Thanks. I admit I chuckled when I wrote it.
Although I'm not sure it tops "I'm a doctor, not an escalator!"
(From "Friday's Child," of course.)
Novel suggestions for lit newbie
- Thread starter Red
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Thanks. I admit I chuckled when I wrote it.
Although I'm not sure it tops "I'm a doctor, not an escalator!"
(From "Friday's Child," of course.)
With Vanguard, do a little research before buying a copy of Reap the Whirlwind, the 3rd book in the series. It's hard to find, and if I'm not mistaken the reprints currently selling as new are some odd format? (Help me out you guys who know better.) Anyway, even used copies can be hard to come by at a decent price.
I see Amazon does have a Kindle edition, so eBook might be an option if you can't find a physical copy.
I see Amazon does have a Kindle edition, so eBook might be an option if you can't find a physical copy.
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^I swear, looking at the prices on eBay, Amazon and Waterstones, I'm half tempted to borrow and "lose" my library's copy...
And I'll echo the recommendation of Q-in-Law. A complete piece of fluff that answers the question "What if Q ever met Lwaxana?" One of the FUNNIEST pieces of fiction I've ever read. If you can get ahold of it, the audio book, while abridged, is still well worth the listen. It's narrated by John DeLancie and Majel Barret, and they do a brilliant job.
I would also highly recommend Immortal Coil, especially if you like Data.
The Lost Era novels are mostly very good - most would steer you clear of Well of Souls and Deny Thy Father, but even they aren't that bad.
As soon as you're caught up on DS9 episodes, you'll want to get started on the DS9 Relaunch. Outside and probably before the "official" relaunch continuity, you'll also want to read The Lives of Dax anthology (especially Audrid's story), A Stitch in Time, and The Left Hand of Destiny duology. While not vital, each one contributes elements to the ongoing continuity that are referenced regularly, and you'll feel a little less "what are they talking about" if you've read them first. Also highly recommended, though not as vital, is the Milennium trilogy. Hefty story, but not much connected to everything else due to the nature of the story. Still, a great read.
To tide you over DS9-wise, Fallen Heroes can be read anytime and is a fun look at early novel characterizations. Plus, everyone dies.
I haven't read many more of the DS9 numbered novels, and none of them really stand out in my memory. You could probably read The Lives of Dax now without spoiling anything in the show (someone please correct me if I'm wrong - it's been a long time since I read that one).
As far as the Voyager relaunch, I can only speak from the perspective of the Golden novels, as I haven't caught up to Kirsten Beyer yet. However, they're an easy read, and judging from the OVERWHELMING support for Beyer's novels, I'd say well worth pushing through to keep up with everyone in the current continuity.
Pre-post-Voyager (how's that for convoluted!), Mosaic and Pathways are must-reads. Kate Mulgrew read the audio book for Mosaic, and it's quite good. I haven't read any of the numbered novels that I remember - someone else might point you toward one or two good ones there.
I would also highly recommend Immortal Coil, especially if you like Data.
The Lost Era novels are mostly very good - most would steer you clear of Well of Souls and Deny Thy Father, but even they aren't that bad.
As soon as you're caught up on DS9 episodes, you'll want to get started on the DS9 Relaunch. Outside and probably before the "official" relaunch continuity, you'll also want to read The Lives of Dax anthology (especially Audrid's story), A Stitch in Time, and The Left Hand of Destiny duology. While not vital, each one contributes elements to the ongoing continuity that are referenced regularly, and you'll feel a little less "what are they talking about" if you've read them first. Also highly recommended, though not as vital, is the Milennium trilogy. Hefty story, but not much connected to everything else due to the nature of the story. Still, a great read.
To tide you over DS9-wise, Fallen Heroes can be read anytime and is a fun look at early novel characterizations. Plus, everyone dies.
I haven't read many more of the DS9 numbered novels, and none of them really stand out in my memory. You could probably read The Lives of Dax now without spoiling anything in the show (someone please correct me if I'm wrong - it's been a long time since I read that one).As far as the Voyager relaunch, I can only speak from the perspective of the Golden novels, as I haven't caught up to Kirsten Beyer yet. However, they're an easy read, and judging from the OVERWHELMING support for Beyer's novels, I'd say well worth pushing through to keep up with everyone in the current continuity.
