View Full Version : "I Always Stare Off Into Space" Science Fiction Thread
Zens7s
02-13-2006, 08:52 PM
Since I thought it would be hard to just start a whole new thread for each seperate book, I am going to make some categories where you can just post recommendations, what you are reading, what sucks, and fish for suggestions from others.
So here it is...SCIENCE FICTION!
ratm1966
02-14-2006, 12:12 AM
Science Fiction? I would have to say that one of my favorite Sci-Fi series of books has got to be Gordon R. Dickson's "Childe Cycle". It is based around a planet of people who are mercenaries...yeah, the whole planet of people are mercenaries called the Dorsai. Excellent series.
Another one of my favorite Sci-Fi authors are Robert Heinlein. I have read so many of his books that I have lost count.
There are a few more Sci-Fi authors I like, but I don't read their works to the extent that I have read Dickson and Heinlein.
By-tor
02-14-2006, 01:30 AM
Since Ryall's working on the comic, I suggest everyone read The Great And Secret Show, and it's sequel Everville. Great, if your into that kinda stuff. Weaveworld is also one of my favorites from Barker. I never got into his Hellraiser books, would probably enjoy 'em. But just haven't picked one up, yet.
Weaveworld is also one of my favorites from Barker.
I've read that probably ten times. that and Imajica.
H.P. Lovecraft is one of the few sci-fi/fantasy authors I'll reread again and again and again. I've pretty much exhausted the available library.
By-tor
02-14-2006, 03:18 AM
How 'bout The Talisman and Black House? What great freakin' stories. Anybody read 'em?
I've read the Talisman, never heard of Black House...
By-tor
02-14-2006, 03:23 AM
I've read the Talisman, never heard of Black House...jk, it's the freakin' sequel. Go get it now!!!
Zens7s
02-14-2006, 01:20 PM
I've read the Talisman, never heard of Black House...
I have it, in hardcover, on the bookshelf, but I have never read it. I wanted to read The Talisman first.
I picked up Black House for 5 dollars in perfect condidition. Normally I don't buy books that I won't read right away, but this time I made an acception.
Yeah, Black House was good. I read it before i started the whole "Dark Tower" project, so i'm kind of interested to re-read it, to see the ties it has to Rolands quest.
If i remember, not much. But it's a good read, if'n you like King.
I really only read fake science fiction, like Kurt Vonnegut, but I love Stephen King. The first four volumes of The Dark Tower series are excellent (the rest are just pretty good, and the ending is a bit of a let-down . . . ). I haven't read Black House or The Talisman yet - in fact I haven't read any King in a while - but I used to be the biggest King freak.
if'n you like King.
I say if'n all the time now, and I'm pretty sure it's because some characters in the Dark Tower series use it a lot . . .
I really only read fake science fiction, like Kurt Vonnegut, but I love Stephen King. The first four volumes of The Dark Tower series are excellent (the rest are just pretty good, and the ending is a bit of a let-down . . . ). I haven't read Black House or The Talisman yet - in fact I haven't read any King in a while - but I used to be the biggest King freak.
That's how i was too, In highschool, i read every King book that was out at that time, but got away from it in college and it wasn't until the just before the Dark Tower finished that i started reading him again. (I think it was a long layover in some airport somewhere that i picked up the Bag of Bones softcover because i needed something to read) anyway, when the Dark Tower finished, i decided i would slog thru it all. But really it was the desperation of that crappy airport book stand that i can thank for getting me to read King again.
karmattack
02-14-2006, 02:24 PM
Man, I know I need to read the Dark Tower series. The more you'se guys talk about it, which is a lot, the more I feel like I haven't earned my geek merit badge.
I'm currently reading A Scanner Darkly. I've been meaning to read it for a long time, but now I know I have to get it done before the movie comes out.
Man, I know I need to read the Dark Tower series. The more you'se guys talk about it, which is a lot, the more I feel like I haven't earned my geek merit badge.
Oh don't worry. There's nothing geeky about The Dark Tower series anyway. It's just a fantasy adventure set in a possible future where cowboys practice medieval chivalry, speak a made-up language, and battle wizards and Dr. Doom look-alikes. There's nothing geeky about it at all . . .
Oh did I mention mutants? There are mutants too.
jjcourtright
02-14-2006, 03:41 PM
2001: A Space Odyssey is probably the only sci-fi book that I've ever read, but I liked it quite a bit. It is seemingly the antithesis of the movie. Very brief. (Not that there's anything wrong with the movie.)
other than being long, slow and dull.
jjcourtright
02-14-2006, 04:47 PM
I'll disagree with the dull part, but what's wrong with long and slow. That's what space travel would be like.
karmattack
02-14-2006, 06:17 PM
Uranus joke here.
I'll disagree with the dull part, but what's wrong with long and slow. That's what space travel would be like.
Really, i'm just feeling a bit contrary today. I haven't seen it in a long time. But yes, the long and slow (that is the tempo) pacing was sort of the point wasn't it.
other than being long, slow and dull.
Man, after that Dark Tower conversation, I was starting to respect you . . .
