Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books You Enjoy?

Speaking generally, I'm also a pacifist. But when it comes to art, honesty is key...and let's face it, the world is a harsh, violent place sometimes. So I think it makes sense that a lot of science fiction and fantasy involves a lot of violence.

Right, but it's a matter of glorification. This is what I don't like about a lot of military science fiction. It's not that it contains violence. I have nothing against this in fiction (even a lot of it). It's how it's treated and meant to be viewed by the reader.

Maybe, but that's an ongoing argument. Intentionality =/= the end result, when it comes to artistic creation. Not always. And yet in John Kessel's famous criticism of Ender's Game, he cites a quote from Card himself which reads:

There's always moral instruction whether the writer inserts it deliberately or not. The least effective moral instruction in fiction is that which is consciously inserted. Partly because it won't reflect the storyteller's true beliefs, it will only reflect what he BELIEVES he believes, or what he thinks he should believe or what he's been persuaded of.

But when you write without deliberately expressing moral teachings, the morals that show up are the ones you actually live by. The beliefs that you don't even think to question, that you don't even notice-- those will show up. And that tells much more truth about what you believe than your deliberate moral machinations.

So it's tough to say what a given book is supposed to tell us, what it actually does tell us, and whether or not the author succeeded or failed in her moral intent.

Interesting point, Alex. And I like that quote.

I know that Ender's Game is THE classic (and I enjoyed it), but OSC's Songmaster blew me away.

If you want to read a book in one sitting that pulls you through with the hero getting into trouble, more trouble, and then even more trouble, try Lois McMaster Bujold's Miles Vorkosigan series, starting with The Warrior's Apprentice.

Two totally different styles, though both have a lot to do with individual growth and 'families'. Both are high on my recommended list.

Also, "Solaris" by Stainslaw Lem is fantastic. It's got his classic cynicism about human beings, which I quite enjoy.

Without reading every post here so I don't if this has been listed but I must say that I like Ian Douglas' StarCarrier series. I have the third one and from the blurb on the back he's taking a sudden right hand turn in the story. Still have to read it and see what happens.

Then there's a lot of Urban Fantasy I like--too many to list here. Well, most of the older stuff, it's taken a turn out to left field with paranormal fusions and Romance added to the mix. Even though UF has been around for quite a while-as you probably know- in the last three to five years it's exploded. I like stuff like The Dresden Files by Butcher and Dog Days series by John Levit, Plus there's Seanan McGuire, C.E. Murphy.

Speaking of fantasy--K. E. Mills and Lisa Shearin A new fantasy writer, both have great series. Shearin's- the Raine Beneares- is about to end I am sad to say.

Pretty much everything that's won a Nebula award and most of the nominees I've read have been enjoyable, so that's typically what shapes my reading list now.

My favorite fantasy novel is Perdido Street Station by China Mieville and my favorite SF novel is Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon The Deep.

I like most stories by Robert J. Sawyer and Dan Simmons, and I'm a fan of Tad Williams's sprawling series. George R. R. Martin had me for a few books, but I feel like the last two installments in ASOIAF are a pretty dramatic falloff from the heights the previous three reached.

Now I can add Benedict Jacka to the UF mix.

Jack Campbell and his other name to the Space Opera mix. One SO series by Tanya Huff. AND John Ringo and Of course David Weber to the SO mix and futuristic loss of tech sub genre.

And going back some of the Star Trek books. They're still making them but I don't know as many writers as I did at one time. But anything by Dayton Ward, Dean Wesley Smith--with his love for pen names it might be a little hard to figure out all of his but his "A Hard Rain" was great. And all of the Strange New Worlds Anthos,, especially number ten. There's one more Star Trek writer but can't think of his name at the moment. He has out a couple of non Trek novels also. I really liked one fantasy but I still can't recall his name.

Just wanted to add. The Dog Days books by John Levitt, If you like UF you will love Jon and his...um, dog. Great writing and characters. He isn't selling that many but it's not because of his story telling ability. Him and his publisher haven't been pushing the books much even though that last might be changing.

By Robert Sheckley:
DIMENSION OF MIRACLES
MINDSWAP

By Barry Malzberg:
HEROVIT'S WORLD
GALAXIES

By C. L. Moore:
NORTHWEST OF EARTH
JUDGMENT NIGHT

By Olaf Stapledon:
STAR MAKER
LAST AND FIRST MEN

By Clifford D. Simak:
CITY
WAY STATION

By Ray Bradbury:
THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES
DANDELION WINE

By George Alec Effinger:
WHEN GRAVITY FAILS
A FIRE IN THE SUN

By Alfred Bester:
THE DEMOLISHED MAN
THE STARS MY DESTINATION

-- Mike

This thread is for books we have read but I would like to add a couple that I found while at Barnes and Noble and later online.

