years but I've always liked Larry Niven's Known Space series with the Kziniti, humans, Pak protector, Pierson's Puppeteers the most. Ringworld is excellent too and consistent with most of the known space stuff.

I'd consider the original (Herbert) Dune trilogy, (Asimov) Foundation trilogy, Asimov's robot stories, Clark's Childhood's End/Rama, Heinlein, and finally Orson Scott Card's Ender series must reads.

[readyeddy?]

Well, while you're looking for that, hopefully a copy of The Demolished Man will be sitting right next to it. If it is; grab it, because it's just as good.

[tidge]

My only question is does the story hinge on the science? Because I can really only get into sci-fi if it is an intersting, cleverly written book first and it also just happens to be set in the future or whatever. And if there is a mystery to be solved you can count me out.

At the risk of spoiling the theme of the book:

Basically, the book is about one (average, mundane) man's single-minded quest for revenge. The protagonist, Gunney Foyle, is a pretty dull guy with little potential that under some rather extreme circumstances ends up going through a rather extreme process of self-transformation in a single-minded effort to take revenge upon (of all things) a space ship.

There are a few elements which get it classified as "science fiction", but it is a better story IMHO if you just accept those elements as features of the world the characters live in, and concentrate on the lengths this guy will go to have his revenge. SciFi elements have something to do with the final resolution of the story, but I think the theme is really the selling point of the story.

[NRadd59]

[QUOTE=Wyldstaar]Harry Turtledove's "World War" novels- A great alternate history series. In the spring of 1942 as WWII rages, the Earth is invaded by the oddest bunch of anal-retentive lizards in the galaxy.

I have to back this up. I love reading about WWII, but when a guy I knew keep saying, "you need to read this book, green lizard men from space invade at the height of WWII, it's awesome!!!", I had my doubts. But when I finally relented and read the first book.....man, was it good. I devoured the rest. Great series.

[lensnart]

At the risk of spoiling the theme of the book:

Basically, the book is about one (average, mundane) man's single-minded quest for revenge. The protagonist, Gunney Foyle, is a pretty dull guy with little potential that under some rather extreme circumstances ends up going through a rather extreme process of self-transformation in a single-minded effort to take revenge upon (of all things) a space ship.

There are a few elements which get it classified as "science fiction", but it is a better story IMHO if you just accept those elements as features of the world the characters live in, and concentrate on the lengths this guy will go to have his revenge. SciFi elements have something to do with the final resolution of the story, but I think the theme is really the selling point of the story.

Sounds interesting, I will keep my eyes open for it on my many used book store trips.

[The Darkstone]

I'm currently taking a science fiction class in my university so I decided to share the list of what we've read.

The list is
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (1818),
Edgar Allan Poe, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym (1838),
Philip K. Dick, Ubik (1969),
Ursula K. Le Guin, The Lathe of Heaven (1971),
Joanna Russ, The Female Man (1975),
Octavia Butler, Lilith’s Brood (1987),
William Gibson, Neuromancer (1984),
Richard Powers, Galatea 2.2 (1995),
Jonathan Lethem, As She Climbed Across the Table (1997),

Frankenstein, a classic. Worth reading.
Arthur Gordon Pym..... if you ever wanted to read something, that would make you imagine an author giving you the middle finger as you finished reading, then please read Pym.
Ubik was my first Philip K.Dick novel and it was alright. Kept me interested.
The Lathe of Heaven, that was just a good read. The Taoist influence in it made it interesting.
The Female Man was babble. One of the worst reading experiences of my life.
Lilith's Brood, the only "hard' sci fi in the class, and it was a darn good read. There are 3 books in it, we only read the first one, "Dawn".
Neuromancer, the first cyberpunk novel. To be honest, I couldn't get into it.
Galatea, I haven't read yet but I skipped ahead to read As She Climbed Across the Table and I was impressed. It made me lulz at certain points and I felt it was a solid story, I recommend it.

[readyeddy?]

The Female Man by Joanna Russ? I read that when it first came out. Yeah,
she was a card carrying member of the shewoman manhaters club.

[Wyldstaar]

Frankenstein, a classic. Worth reading.

While it's certainly a classic, I really didn't like it at all. Dr. Frankenstein is such an unbearably hyper-hysterical wuss that I just wanted to reach into the pages, slap him across the face and order him to get ahold of himself. It's no wonder all of the movie based on the book have borne so little resemblance to the original material. Nobody could sit through two hours of Dr. Frankenstein's self-pity. I only managed to get through the book because it's one of those books I felt I ought to read.

[The Darkstone]

I do agree with you that Frankenstein is kind of a wuss, I was focusing more on the monster and his revenge.... that made the book in my opinion.

[CustomCreator]

I just started reading Superluminal by Vonda McIntyre. Very interesting. Written in 1983, it predicted not only e-mail but spam and spam filters.

[wintremute]

To raise this thread back from the dead, and to give my opinion...

I believe Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun series is the best fiction that was written in the previous century. The four books that comprise the series are:

* The Shadow of the Torturer (1980)
* The Claw of the Conciliator (1981)
* The Sword of the Lictor (1982)
* The Citadel of the Autarch (1983)

The depth of the story telling is brilliant, and subsequent readings illuminate ideas and foreshadowing that were probably missed the first time through.

[tidge]

To raise this thread back from the dead, and to give my opinion...

I believe Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun series is the best fiction that was written in the previous century. The four books that comprise the series are:

* The Shadow of the Torturer (1980)
* The Claw of the Conciliator (1981)
* The Sword of the Lictor (1982)
* The Citadel of the Autarch (1983)

The depth of the story telling is brilliant, and subsequent readings illuminate ideas and foreshadowing that were probably missed the first time through.

That's a fine choice, but *minor spoilers* for those that haven't read the whole thing:

The narrator as an "unreliable narrator" leaves some folks cold by the end of the series.

[AlienFlanders]

To raise this thread back from the dead, and to give my opinion...

I believe Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun series is the best fiction that was written in the previous century. The four books that comprise the series are:

* The Shadow of the Torturer (1980)
* The Claw of the Conciliator (1981)
* The Sword of the Lictor (1982)
* The Citadel of the Autarch (1983)

The depth of the story telling is brilliant, and subsequent readings illuminate ideas and foreshadowing that were probably missed the first time through.

Its a pity they never finished the comic book based on the first book.

[Frontman]

I've become a big fan of Doctor Who the new series. I reminded me of when Star Trek was very character driven in a sci-fi setting. To me a great story is one that you could remove all the sci-fi elements from and still have a great story or memorable moment. I think Doctor Who, with how strongly sci-fi elements in it still holds the concept of story so strongly is a great show.

[GOOFYGOOBER17]

The House of the Scorpion was good. (by Nacy Farmer, I think) It was about a clone of some Drug-lord kinda guy. It won all kinds of awards.

[wintremute]

The House of the Scorpion was good. (by Nacy Farmer, I think) It was about a clone of some Drug-lord kinda guy. It won all kinds of awards.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll be checking this (http://www.overstock.com/Books-Movies-Music-Games/The-House-of-the-Scorpion/955892/product.html?) out.

[George Smiley]

Several years ago there was a science fiction book written that described a tecnological breakthrough and its implications. The breakthrough was a technology that initially could locate weapons and later could locate and neutralize weapons. The device was put in space on satellites to increase its effectiveness. I believe the title had a word like "sword" or "hammer" or "staff" in it but I could be wrong. I also believe the book was co-authored. And the final thing I remember was that the book received very mixed (good and bad) reviews. If anyone remembers or has a suggestion please remind me.

[readyeddy?]

It sounds familiar but I'm not sure. It sounds like territory that Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle might cover though.

[wintremute]

It doesn't sound familiar to me, either.

[readyeddy?]

Thought I'd mention this here where it should reach Science Fiction fans.

I have yet to read him myself (unless the odd short story maybe) but Thomas M. Disch commited suicide on Independence Day. I'm sure some of you probably enjoyed his work.

I notice he wrote a few Prisoner novels. Those would be nice collector's items.

[AlienFlanders]

Thought I'd mention this here where it should reach Science Fiction fans.

I have yet to read him myself (unless the odd short story maybe) but Thomas M. Disch commited suicide on Independence Day. I'm sure some of you probably enjoyed his work.

I notice he wrote a few Prisoner novels. Those would be nice collector's items.

Dang, another minor light that has been snuffed out. I don't remember reading any of his novels, but I liked the short stories of his that I read.

[AlienFlanders]

To raise this thread back from the dead, and to give my opinion...

I believe Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun series is the best fiction that was written in the previous century. The four books that comprise the series are:

* The Shadow of the Torturer (1980)
* The Claw of the Conciliator (1981)
* The Sword of the Lictor (1982)
* The Citadel of the Autarch (1983)

The depth of the story telling is brilliant, and subsequent readings illuminate ideas and foreshadowing that were probably missed the first time through.

Followed by the Urth of the New Sun.

I have managed to track down the audio books of these, they are a great listen. Just started the fourth book.

[AlienFlanders]

Listening to the Books of the Long Sun, starting the second book, have to admit that the series isn't as "must read" as the Shadow of the Torturer, but Oreb the talking bird is making the book entertaining.

[Iron Ham]

John Varley's "Press Enter_", while short, (or long for a short story) is pretty damn good, and had me freaked out by the end.

However, one of my favorite sci-fi stories is "Sand Kings" by George R. R. Martin.

I really like sci-fi that only uses the tech as a backdrop, not just "hey, I can write a story with LASERS!"

[AlienFlanders]

However, one of my favorite sci-fi stories is "Sand Kings" by George R. R. Martin.

Is Sand Kings the story along the lines of Sea Monkeys?

