For my part I know nothing with any certainty,
but the sight of the stars makes me dream.
~Vincent Van Gogh
Science Fiction as a genre and the art of reading have been inextricably linked together as far back as my earliest solo reading memories. It is a bond that the passage of time and my own growth as a reader has not severed. In fact it is quite the opposite. As my length of days stretch out before me I find the ties to my own past growing ever more strong and ever more important.
It is little wonder then, at the start of a new year, that this period of rebirth and renewal kindles a desire to reconnect with my childhood through my favorite genre of books: science fiction.
You may read more if you so choose about my strong connections with science fiction here as I won’t take the time to recreate that post in the body of this one. Suffice it to say that I am a person for whom the night sky holds more than just a passing fascination and I have not lost the sense of awe and wonder I get from reading about adventures in space that was cultivated at a crucial time of my youth. And so as December closes my urge to re-read favorite science fiction novels as well as discover new ones is at its highest and January generally finds me lost in space.
(The Welcome, John Harris)
“Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial as ever to the blinder critics and philosophers of today — but the core of science fiction, its essence has become crucial to our salvation if we are to be saved at all.”Â
~Isaac Asimov
This is an experience that I want to share with you. An experience, not a challenge. And while in some ways the difference between the two may be mere semantics, the intent is very, very different. There are some fantastic reading challenges on the horizon for 2008. In addition to a second round of the Once Upon a Time Challenge and R.I.P.’s third year, there are many other fantastic reading challenges that I will be participating in and talking about. I don’t want to muddy the waters at this time with another challenge nor do I want to do anything that would in some way cause people to feel that they have to participate out of a sense of loyalty or obligation.
I just want to read science fiction and I want to read reviews of other people’s science fiction reading because, lets be honest, aren’t we all shooting for the world’s record of To Be Read piles? 😉
More than any other genre of fiction, science fiction reading is to me an experience— not only does it transport me to another time and place in the future but it also transports me to my past and as such creates an aura of reading that is wonderful to experience but difficult to describe. I can only hope that you fellow readers are nodding your heads in agreement right now, recalling similar experiences that you have with various novels and/or genres of fiction.
It is that experience that I want to share with you. And so during the months of January and February, amidst all the other books I will read and review and the other posts I have percolating in my brain, I will be focusing on science fiction. I will of course be reviewing the books I read, but I also have some Thursday Thirteen ideas, some Friday Favorite art ideas, and some Short Story Sunday ideas that will have a science fiction flavor to them. What I am asking you to do is first, to continue participating in the discussions here at Stainless Steel Droppings, and second, to read and review some science fiction yourself.
I am firmly convinced that there are science fiction books out there for everyone. Certainly all the cliched and stereotypical science fiction tropes exist in books both old and new (and I for one love them!), but there are also many other types of books labeled ‘science fiction’ that, other than the setting, are no different than the fantasy, the romance, the adventure, the horror, the classical, and the contemporary literature that you read every day. There are amazing science fiction books written for young adults, for teens, and for adults. There are great pulp classics and modern sure-to-be-classics sitting on bookshelves in bookstores and libraries and warehouses all over the world just waiting for you to be changed by them.
I am asking you to read science fiction and to share your reading with us. There are no challenge goals involved. You can read one book or spend the next two months buried in science fiction. I also have a very broad definition of science fiction, and thus you need not fear that you have to pick up a book steeped in scientific mumbo-jumbo. It is up to you. No pressure, no obligations, just a chance at an experience!
(Cygnus 1, Les Edwards)
For a moment of night we have a glimpse of ourselves and of our world islanded in a stream of stars – pilgrims of mortality, voyaging between horizons across the eternal seas of space and time.Â
~Henry Beston
For some of you, science fiction is your thing, and you know exactly what I am talking about. For others, whether by experience or by assumption science fiction is not your thing. That is certainly okay. You need not be a person awed by the stars or curious about what is ‘out there’ to enjoy science fiction. I suspect that, like me, all you really care about is a good, engaging story. Science fiction as a genre is certainly filled with those.
