SF/F Books: Chapter Two - What Are You Reading?
- Thread starter Neroon
- Start date
I like Joe Haldeman. His writing is very fluid. Every book I've read of his - Forever War, There Is No Darkness, Camouflage - I have read in one sitting, which I rarely do. They're just so fun.
Rii
Rear Admiral
Yeah, The Forever War has been pretty easy on the eyes so far. I still can't seem to read more than about fifty pages of anything at a time these days, though. I blame the internet! 
I envy those who can write like that. Whenever I try to write anything of any complexity - even just here on this board - I sound like a have a stick up my ass.
I envy those who can write like that. Whenever I try to write anything of any complexity - even just here on this board - I sound like a have a stick up my ass.
Fifty pages is about my limit too. I start thinking about this place or watching TV and put it down for a while. I don't even really remember liking the other two besides Forever War that much, but his writing style is just what I'm looking for when I want to pick up a book.
Even though I haven't read a lot in the past few years, I've already read several this year for some reason.
Even though I haven't read a lot in the past few years, I've already read several this year for some reason.
I've been awful for reading this summer. Partly due to workload sapping my energy, and partly because I've gotten involved in watching the complete Farscape TV series, I haven't done much by way of reading.
I have started a very interesting book, though. It's called Doctor Omega by Arnould Galopin. It was published in 1906 and it's a Jules Verne-esque novel about a mad scientist in a French village who takes a local man on a trip to Mars.
The thing is the original novel bore many resemblances to Doctor Who, including the lead character who, as illustrated, looked just like William Hartnell. The novel was forgotten for decades until Jean-Marc Lofficier discovered it, noticed the similarities, and published a translation of the book. However, rather than just do a straight translation (and I know purists will scream), Lofficier tweaked the book slightly to toss in a few subtle references to make it appear as if this was a lost First Doctor story. He even got Terrance Dicks to write a foreword. It's neat reading the old story and finding the occasional reference to things like the sonic screwdriver and his granddaughter, Susan. Even though it was published in 2003 it reminds me a bit of the current trend of adding monsters and SF to famous novels like "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" and "Android Karenina".
And for the benefit of the purists, I am keeping my eye out for a straight translation of the original book so I can compare it someday. I should check Project Gutenberg's website...
Alex
I have started a very interesting book, though. It's called Doctor Omega by Arnould Galopin. It was published in 1906 and it's a Jules Verne-esque novel about a mad scientist in a French village who takes a local man on a trip to Mars.
The thing is the original novel bore many resemblances to Doctor Who, including the lead character who, as illustrated, looked just like William Hartnell. The novel was forgotten for decades until Jean-Marc Lofficier discovered it, noticed the similarities, and published a translation of the book. However, rather than just do a straight translation (and I know purists will scream), Lofficier tweaked the book slightly to toss in a few subtle references to make it appear as if this was a lost First Doctor story. He even got Terrance Dicks to write a foreword. It's neat reading the old story and finding the occasional reference to things like the sonic screwdriver and his granddaughter, Susan. Even though it was published in 2003 it reminds me a bit of the current trend of adding monsters and SF to famous novels like "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" and "Android Karenina".
And for the benefit of the purists, I am keeping my eye out for a straight translation of the original book so I can compare it someday. I should check Project Gutenberg's website...
Alex
I only read them myself not too long ago, I found Colour of Magic a bit hard going but The Light Fantastic was much better. Mort has been my favourite Discworld book so far though.
Rii
Rear Admiral
Ditto; although I've only read as far as Mort.
I found the notion of a village named Bad-Ass (Equal Rites) unreasonably funny. I was giggling to myself about it for days.
Ditto; although I've only read as far as Mort.
I found the notion of a village named Bad-Ass (Equal Rites) unreasonably funny. I was giggling to myself about it for days.
I've read a lot of these books and most of them have something to leave me chuckling.
Just got Gardens of the Sun by McAuley! For once, I get to read the sequel before I've forgotten the first book.
It's funny - even though I haven't read either this one or the first book, I feel like I know all about the Quiet War universe from his short fiction.
I've really got to buy both of these and read them.
Gateway's ending is so great that I almost wish I could get amnesia so I could read it again.
Sphere by Michael Crichton
I thought the ending was pretty good as well.
If there was really a book where I wish I could get amnesia... The Dark Beyond the Stars by Frank M. Robinson.
I read about half of the Confederation Handbook yesterday, and I thought it was just excellent worldbuilding, so I'm going to start and FINISH the Night's Dawn Trilogy by Peter F. Hamilton if it kills me. Then, I'm going to read Pandora's Star/Judas Unchained and then finally Fallen Dragon. It might take the rest of the year, but I'm tired of having these behemoths sitting around unread.
I read this this month. I think it's a really great book.
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