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jbcohen
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« on: February 05, 2012, 04:44:02 PM » |
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I am going through somewhat of a sci-fi stage right now. My apologies if this has been discussed before. Please include the name of the author.
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Lyndl
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« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2012, 05:43:17 PM » |
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These 3 come to mind immediately
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
Dune - Frank Herbert
Footfall - Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
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Lursa (aka 9MMare)
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« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2012, 06:02:50 PM » |
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Goodness, loads. Those mentioned above are very good. Here's a few:
The Wanderer - Fritz Leiber
2001: A Space Odyssey and the rest of the series - Arthur C. Clark
Tomorrow - Philip Wylie
When Worlds Collide - Philip Wylie
Calculating God - Robert J. Sawyer
This Perfect Day - Ira Levin
Foundation series - Isaac Asimov
Childhood's End - Arthur C. Clark
Rendezvous with Rama (series) - Arthur C. Clark
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
A World Inside - Robert Silverberg
Lucifer's Hammer - Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle
Heart of the Comet - Gregory Benford & David Brin
Swan Song - Robert McCammon
Darwin's Radio and Darwin's Children - Greg Bear
Could also recommend just about all Asimov, Bradbury, and Heinlein.
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« Last Edit: February 05, 2012, 06:04:22 PM by Lursa (was 9MMare) »
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psychotick
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« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2012, 09:20:20 PM » |
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I guess I'm slightly older school in my sci fi, and I also like it quite light.
So for humour all the Stainless Steel Rat books by Harry Harrison,Starwelland its sequels by Alexi Panshin. And of course Hitchhikers Guide.
For simple straight forwards adventure Robert Zalazny Damnation Alley, Robert Silverberg Lord Valentines Castle, Larry Niven Ringworld, and maybe the Flynx books by Alan Dean Foster. Also when I was younger, the Skylark series by EE Doc Smith.
And for when I want something a little more substantial, The Dune series by Frank Herbert, The Foundation books by Isaac Asimov.
And when I want to have my world turned a little bit sideways, Phillip K Dick and Bob Shaw. They both have a way of twisting things around so that you get a strange perspective on things.
Cheers, Greg.
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Brad Murgen
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« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2012, 11:59:49 PM » |
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Anathem - Neal Stephenson
Amazing novel.
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flipside
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« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2012, 12:49:47 AM » |
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The Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny. Dune by Frank Herbert (more fantasy-ish though, just like Star Wars  ). |
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Jeroen Steenbeeke
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« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2012, 05:35:57 AM » |
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Definitely Ender's Game (by Orson Scott Card).
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bxs122
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« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2012, 07:08:50 AM » |
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Apprentice Adept Series - Piers Anthony
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Harry Shannon
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« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2012, 07:11:47 AM » |
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Dune by Frank Herbert
Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
also The Mote In God's Eye and Footfall
Tunnell in the Sky by Robert Heinlein, also Starship Troopers
Old Man's War by John Scalzi
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haltenny
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« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2012, 07:34:02 AM » |
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Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard. Don't judge the book by the movie!
The amber novels by Roger Zelazny. You can get all ten in one volume now, The Great Book of Amber: The Complete Amber Chronicles, 1-10 (Chronicles of Amber)
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Matt Larkin
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« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2012, 08:22:35 AM » |
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Dune (books 1-3) by Frank Herbet
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
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Sean Patrick Fox
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« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2012, 08:47:21 AM » |
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I'm generally more of a fantasy guy, but I enjoyed Timeline by Michael Crichton. I've also recently read Flashforward by Robert J. Sawyer, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought (hoped) I would. It deals with a lot of philosophical issues that, while interesting, were not exactly what I was looking for when I picked it up.
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typo
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« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2012, 08:59:47 AM » |
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Lursa (aka 9MMare)
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« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2012, 12:01:17 PM » |
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I'm generally more of a fantasy guy, but I enjoyed Timeline by Michael Crichton. I've also recently read Flashforward by Robert J. Sawyer, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought (hoped) I would. It deals with a lot of philosophical issues that, while interesting, were not exactly what I was looking for when I picked it up.