That is The Sci~Fi Experience 2008. I have put up a review site, located here, because I do not want to miss out on reviews of any science fiction novels you may read. I am also giving you a few banners:
I won’t be hosting any contests for the experience, but I will be giving away some books. Through my wife’s recent efforts, knowing I was going to host this, and through years of collecting new and used science fiction books I have amassed store of books that I would like to share. Any book giveaways will simply be announced during a post with a deadline to comment on said post. They will have no ties whatsoever to whether a person is participating in this experience or not. Again, I’m trying to distance this from the stress of being a challenge and yet I want to have similar kinds of fun that we have in challenges.
Opening the pages of a science fiction novel or book of short stories is like strapping yourself in for an adventure unlike any other. I hope you join us. And whether you participate or not I hope you continue to hang around here and add your thoughts to the various topics. As much as we all truly blog for ourselves, I suspect that we all, myself included, revel in the participation of our readers.
If you desire any suggestions, please ask. Myself and other readers will no doubt flood the comments section of this post with suggestions if you want them.
The Sci~Fi Experience will begin (immediately) January 1st and run through February 29th, 2008.
Let us boldy go…
Your earliest “SOLO” reading memories, huh? *tee hee*
Cool! I’ve been meaning to read some more sci-fi lately myself…it’s been too long. I’ll be jumping into my SSR books 😉
And for people looking for a book, might I also suggest Arthur Clarke’s Rendezvous with Rama. That’s a really great one!
That is possibly the greatest play on words I didn’t intentionally do, CdnReader. I’m cracking up right now, thanks for pointing that out. It is especially funny because the first sci fi books I remember reading were Brian Daley’s Han Solo adventures. 🙂
Chris: I haven’t read Clarke yet and really should. When the time comes I’ll keep in mind that this is the one to go with. Glad you’re joining in!
Count me in…I’ve been waiting and waiting for this announcement!!!!
This is a splendid idea, Carl. And I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you are not making this a challenge.
I don’t think January and February will be very good reading months for me. In January I have exams, and February is my last month in England, so I want to do a lot of travelling and enjoy my time with my boyfriend.
So committing to read any number of books would be intimidating, but this sounds great! I’ll be reading everyone else’s reviews with interest and I’ll try to read as many Sci-fi books or short stories as I can. I’m not sure which yet, but I really want one of them to be “Ender’s Game”.
Sounds great. I am committed to posting regularly on my SF and F blogsite. I didn’t get to blog on it regularly in 2007.
As a SF and F fan since the early 70s this sounds like a good way to get back in touch with my favorite genre.
I don’t normally read any sci-fi but I do have one book out from the library at the moment that qualifies so I might just join this challenge!
I love it. You just keep having experiences that really do not break me out of my regular reading, and my tbr pile will get a bit smaller everytime!
Sci-fi used to be my favourite genre when I was younger. I still read it, but not like I used to! I am more into fantasy now. I used to want to be an astronomer, though, so I am very big into space and all that comes with it!
And, I agree, I think all genres can work out for anyone, it is just a matter of finding the right book.
Anyways, great idea!
Ahh, I do love sci-fi movies… but reading it..ummm nope, I just never got into sci fi reading. I looked around at all my books here to see if something might qualify but alas..nada. The closest I come to reading sci fi would be Pullmans Dark Materials (they walked thru doors to other planets) and the Pern series which takes place on another planet with the red planet dropping deadly threds..(which I plan to read right after I finish the book I am reading now… ) sooooooooo I will be most delighted to read reviews and leave a comment now and then! I do like when you have something going where folks leave the links , it’s always the first blog I go to! hehehe..
but then, I hope to have my own “sci fi experience” if I get to go to the creations convention in march! (I’ll say howdy to Capt Picard for you hehe)
You can say howdy to him for me, deslily! I want to go!
Nymeth: glad you will try to join in if you can. The very reasons you mention plus so many other challenges, etc. is the reason that I wanted to host a sort of ‘group read’ vs. a challenge.
Jim: Great!!! I’ll make sure to keep an eye on your blog. Visiting sci fi themed blogs is certainly one of the things I plan on doing heavily during this experience.
Kailana: If I were to examine it from all sides I certainly think that my love of fantasy and my love of science fiction are both weighted evenly. More than anything it depends on what I am in the mood for. I truly believe that the only reason I still consider sci fi my favorite genre between the two is just that youthful connection I have to it and the strong reading memories I associate with science fiction.
