Check It Out: Science fiction
When I asked the Baltimore Science Fiction Society for a few recommendations, Balticon 42 program coordinator Sue Wheeler directed me to an entire page of lists, including the books that author and N.C. State professor John Kessel has his students read. It's a broad list, with plenty to explore.
Dave suggests a classic of the genre: Frank Herbert's Dune.
In fact, a sequel, Paul of Dune, written by Herbert's son Brian and Kevin J. Anderson, is due out in September. The official Web site includes a blog, message board for fans of the epic series of Dune titles and a preview of the other goodies Brian Herbert has cooking. There's even a Dune Myspace page. Caution: This page has a lot going on, so it could take a while to load.
As for me, I have to complicate things and recommend an author, rather than just a book. I discovered Garth Nix in high school, with the first of his Abhorsen trilogy, Sabriel, and have enjoyed everything I've read from him since -- including his chilling take on a dystopian future, Shade's Children. You'll have better luck finding both of these titles in the young adult section, but trust me -- this stuff is good.
Nix has his own engrossing site, where you can register and enter "The Hidden Kingdom." Cheesy, I know, but what more would you expect from a man who's made his living creating new worlds?
Comments
Dune is indeed a Sci-Fi classic... However, for my money, everything written since Frank Herbert died is nothing more than people trying to cash in on his legacy. I tried reading House Harkonnen and never got more than a few pages in. Just my opinion, of course.
Posted by: Pat | May 21, 2008 11:05 AM
I've read every book in the Dune series. Dune, the first book, is still the best and most thought-provoking. The series investigates the complex web of ecology, politics, and religion. It is surprising how directly Herbert's commentary translates 40 years later. Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson's contributions are entertaining, but lack the density of Frank Herbert's originals.
Posted by: Matt | May 21, 2008 12:34 PM
This morning the Enoch Pratt Free Library released its own list: It includes “Sebastian” by Anne Bishop, “The Children of Hurin” by J.R.R. Tolkien, “Now and Forever” by Ray Radbury, “Armageddon’s Children” by Terry Brooks, and “Blindsight” by Peter Watts.
www.prattlibrary.org
Posted by: Dave | May 22, 2008 10:32 AM
I have been a rabid fan of Andre Norton since junior high, and that's a long time ago. This Grand Master wrote an astonishing number of both classic sci-fi and fantasy books. I love them all. If you like witches and fantasy, coupled with brave heroes, then the Witch World series is what you want. Try to read it from the start, Norton builds her worlds and remains true to them.
For classic sci-fi, I think that the Time Traders series or the Beastmaster series are super. Her solo novels are excellent, and she made her universe consistent, so that you hear of events from other books as news items and it makes it all work together. You feel at home on any of her planets, because it's all the same universe.
Posted by: Martha W. | May 22, 2008 1:18 PM
I would have to say that the Pratt's list (cited by Dave) is somewhat self-serving, since the books are all recent and things they would have multiple copies of, bought probably in the expectations that they would be popular regardless of whether they were worth reading.
Posted by: Mark.Owings | May 22, 2008 1:47 PM