reading sci-fi by NewOldBrownCoat

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

reading sci-fi

POSTED BY: NEWOLDBROWNCOAT
UPDATED: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 22:29
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VIEWED: 5119
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Monday, August 28, 2006 9:13 AM

What is anybody out there *reading* in sci- fi?

I'm an old guy- I read Robert Heinlein, Arthur C Clarke, and Isaac Asimov ( when he still wrote SF).
I've read Douglas Adams, Spider Robinson, David Drake, Victor Vinge, John Varley. Last stuff I read was the Pournelle-Niven collaborations.

What are yall reading, as opposed to watching?

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Monday, August 28, 2006 9:18 AM

ASORTAFAIRYTALE

I don't really read too much sci-fi stuff, but I have read a few good ones. Douglas Adams is great, and so is The Far Side of Evil by Sylvia Engdahl (I think that's how you spell her name.) And The Giver and Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry are good, I guess you could call them sci-fi. Then if you're into the classics H.G. Wells and Ray Bradbury are good.

------

We're all just floating...

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Monday, August 28, 2006 9:25 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.

I've read everybody you mentioned except Drake.

Heinlein is my all-time favorite, although of current writers it is Gene Wolfe, and I can't think of two writers more dissimilar. I will have to say though that I was a bit disappointed with Wolfe's latest, The Wizard, not as good as The Knight.

Lately, I've also enjoyed E. E. Knight's Vampire Earth series. I'm waiting for the fifth book to come out in paperback, but I have reviewed all the others. Check it out - http://templetongate.net/vampire-earth.htm

I like a wide range of styles, both hard and soft SF, along with some fantasy. Here's just a short list of authors I can recommend.

Brian Aldiss
Ray Bradbury
Orson Scott Card
Philip K. Dick
Gordon Dickson
Harlan Ellison
Philip José Farmer
David Gerrold
Joe Haldeman
C. M. Kornbluth
George R. R. Martin
Edgar Pangborn
Kim Stanley Robinson
Cordwainer Smith
Norman Spinrad
James Tiptree, Jr. (Alice Sheldon)
Roger Zelazny

I'm sure I'll think of a few others later. I've written author profiles or reviewed books by quite a few of those, along with some general info pages, which you can check out here - http://templetongate.net/authors.htm - and there are links to other areas of the site dealing with films and tv using the menu buttons at the left of the screen.

wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

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Monday, August 28, 2006 9:27 AM

THELURKER

John Varley is the guy who probably is putting out the best stuff these days. I really like his work.

Also, the Maximum Ride novels by James Patterson are fun to read.

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Monday, August 28, 2006 10:28 AM

INDIGOSTARBLASTER

Don't forget Connie Willis (esp. _Doomsday Book_ and _Passage_)!

BTW, for my sci-fi reading fix, I subscribe to Asimov's Science Fiction magazine -- very, very high quality stuff, and lots of it.

Cheers,

Indigo S.

P.S. Isaac Asimov remains one of my favourite authors -- to paraphrase Orson Scott Card, one of the finest prose writers the U.S. has ever produced.

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Monday, August 28, 2006 10:31 AM

FIZZIX

I'm fond of anything Trek at the moment, but Diane Duane... Whoo, if you're at all liking Trek enough to read it, go get a copy of anything she's written from the library.

/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\
May not be smart, and it may not please you, but you're definitely gonna see what I have to say.

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Monday, August 28, 2006 11:00 AM

CRUITHNE3753

Iain M. Banks
Stephen Baxter
Greg Bear
Gregory Benford

Hmmm, a swarm of "B"s...

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Monday, August 28, 2006 11:13 AM

RMMC

My old standard that I keep going back to is Ray Bradbury. For me, this is the yardstick I judge other authors by.

Also I tend more towards fantasy/horror than strict SF.

Other authors include James P. Hogan, Douglas Adams, Spider Robinson and Steven Brust.

Fantasy/horror include Tanya Huff, Laurel K. Hamilton (first 3-4 Anita Blake novels), Terry Pratchett, J.R.R. Tolkien and Esther Freisner.

I also read a fair amout of mysteries, but ya'll weren't askin' 'bout that.

******
RMMC

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Monday, August 28, 2006 2:35 PM

MORDACIL

Im young but i got that AC Clarke, bradbury, Asimov, HG Wells and Jules verne since forever, Ender/bean Sagas, anything startrek, and i recomend trek books by judith and garfield reeve-stevens, and most of the ones with Q. i want to read me some heinlin and niven stuff sooner or later

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one, so I joined starfleet and was stationed at the SGC to fight the covenant, whos gate happens to be down, and through which I must cast the ring from whence it came. It was our last best hope for peace but it failed so millions of voices cried out and were suddenly silent but there was no spoon and also no fate but what we make for ourselves.
-I thought of that in the shower

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Monday, August 28, 2006 3:11 PM

SAVEWASH

Now I am learning about scary.