[Iron Ham]

Is Sand Kings the story along the lines of Sea Monkeys?
Yeah. The dude buys some ants that fight each other. Weird #### ensues. Good stuff.

[CustomCreator]

Yeah. The dude buys some ants that fight each other. Weird #### ensues. Good stuff.

That is one brief condensation of a really good story. I wonder how you'd describe Crime and Punishment? "Dude does some bad #### and feels rotten about it."

[AlienFlanders]

I didn't want to spoil it for anyone who hadn't read it, I used the Sea Monkey analogy to see if it was the same story as I read. It is a great read.

[CustomCreator]

In pre-Crisis DC Comics continuity, it was said that on Earth-Three (the home of the Crime Syndicate of America), colonial England won its independence from America. In his story "O Brave Old World", writer Avram Davidson presents a really well-written scenario where that might have actually happened. It can be found in the anthology of his stories, The Other Nineteenth Century.

[readyeddy?]

I just finished "First Lensman" by E.E. "Doc" Smith.

I had some misconceptions about this series before I read this. I thought this was going to be science fantasy, especially since I'd heard that this series was a precursor for the Green Lantern Corps. It appears (instead) the "Doc" had a healthy understanding of science for his time. It was actually more in Mr. Heinlein's neighborhood.

The copy I read was five years older then me, and I'm pretty old!

[VelvetGuru9]

I just finished "First Lensman" by E.E. "Doc" Smith.

I had some misconceptions about this series before I read this. I thought this was going to be science fantasy, especially since I'd heard that this series was a precursor for the Green Lantern Corps. It appears (instead) the "Doc" had a healthy understanding of science for his time. It was actually more in Mr. Heinlein's neighborhood.

The copy I read was five years older then me, and I'm pretty old!

You're old alright, you're just not that pretty. :p

[readyeddy?]

You're old alright, you're just not that pretty. :p
I'm pretty enough to have some sweet young things flirt hard with me on the dice tables, I tells ya. Of course they might just think I'd make a pretty good sugar daddy.

[MistahJustice]

For novels...

Douglass Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series.

For short stories...

I can't remember exactly which ones but there's a bunch in the Norton Anthology of Science Fiction.

[readyeddy?]

I just finished reading "The Einstein Intersection" which is really supposed to be called "A Fabulous, Formless Darkness" by Samuel R. Delany. You gotta love these editors who tamper a bit too much with an author's work.

It's a beautifully written short novel with allegories to the myth of Orpheus.

My copy comes with an introduction by Neil Gaiman. I'm really at a loss as to why I haven't read more of Delany's work. He's a credit to his race. The human race.

When I was 16 or 17, I read his Fall of the Towers trilogy and I was knocked out. It was every bit as entertaining as the Lord Of The Rings. He wrote it before he was twenty one. Which means his first novel "The Jewels of Aptor" was written and published when he was a teenager.

I recommend him to everybody.

[Ouchmaker]

For novels...

Douglass Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series.



Of course, Douglas Adams is a favorite, too!

Same here, sadly ever since I read the whole series I felt that some books just didn't compare, and the amount of books I've read since have sharply declined.

[spider_ham]

Other than classic Phillip K. Dick and Arthur C. Clarke, Steven Baxter's Evolution and Moonseed are recent favs.

[AlienFlanders]

Just received the talking books of Spider Robinson's Callahan Chronicals and Philip Dick's Man in the High Castle.

Starting on Spider Robinsons book first.

[Kalel21]

Baen books (www.baen.com) is offering 30 or 40 SF & fantasy books free for electronic download. There's a "free library" link on their web site.

[AlienFlanders]

Just listening to "The Man in the High Castle" would be a interesting film if not wrecked by "excellent" Hollywood writers.

[readyeddy?]

Just finished "Tongues Of The Moon" by Philip Jose Farmer.

It's a Sci Fi actioner that isn't one of his better efforts. My copy was from 1964 and was hard to read because it was meant to be read in one short afternoon and I was reading it during my work breaks. Since there are no chapter breaks, I had to stop reading at the end of paragraphs.
The premise is that even after most of humanity is wiped out the rest of mankind will still find reasons to fight.

I was thinking that one villain might have been modeled after the great character actor Charle Napier, but Napier's career didn't start until six years after this was published.

[readyeddy?]

Just finished "The Menace From Earth" by the esteemed Robert A. Heinlein.

R.A.H. was the first Science Fiction writer I ever read (unless you want to consider Dr. Seuss Sci-Fi). Along with Andre Norton he occupied a lot of my time during my childhood. I have fond memories of reading books like The Red Planet, Have Spacesuit Will Travel, Orphans In The Sky, the Star Beast, Tunnel In the Sky, Podkayne Of Mars and others.

I was surprised to discover this was a collection of short stories. They're all pretty good. I especially liked "Goldfish Bowl" a story in which two scientists are kept like pets by a peculiar form of life and "Water Is For Walking" where a small group must attempt to survive the invasion of the Pacific Ocean after a seismic disaster in California.

There was one unfortunate aspect which dates the first story where Heinlein has bought into the lemming documentary hoax, but otherwise a good read.

[George Smiley]

Just finished "The Menace From Earth" by the esteemed Robert A. Heinlein.


There was one unfortunate aspect which dates the first story where Heinlein has bought into the lemming documentary hoax, but otherwise a good read.


What is the lemming documentary hoax?

[Wyldstaar]

What is the lemming documentary hoax?

Ages ago a Disney documentary film crew was doing a film on Lemmings. They wanted to get a nice action shot of them running, but the Lemmings were not cooperating of their own accord. So, a member of the crew got the bright idea to chase them. Unfortunately, there was a cliff nearby. The idiot went and chased the poor things right off the cliff. The whole thing was caught on film, except for the guy chasing the Lemmings. He stayed out of the camera field.

This is where the notion that Lemmings are so stupid that they'll walk off a cliff, just because they don't know any better. The fact is that they do know better. They are also smart enough to know that the are completely defenseless against a human being, and if a human is chasing them in an aggressive manner, they should run. The presence of a dangerous cliff nearby was an unfortunate circumstance. Left to their own devices, Lemmings are perfectly capable of keeping themselves away from geographical hazzards.

[maxwing]

Does Roger Zelazny's "Amber" series count? --It's a bit of a cross between fantasy and science fiction. The first 5 books are terrific anyway. Members of the "hero's" family can modify their environment in such a way as to travel to different dimensions or realities. It's told in first person and everybody lies to one another all the time --while they're not trying to kill one another and take the throne that is. :)

I enjoyed the Dune books too, though I don't think I got past the third.

I've always liked Ben Bova. His Grand Tour series (the exploration and colonization of the Solar System in the late 21st century). A little dry maybe but somehow plausible.

[readyeddy?]

I consider Zelazny's Amber series to be science fantasy, but it's really good stuff. You can't go wrong with Zelazny in my book. Try reading Lord Of Light if you can find it.

[AlienFlanders]

I enjoyed the Dune books too, though I don't think I got past the third.


You might like the Brian Herbert and Kevin Andersons books, rather than slogging through Frank's other books in the series.

[tidge]

You might like the Brian Herbert and Kevin Andersons books, rather than slogging through Frank's other books in the series.

HERETIC!

If you stopped after the third book (and if it was a long while ago) you are in a perfect position to read God Emperor of Dune. It's set millennia after the original three books (I can't quite call them a trilogy) and foggy recollections of those stories will improve your appreciation (IMO) of the fourth book.

Minor Spoilers: IIRC The fourth book is actually set something like ten millenia after the original stories. The major narrative of the fourth book parallels the archeological discovery of the materials relating to that narrative.

The later Frank Herbert books are not bad, but the "legacy" titles by Anderson are horrific.

[AlienFlanders]

I have read them all up to ChapterHouse Dune, and it does tie the story together while leaving room for more exploration in the final analysis.

Of the Anderson/Herbert stuff I much prefer the historical trio: Butlerian Jihan, Machine Crusade, Battle of Corrin.

I would avoid the House Trio: Atriedes, Harkonnen, Corrino.

[readyeddy?]

I just read "The Lost World" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which would be the first non Holmes work of his that I have read. It was pretty entertaining considering what they knew back then.

I imagine the near extermination of the last bastions of what might be the missing link and enslavment of what remained might not sit so well in our time.

[CustomCreator]

Eddy, was this the first time you'd read The Lost World? If so I envy you, being able to come into that wonderful story fresh like that.

SACD wrote a few more Professor Challenger stories; they were collected in a long out-of-print paperback called The Poison Belt. And see if you can locate an anthology collection called Gaslight Grimoire; it's a collection of stories of Sherlock Holmes in supernatural and fantasy settings, some good, some bad, and includes a tale of Sherlock Holmes in the Lost World by my good buddy Martin Powell!

[readyeddy?]

Eddy, was this the first time you'd read The Lost World? If so I envy you, being able to come into that wonderful story fresh like that.

SACD wrote a few more Professor Challenger stories; they were collected in a long out-of-print paperback called The Poison Belt. And see if you can locate an anthology collection called Gaslight Grimoire; it's a collection of stories of Sherlock Holmes in supernatural and fantasy settings, some good, some bad, and includes a tale of Sherlock Holmes in the Lost World by my good buddy Martin Powell!
Sounds interesting. I have a book that is a collection of Holmes stories called Shadows over Bakersfield that pits Holmes against the world of H.P. Lovecraft. Some were good some were bad.

[Drunky]

Another thread I didn't notice, it seems...