Pre-post-Voyager (how's that for convoluted!), Mosaic and Pathways are must-reads. Kate Mulgrew read the audio book for Mosaic, and it's quite good. I haven't read any of the numbered novels that I remember - someone else might point you toward one or two good ones there.
I think the frame story spoils a fair amount.
I'd check out the Titan books, as well as Vanguard. Can't go wrong with these two.
Yeah, but it would probably be a good idea to steer clear of Titan until the OP has watched all the way through DS9 and VOY, I'm pretty sure it would spoil stuff from them. Even if they don't spoil anything, it would probably still be easier to follow if you were familiar with the shows.
Anything by Peter David is a fun, exciting read. Some of his best novels, in my opinion, are:
TNG:
Vendetta (Set in TNG, Picard takes on the Borg and a Doomsday Machine from TOS, run by a being bent on revenge for what the Borg did to her civilization, and willing to take any means necessary, which brings her into conflict with the ENT-D)
Imzadi (In the future, Admiral Riker, after decades of regretting he could not save the life of Deanna Troi, decides to break orders and tries to use the Guardian of Forever to return to the era of TNG to save Troi's life, and Data from the future is sent to stop him from altering history. Sounds a bit bizarre, but a great story if you liked TNG!)
Q Squared (Q and Tranlane, a Q we met in TOS, wreck havoc on the Enterprise-D and the space-time continuum)
New Frontier
In the late nineties, Peter David was given permission by Pocket Books to create his own crew of Trek heroes... and they are the most bizarre and unique crew to ever appear in Trek. That book series still continues on today.
Peter David's books do not always have the same epic scope of some of the stories recommended above, but you won't find a Trek writer better at surprising you, shocking you, and giving you action and humor, all mixed in with some thought provoking topics.
TNG:
Vendetta (Set in TNG, Picard takes on the Borg and a Doomsday Machine from TOS, run by a being bent on revenge for what the Borg did to her civilization, and willing to take any means necessary, which brings her into conflict with the ENT-D)
Imzadi (In the future, Admiral Riker, after decades of regretting he could not save the life of Deanna Troi, decides to break orders and tries to use the Guardian of Forever to return to the era of TNG to save Troi's life, and Data from the future is sent to stop him from altering history. Sounds a bit bizarre, but a great story if you liked TNG!)
Q Squared (Q and Tranlane, a Q we met in TOS, wreck havoc on the Enterprise-D and the space-time continuum)
New Frontier
In the late nineties, Peter David was given permission by Pocket Books to create his own crew of Trek heroes... and they are the most bizarre and unique crew to ever appear in Trek. That book series still continues on today.
Peter David's books do not always have the same epic scope of some of the stories recommended above, but you won't find a Trek writer better at surprising you, shocking you, and giving you action and humor, all mixed in with some thought provoking topics.
Wow, thanks again to everyone who has chipped in with suggestions, especially Sakrysta for your really detailed answer 
I'm looking forward to grabbing a few books and getting started.
I enjoy TOS but I must admit to enjoying TNG more. Quite enjoying watching DS9 and VOY seems to be getting much better late season 2/early 3. I love the idea of reading about the expanding/continuing Trek universe beyond the episodes, but as I said in my original post I'm trying to be disciplined and get all the TV series in the bag first
Thanks everyone, great forum
I'm looking forward to grabbing a few books and getting started. I enjoy TOS but I must admit to enjoying TNG more. Quite enjoying watching DS9 and VOY seems to be getting much better late season 2/early 3. I love the idea of reading about the expanding/continuing Trek universe beyond the episodes, but as I said in my original post I'm trying to be disciplined and get all the TV series in the bag first
Thanks everyone, great forum
You missed the biggest appeal there, though. I think the main selling point, more than the future Riker/Data stuff, is the fact that it gives us the origin story for that Riker/Troi relationship.
If you didn't laugh at the ready room gag in Rock and a Hard Place
Well then, you have
no soul
If you like TOS and Gilbert & Sullivan, you MUST find "How Much For Just The Planet" by John M. Ford.
I didn't know you could do that!
Modesty forbids . . . .
(But thanks!)
My new novel, I have to say, is an old-fashioned, standalone TOS novel with no connection to any overarching plots whatsoever!
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