Ray Bradbury for me, too!

I will never get tired of his writing. What a writer.

I subscribe to Fantasy & Science Fiction magazine, and they have a lot of very fine stories. I've been introduced to several good writers there that I might never have heard of otherwise.

"We need to keep our heads so we can ... keep our heads."

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Monday, August 28, 2006 3:19 PM

TRAVELER

I have to agree on Dougles Adams. I think I've read everything he wrote. He is sorely missed in theis household.

Of course JRR Tolkien. I consider fantasy as another form of science fiction so I place them together.

Lately I've read Felicity Savage. She has a volumn story. The first called Humilty Garden, then followed by Delty City. Sort of fantasy and science fiction melted together.
http://www.pointsman.net/mpage/graphics/bbcover2.GIF
I have read this one several times.
Another author that I've found interesting is Mellissa Scott. Likes to write stories with computers and artificial intelligence. But she wrote one about a class struggle like Metropolis.

Too many books, not enough time.

Traveler

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Monday, August 28, 2006 3:29 PM

ELOISA

I read more fantasy than SF. I write more SF than fantasy. I think I'm doing something wrong...

I currently list my favourite SF authors as Iain M Banks (although I think he's dropping the M even for his SF books) and William Gibson - Douglas Adams is wonderful too - but my current all-around plug is China Mieville. Not straight fantasy so much as a cross between that and cyberpunk.

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Monday, August 28, 2006 3:40 PM

WHIMSICALNBRAINPAN

I really enjoy Phillip K Dick. I'm sure you've read him though.

"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." http://whimsicalnbrainpan.blogspot.com/

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Monday, August 28, 2006 3:51 PM

GOAT

I wasn't reading for fun much for a while, but now that I spend almost 2 hours on the train every day I've been reading like a fiend. Unfortunately, I don't know of any english language libraries here so I spend quite a bit at the bookstore.

As far as SF books go, my favorite author is Timothy Zahn. His Star Wars books (the Heir to the Empire trilogy is awesome, the hand of the emperor books were good, but too short) is just awesome and would make a good story if Lucas ever makes the last three movies. The Conquerors' trilogy, Mana's gift and Icarus Prime (I think thats the title, I remember what happened, but can't remember the title of the book).

Other than that, I just read Dune last week and I loved it. I plan on picking up children of Dune when I'm at the bookstore next.

I know that you were asking about SF books, but I thought that I would toss in an author that isn't SF. James Clavell's books are just awesome. Shogun is probably my favorite book of all time and Whirlwind is not far behind.

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Monday, August 28, 2006 4:06 PM

OUT2THEBLACK

I still like Poul Anderson's TAU ZERO . Mindtrip at superluminal velocity .

Some Andre' Norton . Bradbury , the Mark Twain of Sci-Fi .

From Arthur C. Clarke , RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA , for which Morgan Freeman apparently owns the film rights , and has had in development for a number of years . Going to be lots of CGI in that one .

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Monday, August 28, 2006 11:20 PM

RESE

I'm an old "girl"! And your list looks rather like my list; had to consult the "way back machine" to locate my list!

Personally haven't been reading much hard sci-fi these days, been attending other genres and verses, but I will add my input in the form of "my favorite books of all time".

Glory Season by David Brin
The Postman by David Brin (why was the movie so bad?)
Eon and Eternity by Greg Bear
The Cursed by Dave Duncan
The entire Chtorr series by David Gerrold (by the way, he has a nifty website)
Glory Road by Robert Heinlein (in fact, I am rereading my new copy I just purchased; the other one done fell to pieces)
Farnham's Freehold by Robert Heinlein (hey! I liked it!)
The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven

California Voodoo Game
Dream Park*
The Barsoom Project by Larry Niven and Stephen Barnes (Dream Park is probably my most favorite read; wishing it would actually come true!)

Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons
Steel Beach by John Varley
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis

Aren't you glad you asked, now? We should start a reading club, hey?

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006 12:23 AM

MIGHTYROAR

the Gap Series by Stephen Donaldson was a great set of books

Richard

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006 1:08 AM

BRYS

Yes - in fact, I'm much more into reading SF than into watching it.
I'm currently working my way through the Hugo winners, as that seems to be a good starting place for some of the classics of science fiction. At the moment my favourite science fiction authors are Daniel Keyes, Philip K Dick, Joe Haldeman,Frank Herbert, Alfred Bester and many others. As you can see, they also tend to be slightly older science fiction. I like fantasy as well, but if I started including those authors, the list would go on for a long time.