My favorites :
- Herbert's "Dune" series ('nuff said)
- Simmons' "Hyperion/Endymion" series ('nuff said)
- Zelazny's "Lord of Light" (see below)
- Gibson's "Neuromancer" (classic Cyberpunk)
- Van Vogt's "Null-A" trilogy (see below)
- Huxley's "Brave New World" ('nuff said)
- Orwell's "1984" ('nuff said)
- Burgess' "Clockwork Orange" ('nuff said)
- Robert Merle's "Malevil" (post-apocalyptic goodness)
- Pierre Boule's "Planet of the Apes" ('nuff said)

I'm surprised no one mentioned Van Vogt. I know he's (was) more popular in Europe than in the U.S.A., but still. As far as I'm concerned, his books are classics, and he wrote my favorite short story ever (I don't know the original title, but it's about two forests fighting each other :p).

Of the Anderson/Herbert stuff I much prefer the historical trio: Butlerian Jihan, Machine Crusade, Battle of Corrin.

I would avoid the House Trio: Atriedes, Harkonnen, Corrino.

Agreed. The "Legends of Dune" weren't as well written as the original series, but reading the story of the Butlerian Jihad was just too good to pass.

Try reading Lord Of Light if you can find it.

Ditto. It's the best science-fiction novel Zelazny ever wrote : his re-invention of the hinduist/buddhist mythology is just brilliant.

[tidge]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Van Vogt. I know he's (was) more popular in Europe than in the U.S.A., but still. As far as I'm concerned, his books are classics, and he wrote my favorite short story ever (I don't know the original title, but it's about two forests fighting each other :p).


I've recently read his Slan. Interest in it may increase because of the "Area 9" film (which I haven't seen) because of the apartheid/genocide similarities.

Sadly, I have such disdain for Anderson, I don't think I'll ever bring myself to read the "sequel" to Slan.

[readyeddy?]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Van Vogt. I know he's (was) more popular in Europe than in the U.S.A., but still. As far as I'm concerned, his books are classics, and he wrote my favorite short story ever (I don't know the original title, but it's about two forests fighting each other :p).


I've read "The Weapons Shop Of Isher", but that's probably it.

[charlesx]

I have read them all up to ChapterHouse Dune, and it does tie the story together while leaving room for more exploration in the final analysis.

Of the Anderson/Herbert stuff I much prefer the historical trio: Butlerian Jihan, Machine Crusade, Battle of Corrin.

I would avoid the House Trio: Atriedes, Harkonnen, Corrino.

This is MADNESS! This is BLASPHEMY!!!

Any Dune books that Frank never wrote should be considered mediocre fanfic at best. Kevin J Anderson + anything (even Brian Herbert) = pure excrement.

Sorry, but there it is and there you have it.

[Drunky]

I've recently read his Slan. Interest in it may increase because of the "Area 9" film (which I haven't seen) because of the apartheid/genocide similarities.

Sadly, I have such disdain for Anderson, I don't think I'll ever bring myself to read the "sequel" to Slan.

I didn't know that. I can't say I'm interested - "Legends of Dune" was interesting because of the Butlerian Jihad, but Slan doesn't really need a sequel IMO.

Besides, does this Anderson guy ever write original stuff ?

(as for "District 9", I can't wait for its release here - which is due in two weeks)

I've read "The Weapons Shop Of Isher", but that's probably it.

Which makes me think I have to buy it again, 'cause I somehow lost it (or more likely lent it to somebody who never gave it back).

[AlienFlanders]

I'm pretty sure forests fighting each other is not in the Weapon Shops, saying that the Weapon is still a great read.

[AlienFlanders]

The Vogt story of forest fighting forest is called Process.

[readyeddy?]

I'm pretty sure forests fighting each other is not in the Weapon Shops, saying that the Weapon is still a great read.
I was just saying that The Weapons Shops of Isher was the only A.E. Van Vogt that I've read.

[Drunky]

The Vogt story of forest fighting forest is called Process.

Good call. I read it in a science-fiction anthology (by a French editor), so I had no idea what the orginal title was and where it came from.

[readyeddy?]

I just finally read The War Of The Worlds by H.G. Wells.

Nice to have read the prequel to the Killraven saga!;)

[AlienFlanders]

Hunt down Christopher Priest's The Space Machine, it is a followon from the Time Machine, and while it does have a couple of shouty points ("Oh come on" at the author) it is a good pulpy read.

[readyeddy?]

Hunt down Christopher Priest's The Space Machine, it is a followon from the Time Machine, and while it does have a couple of shouty points ("Oh come on" at the author) it is a good pulpy read.

I probably better read the Time Machine first. The only other Wells book I've read is the Invisible Man.

[maxwing]

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/johntwelvehawks/

This is a pretty extraordinary web site in support of an author and his published works.

I'm reading this guy now. His science fiction centers around a basic theme of privacy and surveillance in the modern era. It's all a bit paranoid, with an "Evergreen Society" working to increase the existing surveillance with the understanding that it will benefit mankind, while resistors try and live outside it. It's all about tracking people with cameras, web use, credit cards, all that sort of thing. It's action packed.

It's not really very far outside the actual situation, just more paranoid. There's not a whole lot of science-fiction gadgetry --it feels like it's "today".

Anyway, this web site is promoting the books' theme like it's a lifestyle, posting the latest articles from the BBC on real-life surveillance, worldwide "events" for fellow resistors are listed on a Google map, and there's even a collateral web site for the Evergreen Society. It all looks like a video game, but that's why it's interesting.

[readyeddy?]

I just finished Prey by Michael Chrichton. Chrichton is the only marquee name author I regularly read. This book ranks up there with his best books.

[Wyldstaar]

I just finished Prey by Michael Chrichton. Chrichton is the only marquee name author I regularly read. This book ranks up there with his best books.

I finished reading Chrichton's Next last month. It was probably his worst. Complete rubbish.

[sphin]

Have to agree with everything said about Dune in this thread: best book, and best series ever.

Zelazny's Creatures of Light and Darkness is absolutely amazing. It's been out of print for a long time, but (according to Amazon) a new version is coming out next month. Definitely check it out.

[applejack]

My favorite science fiction short story is "Story of Your Life" by Ted Chiang. It's about how learning an alien language affects a scientist's perception of time. The online version can be found here: http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:WsyD9KN4u0oJ:heptapod.org/storylife.html+%22story+of+your+life%22+chiang&hl=en&gl=ca&strip=0

[readyeddy?]

I just read Triplanetary by E.E. "Doc" Smith.

I'd already read First Lensman so I read one of them out of sequence. I'm missing a couple so it'll be a while before I can say I've read the whole series. There's a distinct right wing feel to his writing style. I wonder if Dick Cheney has read this series?

[hail_eris]

The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi just won the Nebula Award for best novel, so I'll be checking that out as soon as the library gets it.

[Raz Casket]

My favourite so far has been Jules Verne's 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea'. Excellent read, really easy to get into and great story. More recently I read 'The Electric Church' by Jeff Somers. Really good story, took a while to get through but good plot and characters.

[Deadfish]

AlienFlanders list is great-glad to see someone else read Cordwaner Smith and Joe Haldeman, I'd add E>E> Smith-especially the Skylark series, and the Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson is great too and currently avalible,. In school (low those many decades ago) I read all Heinlien's books as well as Norton and Clark and Bradbury.
John Barnes "Springer" series is terrific but ends (according to HIM) on a cliff-hanger.

[tidge]

John Barnes "Springer" series is terrific but ends (according to HIM) on a cliff-hanger.

This reminds me of a series I'm re-reading (actually listening to during drive time): David Brin's "Uplift Saga". I really enjoy this series (even the very Asimov-like "Sundiver") but I dislike the manner in which it was ended.

It was not exactly a cliff-hanger, because the "action" is resolved...unfortunately IMO there was no resolution to the various issues raised throughout the series. It's possible that Brin simply wrote himself into ever-spiraling series of events leading universal upheaval and couldn't stop himself...or maybe he just grew bored. Either way, it would be nice to revisit the Uplift Universe proper (no spoilers, but I think Jijo's story is complete) to learn what became of Earthclan.

[styx]

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/johntwelvehawks/

This is a pretty extraordinary web site in support of an author and his published works.

I'm reading this guy now. His science fiction centers around a basic theme of privacy and surveillance in the modern era. It's all a bit paranoid, with an "Evergreen Society" working to increase the existing surveillance with the understanding that it will benefit mankind, while resistors try and live outside it. It's all about tracking people with cameras, web use, credit cards, all that sort of thing. It's action packed.

It's not really very far outside the actual situation, just more paranoid. There's not a whole lot of science-fiction gadgetry --it feels like it's "today".

Anyway, this web site is promoting the books' theme like it's a lifestyle, posting the latest articles from the BBC on real-life surveillance, worldwide "events" for fellow resistors are listed on a Google map, and there's even a collateral web site for the Evergreen Society. It all looks like a video game, but that's why it's interesting.


I really enjoyed The Traveller. Great premise, exciting fast read. But the 2nd book The Dark River was a let down after a great first book. I have not decided whether to read The Golden City yet.

And yes the website is one of the cooler author sites I visit.

[charlesx]

I was recently given a bunch of old sci fi books that were on their way to be donated or thrown out. I am now reading a series that I had mildly interested me in the past, but I had never taken the time to read. It is Christopher Stasheff's Warlock of Grammarye novels. Unfortunately the first book, "The Warlock in Spite of Himself", was not in the pile so I started with the 2nd novel, "King Kobold Revived." It's a fun, light read. Kinda reminds me of Heinlein (though Stasheff is no Heinlein.)

Anyhow, that's my recommendation for an amusing series that combines elements of political theory, fantasy, humor, and pulp sci fi.

[readyeddy?]

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick

Excellent read. Somewhat different then the Blade Runner movie.

I love the fact that Dick refused to do an adaptation of the film. I can thoroughly understand why he would not want to do that.