Just kidding, to each his own, but man that movie is AMAZING.
Man, after that Dark Tower conversation, I was starting to respect you . . .
Just kidding, to each his own, but man that movie is AMAZING.
Well i'm sure glad i put a stop to that! the last thing i want is for you to respect me in the morning...
Zens7s
02-14-2006, 07:50 PM
Respect you in the morning? Shit ho, I don't respect you now... :)
ratm1966
02-16-2006, 01:00 AM
Well, if we are going to include Fantasy, I will have to throw Piers Anthony out there as one of my favorites.
He has several series that I enjoyed:
Incarnations of Immortality
Xanth
Apprentice Adept
Bio of a Space Tyrant
Zens7s
02-16-2006, 03:34 PM
My favorite will always be The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury. The language is so thick and lush its like eating dessert.
http://www.webmall1.com/sweetdreams/9.jpg
Ummm Martian Cake...
Asteban
02-16-2006, 04:32 PM
As long as fantasy is being included:
The Inheritance Trilogy is amazing. There are only 2 books out so far. Eragon and Eldest. I freakin' love those books. Eldest(the 2nd book) is GREAT!
Fredrick Pohl's Beyond the Blue Event Horizon et al is a pretty good series.
Antonio_Bay
01-12-2007, 08:04 AM
H.P. Lovecraft is one of the few sci-fi/fantasy authors I'll reread again and again and again. I've pretty much exhausted the available library.
Ah, just the type of opinion I was looking for.
Is his Herbert West: The Re-animator a good read? How does it compare to the film? After watching all three movies based on West, I was thinking of buying this book next.
Ah, just the type of opinion I was looking for.
Is his Herbert West: The Re-animator a good read? How does it compare to the film? After watching all three movies based on West, I was thinking of buying this book next.
I think the book is way better than the film. The creepiness factor is way up there. Most of Lovecraft's stories come in compilations- I recommend:
The Dream Cycle of HP Lovecraft: Dreams of Terror and Death,
The Best of HP Lovecraft: Bloodcurdling Tales of Horror and the Macabre,
The Transition of HP Lovecraft: The Road to MadnessThose three books are a fairly complete collection of all things Lovecraft. Herbert West is in the last one. Some of Lovecraft's other stories I like a lot are Pickman's Model, At the Mountains of Madness, The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath, and The Colour Out of Space. If you really dig this kind of writing and don't already know about it, I would also recommend Robert E. Howard. He was a great devotee of Lovecraft and Poe and like Lovecraft, a Weird Tales writer. A lot of Howard's stories dealt with the Cthulhu mythos, as Lovecraft encouraged people to use his ideas to furthur the universe he'd created. (Howard was also the creator of Conan the Barbarian.)
Antonio_Bay
01-12-2007, 09:21 AM
I think the book is way better than the film. The creepiness factor is way up there. Most of Lovecraft's stories come in compilations- I recommend:
The Dream Cycle of HP Lovecraft: Dreams of Terror and Death,
The Best of HP Lovecraft: Bloodcurdling Tales of Horror and the Macabre,
The Transition of HP Lovecraft: The Road to MadnessThose three books are a fairly complete collection of all things Lovecraft. Herbert West is in the last one. Some of Lovecraft's other stories I like a lot are Pickman's Model, At the Mountains of Madness, The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath, and The Colour Out of Space. If you really dig this kind of writing and don't already know about it, I would also recommend Robert E. Howard. He was a great devotee of Lovecraft and Poe and like Lovecraft, a Weird Tales writer. A lot of Howard's stories dealt with the Cthulhu mythos, as Lovecraft encouraged people to use his ideas to furthur the universe he'd created. (Howard was also the creator of Conan the Barbarian.)
Informative and factual. Thanks JK, appreciated. I think I'll look into it some more. I love the film, so if the book is better, I'm all for it.
sedriyke
04-20-2007, 03:18 PM
Took me long enough to take part in this thread, but i might as well post my reads. Im more of a Fantasy fan than anything. I prefer the whole, not of this world aspect, rather than reading something that has more of a chance happening in my lifetime. Heh, i spend way too much time seeing the same day to day crap, that i dont need to read about it.
I'm a big reader of the Dragonlance saga, Forgotten Realms as well. To me, a wizard battling a dragon or something of the like, is far more appealing your basic fiction novel. It seems to drag you away to the place much, much easier. As far as Sci-fi goes, ive read a bit of Orson Scott Card's works, like Ender's Game,Speaker for the Dead, and Xenocide. Of which all were appealing. I've read alot of Lovecraft as well, that stuff really screws with your mind, theres nothing to compare that to. One of his stories, The Shadow Over Innsmouth,is one of the first i read by Lovecraft. Shortly after reading it, i stumbled across a film called Dagon,which is near the complete story of Innsmouth. Quite low budget, but it does the job well enough. The film surprisingly kept me enthralled and i enjoyed it.
Back to my novel preferences, are there many others here who enjoy Dragonlance or Forgotten Realms? Any suggestions from others who have read either, and prefer another series for any specific reasons?
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