Books, Movies, Music & Entertainment - The Science Fiction/Fantasy Thread

Took far too long for Foundation to come up. I agree with the Ender series and Dune being fantastic as well. But I am also surprised that there haven't been any Hitchhiker's Guide votes out there. How can that be skipped over?


I loved all Doug Adams stuff! HHG is funny funny stuff.

42 !

So, different is bad? Isn't scif/fantasy all about the weird and strange and different? Just sayin'...

No, but I sure would not include it with just a thumbs up. And that is pretty much what the first post on Hitchhikers said. While Science Fiction and Fantasy have pretty wide norms something that is heading into comedy/satire is surely worth noting. I guess so is explicit content.

Not to say either is bad, but it could be rather shocking to decide to read 'All You Zombies' to 5 year old.

The way chchess gives his thumbs up th HHG works perfectly. ^^

Has anyone here ever read Roger Zelazny?

Has anyone here ever read Roger Zelazny?

The original Amber books are awesome crack, and I quite liked "This Immortal". "He Who Shapes" and "A Rose for Ecclesiastes" are wonderful short stories as well.

The original Amber books are awesome crack, and I quite liked "This Immortal". "He Who Shapes" and "A Rose for Ecclesiastes" are wonderful short stories as well.

IMHO, the Lord of Light is the best sci-fi/fantasy book ever. Jack of Shadows is pretty good as well.

I read the amber series about 15 - 20 years ago. I think he wrote a few more after I stopped.
I like Jack of Shadows too.

I read the amber series about 15 - 20 years ago. I think he wrote a few more after I stopped.
I like Jack of Shadows too.

That is probably about the last time I picked up any of these. Don't remember much about them any more. But If I recall correctly Jewelers rouge played an interesting part in at least one story.

Phillip Jose Farmer's Dayworld series is very good, his Riverworld and World of Tiers series are also worth reading.

Phillip Jose Farmer's Dayworld series is very good, his Riverworld and World of Tiers series are also worth reading.

I sort of liked 'A Feast Unknown'. But then I'm a sick &$%^.

A rundown of my SF/F experiences:

The Hitchhikers Guide is really funny, I'm currently reading Mostly Harmless.

Dune is awesome science fiction. I've read the first five books and I'm currently reading number six.

Asimov's Foundation Trilogy was really fascinating, but hard to get through. It's annoying to follow a group of characters, get to know them for a few chapters, and then jump five or ten centuries later.

Arthur C. Clarke's short story collection is brilliant. He wrote some fantastic stuff. I've never read one of his novels, though.

From Heinlein, all I've read is Starship Troopers (I liked it) and one short story.

The Lord of the Rings is the last word on fantasy for me!

Darwin's Radio. Greg Bear.

Dune.

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Robert Heinlein.

The Gaean Trilogy (Titan, Wizard, Demon) by John Varley.

Ringworld. Larry Niven.

The Earth Abides.

Jeeze, I have read so much I can't remember half of it!

If you can find a copy of Vance's 1969 novel Emphyrio, please give it a read. It's
probably the best, or near the best, of his novels.

Thanks, Poppaspoke! Good read.
Finding Vance novels is a challenge, I'm still hunting a few (don't like buying online).

currently reading Hell's Faire by John Ringo (Aldenata series?)
interspersed with anything Bolo, whether it be Keith Laumer, David Weber, or any of the
others who ventured into that military SF playground.

Marty

Thanks, Poppaspoke! Good read.
Finding Vance novels is a challenge, I'm still hunting a few (don't like buying online).

From Wiki:

The Vance Integral Edition
An Integral Edition of all Vance's works has been published in a limited edition of 44 hardback volumes. A special 45th volume contains the three novels Vance wrote as Ellery Queen. This edition was created from 1999 to 2006 by 300 volunteers working via the internet, under the aegis of the author. The texts and titles used are those preferred by the author. Further information can be found at Foreverness.

Holy cow, I might have to chime in.

Larry Niven (although the later books are getting weak). The short stories are great- not just Known Space, but the non-series stuff. "Inconstant Moon" is a favorite. In some bizarre concatenation, he and I share a benefactor.
Spider Robinson (don't drink while reading - you'll end up spraying half of it out your nose)
Heinlein (I agree that anything after Time Enough for Love was very different- better taken in small chunks.)

A few weeks ago I finished reading "Variable Star", the Spider/Heinlein "collaboration". Very interesting gumbo of early Heinlein juvenile with distinct Robinsonian touches. No trouble telling them apart, really.

I'm close to finishing "Hunters of Dune", the Herbert/Anderson continuation of the Dune universe. I didn't have my hopes up (the earlier prequels were pretty clumsy), but it's been pretty good. Still nowhere close to the original trilogy, but a pleasant surprise.

FWIW: there's a movement afoot to rename Portland's 42nd Ave. "Douglas Adams Blvd.": http://rename42nd.org/ . I'd go along with this if they rename an intersecting street for Zaphod Beeblebrox.

I rather enjoyed Robinson's Callahans Crosstime Salon series. Rather fun. And it is short stories, somethign becoming more rare these days.

On Heinlein Grumbles from the Grave has some interesting parts. It was finished up by Virginia after he was dead. It gives some of the details of his life and work. If for nothing else it is interesting because it has hte ending Robert wrote for 'Podkayne of Mars' and 'Red Planet'. It turns out the differences involved with 'Podkayne of Mars' are significant in more ways than one. Heinlein had a contract (a very lucrative one) to produce juveniles. He was so upset about the changes forced on him in 'Podkayne of Mars' that while he honored his contract he refused to renew it on any terms. This meant a change, one that was likely overall good for us.

what about "through the ice" by Piers Anthony and Robert Kornwise? - somewhat tragic, and heroic history to it.

