I'm thinking series you like, rare finds, debating canonical classics (come get some OTM ), and so on. For my part, I have been tearing into cheap, pulpy scifi this spring. It's been going so well that I'll likely continue into summer (SPRING INTO SCI-FI '17!! becomes SUMMER OF SCI-FI '17!! for great justice). Along the topic of the topic (ugh), I found a series called Chaos of the Covenant. Kindle Unlimited, think it's only like $3 otherwise. Really, really, really fun read. It's a mix of grunt military sci-fi, space opera, and... horror? Prime nerd material, total page turner. Can't recommend it enough if you want a spring break/beach trip read or are just a passionate nerd.
I've never read the novel version, but this is one of my favorite novellas. Most would consider it a classic. Isaac Asimov - Nightfall
Dark Matter is the best sci fi book I've read recently. Just caught up on The Expanse, thought Babylon's Ashes started off pretty slow but picked up towards the end. Really excited for Persepolis Rising
I'm a big fan of "The Three Body Problem" trilogy by Liu Cixin (or is it Cixin Liu?) I just finished reading this one https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23363928-the-library-at-mount-char While I'm not quite sure if it fully qualifies as Sci-Fi, it certainly is in the neighborhood of Sci-Fi and it's one of the most unforgettable books I've read in a really long time.
I still haven't read the last 2 3-body problem. The Brilliance Trilogy by Markus Sankey was great. Highly recommend. Will be reading Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi soon
Heard good things about all Scalzi, though that one in particular seems to have gotten a lot of press. Topical! I felt the same way about Ashes, and am similarly excited for Rising. Other weird science fiction that doesn't hold your hand and brutally introduces you to a bizarre world: Machineries of Empire. I'm almost done with book 1, Ninefox Gambit. It is fucking tough to get a grasp on what the hell the world(s) is all about, but it's really cool now that I'm getting the hang of it.
The 2nd book is by far the best of the trilogy. There isn't any of the jumping back and forth between the game. It's one continuous story. The 3rd book is . . . um . . . different.
I didn't love the first book, but the whole premise is interesting. Between the game, and shitload of physics - it was tough to get through. I'll read the other two eventually
Yeah, the last two books don't have any of the stupid game shit and there's very little physics. They're both a pretty smooth read. As I said, the 2nd book is the crown jewel.
Bummed Dune didn't get as much love from ya'll intuhlechuals in the Books We've Read '17 thread since it's my favorite sci-fi. Not as good on re-reads though, because part of what makes it so good is how he unpacks the world ("worldbuilding" without large descriptors or tangent paragraphs, rather by raw exposure for the reader).
Finished this last night. Immediately went to download the sequel-- not out yet. ffffffffffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu--
Saw your GR review of it. Im intrigued. I see the second book comes out in June. Will prob wait until then to start.
Seriously, take notes in the early chapters. It took me 1/3 of the way through to really 'get' the world. At least. I'm tempted to re-read it before I dive into two. One of the best books I've ever read.
Started Collapsing Empire today and finished 1/3rd of it. It's a quick page turner. Really enjoying it.
It's not a real deep book so in some ways, it's heavy handed while not taking itself too seriously. This book is Dune w personality, w more engaging characters, wit and faster paced plot. And I didnt care too much for Dune.
I'm impatiently waiting for John Ringo to write another book in either his Troy Rising or Through the Looking Glass series. Same with Lois Bujold's Vorkosigan series, although I think it's about time to get some younger characters; Miles is getting up there.
Haven't read any of these, or even heard of them. Cliffs on why I should include them in SPRING INTO SCI-FI 17?
Mickey does your sci-fi into spring require an outer space setting? I just finished All Your Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai during lunch. Loved it. It's like Dark Matter meets Back To The Future. No Space though
Completely agree. There are some themes that are borrowed from Dune, but not it's nothing like the snooze Dune is.
Troy Rising and Through the Looking Glass have similar vague plot lines but different specifics: Earth gets invaded/concurred by warlike aliens, and how they fight back. Troy is more technology development and innovation and political issues, Looking Glass is quantum theory and space marines. Vorkosigan is about a backwater planet and the social change that comes with being a galactic power. Lots of political intrigue and spy stuff.
Another Ringo series is Black Flag series. It's a zombie apocolypse book but it's both brutal and hilarious.
I made the game, I make the rules. But so far, yeah, has to have some space context. I'm getting a little bored by the repetitive nature of space opera and military sci-fi, though, so if this is to continue beyond the solstice, I might need to expand.
Think of a book you think is important for the evolution of a genre but don't enjoy reading. Then imagine I told you I read that book every six months. I'm not saying you're wrong to have your preferences, I just can't imagine wanting to read Dune twice a year. It'd be like reading Anna Karenina in June and December. Just nah.
I'll never understand the people who don't enjoy reading Dune but I may have overestimated the frequency of readings. I usually just pick it up randomly and read half the book one night and finish it the next.
One more thing...do you just not find Dune compelling or do you find it a chore? Because if you can manage the foreign language that is Ninefox Gambit I can't imagine finding Dune a chore.
I get that criticism of boring ass Foundation(which I like...particularly Prelude to Foundation, but understandable)...I don't get that with Dune and its robust commentary and world.
I like Foundation. I like Dune. I just don't find reading them more than once entertaining. Different strokes.
Fair enough...just think Dune is far more philosophical and psychological than just about anything else in the genre and is truly a classic piece of literature.
I don't disagree that it is those things but more than the rest is a stretch. Asimov, Dick, Heinlein, et al all had major themes in those domains as well. Dick maybe more than any.
No doubt...and Dick has always seemed ill suited for the sci fi label to me. I know the titans of sci fi routinely hit on those themes, but I think Herbert is unique in busting the typical parameters of the genre and succeeding as much in realism as he does in science fiction. I am fascinated by PKD although I don't particularly care for his stuff, but I view his work more as the lunatic(and genius) ravings of a madman vs pure sci fi.
Lyrical description, though I still disagree. Even meager entrants to the genre bear some obligation to nod to bigger issues. How does Herbert succeed in realism in a way that Heinlein doesn't?
I didn't say he doesn't, but I think Herbert masterfully transcends multiple genres more than any other sci fi writer I've ever read. Personally I think FH is just a much better writer than many of his contemporaries...ACC is probably my second favorite sci fi writer and while I find his material more profound at times, I think he lacks the ability to bring it all full circle in a literary sense compared to FH.
OT Also Iron Mickey you need to do a Harry Potter read through after your sci fi foray...you will love it and more non-hp people need to be alerted to the fact that JK Rowling has content lined up until 2024...and it's undoubtedly going to crucify righties.
Fair enough. Maybe I'll revisit it before the sci-fi kick is over. My wife would be happy with this. I guess it's only reasonable to get it together and give it a read through.
I recently read the HP series for the first time. I was surprised how fun, yet deep it was. Much more than the silly children's books I thought they were.