That is so cool that you wanted to be an astronomer. Do you every visit the Astronomy Picture of the Day site? Its on my sidebar, but here is a direct link:
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
Deslily: I of course know I can count on you to hang in there, read reviews, etc. I would still argue that there are science fiction books out there that you would love, but I’d only argue that for the sake of book discussion, not to pressure you in to reading stuff for the experience. I count on you to keep me up to date with fantasy anyway so I can be planning ahead to Once Upon a Time 2! 😉
And I echo Kailana’s statement, I wanna come too!!!
And just to get the book discussion going, here are some of the books on my radar that may make it into the experience. If not they are certainly books that will fill my to-read pile until I get to them:
Young adult:
–The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (this is one I tried to pick up today but couldn’t find a copy that wasn’t beat up severely).
–Orvis by H.M. Hoover (this would be a re-read for me)
Pulp:
–I have read the first three John Carter of Mars books by Edgar Rice Burroughs. I would love to get to the fourth, Thuvia: Maid of Mars as well as the others. I think there are 11 total. I also have books from the Carson of Venus series and the Pellucidar series (including At the Earth’s Core) by Burroughs (all with great Frazetta covers) that I would love to read.
Classic (and by that I mean anything written prior to 1980, by ‘classic’ authors):
–I imagine I’ll read at least one Stainless Steel Rat book during this challenge if not during the year. It would be nice if I could finally getting around to doing a proper review of the science fiction series that has obviously had such an influence on me.
–Deathworld 3 (the last of this trilogy) by Harry Harrison
–The To the Stars trilogy by Harry Harrison (Homeworld, Wheelworld, Starworld)
–Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series. (If there is anyone out there who has read this I would love some input. I have a copy of Second Foundation that I bought simply because I love the Michael Whelan cover on it and the book Foundations Edge was one whose Whelan cover I admired on my uncle’s bookshelf when I was a boy but never got around to reading).
–Gateway by Frederick Pohl. I haven’t read Pohl but this Hugo and Nebula award winning book sounds very intriguing.
–Red Planet by Robert Heinlein. This is one of his juvenile fiction books that looks interesting.
–Inherit the Stars by James P. Hogan. This is another one, along with its sequel, The Gentle Giants of Ganymede, whose memory from my uncle’s bookshelf still haunts me since I haven’t read it.
–Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke, another award-winning classic tale by an author I have not read. Chris has recommended it, which is all the recommendation I need.
–Ringworld by Larry Niven. I consider him a favorite author because of my youthful experience with A World Out of Time and loved his more recent short story collection, Draco’s Tavern. It is perhaps well past time that I read the book he that made his reputation for him.
–Time and Again by Jack Finney. This is a classic that MUST BE read. I actually got a nice copy of this from my wife at her library book sale that she picked up for a giveaway for this experience.
–Dune by Frank Herbert. I bought a nice copy this summer and have read a couple of chapters. Good stuff! I love the Lynch film, despite knowing it goes off course from the book some, and am wanting to read the rest of this soon.
Contemporary (1980 to present):
–Armada by Michael Jahn. This would be a re-read and certainly isn’t a ‘great’ novel. It is an interesting throwaway sci fi adventure that I remember most from my adolscents because of its two brief sex scenes. Reading it again as an adult several years ago cracked me up because they are so PG-13, maybe even PG. I did find an interesting enough story wrapped around this, though. I’d like to read it again just so I could post a picture of the great John Berkey cover.
–U.L.F. by Stuart Clark. Stuart sent me this to review and has been more than patient with me and my reading whims. He has also been a very fun contributor to this site and I look forward to reading his book.
–Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card (I’m already reading this, so no worries about whether or not this one will get read!).
–Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card. Depending on what Chris recommends, I think I’d like to return to the time of Ender’s Game and view the experience through Bean’s eyes next. But I’ll bow to Chris’ opinion on where to go next in this series.
–Glory Lane by Alan Dean Foster. This is an extremely dated 1980’s science fiction comedy that I read over my first college Christmas break while visiting a friend in Iowa. It was his brother’s copy and I was intrigued by the very fun James Gurney cover and had read and liked Foster’s work previously. This is a book I re-read every 4 or 5 years. If you like the old 1980’s John Hughes flicks and are a fan of science fiction I highly recommend snagging a copy of this from a used bookstore. It is quite fun.