[Terman8er]

Just finished a series of what some people call "dime novels" (in the sense they are pretty quick reads) by Jack Thompson, the Lost Fleet. Written by John G. Hemry under the pen name Jack Campbell actually. Put is this way, I read the last 4 in the series in 5 days. 250-300 pages each but they were hard to put down. :)

Talk about your realistic fleet battle in space, fun read. I highly recommend them.

Also, S.M. Stirling's "Novels of the Change" are good sci-fantasy. Basically the rules of physics change and no tech works (set in modern day). IMO it's an SCA'ers wet dream come true. But still a fun read.

[styx]

My favourite so far has been Jules Verne's 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea'. Excellent read, really easy to get into and great story.

I have to agree with you on this.

Have you tried Captain Nemo: The Fantastic History of a Dark Genius by Kevin J. Anderson? It is a pretty good book. It is kind of a biography of Nemo.

[readyeddy?]

I just finished Dayworld by Philip Jose Farmer.

Farmer always had one of the wildest imaginations I've ever encountered.

In this one mankind has developed a means of placing anything in suspended animation including people which they use to manage the tremendous population. Everybody is only allowed to be active one day a week and have to spend the rest of their time "stoned" until their turn comes around one week later.

Some people choose to be Daybreakers and try to live out their lives each day of the week. This is unlawful and will get you in trouble.
The main character is a Daybreaker sanctioned by an organization working to make things better for society who hides under the guise of seven seperate personalities each developed for every day of the week.

There are two sequels for this book of which I have one but I'm not sure which one I have as it's stored in my closet and I'll have to dig it out to see if it"s Dayworld Rebel which is next in the series.

[wintremute]

The House of the Scorpion was good. (by Nacy Farmer, I think) It was about a clone of some Drug-lord kinda guy. It won all kinds of awards.

I got the book and read it. It's definitely at a younger reading level - I'd say about 5th-6th grade. However, it was a really good story, and I can see why it won so many awards. I enjoyed it, and passed the book on to my kids.

If anyone wants a quick read, I would recommend this.

[wintremute]

I just finished Dayworld by Philip Jose Farmer.

Farmer always had one of the wildest imaginations I've ever encountered.

In this one mankind has developed a means of placing anything in suspended animation including people which they use to manage the tremendous population. Everybody is only allowed to be active one day a week and have to spend the rest of their time "stoned" until their turn comes around one week later.

Some people choose to be Daybreakers and try to live out their lives each day of the week. This is unlawful and will get you in trouble.
The main character is a Daybreaker sanctioned by an organization working to make things better for society who hides under the guise of seven seperate personalities each developed for every day of the week.

There are two sequels for this book of which I have one but I'm not sure which one I have as it's stored in my closet and I'll have to dig it out to see if it"s Dayworld Rebel which is next in the series.

I remember reading that years ago. I agree that Farmer's imagination is out there. The bonus is that he's such a good writer that he makes his fantastic things seem quite believable and achievable.

[3Gsniper]

My (not so) Quick list:

Anne McCaffrey: "Dragonriders of Pern" (Any of her Pern novels really) and "The Planet Pirates" (to include the Dinosaur Planet novels) are the best of the 33 novels of hers I have read.

Sir Arthur C. Clarke: "Ghost of the Grand Banks", "Richter 10" (One of my all time favs), "Hammer of God", which are all better IMHO than the Rama and Odyssey series'. I have read 18 of his novels all of which are fantastic by the way.

Robert A. Hienlein: Discovered him in '94 when Fox Kids aired the Red Planet adaptation. "Red Planet", "Starship Troopers", "Methuselah's Children", and "Farnhams's Freehold" are my favorite by him.

Frank Herbert: His entire Dune series is all I have read of his but it is worth the read. I am trying to finish the "Core" series with the Brian Herbert and Keven J. Anderson books but it is hard for me to feel the same about them.

Phillip K. Dick: I have read "The Phillip K. Dick Reader", five of the stories in there have been made into movies, "A Scanner Darkly", also a movie, and "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?", the movie is called "Blade Runner" you may have heard of it. I am hard pressed to pick a favorite though.

John Scalzi: One of two authors I am surprised not to be mentioned yet. The two books I have read, "Old Man's War" and it's sequel "The Ghost Brigades" are both fantastic works.

Joe Haldeman: The other author I am surprised about. If you only read one other book in your life it had better be "The Forever War" period. Seriously that's the end of the discussion go read that book.

Well that is My (not so) Quick list of Favorite Sci-Fi. I hope you enjoy some of it.

[readyeddy?]

I just finished The Last Defender Of Camelot by Roger Zelazny.
This is the original paperback edition which is missing four stories including a Shadowjack I would have liked to read.

It has the short story version of The Dream Master called He Who Shapes. I read The Dream Master years ago but my memory is vague. It also has the novelette version of Damnation Alley. It's interesting that this story roots are based on Hunter S. Thompson's Hell's Angels.

The title story is very good.

[Ultimate2099]

Some of my favorite SFs:

Ender's Game. One of the coolest books ever written in any genre. Love it! Not really into any of the sequels, though I've read most of them just to keep up. Speaker for the Dead and Xenocide were too heavy and dry compared to Ender's Game and the various follow ups with Bean and Petra were too formulaic and in the end Bean and Petra... oops almost spoiled that sorry.

Battlefield Earth. Big book but great fun. Only Hubbard I've ever read to be honest but I liked it enough that's I've read it a couple times over the years.

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. My favorite Heinlein, though I can't think of any of his that I've read and didn't like.

Dune. I confess I stopped at the first volume. It was great but I've always heard mixed things about the rest of the series. I might finish the original Dune series at some point, but I'll probably stay away from the stuff his son did.

Neuromancer. Loved this novel. I wish Cyberpunk had caught on more. I also with Johnny Mnemonic wasn't the only real Cyberpunk movie out there.

Snow Crash. Another great Cyberpunk novel. I like Stephenson, though I've been able to make it more than a few pages into the incomprehensible Anathem. Anyone read that one yet?

[Wyldstaar]

I just finished reading Old Man's War by John Scalzi, and it was brilliant. An impressive story in the style of Starship Troopers, but with a unique bent of it's own.

[tidge]

Dune. I confess I stopped at the first volume. It was great but I've always heard mixed things about the rest of the series. I might finish the original Dune series at some point, but I'll probably stay away from the stuff his son did.


I recommend a reread of the first novel, plan to read the second and third together, and then take a few months off an read the fourth (God Emperor of Dune).

The payoff of the fourth book is (IIRC) that humanity survived (many millenia) to learn (some of) the details of *how* it survived. The last two Frank Herbert books are page turners, but ultimately not important to the beauty of the fourth book. The Anderson and Son books are just horrible books devoid of the Dune magic. I suffered through many of the prequels and once I read the same plot in Anderson's "Last Days of Krypton" I vowed not to read another word of his.

After the four I recommend, the only truly worthwhile read in that universe of novels is IMO the Dune Encyclopedia (if you can find it...there used to also be a so-so OCR scanned pdf floating around da webz.) The Dune Encyclopedia is "non-canonical", except in the sense that it is *mostly* meant to be encyclopedic knowledge of events as it might appear 15,000+ years after the events in question.

[Blaiser]

I haven't read through the entire thread yet, but I'm surprised I didn't see Ursula K. LeGuin brought up on the first 2 pages. The Dispossessed is one of my favorite Sci-Fi books and I keep meaning to read some of the other books in the 'series' as they all seem to be stand alone books but do share some common elements. Began reading her Left Hand of Darkness and it was a bit dense so I have yet to finish it. I'd suggest looking the books up though, very philosophical.

Also, Stephen King's Dark Tower series may be the best book series I've ever read. I do believe it's considered Sci-Fi.

[Wyldstaar]

Also, Stephen King's Dark Tower series may be the best book series I've ever read. I do believe it's considered Sci-Fi.

It depends on where you go. Some places lump Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy all together into one category. Others keep them separate. Often times it just seems to depend on who was organizing things on the day the book came into inventory. When I went looking for books from Eric Flint's Ring of Fire saga at my local public library, I wound up having to walk all over the place. Some of the novels were in the Sci-fi section. Others were in the Fantasy section. The rest were in the Fiction section.

[Kalel21]

The High Crusade, a classic SF book by Poul Anderson, has just been reprinted. It's science fiction, not fantasy, but the main character is the coolest medieval knight ever.
(http://comicsradio.blogspot.com/2010/10/roger-de-tourneville-is-coolest-knight.html)

[songwriterz]

Not sure if the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant counts as Sci-fi. But those are my favorite books of all time. I am also quite fond of the Gor books by John Norman which started off with "Tarnsman of Gor". (For the initiated, Gor is a counter-Earth.)

For straight up Sci-fi, the Rendezvous with Rama books are excellent as are the Ringworld books. Favorite single sci-fi book is "the Mote in God's Eye" by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. The sequel was okay, but the original is unlike just about any other book you'll ever read.

[eternalrage]

I stayed away from the Sci-Fi until Star Trek:TNG started playing on TNN(now Spike). I read mostly Fantasy/Sword and sorcery novels. Since then, I have read almost every current Star Trek title that has been published. I never used to read all that much before embarking on my Star Trek trek. I would have to say that is where my Sci-Fi book experience ends.

I mainly focused on Star Trek because I didn't have to put in the effort to learn about new characters. Yes, the idiot box has limited my attention span. It was just easier to get invested in characters that I already had prior knowledge and enjoyed the further development of. I'm now attempting to expand my horizons and expand my catalog of Sci-Fi novels. I'm considering the Foundation series to do this feat. What are some good, lead in books, in the vein of Star Trek, to busy myself with? I would prefer some stand alone novels to break out of my rut. Any suggestions would be welcome.