Interesting! The TV series didnt have much, if any, of that philosophical aspect. But I loved Calculating God by Sawyer and no, it is not an 'action-oriented' SF book, it is almost all about examining creationism...where an alien race comes to Earth to examine our fossil record...very modern day - media circus and the works! - and they believe in a higher power. I have very strong views about creationism being taught in science classes and was prepared for a confrontational book....but it was excellent. Not slow or boring at all....and the issue is handled in an interesting way. I may see if I can find FlashForward on sale, thanks! Edit: Sawyer also has an easy-going, easy-to-read, low-key humor style of writing. |
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« Last Edit: February 06, 2012, 12:07:59 PM by Lursa (was 9MMare) »
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Sean Patrick Fox
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« Reply #15 on: February 06, 2012, 12:29:52 PM » |
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Edit: Sawyer also has an easy-going, easy-to-read, low-key humor style of writing.
That's definitely true. I wasn't a big fan of his characters though. The main ones were all a little.. annoying is the best word I can think of. But, as far as craft goes, he's a good writer. |
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Tony Richards
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« Reply #16 on: February 06, 2012, 12:51:01 PM » |
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Two absolute must reads, if you're into SF:
I, Robot -- Isaac Asimov.
Fahrenheit 451 -- Ray Bradbury.
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AnitaBartholomew
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« Reply #17 on: February 06, 2012, 01:59:02 PM » |
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I agree with several of the recommendations here, but my absolute favorite, mind-blowing sci-fi is Stranger in a Strange Land by Heinlein.
Anita
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psychotick
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« Reply #18 on: February 06, 2012, 02:24:30 PM » |
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I like Heinlein, even with his strange sexual politics. But if I was going to pick a book by him it would be Friday. It's much more action based.
Cheers, Greg.
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Guardian
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« Reply #19 on: February 06, 2012, 02:47:13 PM » |
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Harry Harrison - Stainless Steel Rat & Deathworld
Iain M. Banks - Against a Dark Background, Consider Phlebas and his other sci-fi works
Philip K. Dick - The Second Variety and his other sci-fi works
Frank Herbert - Dune
Aldous Huxley - Brave New World
George Orwell - 1984
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Phyllis Lily Jules
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« Reply #20 on: February 06, 2012, 06:58:14 PM » |
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For me, absolutely, it was The Lensman series by E. E. Smith. But very hard to get these days, some books going for hundreds of dollars. A new Kindle edition seems to be a fraud, or at least omitting much, according to the reviewers. My heart leaped when I saw it, but I knew it was too good to be true.
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Geemont
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« Reply #21 on: February 06, 2012, 07:48:48 PM » |
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The Gone Away World by Nick Harkaway
House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds
Solaris by Stanislaw Lem
Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card (Better than Ender's Game, IMHO)
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acellis
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« Reply #22 on: February 07, 2012, 01:03:04 PM » |
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These 3 come to mind immediately
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
Dune - Frank Herbert
Footfall - Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
All three of these are fantastic reads! But an older book--I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson. Wow! |
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« Last Edit: February 09, 2012, 10:23:39 AM by acellis »
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BJMorgan
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« Reply #23 on: February 07, 2012, 01:42:22 PM » |
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For me, absolutely, it was The Lensman series by E. E. Smith. But very hard to get these days, some books going for hundreds of dollars. A new Kindle edition seems to be a fraud, or at least omitting much, according to the reviewers. My heart leaped when I saw it, but I knew it was too good to be true.
Wow, didn't expect to hear Lensman books would be so collectible, got the whole series lurking on a shelf somewhere here. Maybe it's time to check out EBay, or is it just hardbacks that command the high prices <lol> |
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KateEllison
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« Reply #24 on: February 08, 2012, 08:42:10 PM » |
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Ender's Game, Dune... how hardcore are we talking here? I could not put The Hunger Games down. I also really tore through Song of Scarabaeus by Sara Creasy.
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