–Glass Books of the Dream Eaters by Gordon Dahlquist. Here is where I sometimes get in trouble, in my own personal definition of steampunk as a subgenre of science fiction. Glass Books, which I’ve read some of already, is certainly a cross between steampunk and classic gothic fiction. I’ve been itching to get back to this one and I may have to work it in.
–Lord Kelvin’s Machine: A novel by James P. Blaylock. This is a sequel of sorts to the steampunk joy that was Homunculus. I may have to wait on this one though because I see that Subterranean Press is putting out a collection in the fall with the novels and short stories surrounding Langdon St. Ives’ adventures. I will be getting that!
–The Accidental Time Machine by Joe Haldeman. It is on my pile of books to read and I really enjoyed the only other Haldeman that I read.
–The Getaway Special by Jerry Orton. Another on my to read pile that I bought well over a year ago. Bad me.
Those are just a few ideas from the piles and from books I’ve read or heard about. Anyone have anything that they just know they are going to read or would at least like to get to?
—
So is “I Am Legend” defined as sci-fi? I picked that up yesterday afternoon and didn’t move until I finished it.
What a coincidence. I was just planning to re-read one of my favourite sci-fi author, C.J. Cherryh. Well, I wanted to re-read “Cyteen” — and catch up with her “Foreigner” series.
So, count me in!
“lets be honest, aren’t we all shooting for the world’s record of To Be Read piles?” — That just cracked me up. So embarrassingly true.
I speak the truth, even when it hurts, Dark O.! 😉
I haven’t read C.J. Cherryh. Just another one of many famous sci fi authors I have yet to read. I guess in the end that is a good thing.
I would certainly consider I Am Legend to fall in the sci fi vein (pardon the pun). It certainly is more of a sub genre of sci fi but it counts in my book.
I just reviewed the short story “The Bookseller of Bastet” by John Hemry. Have you read the Lost Fleet novels he has published(as Jack Campbell)?
The way I read the Ender books was Ender’s Game, Speaker For the Dead, Xenocide, Children of the Mind, then the Shadow books, but it’s definitely a personal choice. I’d say see how you’re feeling after Speaker for the Dead. If you’re really into it and can’t pull away like I was, then go with Xenocide. If you want to jump back to little Ender, go with Ender’s Shadow. Either one is a great choice. The Shadow books are excellent too and take on this really awesome political thriller edge to them with Peter playing a major role…and if you like Bean he has an amazing story that continues in the Shadow books. Card is writing a book right now called Shadows in Flight that’s going to connect the two series!!!
Just finished Fritz Leiber’s ‘The Big Time’. Pretty good, reminded me of Bester’s ‘The Computer Connection’ with the screwball comedy/50’s speech patterns that I love so much.
Awesome, Cameron. Jeff and I are looking to pick that one up and read it right away as well so that we can all talk about it soon.
Thanks Chris, I may go ahead with Xenocide next.
And no, Jim, I haven’t read those books. I’ll check out your review.
That’s cool Cameron. I was planning on reading The Big Time real soon. I’m glad to hear you liked it and I’m going to finish The Computer Connection during the SFE as well.
I’m so glad you decided to host this experience Carl. I definitely plan on reading the Stainless Steel Rat during the experience as well. I also love Star Trek and Star Wars and would love to squeeze in one novel in each universe.
As for past Sci-Fi I have read that I would recommend. For young adult fiction I have enjoyed several of Robert Heinlein’s young adult novels with one called ” The Rolling Stones ” which I listened to on audiobook earlier this year being my favorite.
As for adult Science Fiction I would recommend Dune by Frank Herbert, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, and Armor by John Steakley.
I look forward to reading everyone’s thoughts and reviews.
After you read your “gift” for winning Fantasy Football, we should both crack into The Big Time so that we can discuss it at the shop.
Glad you’re going to read SSR. It should be a fairly quick read and will no doubt have you shaking your head wondering just what all the fuss is about and why I love it so much. 🙂
Armor…haven’t heard of that one. I’ll be looking that up.