[Wyldstaar]

For someone who is accustomed to reading novels featuring an enigmatic captain and a loyal crew, I would recommend On Basilisk Station by David Weber. This is the first book in the Honor Harrington series. It has alot of technical jargon the same way ST:TNG does, but it is used to establish the working rules of the story's universe rather than to come up with some technological way to defeat an enemy.

[Kalel21]

If you don't mind reading something in an electronic format, On Basilisk Station is offered free as e-book by the publisher HERE. (http://www.baen.com/library/defaultTitles.htm)

[eternalrage]

For someone who is accustomed to reading novels featuring an enigmatic captain and a loyal crew, I would recommend On Basilisk Station by David Weber. This is the first book in the Honor Harrington series. It has alot of technical jargon the same way ST:TNG does, but it is used to establish the working rules of the story's universe rather than to come up with some technological way to defeat an enemy.

If you don't mind reading something in an electronic format, On Basilisk Station is offered free as e-book by the publisher HERE. (http://www.baen.com/library/defaultTitles.htm)

Thanks for the reference.

Sometimes I don't even pay attention to what they are saying.:cool: I like the idea of this future rather than a past that hasn't happened.

[Wyldstaar]

I like the idea of this future rather than a past that hasn't happened.

Huh? I've been staring at this sentence for a couple of minutes now, and I still have no idea what it's supposed to mean.

[Terman8er]

Huh? I've been staring at this sentence for a couple of minutes now, and I still have no idea what it's supposed to mean.

I will translate.

"I prefer to ponder the idea of a future full of highly probable and wondrous technology than to read a pseudo-history full of magic and fantasy that never existed."

With that said you may not want to pick up the Shannara series.

[Wyldstaar]

Oh, fantasy stuff. Okay, that makes sense. I don't read any of that sword & sorcery stuff either.

Now that I think about it though, I do sometimes read books about "a past that hasn't happened", as in alternate history novels. Harry Turtledove's WorldWar saga and Eric Flint's Ring of Fire saga are two of my faves. The aliens in the WorldWar saga struck me as being especially good, because they were depicted as being not only alien in appearence, but in behavior and social structure.

[styx]

The High Crusade, a classic SF book by Poul Anderson, has just been reprinted. It's science fiction, not fantasy, but the main character is the coolest medieval knight ever.
(http://comicsradio.blogspot.com/2010/10/roger-de-tourneville-is-coolest-knight.html)

I concur. If you have not read this book, go buy it now.

[eternalrage]

Huh? I've been staring at this sentence for a couple of minutes now, and I still have no idea what it's supposed to mean.

I will translate.

"I prefer to ponder the idea of a future full of highly probable and wondrous technology than to read a pseudo-history full of magic and fantasy that never existed."

With that said you may not want to pick up the Shannara series.


True enough, Terman8er. Thank you.

There is a specific style of S&S I will read: Conan. Only because that is what broke me into reading novels.

Wyldstaar, I was specifically talking about books in the vien of Star Wars. They are enjoyable, to a point, but I would much rather read Sci-Fi of technological advancement and attempting to reach the final frontier, so to speak.

[eternalrage]

All right. This has yielded some positive very results.

I searched and reread through this thread and didn't find anything on A Fire Upon the Deep. Has anybody read this book and, if so, would you recommend it? I've read that some like it and some hate it.

[doctor_x]

Not sure if the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant counts as Sci-fi. But those are my favorite books of all time. I am also quite fond of the Gor books by John Norman which started off with "Tarnsman of Gor". (For the initiated, Gor is a counter-Earth.)



The Thomas Covenant series is not your typical fantasy adventure-NOTHING like Lord of the Rings etc that you have ever read.

The very first book takes a little while to get rolling, but once it does, you will be hooked. The rest of the series takes off quite fast after that.

It is based in both real time and a "alternate/dream" world at the same time.
Very intellectual and intriguing.
There's even some horror themes present.

No technology though as in sci-fi.

My fave book so far has been White Gold Wielder.


Some of the main themes the author covers are both disturbing and "blow you away" simultanously.

I need to read the current book-Fatal Revenant? I have only read the excerpts on the author's website.

There's 1 book left in the series that the author is going to write.


:a-sharpshooter:

[songwriterz]

Pasts that never happened vs. Futures that never will (at least in my lifetime.) The only difference is the scenery and the characters. A future in which mankind travels many times faster than the speed of light and uses advanced laser/plasma/technology-x weapons is really no different than a past in which sorcerers wielded weird magics and warriors carried enchanted blades. The key factor in both cases is the ability of an author to tell a compelling story.

Fortunately, both genres contain buxom wenches. ;)

[songwriterz]

The Thomas Covenant series is not your typical fantasy adventure-NOTHING like Lord of the Rings etc that you have ever read.

The very first book takes a little while to get rolling, but once it does, you will be hooked. The rest of the series takes off quite fast after that.

It is based in both real time and a "alternate/dream" world at the same time.
Very intellectual and intriguing.
There's even some horror themes present.

No technology though as in sci-fi.

My fave book so far has been White Gold Wielder.


Some of the main themes the author covers are both disturbing and "blow you away" simultanously.

I need to read the current book-Fatal Revenant? I have only read the excerpts on the author's website.

There's 1 book left in the series that the author is going to write.


:a-sharpshooter:

"Nom."

Whew....I still get chills remembering the first time I read Thomas Covenant utter that single syllable.

[Fredwood]

I'm a big fan of Dick, and I love the original Foundation Trilogy by Asimov, Vonnegut is pretty cool as well. I love just about any Sci-fi in any genre or media.

[songwriterz]

I'm a big fan of Dick....

That's what she said.

[readyeddy?]

Just finished reading A Medicine For Melancholy by Ray Bradbury.

This is an old paperback copy that sold for .75 back in the day and doesn't have the last four stories listed on the Wikipedia entry.

For some odd reason I haven't read anything else by Bradbury other then Fahrenheit 451 many years ago.

I liked the stories "The Dragon - Fever Dreams and Dark They Were, and Golden Eyed" a lot. The other stories were ok.

[MaxFortune]

For some odd reason I haven't read anything else by Bradbury other then Fahrenheit 451 many years ago.

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Every book of Bradbury's I've ever read has been stone AWESOME.

[songwriterz]

Searching like a mutha for the Logan's Run trilogy right now. My daughter - who ships out Monday for Marines Boot Camp - really wants the books. So far we have the first book, but the 2nd and 3rd book are eluding us. Oh, they are easy enough to find on evilBay if you want to spend outrageous amounts of money on them, but I prefer the "hunt through the old musty bookstore" method of tracking it down.

And I will find them...oh yes...I will. :devious:

[Wyldstaar]

I just read Out of the Dark by David Weber. I'm still not too sure how to feel about this story. It started out like a modern-day take on Harry Turtledove's WorldWar saga. Alien beings engage in a scouting mission to Earth in the year 1415 and witness The Battle of Agincourt. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Agincourt) The scouts report their horrific findings to The Hegemony, a federation of sentient spacefaring species consisting almost entirely of beings who are pacifists, having evolved from non-aggressive herbivores. The Hegemony spends the next six-hundred years debating what should be done about the sentient monsters building a society on Earth. They finally decide to allow the Shongairi, the only aggressive member of the Hegemony (and the black sheep of the organization) to colonize the planet to ensure that the humans don't destroy themselves.

The Shongairi arrive in 2013 expecting to colonize a bunch of barbarians wielding swords, spears and bows. What they get is a civilization too advanced to be legally colonized. The humans have advanced far more quickly than any species on record and are just as aggressive as the Shongairi. They decide that one aggressive species is enough for the galaxy, and they'll just invade anyway.

The book goes forward in a fairly predictable manner. Humans fighting aliens, and all that. Then about three quarters of the way through the book things take a major turn almost out of nowhere (there are hints of what is to come, but I ignored them as absurd). The resolution left me scratching my head.

Vampires! That's right, vampires. Dracula himself sees what is going on in the world and decides it's time for him and his kind to come out of the shadows and kick some alien butt!

[styx]

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Every book of Bradbury's I've ever read has been stone AWESOME.

I agree with this. Bradbury is often overlooked when talking about great American authors.

Steinbeck
Twain
Vonnegut
Bradbury

All favorites of mine.

[prekrap]

just finished "LOST FLEET" series by Jack Campbell ,easy reading space opera similar to "BATTLESTAR" TV show...have read all and highly recomend IAIN M BANKS "culture" books really great science fiction up there with DUNE or any of the CLASSIC science fiction authors.

[ThorKnigh83]

I am really into the Star Trek Titan series. The books have all been well written and I love the crew interactions. Other than that Id have to say that Hitchhiker's Guide is my other favorite series.

[styx]

just finished "LOST FLEET" series by Jack Campbell ,easy reading space opera similar to "BATTLESTAR" TV show...have read all and highly recomend IAIN M BANKS "culture" books really great science fiction up there with DUNE or any of the CLASSIC science fiction authors.


I keep looking at the Lost Fleet books for my Kindle, but the publisher wants full list price for a book without paper, shipping or storing. And I will not pay it. I also hate buying used books because then you screw the author.

[readyeddy?]

Just finished Dayworld Rebel by Philip Jose Farmer which is the second book in the Dayworld trilogy.

The premise is that because of excessive population, the majority of the people are only allowed to exist and live their lives one day a week. The rest of the week they undergo a process called stoning which is a way of preserving people in a form of suspended animation.

The main character is a daybreaker, a rebel who refuses to undergo the process of stoning and in the first book lived each day as a separate personality so distinct that he had created seven different personas for himself for each day of the week.

The main personality operated on Tuesdays and was known as Jeff Caird.
At the end of the first book he had been found out and captured.