If you ever run across Earthman's Burden, grab it.

And if any of you have not read it, you need to read "Shockwave Rider." A computer-prophetic book.

I just finished off Mainspring by Jay Lake - a really neat twist on a steampunk type worldview. very refreshing and different.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainspring_(novel)
I see this style is actually called clockpunk.

What's a steam punk?

What's a steam punk?

Read me (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/) for some steampunk.

Anything that seems vaguely futuristic yet retro and victorian probably qualifies.

Intellectually, Stanislaw Lem puts almost all sci-fi to shame... I suggest Solaris as an appetizer, followed by His Master's Voice.

...

+1

I tend to re-read The Cyberiad every few years, and still enjoy it thoroughly.

I also enjoyed The Futurological Congress, and Memiors Found in a Bathtub.

+1

I tend to re-read The Cyberiad every few years, and still enjoy it thoroughly.

I also enjoyed The Futurological Congress, and Memiors Found in a Bathtub.

Although probably impossible to find, I'd recommend Lem's novels The Invincible and Chain of Chance.

Any Ray Bradbury fans out there?

Any Ray Bradbury fans out there?Bradbury is one of the greats. Some of his books (Dandelion Wine, Something Wicked This Way Comes) captured the mystery of a boy's childhood (of half a century ago) better than anything I have read.

Bradbury is one of the greats. Some of his books (Dandelion Wine, Something Wicked This Way Comes) captured the mystery of a boy's childhood (of half a century ago) better than anything I have read.

Fahrenheit 451 was one of the first science fiction books read. It really got me--I was very much in the first throes of my love of books and reading.

Man, I should re-read that--I haven't thought about it in years.

yup, Bradbury was the writer that really got me started on Sci-Fi with the Martian Chronicles and
Golden Apples of the Sun.

Marty

I'm not a huge fan of Bradbury as a writer. By that I don't mean I find anything wrong or weak in his writing, just that he is not one of the few I read and read over and over.

But I think that makes what I have to say next even more meaningful.

A couple of years ago I went to a local library where Bradbury was giving a talk. The place was packed. While I don't think he said it quite this explicitly the information was there in his talk. He credits libraries with his love of books and his career as a writer and in doing this he is giving back. He was still sharp, but he is old. After the talk he signed books. There were some for sale, but he also signed any that people brought. He stayed and signed until everybook was signed. By the end he could barely write, I know I was one of the last. His signature in my books was barely readable in a shaky script. To me that makes it more valuable and meaningful.

He has my respect as a person.

If you ever run across Earthman's Burden, grab it. There's at least one sequel, but I'm braincramping on the title. Hoka Hoka Hoka might be it--I'm always reminded by a Japanese fast-food place over in Buena Park: Hoka Hoka.

Dan Simmons -- Read and enjoyed the first two Hyperion books. Look forward to the rest...
Piers Anthony -- Can read any of his books at any time, and be happy.
Tolkien -- I just read The Silmarillion . NOT FUN, but I really feel like I accomplished something!!
O.S. Card -- the Ender series. Among my favorites.

Guilty pleasures: The Eragon series, the Twighlight series, and the Maximum Ride series. I'm a high school teacher, and I frequently read the popular young adult stuff to see what the kids are into. I find these to be fun reads.

Dan Simmons -- Read and enjoyed the first two Hyperion books. Look forward to the rest...
Piers Anthony -- Can read any of his books at any time, and be happy.
Tolkien -- I just read The Silmarillion . NOT FUN, but I really feel like I accomplished something!!
O.S. Card -- the Ender series. Among my favorites.

Guilty pleasures: The Eragon series, the Twighlight series, and the Maximum Ride series. I'm a high school teacher, and I frequently read the popular young adult stuff to see what the kids are into. I find these to be fun reads.

I thought the first Dan Simmon's book was good and each book after that worse than the one before...

Piers Anthony is fun. He is one of a number of authors that does lite scifi.

Let me put this to you this way... I have read the entire Tolkein trilogy 5 times and I have never read Silmarillion.

Oh boy, there are too many guys to mention. Some of Jerry Pournelle's work is good. I mention him mostly because he gets overlooked these days. Find Earthman's Burden.

Let me put this to you this way... I have read the entire Tolkein trilogy 5 times and I have never read Silmarillion.

Same here. The Hobbit and LOTR are like great historical fiction, whereas the Silmarillion reads like a really dry encyclopedia.

The Best Fantasy that No One Has Ever Read (http://www.mania.com/weekly-book-buzz-fantasy-one-ever-read_article_111753.html)

On my top shelf - well read and worn copies:

A Canticle For Leibowitz(my all time favorite)
When World's Collide/After Worlds Collide(my second favorite)
Asimov's Foundation series
A number of Heinlein books(The Day After Tomorrow is one of my favorites)
Dark Is the Sun by Farmer
Fahrenheit 451
The Martian Chronicles
CS Lewis: Out of the Silent Planet/Perelandra/That Hideous Strength
The Andromeda Strain
Venus Inc. by Phol and Kornbluth
Two volumes of collected works from the Soviet Union from the 1950's and 1960's (what a different view of things!)