I really hate to so blatantly advertise my ignorance, but what is it that puts a book into that Sci-Fi genre? I have this general idea, of course, but to perfectly honest, I just don’t have a clear grasp on what defines science fiction.
Thanks for those suggestions above…I was pleasantly surprised to see that I actually have a couple of those in my TBR pile already (a Stainless Steel Rat book and Dune). And I’ve really been wanting to read Ender’s Game, which Annie has. And I’ve really been wanting to pick up The Invention of Hugo Cabret. So I guess even if I don’t quite understand what sci-fi is, I can still read it, huh?
Yep, you certainly have sci fi down without knowing ‘the rules’. For a broad definition I suggest wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction
as they go into the subgenres, etc.
I’m definitely going to pick up Hugo Cabret. Just the mention of an automaton in it had me itching to pick it up! I look forward to any reviews you do for this and Annie if she has time as well.
Thanks Carl! I’d actually planned on checking out wikipedia. It’s really not quite as hard to grasp as I thought. (I really need to stop “assuming” things!)
Sci-Fi?!? I’m there! I’ve been an avid reader of a little bit of everything my whole life, but Sci-Fi holds my heart LOL! I’ve been mostly lurking since finding your blog thru deslily, but that might have to change with you moving into Sci-Fi.
Some of my earliest adventures were with John Carter on Mars, riding the dragons on Pern, and of course the Heinlein juveniles ;p. I think I will really enjoy this next couple of months!
I think I am going to have to stop reading all the comments! People keep reminding me of books, and it is really not like I need anymore books! The only thing I really have planned is I really want to read ‘Dune’. Other than that, I am ignoring you guys and all of your suggestions until about March…. 🙂
And, thanks Carl for reminding me of the astronomy picture of the day. I used to look at them, but I seem to have let them slide off the Radar. I am going to have to readd it to my daily computer routinue.
I am in – these are 3 books that I was planning on reading anyway during 2008 – but will ‘seep’ myself in them all at once for a sci-fi experience 🙂
Life as We Knew it Susan Beth Pfeffer
The World in Winter by John Christopher
Falling free by Lois McMaster Bujold
I’ll admit it: I’ve been leery of sci-fi since reading Simmon’s Hyperion. The person who recommended it to me raved and went on for days about how wonderful it was; I so wanted to get into it, but just couldn’t (and I think I may be alone in that. Sigh.) Unfortunately, I think I let that experience color my judgement regarding the sci-fi genre as a whole. But this experience just may be a good way to remedy that. I’ve read so many positive things about Ender’s Game and I’ve been wanting to give Power’s The Anubis Gates a shot for some time now. Thanks for the push!
It’s funny the first book on your list is that Hugo Cabaret book since my wife just took it from the library today, I had never heard of it. Have you ever heard of these books that look almost like bibles but they are called, umm, something like operation Jericho? Also books my wife got from the library that looks really cool I will start the first one later today.
And inherit the stars is great! The sequel too! I rad both earlier in the year, they are not really big on character but are insead kind of astronmical sci-fi mysteries that you THINK you have figured out because he feeds you just enough info to keep you guessing.
The Han Solo Adventures were my favorites, growing up. I think I read them to tatters! Star Wars is still my favorite sci-fi to read, but I’m not sure if I’ll get one in during the first two months. Then again, I just got my PB copy of Timothy Zahn’s Alliegance and it looks tempting! I may give Darth Bane another push. 🙂
I have a lot to read next year but I am sure I can fit in a short story, graphic novel or short Sci-Fi novel. I have been meaning to raed The Lost World by Micheal Crichton since reading Jurassic Park about 5 years ago.
Sci-Fi is a genre that I recently (within the last year or so) picked up. I fell in love when I read The Chrysalids!! So you can count me in!! I have a pile of books accumlated over the past year that I am dying to read!!
Even me???
Don’t you just love how I always seem to drop by just in the nick of time for this stuff?
Astaryth: Glad to have you de-lurking! I just discovered the John Carter of Mars novels a few years ago and I’ve really enjoyed the first three. They are so much fun. I have yet to read any of Anne McCaffrey’s novels, but I would certainly consider them sci fi. Look forward to having your join us and I look forward to seeing what you’re going to read. Sci fi has my heart as well.
