Get my SF On

[Redress]

Looking at having some spare cash within a week or so, and almost burnt through my christmas Amazon order, so going to be making a new order when my check comes. So, looking at picking up some science fiction, and looking for recommendations. Also, has any one ordered used books through Amazon, and if so, was there any problems?

What I like and read lately:
C.J. Cherryh
Lois McMaster Bujold
Jack Vance
Glenn Cook
Terry Pratchett

What I used to read and enjoy, but have not in a long time:
Larry Niven
Philip Jose Farmer
Allen Dean Foster
Heinlein(of course)
Ben Bova
Peirs Anthony
Lots more

So, based on that, what authors and what books would I enjoy that I may not have read. Really would like to expand my authors list, but it's been alot of years since I could just go and buy a bunch of books because "this looks cool".

 

[Slartibartfast]

You might want to sign up for the Tor/Forge news letter. I get a decent book every month or two that I can legally download and read for free on my netbook.

Another good place to go is here and get some books on tape. I put these on my Ipod for when I have a long drive.

 

[spud_meister]

i suggest Kevin J. Anderson, he has a good series, Saga of Seven Suns

also Jim Butcher, though he's more fantasy, than Sci Fi

 

[AgentM]

Looking at having some spare cash within a week or so, and almost burnt through my christmas Amazon order, so going to be making a new order when my check comes. So, looking at picking up some science fiction, and looking for recommendations. Also, has any one ordered used books through Amazon, and if so, was there any problems?

What I like and read lately:
C.J. Cherryh
Lois McMaster Bujold
Jack Vance
Glenn Cook
Terry Pratchett

What I used to read and enjoy, but have not in a long time:
Larry Niven
Philip Jose Farmer
Allen Dean Foster
Heinlein(of course)
Ben Bova
Peirs Anthony
Lots more

So, based on that, what authors and what books would I enjoy that I may not have read. Really would like to expand my authors list, but it's been alot of years since I could just go and buy a bunch of books because "this looks cool".

Terry Pratchett is amazing!!! He's fantasy not science fiction, but he's a very funny author who likes to write parodies of aspects of modern society in his books. As an avid Pratchett fan, I would highly recommend him! :mrgreen:

 

[ADK_Forever]

I can't recommend Orson Scott Card's Ender series enough. They were the most enjoyable series of books I have ever read. And I heard about them here! Start with Ender's Game. You'll love the fact that, once you finish one, there are more books to follow up with. Card is an awesome writer.

 

[AgentM]

I can't recommend Orson Scott Card's Ender series enough. They were the most enjoyable series of books I have ever read. And I heard about them here! Start with Ender's Game. You'll love the fact that, once you finish one, there are more books to follow up with. Card is an awesome writer.

I'm a Card fan as well. However, I should mention that the chronologically earlier books in his Ender's Game series are better than the later ones. Card's Ender books by the end of the series were a very different style than the earlier books which I didn't like as much.

 

[Redress]

I can't recommend Orson Scott Card's Ender series enough. They were the most enjoyable series of books I have ever read. And I heard about them here! Start with Ender's Game. You'll love the fact that, once you finish one, there are more books to follow up with. Card is an awesome writer.

I have done the Ender series, as well as a fair number of others of his writing. My only problem with him is his use of LDS themes in his writing.

 

[Tucker Case]

I do this in every thread where people ask for recommendations, but if you like Pratchett, I recommend Christopher Moore:

Christopher Moore (author) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Just to give you reference of how much I like his work, you may recognize a characters name in this one:

[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_of_the_Sequined_Love_Nun]Island of the Sequined Love Nun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

 

[reefedjib]

I am a big Orson Scott Card fan as well. In addition to The Ender Saga, check out The Tales of Alvin Maker series.

Another book you will probably enjoy is "A Fire Upon the Deep" by Vernor Vinge. Very inventive.

Another book I have to plug, as it was a favorite, is the book "Integral Trees" by Larry Niven.

 

[Redress]

Thanks for the recommendations folks, and keep em coming.

 

[Tucker Case]

Good call, reefedjib.

Fire on the Deep and it's prequel a Deepness in the Sky were both very good books.

 

[Tucker Case]

I didn't see Frank Herbert, but I have to assume you've read Dune. If not, slap yourself across the face and get it immediately.

 

[samsmart]

I suggest reading the Worldwar series by Harry Turtledove. It's a sci-fi/alternate history series in which lizard aliens decide to invade Earth in the middle of World War II. LOTS of military campaigns, LOTS of political intrigue, LOTS of drama, and LOTS of commentary. It probably won't be all that memorable, but I find it to be purely enjoyable.

Also, rather than sci-fi series, you might want to consider picking up sci-fi anthologies. I enjoy reading different sci-fi short stories and don't have the time to read a full fledged series but can read short stories.