In this one he creates an eighth personality for himself known as William Duncan and almost completely submerges the other personalities to the point where he can't readily access his previous memories.

In this one he engineers his escape and spends the book discovering the true nature of the ruling government and the subversive organisation that opposes it.

The third novel is called Dayworld Breakup.

One interesting aspect he delves into, is the average height for males is 6' 7" which means that Farmer was aware that we are gradually growing taller with each new generation.

Hell, I'm 5'9" and I feel like a runt when I see most of the guys who I deal to at the casino.

[MistahJustice]

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. Cause you really can't stop at just one.

[ThorKnigh83]

and I really like Eoin Colfer's followup to Hitchhikers as an omage to Douglas Adams called ....And Another Thing

[ben138]

I started reading Jack Vance's Planet of Adventure this weekend, pretty good stuff so far.

[readyeddy?]

I started reading Jack Vance's Planet of Adventure this weekend, pretty good stuff so far.

I love Jack Vance, he's hard to find though. keep an eye out for anything you can find by Keith Laumer. There was some kind of rivalry between them but they are both excellent authors.

[Maniac_nmt]

I've tried reading more Heinlein in the past few years. Job was a bust, and I really didn't care for it (couldn't even recognize that it was the same author as Starship Troopers). The Door Into Summer was okay. The plot line was brilliant, but ultimately a bit wasted in places (such as where it started to deviate into a rif on Job with the nudist colony, and his over the top love for cats). I could certainly see it being a good action packed story though, and I did like that it follows my basic idea of time travel (i.e. you can't alter the future or the past as you've already done it/tried it).

I've got a number of Battletech books, I've thought about rereading them (nothing great, but fun and entertaining). The fluff for Battletech is hard to swallow in places, but if you step out of that (ie that the Clans could come back more advanced than the IS has to be the biggest plot hole in the history of sci-fi plot holes).

Alternately the Halo books have been pretty good. The Cole Protocol was fun as you got the thrill of a Spartan without having one that clearly would live or clearly would die. The other book with Kurt in it was also good (with the Spartan IIIs, it's actually pretty necessary to read it to understand Halo: Reach).

I've also been reading several of the Horus Heresey books for 40k. They've been hit and miss. Dan Abnett is a good writer in any medium, but the over the top gore in places gets a bit blah.

[Kalel21]

I've tried reading more Heinlein in the past few years. Job was a bust, and I really didn't care for it (couldn't even recognize that it was the same author as Starship Troopers). The Door Into Summer was okay. The plot line was brilliant, but ultimately a bit wasted in places (such as where it started to deviate into a rif on Job with the nudist colony, and his over the top love for cats). I could certainly see it being a good action packed story though, and I did like that it follows my basic idea of time travel (i.e. you can't alter the future or the past as you've already done it/tried it).



I love Heinlein's early stuff (Starship Troopers, Space Cadet, Have Spacesuit Will Travel), but have always loathed his later works. He was a much more straightforward storyteller in the 1940s/50s, even while he was preaching a specific political/social agenda, than he was later on.

[styx]

I've got a number of Battletech books, I've thought about rereading them (nothing great, but fun and entertaining). The fluff for Battletech is hard to swallow in places, but if you step out of that (ie that the Clans could come back more advanced than the IS has to be the biggest plot hole in the history of sci-fi plot holes).

I have read all the Classic Battletech books. Loved most of them. I would suggest reading them in order if you want to get the most out of them. I had read a couple when I started to play the game, liked them, then went and read them in order.


Supposedly there is a new one from Classic BTech coming out later this year.


The WK Mechearrior books were terrible.

[Maniac_nmt]

I have read all the Classic Battletech books. Loved most of them. I would suggest reading them in order if you want to get the most out of them. I had read a couple when I started to play the game, liked them, then went and read them in order.


Supposedly there is a new one from Classic BTech coming out later this year.


The WK Mechearrior books were terrible.

I should look up which of the classic ones speciffically mention Hansen's Roughriders. The all assault/heavy all whoop-@@@ merc group who has kicked the stuffing out of Kurita and Wolf's Dragoons was my favorite CBT unit.

Yes, a lot of the WK ones were pretty bad (most of my stuff is the halting of the Clan Invasion through to the wiping out of Smoke Jaguar, a lot of Stackpole stuff).

[Kalel21]

I can get Battletech: Blood of Kerensky Omnibus for my Kindle. Yes? No? Maybe? Is it one of the good ones? I'm in a giant mecha mood, but don't know the Battletech universe well enough to pick out the good ones.

[Maniac_nmt]

I can get Battletech: Blood of Kerensky Omnibus for my Kindle. Yes? No? Maybe? Is it one of the good ones? I'm in a giant mecha mood, but don't know the Battletech universe well enough to pick out the good ones.

I enjoyed Stackpole's work on the Twilight of the Clans. Loren L Coleman was also pretty good if I remember right.

I would not care for Blood of Kerensky, as I hate the clans, so my recomendation is the books where the IS is fighting back and kicking their faces in with Victor Steiner Davion.

Alternatively, I vote for anything mercenary based, as the mercs are one of the better parts of the Battletech mythos (Hansen's Roughriders being the best of the best, although Erdani Lighthorse, 21st Centauri, and a few others are fun too. The GDL - Grey Death League is pretty good, even if they did side with the loony toones Katrina).

Does anyone know if Heavy Gear ever had any novels published set in it's world? I wouldn't mind reading some if there were, as I highly enjoyed both Heavy Gear 1 and 2 for the PC.

[Kalel21]

I enjoyed Stackpole's work on the Twilight of the Clans. Loren L Coleman was also pretty good if I remember right.

I would not care for Blood of Kerensky, as I hate the clans, so my recomendation is the books where the IS is fighting back and kicking their faces in with Victor Steiner Davion.

Alternatively, I vote for anything mercenary based, as the mercs are one of the better parts of the Battletech mythos (Hansen's Roughriders being the best of the best, although Erdani Lighthorse, 21st Centauri, and a few others are fun too. The GDL - Grey Death League is pretty good, even if they did side with the loony toones Katrina).

Does anyone know if Heavy Gear ever had any novels published set in it's world? I wouldn't mind reading some if there were, as I highly enjoyed both Heavy Gear 1 and 2 for the PC.

There's one called Patriot's Stand in which Hansen's Roughriders seem to be the bad guys. That's available for the Kindle.

[Maniac_nmt]

There's one called Patriot's Stand in which Hansen's Roughriders seem to be the bad guys. That's available for the Kindle.

It's post WK take over, and was not very good. The Roughriders are famous for the fact they won't use anything but Heavy/Assault class mechs, and they're running around with pretty wimpy light mechs and a few cobbled troops. Certainly not the professionals the original cannon has them as.

That particular book (I bought it as it features the Roughriders) comes off as being very preachy and not a little bit Mary Sue for the home team. If you want stompy mech action that is not it, it deals largely with ideas on political insurection and foot combat (for most of the book the heaviest they get is a condor hover tank, which is a fairly wimpy tank).

[readyeddy?]

Just finished Dayworld Breakup the final book in the Dayworld trilogy by Philip Jose Farmer. Seemed a little anticlimactic though it's possible Farmer had left an opening so he could do another book if he was so inclined.

The series isn't bad but it seems like it had a stronger start then finish.

[ben138]

I finished "City of the Chasch" by Jack Vance today, it ended satisfactorily with the Chasch getting the living #### kicked out of them. Next, "The Wankh". No doubt Adam Rieth will toss them down the ####ing stairs for coming up with such a stupid ### name for themselves.

[MechaFan]

I can get Battletech: Blood of Kerensky Omnibus for my Kindle. Yes? No? Maybe? Is it one of the good ones? I'm in a giant mecha mood, but don't know the Battletech universe well enough to pick out the good ones.

If you are intrested from clans amd they way of life you might want to check out Legend of the Jade Pheonix Trilogy. It introduces clan way of life rather well while telling story of life and death of the Aidan Pryde.

[readyeddy?]

So what's the difference between Robotech and Battletech? I always thought one begat the other.

[Kalel21]

So what's the difference between Robotech and Battletech? I always thought one begat the other.

Two different universes, but both involve people piloting giant mecha into combat. Battletech was probably influenced heavily by Robotech, but is a separate reality.

[styx]

So what's the difference between Robotech and Battletech? I always thought one begat the other.


Robotech is all Manga-ed up.

Battletech is more realistic, if you call 30 ft tall Mechs realistic. The universe is more fleshed out and it is just better.

[ben138]

Two different universes, but both involve people piloting giant mecha into combat. Battletech was probably influenced heavily by Robotech, but is a separate reality.

Where does Macross fit in, Papa Bear?

[Kalel21]

Where does Macross fit in, Papa Bear?

The explanation is complicated enough to generate a rift in the space/time continuum, but if I understand it properly:

Macross was the original Japanese series that was made a part of the Americanized Robotech storyline. Since the Macross saga didn't have enough episodes by itself for American syndication, two other series involving Mecha were awkwardly tacked on to Macross to make one long storyline involving successive alien invasions of Earth.

[MechaFan]

Thing in Battletech is that its time line spans centuries. Its basically feudal scifi universe with star empires ruled by great houses and warrior clans waging war over domination of mankind in never ending war.

First Battlemech desings were taken from several animes including Macross but then Harmony Gold sued FASA that was making game that time and they had to drop those and make more orginal designs. Those designes that were dropped are called unseen while they newer versions are called reseen.

[styx]

Speaking of which, the Nazi war-bots in the latest issue of New Avengers looks an awful lot like the old Warhammer Mech.

Link to pic of Nazi-Mechs (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUpT4FecnVs/TkWmGtbG57I/AAAAAAAAAuE/G87DY0As3-M/s1600/avengersnew15a+squirrel+girl+monologue.jpg)

[ben138]

Speaking of which, the Nazi war-bots in the latest issue of New Avengers looks an awful lot like the old Warhammer Mech.