Kailana: I feel the same way. My potential to-read sci fi pile is already overwhelming!!! But I’m soooo excited by it all! And you’re welcome. I go long periods without looking over there, but I always enjoy the images when I do.
Sally: Those books are all new to me so I really look forward to reading your reviews. I know someone recommended Bujold to me recently. Not sure who or what book though.
Chelle: One thing I would encourage you and everyone else to do with reading is never to let one book color your experience. I find it odd that no one reads one classic or piece of contemporary literature, has a bad experience, and swears off those genres, but that seems to happen alot with sci fi and fantasy and the reader is really only cheating themself when they do that because there are so many amazing, life altering books on the sci fi/fantasy shelves. I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m getting on you personally as I’m not, just thought I’d use your experience, which is a common one, to illustrate this point. Several members of the sci fi community have been very outspoken as of late at how exclusive sci fi readers can be and how their attitudes, recommendations, etc. can turn people off to the genre. In fact it led to a huge post/article on determining what books would be good “gateway” science fiction–books that would ease new readers into the genre and get them hooked. Far too many well meaning but long time sci fi fans are quick to recommend books that may be amazing books but certainly are not the kind of books to introduce ones self to sci fi. I think Ender’s Game and Tim Powers are probably good choices for gateway science fiction. I look forward to seeing what you think of them, but even if you don’t end up liking them I hope you don’t write off the genre. There are also many Young Adult sci fi books that would be good gateway books. That Hugo Cabret book by Brian Selznick is getting lots of praise.
Homie Bear: Haven’t heard of the Jericho books, but I’ll be looking into that. I’m certainly picking up Hugp Cabret as soon as I can find a copy that isn’t beat to hell like the two left over in my Barnes and Noble. And I’m excited to hear that about the Hogan books. I looked for Inherit the Stars in a half price books today and didn’t find it. Which is okay as I’m rather excited to have a couple of science fiction classics to hunt for in used bookstores.
Christina: I’ll always love the Han Solo books. I think this is the first year in…er, years…that I haven’t re-read at least one of them. I can’t imagine not remedying that this year sometime.
Rhinoa: I have a pile of sci fi short story books that I’m going to be randomly reading through on weekends during these two months and posting about on Short Story Sundays. I can’t wait. Gene Wolfe, Larry Niven, Mike Resnick, Robert Sheckley and many others.
Stephanie: I haven’t heard of The Chyrsalids. Glad you’re joining in and cannot wait to see what you are going to read and review.
Jay: Yay, Jay!!! I think I’d probably drop dead if you actually read a sci fi book. If I remember correctly, this is faaaar from your cup of tea. So glad to see you popping over here. Loved your Christmas decorating pics the other day. Hope all is well with you.
Sounds like a wonderful idea! I’ll have to check my TBR pile for some books that would make a good experience to share (beyond a simple review).
Sounds great Kev, glad to have you aboard!
I order scfi for my library. I love it! Do we have to give you a list of the books that we read?
No Rachel, but I would like anyone who posts reviews to put a link to said review on the book review site I created for this experience (the link is on my sidebar), that way we all can enjoy all the great sci fi being read. However, if you don’t have a blog please pop back over here and let me know what you are reading and your thoughts on it. I’m always on the lookout for new sci fi experiences.
And what a great job!!! 🙂
I was planning to swear off all challenges in 2008. I love making lists of potential reads, but then life gets in the way and I rarely complete the challenge. But this one is so tempting since I really want to tackle some of my TBR sci-fi books, so yes, I’m in! I’ll post a list in the next day or two. I have 6 stacked up so far, but might add more. Thanks for the motivation, Carl!
Happy New Year!
Since this isn’t a ‘challege’ Les, you can participate AND swear off challenges just the same! 😉
Ah, good point. 🙂
Anything I can do to help you achieve your goals. 🙂
I will be reading at least a few sci-fi books in the coming months, and will gladly post some reviews for your Experience! 😀
Carl,
I love sci fi and this sounds like a great challenge. I saw you have the Foundation series on your list, and I have read all of the original trilogy (Foundation, Foundation and Empire, Second Foundation) and a few of the other books in the series. I am a huge fan of Asimov and this is a great series! Once of my all time favorite sci fi cocepts comes from these books. The series is based on the idea that someone has discovered the laws that can predict the behavior of large groups of people, thus predicting the future of the Galaxy. I was a psych major and of course you study the behavior of people in large groups, but it was fascinating to me to imagine that you would actually be able to predict it with 100% accuracy.
