TREKS IN SCI-FI FORUM

I include the 2nd and 3rd voted books from last month, and included another. If you have another one you would like added to the poll, post here.

Duffster

I would like to see a fourth title up there.  I can't recall, are we sticking to only SF or did we want to include fantasy too?

I vote yea for fantasy!! I think it's a great idea.... but will leave the decision to the masses...lol

Duffster

Duffster - maybe toss a good fantasy book up there in this groups vote.  I was trying to come up with a good fantasy book that isn't part of some epic series.  Anyone know of a good, single book fantasy story?

I think I'll sit out during this one... I want to read Darth Bane: Rule Of Two next. :)

I don't know if listing books only available in hardback would be a stumbling block for some, but books like Collision Course are close to $25.00 and may be more than what some members can afford for a single book. I don't have a problem myself as I collect all the Star Trek books as they come out. I'm just saying.

I'd also like to see a fourth selection but as it stands right now I may sit this month out anyway.

Kevin

Well our first book was hardback and no one complained really. Though since we just did a Star Trek book I think we should jump to something else, keep a rotation going.

Yep - I agree with billy.  Hardbacks are ok.  Buying online makes them pretty reasonable.  Heck, paperbacks cost like $7 or more anyway now.  As far as the selection, I also think keeping things changing is good.  I'm inclined to want something straight SF or fantasy next time and not either Trek or SW since we have done those so far.

If we want something a little more hard SF I cannot recommend Pandora's Star by Peter F. Hamilton enough. It's a much much more intense read then the books we've done so far but he creates a very rich universe and a very intriguing story.

I read it a few months ago and I really would like to go through it again and discuss.

Quote from: Rico on January 11, 2008, 05:56:10 AM
I was trying to come up with a good fantasy book that isn't part of some epic series.  Anyone know of a good, single book fantasy story?

A couple good fantasy stories I can think of are each ultimately part of a series but can be read as stand alones because they were the first books and were not intended to be part of a series.

The Sword of Shannara - Terry Brooks
Lord Valentine's Castle - Robert Silverberg

Unfortunately the industry has been driven by "epic" stories lately in both fantasy and sci-fi. I personally hate to get started in multi-part series unless I know I can finish them. The Brook's novel is much along the Tolkien line but far easier to read IMHO and the Silverberg is just such a wonderful fantasy world that you can hardly put the book down. It's been years since I read either and so I would not mind reading them again.

Kevin

Ok, I added Pandora's Star,
Also The Once and Future King and Lord Valentines Castle. for a fantasy choice

What about Harry Turtledove books? I've been interested in trying these eventually:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Turtledove

Nooo I can't take back my vote!

Some good stuff there I'd say.  Time to get voting!

We probably should warn anyone that votes for Pandora's Star that it is a cliffhanger and I think there are two other books that follow. In other words don't expect a conclusion.

Kevin

True dat. Be warned!

Just a few thoughts, since we are reading the first Titan book right now, will at some point down the road be reading the others in the series as well for Book club? Maybe at the end, we can take a poll to see if in the Future, we might read the others, not saying right away or even in the near future, but might be nice to know if we choose not and others want to read the rest on their own.

I see Kevins point about Hardcovers as well, they are a bit more expensive, and not saying they should not be included, but maybe make sure that we do not choose Hardcovers regularly. Every once in awhile is fine, but make sure we also have paperbacks as well. I guess my other thought, is paperbacks are easier to take with you to read, as opposed to hardbacks. Again not against Hardcovers.

It would be cool if we could all read the other three TITAN books. According to the book schedule it seems that there will not be anymore TITAN books until sometime in 2009, but the schedule is always tentative and subject to chage. That said though it seems the schedule is too full for another entry in 2008, but there is some great stuff coming! I'll post another thread about what to look forward to.

Kevin

I actually started The Red King yesterday.  I'm liking this series! ;D

I have only read 2 of those books but a sci-fi book list just has to have Moon is a Harsh Mistress.

NO FANTASY!!!    :roflmao

psik

Make sure to get your vote in on this.  I think the voting period will be ending very soon.

Lol, you posted as I was going to mention that we should close the poll in the next or so... Get your votes in.

I'd set an end date to it Duffster.  Since this is the last week on the Titan book.

Voting ends today at 3:00...get your vote in.

Vote cast.  It looks like it's going to be Heinlein. 

I know the vote is ended, but have you guys considered Victor Vinge's 'Rainbow's End'

http://www.amazon.com/Rainbows-End-Vernor-Vinge/dp/0812536363/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product
Set in San Diego, Calif., this hard SF novel from Hugo-winner Vinge (A Deepness in the Sky) offers dazzling computer technology but lacks dramatic tension. Circa 2025, people use high-tech contact lenses to interface with computers in their clothes. "Silent messaging" is so automatic that it feels like telepathy. Robert Gu, a talented Chinese-American poet, has missed much of this revolution due to Alzheimer's, but now the wonders of modern medicine have rehabilitated his mind. Installed in remedial classes at the local high school, he tries to adjust to this brave new world, but soon finds himself enmeshed in a somewhat quixotic plot by elderly former University of California–San Diego faculty members to protest the destruction of the university library, now rendered superfluous by the ubiquitous online databanks. Unbeknownst to Robert, he's also a pawn in a dark international conspiracy to perfect a deadly biological weapon. The true nature of the superweapon is never made entirely clear, and too much of the book feels like a textbook introduction to Vinge's near-future world.


or Orson Scott card's 'Ender's Game'?
http://www.amazon.com/Rainbows-End-Vernor-Vinge/dp/0812536363/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product

Ender Wiggin is a very bright young boy with a powerful skill. One of a group of children bred to be military geniuses and save Earth from an inevitable attack by aliens, known here as "buggers," Ender becomes unbeatable in war games and seems poised to lead Earth to triumph over the buggers. Meanwhile, his brother and sister plot to wrest power from Ender. Twists, surprises and interesting characters elevate this novel into status as a bona fide page turner. It captured the Nebula and Hugo Awards.