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Post by stubedoo on Oct 31, 2004 17:04:58 GMT -5
Except for Lord of the Rings, I can't stand fantasy.
Here are some really good sci fi I've read recently:
Dan Simmons Hyperion series (6 books) Ilium (first of two books)
Peter Hamilton Reality Dysfunction (6 books) Pandora's Star (first of two books)
Richard Morgan Altered Carbon and the sequel (name escapes me right now)
Vernor Vinge Deepness in the Sky Fire in the Deep
Alaistair Reynolds I mention him because people usually mention him in the same breath as Peter Hamilton. He wrote a 4 book series. Unfortuantely the 4th and final book is so hideously awful that I can't recommend it.
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Post by RepairmanJack on Nov 1, 2004 0:20:02 GMT -5
Can't stand fantasy If you like Lord of the Rings you should try Terry Brooks. His Shannara series is really good and is similar to the Tolkien books. Also, have you ever read any Terry Pratchett? His Disc World series is hilarious. Anyone who enjoys British humor I think would like these books. I also enjoy Science Fiction. The last ones I read I really liked are Orson Scott Card's Enders Game (yes this is an old one) and S.L. Viehl's Blade Dancer. I will have to give your choices a try--I am always on the look out for new authors
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Post by Shutter Girl on Nov 1, 2004 10:40:48 GMT -5
Stu, One of the most fun parts of a librarian's job can be reader's advisory, recommending books to customers. Here are some good sci fi sites you might like to check out: www.locusmag.com/Locus Online -- Locus Magazine is a scifi/fantasty staple. Contained within are articles, interviews and reviews. sfbook.com/SF Book.com has a plethora of reviews for everyone's sci fi reading interest. www.scifan.com/SciFi Fan does an excellent job of recommending genre fiction to readers and even has lists subgenres for you to explore. Do you like the Dan Simmons Hyperion series a lot? I've wondered about those....
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Post by stubedoo on Nov 1, 2004 17:14:04 GMT -5
Stu, One of the most fun parts of a librarian's job can be reader's advisory, recommending books to customers. Here are some good sci fi sites you might like to check out: www.locusmag.com/One of the senior editors of Locus is a good friend of mine. Stu
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TriKrona
Minstrel in the Gallery
Posts: 28
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Post by TriKrona on Nov 2, 2004 12:04:00 GMT -5
I prefer fantasy to sci-fi. Because if I'm going to escape, I want to escape all the way. Be interested to hear why some can't stand fantasy but enjoy sci-fi. As far as sci-fi suggestions go: Snow Crash and The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Love those books.
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Post by stubedoo on Nov 2, 2004 14:40:07 GMT -5
Snow Crash and Diamond Age are indeed fine reads. I also like Cryptonomicon. I have his latest opus, but I haven't had the stomach to start it yet.
I don't like fantasy because I don't like reading about magical solutions to problems. Granted, much of sci-fi (like faster than light travel) is basically magic, within the mileau of the book there is usually a scientific explanation. As a result I prefer "hard" sci-fi such as Peter Hamilton to "soft" sci-fi such as Ursula LeGuin.
In terms of the Shannara books, I thought the first book was a total rip off of LOTR so I never read the others.
All that said, I do enjoy fantasy, but playing it. I'm an avid D&D player and my favorite character is a magic wielding gnome druid.
Stu
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Post by MaxQuad on Aug 24, 2007 7:47:24 GMT -5
Who has read The Forever War by Joe Haldeman? Any comments? MQ
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Post by stubedoo on Aug 24, 2007 19:50:23 GMT -5
Who has read The Forever War by Joe Haldeman? Any comments? MQ I've read Forever War and the sequel. They're good.
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Post by MaxQuad on May 9, 2008 6:15:10 GMT -5
Stubedoo, what can you tell me about Neal Stephenson? Good, bad or indifferent? MQ
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