I really want to read some of the Edgar Rice Burroghs books (John Carter of Mars, etc). I also want to read some more Philip K. Dick, I found his book Ubik at a book swap and found it fascinating and creepy. Hopefully I’ll get even more ideas from other reviews.
Glad to hear the positive stuff about the Asimov series. It may sound strange to want to read a series of books, particularly the first two, just so that I can get to Second Foundation and Foundation’s Edge solely on the basis that I love the Whelan covers for both (Foundation’s Edge is one I’ve admired since I was a preadolescent). I’ll be excited to get to these. I got a social work degree and work in the psych field, so I’m sure I’ll find that aspect interesting as well.
I haven’t read any Philip K. Dick but have a collection of is stories and I’d like to at least read one of them soon, seeing as how I’ve seen all the films based on his works.
I think you’ll enjoy the John Carter series. They are quite prosaic in some ways, but are very fitting for the time period in which they were written and have such a fun sense of nostalgia about them.
I think there is a volume of Hugo Award winning short stories from the ’80’s sitting in a box in the back of the car. Maybe I’ll dip into that one.
Let me know what it is called, that one might be worth me making a trip to the library!
I’m in! Even though it’s not required, I did list the books I’d like to read. I started the first one-Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the sea-last night. 😀
List: http://astripedarmchair.wordpress.com/2008/01/01/resolutions-and-challenges-08/
I shall certainly be reading some SF over the next two months and finished Dark Companion by Andre Norton yesterday, so this sounds like a great idea to me!
I love reading the lists, Eva. Thanks!
GeraniumCat, I hope you post links to your reviews. Norton is an author that I haven’t read, but her death a year in 2005 spawned a post about the fact that there are so many well known sci fi authors I have not read, something I am trying desperately to remedy.
Just posted my list! I’m excited!!
http://lesleysbooknook.blogspot.com/2008/01/sci-fi-experience-2008.html
I am a new blogger, and I’m looking forward to joining the Sci-Fi Experience by reading Lois McMaster Bujold and Kage Baker.
My favorite genre is historical fiction, and when I last read Bujold, I found her books were filled with the political intrigue I so enjoy reading about in historical fiction. As Carl said, there’s something for everyone! My husband is a science-fiction fan and has been encouraging me for years to give more books a try. I’ve been wanting to finish Bujold’s Vorkosigan series. I have a bad habit of starting a series, getting distracted by other books and never returning to it (a habit I hope to break in 2008).
That is great, Felicia. I’m so glad you are joining in. I too hope to cut down on distractions this year and read things in a more orderly fashion while still indulging in my whims. I hope we are both successful. 🙂
Not a review but still part of my focus on science fiction is an interview I just posted. It is with John(Jack Campbell) Hemry. John had some interesting comments on sf. The first book I will review for the Experience is The Rose by Charles Harness. This review should appear later this week.
Thanks Jim, I’ll check them both out.
I am in. I plan to re-read Asimov.
I’m in, too, Carl. A little slow off the starting block, here, but I wanted to read some sci fi for young adults and find something to introduce my 2nd graders to the genre, too. I’ll post soon about what I find. Thanks!
Guatami and Robin, glad you’re both in. I am almost through with Second Foundation and have so loved reading this Foundation trilogy. It has been so much fun.
I’ll be interested in seeing what you find for that age group, Robin. Train them up right!!! 😉
Carl, my main review blog is this. That other blog I created to keep my challenges organized. Anyway thanks for visiting it. You are the first visited.
I have put up link here too.
I had Foundation triology. Now the other two books have disappeared GOD knows where!!
Get them back! 😉
hi.I’m a iranian.I visited this webblog.it’s good.I’m wish success for you.
Thanks Farshid. I think you are the first person from Iran to visit. I wish the best to you as well and hope you pop in and comment in the future.
My post for The Sci-Fir experience is now up here