 

[samsmart]

I didn't see Frank Herbert, but I have to assume you've read Dune. If not, slap yourself across the face and get it immediately.

Dune or the Dune series? There's quite the difference between the two...

 

[Redress]

I didn't see Frank Herbert, but I have to assume you've read Dune. If not, slap yourself across the face and get it immediately.

I have, but back in high school. The first couple, maybe 3 books where on my list of planned purchases.

 

[Tucker Case]

Anything by Vonnegut and Philip K. Dick

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger

 

[AgentM]

I have done the Ender series, as well as a fair number of others of his writing. My only problem with him is his use of LDS themes in his writing.

Apparently OSC is virulently anti-gay, which means I probably won't be buying anymore of his books.

 

[Tucker Case]

Dune or the Dune series? There's quite the difference between the two...

Specifically, I was talking about Dune and possibly the series up to Chapterhouse Dune. I'm not a huge fan of Brian Herbert and Kevin Andersons contributions.

 

[Tucker Case]

Apparently OSC is virulently anti-gay, which means I probably won't be buying anymore of his books.

He's virulently against gay marriage, but I don't know how "anti-gay" he is.

 

[AgentM]

He's virulently against gay marriage, but I don't know how "anti-gay" he is.

Either way

Besides, the two often go together...

 

[reefedjib]

Also, rather than sci-fi series, you might want to consider picking up sci-fi anthologies. I enjoy reading different sci-fi short stories and don't have the time to read a full fledged series but can read short stories.

I've only read a couple of anthologies, but one of my favorites is a fantasy anthology with many different writers contributing. They share the same location (the city of Sanctuary) and the same characters as they get introduced. It is awesome!

Unfortunately it is out of print. It is edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey. It is Thieves World:

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Thieves-World-Book/dp/0441805914/ref=sid_dp_dp]Amazon.com: Thieves' World (Thieves' World Book 1) (9780441805914): Robert Asprin, Lynn Abbey: Books[/ame]
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Vulgar-Unicorn-Thieves-World/dp/044180585X/ref=sid_dp_dp]Amazon.com: Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn (Thieves World, Book 2) (9780441805853): Robert Asprin: Books[/ame]
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Sanctuary-Thieves-World-3/dp/0441805868/ref=pd_sim_b_10]Amazon.com: Shadows of Sanctuary (Thieves World #3) (9780441805860): Robert Asprin: Books[/ame]

The rest of the twelve books in the series you can find.

 

[Slartibartfast]

Some specific recommendations I can make are:

Anything by Margeret Weis and Tracy Hickman. They usually do fantasy, but their sci-fi stuff is awesome.

Douglas Adams of course

Isaac Asimov, I spent an entire year just reading his books

William Gibson

Larry Niven

Aldous Huxley

Robert Heinlein (as long as you stay away from the books with incest, those get a bit weird)

Less Well Known:
Cory Doctorow
Neal Stephenson
Margaret Atwood
Charles Stross
Theodore Sturgeon

Thats all I can think of at the moment. I won't recommend specific books because good writing shows through.

 

[Redress]

I've only read a couple of anthologies, but one of my favorites is a fantasy anthology with many different writers contributing. They share the same location (the city of Sanctuary) and the same characters as they get introduced. It is awesome!

Unfortunately it is out of print. It is edited by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey. It is Thieves World:

Amazon.com: Thieves' World (Thieves' World Book 1) (9780441805914): Robert Asprin, Lynn Abbey: Books
Amazon.com: Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn (Thieves World, Book 2) (9780441805853): Robert Asprin: Books
Amazon.com: Shadows of Sanctuary (Thieves World #3) (9780441805860): Robert Asprin: Books

The rest of the twelve books in the series you can find.

Small side note: I have met Robert Lynn Asprin a couple times.

 

[tryreading]

Looking at having some spare cash within a week or so, and almost burnt through my christmas Amazon order, so going to be making a new order when my check comes. So, looking at picking up some science fiction, and looking for recommendations. Also, has any one ordered used books through Amazon, and if so, was there any problems?

What I like and read lately:
C.J. Cherryh
Lois McMaster Bujold
Jack Vance
Glenn Cook
Terry Pratchett

What I used to read and enjoy, but have not in a long time:
Larry Niven
Philip Jose Farmer
Allen Dean Foster
Heinlein(of course)
Ben Bova
Peirs Anthony
Lots more

So, based on that, what authors and what books would I enjoy that I may not have read. Really would like to expand my authors list, but it's been alot of years since I could just go and buy a bunch of books because "this looks cool".

For some real science fiction, Stephen Baxter. Seriously. He is amazing. Ring, Manifold Origin, Manifold Time, Manifold Space, The Timeships...

 

[AgentM]

William Gibson

I still haven't read any William Gibson, I keep meaning to, but haven't gotten around to it. I should, seeing that he lives just across the water from me in my province! I want to read Neuromancer.