Link to pic of Nazi-Mechs (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUpT4FecnVs/TkWmGtbG57I/AAAAAAAAAuE/G87DY0As3-M/s1600/avengersnew15a+squirrel+girl+monologue.jpg)

It amuses me that they made Squirrel-Girl sexy..

[styx]

It amuses me that they made Squirrel-Girl sexy..


I will admit to being into a lot of 'things', but Furries is not one.

[KiddGonzo]

There's a lot to go through I like Philip K. Dick I even enjoy William Gibson, yeah yeah I know he's technically cyber punk but y'know, Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land was fantastic also oh cannot forget Dune!

[KiddGonzo]

Head hurts now I thought Robotech was stand alone and Macross was just a mini series/movie

[Wyldstaar]

My description of Robotech-

Take the original Battlestar Galactica, Stargate Universe and Space: Above & Beyond. Keep the video, music and sound effects, but remove the original dialog and replace it with new dialog that makes it seem as though all three series are part of the same universe, taking place over successive generations. Then sell the series overseas where nobody has ever seen these three series in their original form and call it Escape to the Stars or something.

This is basically what was done to make Robotech from the Japanese series Macross, Southern Cross and Mospeada.

It seems crazy, but it worked. The series was good, but the novels were far better. Unconstrained by the events on the screen, the authors were able to create a more seamless story. Plus, there was the sequel series, Robotech: The Sentinels, which is not based on an already existing anime.

[MechaFan]

That was exelent and accurate discription of Robotech Wyldstaar.

[eMouse]

Speaking of which, the Nazi war-bots in the latest issue of New Avengers looks an awful lot like the old Warhammer Mech.

Link to pic of Nazi-Mechs (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUpT4FecnVs/TkWmGtbG57I/AAAAAAAAAuE/G87DY0As3-M/s1600/avengersnew15a+squirrel+girl+monologue.jpg)

Wow, that's pretty bad. That's on the level of the Bat Sentinels are Patlabor Griffins bad.

Only Patlabor didn't have a sue-happy company like Harmony Gold licensing it in the US.

The only original part of those mechs I can see are the cockpit. The body and gun arm are an Excalibur's/Warhammer's and the manipulator arm is off of a veritech.

[styx]

Not sure how I missed this buy last month NPR posted a fan list of the top 100 SciFi/Fantasy books.

There is not Young Adult stuff on the list. That will come next year. Not debating what YA stuff should or should not be on the list, just reporting what the article said.

I have read 50 of them and own another 3 to read.


Thoughts on the NPR List (http://www.npr.org/2011/08/09/139248590/top-100-science-fiction-fantasy-books) anyone?



1. The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien

2. The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, by Douglas Adams

3. Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card

4. The Dune Chronicles, by Frank Herbert

5. A Song Of Ice And Fire Series, by George R. R. Martin

6. 1984, by George Orwell

7. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury

8. The Foundation Trilogy, by Isaac Asimov

9. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley

10. American Gods, by Neil Gaiman

11. The Princess Bride, by William Goldman

12. The Wheel Of Time Series, by Robert Jordan

13. Animal Farm, by George Orwell

14. Neuromancer, by William Gibson

15. Watchmen, by Alan Moore

16. I, Robot, by Isaac Asimov

17. Stranger In A Strange Land, by Robert Heinlein

18. The Kingkiller Chronicles, by Patrick Rothfuss

19. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut

20. Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley

21. Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K. Dick

22. The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood

23. The Dark Tower Series, by Stephen King

24. 2001: A Space Odyssey, by Arthur C. Clarke

25. The Stand, by Stephen King

26. Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson

27. The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury

28. Cat's Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut

29. The Sandman Series, by Neil Gaiman

30. A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess

31. Starship Troopers, by Robert Heinlein

32. Watership Down, by Richard Adams

33. Dragonflight, by Anne McCaffrey

34. The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, by Robert Heinlein

35. A Canticle For Leibowitz, by Walter M. Miller

36. The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells

37. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, by Jules Verne

38. Flowers For Algernon, by Daniel Keys

39. The War Of The Worlds, by H.G. Wells

40. The Chronicles Of Amber, by Roger Zelazny

41. The Belgariad, by David Eddings

42. The Mists Of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley

43. The Mistborn Series, by Brandon Sanderson

44. Ringworld, by Larry Niven

45. The Left Hand Of Darkness, by Ursula K. LeGuin

46. The Silmarillion, by J.R.R. Tolkien

47. The Once And Future King, by T.H. White

48. Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman

49. Childhood's End, by Arthur C. Clarke

50. Contact, by Carl Sagan

51. The Hyperion Cantos, by Dan Simmons

52. Stardust, by Neil Gaiman

53. Cryptonomicon, by Neal Stephenson

54. World War Z, by Max Brooks

55. The Last Unicorn, by Peter S. Beagle

56. The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman

57. Small Gods, by Terry Pratchett

58. The Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeliever, by Stephen R. Donaldson

59. The Vorkosigan Saga, by Lois McMaster Bujold

60. Going Postal, by Terry Pratchett

61. The Mote In God's Eye, by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle

62. The Sword Of Truth, by Terry Goodkind

63. The Road, by Cormac McCarthy

64. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke

65. I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson

66. The Riftwar Saga, by Raymond E. Feist

67. The Shannara Trilogy, by Terry Brooks

68. The Conan The Barbarian Series, by R.E. Howard

69. The Farseer Trilogy, by Robin Hobb

70. The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger

71. The Way Of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson

72. A Journey To The Center Of The Earth, by Jules Verne

73. The Legend Of Drizzt Series, by R.A. Salvatore

74. Old Man's War, by John Scalzi

75. The Diamond Age, by Neil Stephenson

76. Rendezvous With Rama, by Arthur C. Clarke

77. The Kushiel's Legacy Series, by Jacqueline Carey

78. The Dispossessed, by Ursula K. LeGuin

79. Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury

80. Wicked, by Gregory Maguire

81. The Malazan Book Of The Fallen Series, by Steven Erikson

82. The Eyre Affair, by Jasper Fforde

83. The Culture Series, by Iain M. Banks

84. The Crystal Cave, by Mary Stewart

85. Anathem, by Neal Stephenson

86. The Codex Alera Series, by Jim Butcher

87. The Book Of The New Sun, by Gene Wolfe

88. The Thrawn Trilogy, by Timothy Zahn

89. The Outlander Series, by Diana Gabaldan

90. The Elric Saga, by Michael Moorcock

91. The Illustrated Man, by Ray Bradbury

92. Sunshine, by Robin McKinley

93. A Fire Upon The Deep, by Vernor Vinge

94. The Caves Of Steel, by Isaac Asimov

95. The Mars Trilogy, by Kim Stanley Robinson

96. Lucifer's Hammer, by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle

97. Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis

98. Perdido Street Station, by China Mieville

99. The Xanth Series, by Piers Anthony

100. The Space Trilogy, by C.S. Lewis

[songwriterz]

Not sure how I missed this buy last month NPR posted a fan list of the top 100 SciFi/Fantasy books.

There is not Young Adult stuff on the list. That will come next year. Not debating what YA stuff should or should not be on the list, just reporting what the article said.

I have read 50 of them and own another 3 to read.


Thoughts on the NPR List (http://www.npr.org/2011/08/09/139248590/top-100-science-fiction-fantasy-books) anyone?

I have read 31 of them with many of them sitting unread on my shelves now.

Of those on the list, I cannot recommend highly enough the Thomas Covenant series and The Mote in God's Eye (and its sequel - the Gripping Hand).

Not sure why Watership Down is on the list, though. But it is one that I've read.

[styx]

I am going to add A Song Of Ice And Fire Series, by George R. R. Martin to my list next. It is the only one of the top 10 I have not read. I will probably add in one or 2 a month of the non-series books through the end of the year.

I am reading too many series right now. It is dissapointing that the Black Company books by Glen Cook did not make the top 100. That is an awesome series.


Check out the Librarything link in my Sig for more of my reading habits. I usually keep a paperback in my car, a Hardback by the bed and my Kindle could be in either place.

[readyeddy?]

Two glaring omissions on that list. The Stars My Destination and the Demolished Man, both by Alfred Bester. There's more then a few I'd boot off that list in favor of those two books.

[Wyldstaar]

I've only read 24 of them. Cryptonomicon is commonly found in the sci-fi section, but it's really just fiction written by a sci-fi/fantasy author. I find Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams in the sci-fi/fantasy section all the time, too. That doesn't make it so.

[tidge]

Not sure how I missed this buy last month NPR posted a fan list of the top 100 SciFi/Fantasy books.

I have read 50 of them and own another 3 to read.

Thoughts on the NPR List (http://www.npr.org/2011/08/09/139248590/top-100-science-fiction-fantasy-books) anyone?


Too much Neil Gaiman (drop Stardust, Neverwhere), not enough David Brin (add Startide Rising, Kiln People).

I also agree that omitting Alfred Bester is criminal.

Asimov deserves appreciation, but his entries are pretty weirdly assigned: The Foundation "Trilogy" deserves a spot for it's one-of-a-kind(?) Hugo, but I'd reject "I, Robot". I won't quibble with "Caves of Steel", but "Tiger! Tiger!/The Stars My Destination" is more powerful and as fanciful as any individual Asimov story.

I would bump at least one Larry Niven book to give John Wyndham a spot.

The Philip K. Dick chosen book only got a spot (my guess) because NPR-heads think of it as the "real title" of Blade Runner...but there are better (and more important!) Philip K. Dick stories.

