I'm Dying For Some Sci Fi

[DocDrako]

I was going to post this in the Classic Sci Fi section but that was labeled movies and tv so I figured I was safe posting it here.

I am dying for some sci fi reading material. Not Star Wars or Star Trek, although I'm not knocking them, I just want some good science fiction to read! You know, REAL science fiction. I'm reading more lately and I realized that I can't find the type of sci fi I want. It's all Halo or Star Wars or Star Trek or something else like that. I want some real science fiction. Some space exploration, alien worlds, technology, man against the universe type stuff, not just "this guy shooting that guy" stuff. Is Ben Bova any good? What about Asimov or Heinlein? I like Bradbury, but I have some of his stuff and it's not really what I'm after right now. I want some sci fi!

Are there any sci fi readers in the Museum that can suggest some good sci fi reading? Older is fine, and so is modern. I don't care, I just need something good to read. A series is fine, or even one shots. Whatever. I need sci fi!

(I used the words "sci fi" 9 times in this post including the title and this notation. Then I counted them. I have some free time tonight.)

:grin:

[ramsey37]

I've yet to read a bad story by Isaac Asimov. I'd recommend his collections of robot stories first, then move on to the Foundation series. Lots of good stuff there.
George

[Merlyn1976]

Douglas Adams
Piers Anthony
Poul Anderson
Mike Resnick
Arthur C. Clarke
Orson Scott Card (Read ender's Game!!!)

[JDeRouen]

Some of my favorite SF:

Alternities by Michael P. Kubrick-McDowell
Twistor by John Cramer
Einstein's Bridge by John Cramer

[johnmiic]

Wow! You haven't read the big 3? Asimov, Clarke or Heinlien? There'a a heck of a lot out there even beyond them.

Have you read the Robots or Foundation saga? I'm only talking about the ones by Asimov. It's pretty expansive. Start with the Robot novels and short stories. I, Robot, Robot Dreams, Robot Visions, Caves of Steel, Naked Sun, etc. See if you like those.

Then try the Galactic Empire Novels: Pebble in the Sky, The Stars Like Dust, The Currents of Space. These are the predecessors of the Foundation novels and delve into some of the worlds that will be involved in Foundation stories.

Then try a book called The End of Eternity. It preceeds the Foundation. It's not officially part of it all but it is the alternate universe where humanity persued time travel rather than space travel. It sort of connects but I don't want to say how. Then read Foundation.

Other SF I have read:

Arthur C. Clarke:

2001, 2010 & 3001. Seen the first 2 films? Try 2010 even if you saw the film. Tons of stuff they never used. 2061 doesn't tie into 3001. Read 2061 if you want to see what the world of Europa might be like now that life florurishes on it.

The Fountains of Paradise - Clarke outlines the probable construction and function of a Space Elevator.

Rendezvous w/Rama, Rama II, I haven't read much past that tho there are 2 more in the series.

My Father read the Dune saga and highly recommends it, ( I have not but will someday). I always wondered why Herbert is not up there and it's not the big 4.

Other good books:

Mellenium by John Varley is suppossed to be the ultimate Time Travel novel. Each chapter is named for a popular story on Time Travel. There was a film made but it tossed out most of the book. There's lotsa great stuff here.

The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven. A great story about man's first contact with a race of aliens, ( similar to Wookies, but oddly they speak english). I have not read the sequel, The Gripping Hand. Also by Niven, and recommended: Ringworld, The Integral Trees.

A friend of mine recommends Ian Banks books. He said Use of Weapons is so good it has a race of aliens that make the Klingons look like wusses.

[AcroRay]

I'll second John's reccommendation of Larry Niven.

You might also look up A E Van Gogt's VOYAGE OF THE SPACE BEAGLE, which is required reading if you have even a passing fancy for the ALIEN series of films.

And James P Hogan's INHERIT THE STARS is a good read as well.

John Varley's work is excellent as well. You might also try William Gibson's original cyberpunk genre novel NEUROMANCER.

[palitoy]

I really love Richard Matheson (especially I am Legend) and Canticle for Lebowitz is an interesting book.

John Wyndham is superb too, especially the Crysalids.

[megoat]

Can't go wrong with Philip K Dick.

[ABMAC]

H. Beam Piper's Little Fuzzies series
Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat series, his Bill the Galactic Hero series, or his Deathworld trilogy. Almost all of his books are good.
Mike Resnick's Tales of the Galactic Midway
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Something about Arthur C. Clarke's writing style makes it difficult for me to read. He has some great ideas, but I usually don't realise it until I've struggled through the entire novel and am thinking about it later. The best comparison I can make is that his words flow like they were translated from German.

Piers Anthony is a condescending jerk. After reading his comments at the end of one of his novels, I pulled all of his books off my shelf and took them to a used books store.

[bonkers head]

for some lighter Sci-Fi reading try the Hitchhikers guide to galaxy novels by Douglas Adams . :)

[johnmiic]

I also forgot Gregory Benford wrote some good Sci-Fi. There's a series called The Galactic Center novels-I read the 1st two:

In the Ocean of Night
Across the Sea of Suns
Great Sky River
Tides of Light
Sailing Bright Eternity
FURIOUS GULF (?)

My Father reminded me that a very good author, oft ovelooked, is C. J. Cherryh. He recommends many of the books dealing with the character Chanur.

These should be read in sequence:

The Chanur Saga, ( comprised of - The Pride of Chanur, Chanur's Venture and The Kif Strike Back )
Chanur's Homecoming

These follow but am sketchy on the sequence:

Chanur's Legacy
Chanur's Endgame

Also I heard the Giants Novels by James P. Hogan might be worth checking out.

Have you ever read Farenheight 451 or The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury? I thought they were very well done. I only read them a couple of years ago. I think The MArtian Chronicles are stronger but they are a collection of short stories.

And as my friends point out there is also The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy which I forgot. It's very, very funny,( think Monty Python-esque).

Anthony, I have to tell ya, I worked at a B&N and we used to curse the amount of worthless books by Piers Anthony that would glut the SF shelves. We would send his junk back and it would be re-sent to us every week. The guy is taking up too much space in the bookstores. They need to let more of his stuff lapse into out of print status.

[DocDrako]

Wow I didn't expect such a response, but I'm glad I got it! I've never read much in the past, but I'm trying to do more reading. I enjoy it and if I get into a book I can go through it in no time. But I never know what to read.

I have read Matheson's "I Am Legend" and I loved it. I just re-read it. I've never read Asimov, Clarke, or Heinlein, but I have read Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. I'm planning on reading "The Martian Chronicles.

I think I have plenty of reading to do. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I appreciate it. I can't wait to see what awaits me in these books!

:grin:

[megomonkey]

Canticle for Lebowitz-- palitoy you took the words out of my mouth. It's a wonderful, thought-provoking read

[kingdom warrior]

Harlan Ellisons short story "I have no mouth and I must scream"..is just awesome.