The Iron Wyrm Affair (Bannon and Clare Series #1)
by Lilith Saintcrow

Sounds like a fusion of Sherlock Holmes, UF, and steampunk. Lots of fun.
A touch of Lord Darcy too maybe.

and

Libriomancer: (Magic Ex Libris Book 1)
by Jim C. Hines
A different magical ability. Well, it's been done a couple of times, including a movie, but not often yet.

Some neat SF books out there too but I won't bore you with them.

This thread is for books read but I wanted to get this in now.

Started a new one that is Intriguing.

Before I get further into it I need to say that I am reading "Shades Of Milk And Honey" By Mary Robinette Kowal.

A very interesting world indeed. Kinda like UF meets Jane Eyre or perhaps a better comparison is UF and "Senses and Sensibility" A slow beginning, but it gets into the world and introduces Jane the MC. Mary's writing keeps me reading, she is a good story teller and I like to read stories. It's not what I usually read but that doesn't matter now that I am into it.

Kowall describes it herself as 'Jane Austin with magic'

I've enjoyed "Shades of Milk and Honey." I will admit that a few lines get TOO close to Austen for me, but I absolutely love the magic system - it's very easy to follow along with her descriptions of glamour.

Apparently Book Two is NOT Austen with magic - it's more along the lines of regency fantasy. I'll report when I get to reading it.

Kowall describes it herself as 'Jane Austin with magic'

That might be why my first thought was Jane Austin.

I've enjoyed "Shades of Milk and Honey." I will admit that a few lines get TOO close to Austen for me, but I absolutely love the magic system - it's very easy to follow along with her descriptions of glamour.

Apparently Book Two is NOT Austen with magic - it's more along the lines of regency fantasy. I'll report when I get to reading it.

On another forum I was told to wait 'till to the second book. I assumed that meant it wasn't as slow.

Not sure what you mean by regency fantasy though.

I just finished reading Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. Hilarious!!

I just finished reading Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. Hilarious!!

That book was my first introduction to both writers.

It was my first by Neil Gaiman but I've enjoyed Terry Pratchett for a long time. Together: Dynamite

It was my first by Neil Gaiman but I've enjoyed Terry Pratchett for a long time. Together: Dynamite

They really need to make that movie.

Kinda long title here:

Christopher L. Bennent's Star Trek: Department of Temporal Investigations; Forgotten History.

A very interesting story filled with plenty of both real science and techno babble and ST history. For me it was hard to tell them apart at times. From the rather long acknowledgements in the rear, some of the theories and comments about time studies are real. Sometimes I think there's very little done with the study of time and time travel but every so often there is a report that states "oh yes there is". Enough real chorno study is happening to have real theories.

And along those lines some might find this book more intellectual than exciting. There are some ship battles and races against the clock but most of it deals with theory and ST history, specifically James Kirk's 17 now 18 temporal crimes. In this case it helps to have a knowledge of ST history including the animated shows. I only have a few short memories of the animated shows. Most of them I only saw once years ago. Unlike most past ST books this one draws heavily from a couple of those eps at times. A change in ST policies I believe.

But over all this book is not badly written. Some of the action scenes could use more tension and surprise but as I implied earlier action scenes are not the primary focus of this book. Dennis does do a good job keeping everyone and every theory straight, not to mention shifts in POV and time.

Oh, it also clears up a couple of lose ends some Trekkers and Trekkies evidently have been wondering about. That is how the original crew were able to do certain things.

Reading "The Janus Affair" by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris

Steampunk to the core. Second in a series about two special British agents solve the unusual. One is a bookish nerd you might say. But he has his moments and secrets. Actually everyone has secrets. Even the boss of the agency---a forerunner of MI5. At one point in the first book it seemed that he was working for the bad guy but it turned out his secret had nothing to do with the case the two were working on. The first book revealed two of his secrets but not at once. The writers hinted at it at first. This book reveals her--his partner--secrets or two and maybe the boss's also.

Good writing, good scenery, interesting machines and restaurants, Emotional tensions of various types and reasons.

Just started Wool by Hugh Howey.

Wow. I mean wow. The opening novella is a brilliant piece of sci-fi. I loved it. I'm reading the omnibus, but I believe the first Wool (the novella) is free on Amazon right now.