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006 6:21 AM

NEWOLDBROWNCOAT

Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
I've read everybody you mentioned except Drake.

Heinlein is my all-time favorite,

" Evelyn Cyril, my fine lad--"
I shoulda picked that up from your screen name.

As for Drake, he used to write military SF, about a future mercenary Armored Regiment, Hammer's Slammers, based on his experiences in Vietnam and Cambodia.

ugly, gritty, real stuff, strong enought to make you understand and identify with killers in uniform.
Mal and Zoe would love his earlier stuff.

Lately , though, he seems to have sold out to the 'sword and sorcery, dragons, priests and wizards ' school of fantasy

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006 6:23 AM

NEWOLDBROWNCOAT

Well, that didn't punctuate right- obviously, that wasn't all a quote from EC

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006 6:44 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.

double post

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006 6:45 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.

Quote:
Originally posted by goat:
I just read Dune last week and I loved it. I plan on picking up Children of Dune when I'm at the bookstore next.

Don't forget Dune Messiah, which comes before CoD.

Quote:
Originally posted by rese:
Farnham's Freehold by Robert Heinlein (hey! I liked it!)

I knew there had to be someone else!

Quote:
Originally posted by NewOldBrownCoat:
Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
I've read everybody you mentioned except Drake.

Heinlein is my all-time favorite,

" Evelyn Cyril, my fine lad--"
I shoulda picked that up from your screen name.

I also answer to Oscar, Scar, Flash and Easy!

Correction, I have read the original Hammer's Slammer's short story (Novella?), but nothing else. Military SF just isn't my bag. If it's not Starship Troopers or The Forever War I probably haven't read it.

wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006 6:57 AM

EMBERS

I've been reading a lot of Terry Pratchett's Discworkd (sci-fi/fantasy humorous satire-y type books)

I loved David Brin's Kiln People (sci-fi mystery)
and the Tuesday Next series, particularly the first one: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fford (sci-fi mystery also)

And of course I've been reading more comic books because Joss has inspired me...
I definitely recommend The Young Avengers:Sidekicks by Allan Heinberg (published by Marvel)
which is VERY funny, about fandom

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006 6:59 AM

ZZETTA13

I'm an old timer myself and although I've read a lot of sci/fic it has been more along the lines of REH (Conan) and ERB Mars and Venus and Inner world novels. There have been a few others along the way and what I have read in my early days was classified as si/fi, yet seems a bit different than most. This brings up a question.

Is Firefly more about science fiction, or more about the interaction of characters set in a futuristic universe? Although I love the idea of the crew sailing around (full freedom) in the verse and the tech/FX stuff. Seems the focus is on the people. Course I wouldn't have the Joss verse any other way.

Z

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006 7:29 AM

EST120

Quote:
Originally posted by Cruithne3753:
Greg Bear

I have found his books to be a mixed bag. I have read only three of his books, though. One was confusing but good (Eon). One started off great and ended by running off a cliff and bursting into flames (Darwin's Radio) and one was pretty good but not great throughout (Legacy). Of course, these are only my opinions. I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Recently I have been on a Neal Stephenson kick. Snowcrash, Diamond Age etc. Pretty good stuff.

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006 7:29 AM

EST120

Quote:
Originally posted by Cruithne3753:
Greg Bear

Recently I have been on a Neal Stephenson kick. Snowcrash, Diamond Age etc. Pretty good stuff.

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006 7:29 AM

EST120

Quote:
Originally posted by Cruithne3753:
Greg Bear

Recently I have been on a Neal Stephenson kick. Snowcrash, Diamond Age etc. Pretty good stuff.

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006 7:30 AM

EST120

Quote:
Originally posted by Cruithne3753:
Greg Bear

Recently I have been on a Neal Stephenson kick. Snowcrash, Diamond Age etc. Pretty good stuff.

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006 7:31 AM

SICKDUDE

Quote:
Originally posted by goat:
I wasn't reading for fun much for a while, but now that I spend almost 2 hours on the train every day I've been reading like a fiend.

By ripping out the pages and eating them???

Just add my favorites to the long list:
Stanislaw Lem- Solaris, Tales of Pirx the Pilot, More Tales of Pirx the Pilot
Theodore Sturgeon- any of his famous short stories

"I am your father, Luke. Give in to the Dark Side, you nob!" - Doug McKenzie

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006 10:29 PM

GOAT

Quote:
Originally posted by Sickdude:
Quote:
Originally posted by goat:
I wasn't reading for fun much for a while, but now that I spend almost 2 hours on the train every day I've been reading like a fiend.

By ripping out the pages and eating them???

There is a spitball war on the train every morning and I have to be sure that I have enough ammo, don't I?

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