The Silmarillion does not belong on this list...it is not really a narrative and quite frankly it is hella painful to read...I cannot believe that enough NPR listeners have even read it to put it on the list.

Handmaid's Tale makes the list but not the Illuminatus Trilogy? Weird.

[readyeddy?]

I'd toss the Belgariad off. There's a lot of better fantasy stuff then that stilted tripe. Any fantasy by Poul Anderson makes that look amateurish. Fritz Leiber, Karl Edward Wagner and Michael Moorcock have each written better. Hell. the Thieve's World anthologies were better.

[prekrap]

read a few warhammer books recently, reccomend anything written by,DAN ABNETT just really well WRITTEN stories

[songwriterz]

The Philip K. Dick chosen book only got a spot (my guess) because NPR-heads think of it as the "real title" of Blade Runner...but there are better (and more important!) Philip K. Dick stories.

The Silmarillion does not belong on this list...it is not really a narrative and quite frankly it is hella painful to read...I cannot believe that enough NPR listeners have even read it to put it on the list.

Agreed on both counts. You can't be considered a hipster reader if you don't fawn over Electric Sheep (which is very, very good, but not his best work by a long shot. I prefer Man in the High Castle.)

And - holy carp! The Silmarillion!! I can't even understand why Tokien published it! I've read the LotR too many times to count and have started Silmarillion at least 3 times. Never even got to the 1/2 way point before I realized that I didn't want to study fictional history and went on to something else.

[songwriterz]

I'd toss the Belgariad off. There's a lot of better fantasy stuff then that stilted tripe. Any fantasy by Poul Anderson makes that look amateurish. Fritz Leiber, Karl Edward Wagner and Michael Moorcock have each written better. Hell. the Thieve's World anthologies were better.

Anything by Poul Anderson makes an awful lot of other stuff on the bookshelf look amateurish.

I read and enjoyed the Belgariad and the follow-up (the Mallorean?) But I've never felt compelled to go back and re-read them.

And Fritz Leiber - OMG - sooooo under appreciated.

[MaxFortune]

And Fritz Leiber - OMG - sooooo under appreciated.

This. Big time.

The Fafhrd & the Grey Mouser series is on my "to re-read" list right after I finish up with E.R. Eddison.

[songwriterz]

This. Big time.

The Fafhrd & the Grey Mouser series is on my "to re-read" list right after I finish up with E.R. Eddison.

LOL - I have sooo much on my "to re-read" list after reading all these posts that I may never have time to read a new book again!

[prekrap]

if your not reading THE GREAT science fiction of IAN M BANKS its a big miss on a great author.

[VelvetGuru9]

At my wife's request, I just finished reading the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I was more than mildly surprised at how well written it was. The story/plot moved forward nicely. It's a "teen book," but really wasn't bad for adult readers as well.

[songwriterz]

At my wife's request, I just finished reading the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I was more than mildly surprised at how well written it was. The story/plot moved forward nicely. It's a "teen book," but really wasn't bad for adult readers as well.

My daughter wants me to read that as well. I'm thinking I will have to squeeze it in before the movie comes out.

[MaxFortune]

LOL - I have sooo much on my "to re-read" list after reading all these posts that I may never have time to read a new book again!

I just thought it was cool that you coincidentally mentioned Leiber since my old paperback copy of Swords & Deviltry has been sitting right here on my desk for the last several weeks while I'm reading Eddison's The Worm Ouroboros. I'm torn between wanting to take my time with Eddison because the book is so beautifully written and wanting to hurry up and finish it so I can get on with re-reading Leiber.

And I know what's going to happen -- I'll end up breaking out my old copy of the TSR Lankhmar boardgame, and that'll be yet another timesink, right before I start digging around in boxes trying to find the old DC Swords & Sorcery comic to read the comic adventures of Fafhrd and the Mouser, which'll be another black hole into which many hours will disappear...

I need to either invent the 27 hour day or live to be 125.

[ben138]

I just thought it was cool that you coincidentally mentioned Leiber since my old paperback copy of Swords & Deviltry has been sitting right here on my desk for the last several weeks while I'm reading Eddison's The Worm Ouroboros. I'm torn between wanting to take my time with Eddison because the book is so beautifully written and wanting to hurry up and finish it so I can get on with re-reading Leiber.

And I know what's going to happen -- I'll end up breaking out my old copy of the TSR Lankhmar boardgame, and that'll be yet another timesink, right before I start digging around in boxes trying to find the old DC Swords & Sorcery comic to read the comic adventures of Fafhrd and the Mouser, which'll be another black hole into which many hours will disappear...

I need to either invent the 27 hour day or live to be 125.



I need to re-read some of that too. I remember the story (Stardock) where Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser climb the mountain and score with invisible chicks being pretty awesome.

[songwriterz]

I just thought it was cool that you coincidentally mentioned Leiber since my old paperback copy of Swords & Deviltry has been sitting right here on my desk for the last several weeks while I'm reading Eddison's The Worm Ouroboros. I'm torn between wanting to take my time with Eddison because the book is so beautifully written and wanting to hurry up and finish it so I can get on with re-reading Leiber.

And I know what's going to happen -- I'll end up breaking out my old copy of the TSR Lankhmar boardgame, and that'll be yet another timesink, right before I start digging around in boxes trying to find the old DC Swords & Sorcery comic to read the comic adventures of Fafhrd and the Mouser, which'll be another black hole into which many hours will disappear...

I need to either invent the 27 hour day or live to be 125.

Ahhhh....its great to be a nerd! (Seriously - I'm not being sarcastic. I love it!)

[styx]

I just thought it was cool that you coincidentally mentioned Leiber since my old paperback copy of Swords & Deviltry has been sitting right here on my desk for the last several weeks while I'm reading Eddison's The Worm Ouroboros. I'm torn between wanting to take my time with Eddison because the book is so beautifully written and wanting to hurry up and finish it so I can get on with re-reading Leiber.

And I know what's going to happen -- I'll end up breaking out my old copy of the TSR Lankhmar boardgame, and that'll be yet another timesink, right before I start digging around in boxes trying to find the old DC Swords & Sorcery comic to read the comic adventures of Fafhrd and the Mouser, which'll be another black hole into which many hours will disappear...

I need to either invent the 27 hour day or live to be 125.


I went to check a dictionary at home the other day and 40 minutes later my wife wanders in and wants to know what I have been doing. When I told her what I came to do and that I spent the next 38 minutes reading the dictionary she about went into labor.

All to save the time to boot up my laptop and look up the etymology online. I spent at least 30 more minutes trying to save 4.

And to beat all I already knew what I went to look up, I just doubted myself.


Ahhhh....its great to be a nerd! (Seriously - I'm not being sarcastic. I love it!)


I revel in it

[MaxFortune]

Ahhhh....its great to be a nerd! (Seriously - I'm not being sarcastic. I love it!)

No offense taken. I agree. A few years ago I worked at a place where a couple of guys gave me crap about being a gamer instead of being like the "normal people" at work and watching shows like "Dancing with the Stars" and "American Idol". I just looked at them for a moment and finally said, "You have no idea how bad I feel for you at this moment".

[ben138]

No offense taken. I agree. A few years ago I worked at a place where a couple of guys gave me crap about being a gamer instead of being like the "normal people" at work and watching shows like "Dancing with the Stars" and "American Idol". I just looked at them for a moment and finally said, "You have no idea how bad I feel for you at this moment".

there are a few good points to Dancing with the Stars.

[VelvetGuru9]

My daughter wants me to read that as well. I'm thinking I will have to squeeze it in before the movie comes out.

My daughter is reading it now. They can't wait to finish all three books so we can have a "family chat" about the books.

Read it, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[styx]

I just started reading F. Paul Wilson's The Dark at the End. I am not sure where it falls in the genre classifications. Some stores carry it in fiction while others classify it as horror or Sci-fi.

It is the last book of the Repairman Jack series. The next book Nightworld wraps the Repairman Jack books and a few other books up supposedly.

I have really enjoyed the Repairman Jack books. More than the Dresden Files books by Jim Butcher.



And I wanted to let everyone know that last month I read my 1000th book since I started keeping track about 16ish years ago.

[styx]

I just finished Wolf Hunt by Jeff Strand and loved it. Probably one of my favorite books this year.

Premise:

Two Enforcer types are hired to drive a captive from Miami to Tampa. They are told he is a Werewolf and as the reader should anticipate, does not believe it and trouble ensues.

It is worth the read!

[readyeddy?]

I just finished the novella The Draqon Masters by Jack Vance. Jack Vance is an author that I'm really keeping an eye out for more of his books. they seem to be hard to come by but he's really good.

I heard he had a sort of rivalry with Keith Laumer. That's a shame because they were both excellent authors.

[readyeddy?]

Just finished a novelette from one of my favorite Science Fiction writers called Bridge Of Ashes by Roger Zelazny. It was coupled with another of his books that I'd already read called Today We Choose Faces which I'd already read.

The premise of Bridge Of Ashes was that powerful aliens planted humans on Earth so that we would eventually despoil the planet with pollution and other environmental destruction thus making it perfect for them to live on after humans became extinct.

The story was pretty good as the humans manage to disrupt their long range plans though the ending was a bit odd.

[songwriterz]

I have finished "Hunger Games" and am nearly through with "Catching Fire".

I am really amazed at these books. Even though they are considered youth/young adult fiction they are very, very good. Far superior to the Harry Potter pablum. There is action, intrigue, mystery, romance and character development like I've never seen in so-called "young adult fiction."

No, its not written on a Tolkien level, nor is it meant to be, but it is still amazing fiction nonetheless. And I have lost count of all the similarities I see between "the Capitol" and our own modern-day American political scene.

Can't wait to see where the final book, Mockingjay, takes me.