I believe the first Wool (the novella) is free on Amazon right now.

It is indeed! ::yoink::

Finished a book and a series at the same time. Kinda sad...not the tale but that it ends.

If you like fantasy you will love Lisa Shearin's Raine Benares series. Great descriptions, a well thought out world and Lisa knows how to keep her character in danger. Six books in the series. Starts with "Magic Lost: Trouble Found". Lisa likes the pun-ish titles when they have to do with magic. Hard to put down.

I don't want to say a lot to give anything away but there's a rock that isn't normal. Raine--on her mother's side--is related to the most feared pirates on the seas. And her dad--well that might be too much of a spoiler but when she finds out it's a great surprise. Oh there is romance in it too. She has two suitors: both big, beautiful, strong, brave and powerful yet so different. Both are good guys but one wasn't at a time. This last isn't as bad as it might sound for it's mixed in with danger and her heroics and it develops over time. She's got plenty of time to find trouble, risk her life and make enemies on her own.

Just started Wool by Hugh Howey.

Wow. I mean wow. The opening novella is a brilliant piece of sci-fi. I loved it. I'm reading the omnibus, but I believe the first Wool (the novella) is free on Amazon right now.

This book will go down as one of my favorite sci-fi novels of all time. Really. As a reader, I thought it was filled with awesomeness. As a writer, I'll go back and reread it to learn from it.

My favorite writers right now are Michelle Sagara, Ilona Andrews, and Eileen Wilkes. Sagara's "Cast In" series in features a main character that is flawed but working on it. I think I enjoy books where the main character does not know it all and often makes mistakes.

In the past I have read and enjoyed CJ Cherryh, Elizabeth Moon, Terry Brooks, Ian Douglas and so many other wide range of writers. Reading their books sets of stories in my head and I start envisioning just how I would tell it.

I read "No Country for Old Men" by Cormac McCarthy just to read something a bit different. It was good, not really what I was expecting in terms of pacing, or the road traveled to the inevitable outcome....Oh wait that isn't sci-fi *or* fantasy....

Er..... "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy is a really, really good post- apoc (pseudo sci-fi i guess) on the other hand. Easily one of the better books in general I've read in awhile.

Reading "Lie & Omens" by Lyn Benedict. Part of a series--Shadows Inquiries.

I have mixed feelings about this series.

It's not my favorite, it's darker than usual even for UF, I don't like where Lyn goes all the time with the plot and I'm not totally sure I like the MC. But Lyn is some writer, she knows: how to do suspense, how to put her MC in danger time after time and she does the Try and Try thing, David talked about in one Kick, very well. One could learn to write better by studying her style.

And It's the model and half the inspiration for one of my WIPs. The way it's going it could take another year to finish that WIP and when I do I will have to go back over it since I'm adding characters and background as I go along as I recall it is suppose to be modeled after Lyn's work.

And I wonder if she is related one way or another with another writer. The other half of the inspiration. Both writers use a character with the same problem, and both names the bad guy side of magic users and mythical creatures. Maybe they are the same person or have read the same how to book on plotting

If nobody has mentioned it already:

http://www.amazon.ca/Lies-Locke-Lamora- ... 976&sr=8-5

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. It was his debut novel and a nice change of pace to the grim and "realistic" fantasies (a realistic fantasy, now there's a contradiction if I've seen one 😛 )that I was reading at the time (though it could be pretty dark still) It's part of a seven or eight book series I think and he's only come out with one more book in the series and some novellas set in the universe, but worth a read!

Reading, Finally, "Ghoststory" by Jim Butcher.

I say finally because I waited 'till it came out in paperback--actually I think it'sTrade--and it's been sitting on my pile of new books for a couple of months. I decided to read it out of order.
Jim has some good writing in this one...he does know how to turn a phrase. And he knows how to punish his character, to make him feel unsure and not be a superman. When I go back over my NaNo Novel that is one thing I will be looking for. Even though my hero is hundreds of years old and has abilities above that of mortal man he is not perfect nor should he be. I need to make him doubt more, get more bruises, almost get killed more. I did that a couple of times but in other fights he might be just too perfect.

Without writing any spoilers with this one or the previous book, I just want that there's something in that previous book me and my wife and probably a bunch of Butcher fans, suspect. If what we suspect is true Butcher is being very coy about it as you would expect. Even though right now there was something that, could say it ain't so. But we shall see.

But in either case I am reading the book way too fast. About half way through already. Of course I've been reading it for a week.