(no subject)

[stonebender]

Rather than just point out which books I've read. I thought I’d make comments on them specifically with serenejournal in mind. In case she's thinking about reading any of these books. My comments shouldn't be taken generally.

Science Fiction Novels

Dune, Frank Herbert It took me three tries to finish this book. It certainly belongs on this list and I think you would enjoy it. I found it difficult mostly because of the large amount of made up language in the novel. Herbert does include glossary, but constantly going back to glossary to to read a story is annoying.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Robert A. Heinlein Even taking my bias towards Mr. Heinlein into account, this is a truly fine science fiction novel. If you are only to read a few Heinlein novels, I would insist this be one of them.
The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin I really think this is a *must read* book especially for you. The politics and the discussion of gender would be of great interest to you.
The Foundation Trilogy, Isaac Asimov For some this will be sacrilegious but I have never been a big fan of Asimov's fiction. Stick to his nonfiction it's much better.
Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert A. Heinlein Well, you know about this one.
The Stars My Destination, Alfred Bester
A Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter M. Miller Jr Another *must read* although I wouldn't put it high up on the list of books serenejournal should read.
Childhood's End, Arthur C. Clarke This is pretty much a one gag book. Clark has done better.
Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card I am no longer a Card fan. I used to be. He certainly can write a yarn and there's individual bits of his writing that I really like. I just can't stomach him any more. Heinlein fans will like this book. My personal favorite of Card's (and the only book of his that I really think is still worth reading) is Speaker for the Dead.
Hyperion, Dan Simmons I loved this book, although it's really the first half of a full novel. Add Fall of Hyperion and you have a great novel. This one would rank high on the "serenejournal should read" scale.
Gateway, Frederik Pohl Eh, Pohl was a much better editor or collaborating with Kornbluth. Space Merchants is the book to read. It is still a remarkably cogent comment on our consumer culture.
The Forever War, Joe Haldeman I'm not sure Joe Haldeman is an author you would be interested in, I wouldn't pick this book as the best of his for you. I would probably suggest All My Sins Remembered if you just had to read a Joe Haldeman.
More Than Human, Theodore Sturgeon Yes, if we're going to continue being lovers, this book is an important to read. It is the best disability related book I ever read!
Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny I like him and is a great novel, but I don't think you would be interested.
Neuromancer, William Gibson Again, I have fond memories of this book. I wouldn't call myself a fan of Gibson, but this novel felt like a splash of cold water the first time I read it. You can skip this one serenejournal.
Startide Rising, David Brin I will say I really enjoyed this book when I read it. Once I considered the implications of the central theme. I can't recommend it to anyone.
The Time Machine, H.G. Wells it's a tough read and although it's a very important novel for the genre, you don't really need to read it.
The Man in the High Castle, Philip K. Dick I will confess to being a bit Philip K. Dick deaf. Enough people whose opinions I respect say he's a great author. I accept their opinion, but I don't get it.

The Dispossessed, Ursula K. Le Guin
Stand on Zanzibar, John Brunner

Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell This book still gives me nightmares. Most people had to read for English. So I'll skip recommending it.

The Demolished Man, Alfred Bester

The Martian Chronicles, Ray Bradbury Most everybody reads a little Bradbury. This is a good thing!
Starship Troopers, Robert A. Heinlein There is definitely stuff in this book that has affected my personal morality. However it’s a very complicated relationship and I wouldn't suggest this book for you serenejournal.
Downbelow Station, C.J. Cherryh I remember enjoying this book but I can't for the life of me remember any details. So I guess I don’t recommend it.
Ringworld, Larry Niven I like Lary by himself better than his collaborations with Jerry, but there's nothing important about this book.

2001: A Space Odyssey, Arthur C. Clarke
The War of the Worlds, H.G. Wells

Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury This is my favorite Bradbury. Besides the main character is named Guy! Definitely worth reading.
The Mote in God's Eye, Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle Run, don’t walk away from these two. *sheesh

Way Station, Clifford D. Simak I read The City by him and enjoyed it very much.

Star Maker, Olaf Stapledon I read Sirius by him and like it. I plan to read more.

Dying Inside, Robert Silverberg

The City and the Stars, Arthur C. Clarke I'd skip it.

Dhalgren, Samuel R. Delany I've tried several times to read this book and failed miserably. I really enjoy reading his autobiographical stuff.

Rendezvous with Rama, Arthur C. Clarke I wouldn't bother.

Mission of Gravity, Hal Clement

City, Clifford D. Simak

Cyteen, C.J. Cherryh

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<lj-cut text="Here's my comments on the SF/F booklist for serene">

Rather than just point out which books I've read. I thought I’d make comments on them specifically with <lj user = serenejournal> in mind. In case she's thinking about reading any of these books. My comments shouldn't be taken generally.

<b>Science Fiction Novels</b>

<b>Dune, Frank Herbert</b> It took me three tries to finish this book. It certainly belongs on this list and I think you would enjoy it. I found it difficult mostly because of the large amount of made up language in the novel. Herbert does include glossary, but constantly going back to glossary to to read a story is annoying.
<b>The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Robert A. Heinlein</b> Even taking my bias towards Mr. Heinlein into account, this is a truly fine science fiction novel. If you are only to read a few Heinlein novels, I would insist this be one of them.
<b>The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin</b> I really think this is a *must read* book especially for you. The politics and the discussion of gender would be of great interest to you.
<b>The Foundation Trilogy, Isaac Asimov</b> For some this will be sacrilegious but I have never been a big fan of Asimov's fiction. Stick to his nonfiction it's much better.
<b>Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert A. Heinlein</b> Well, you know about this one.
The Stars My Destination, Alfred Bester
<b>A Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter M. Miller Jr</b> Another *must read* although I wouldn't put it high up on the list of books <lj user = serenejournal> should read.
<b>Childhood's End, Arthur C. Clarke</b> This is pretty much a one gag book. Clark has done better.
<b>Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card</b> I am no longer a Card fan. I used to be. He certainly can write a yarn and there's individual bits of his writing that I really like. I just can't stomach him any more. Heinlein fans will like this book. My personal favorite of Card's (and the only book of his that I really think is still worth reading) is <u>Speaker for the Dead</u>.
<b>Hyperion, Dan Simmons</b> I loved this book, although it's really the first half of a full novel. Add <u>Fall of Hyperion</u> and you have a great novel. This one would rank high on the "<lj user = serenejournal> should read" scale.
<b>Gateway, Frederik Pohl</b> Eh, Pohl was a much better editor or collaborating with Kornbluth. <u>Space Merchants</u> is the book to read. It is still a remarkably cogent comment on our consumer culture.
<b>The Forever War, Joe Haldeman</b> I'm not sure Joe Haldeman is an author you would be interested in, I wouldn't pick this book as the best of his for you. I would probably suggest <u>All My Sins Remembered</u> if you just had to read a Joe Haldeman.
<b>More Than Human, Theodore Sturgeon</b> Yes, if we're going to continue being lovers, this book is an important to read. It is the best disability related book I ever read!
<b>Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny</b> I like him and is a great novel, but I don't think you would be interested.
<b>Neuromancer, William Gibson</b> Again, I have fond memories of this book. I wouldn't call myself a fan of Gibson, but this novel felt like a splash of cold water the first time I read it. You can skip this one <lj user = serenejournal>.
<b>Startide Rising, David Brin</b> I will say I really enjoyed this book when I read it. Once I considered the implications of the central theme. I can't recommend it to anyone.
<b>The Time Machine, H.G. Wells</b> it's a tough read and although it's a very important novel for the genre, you don't really need to read it.
<b>The Man in the High Castle, Philip K. Dick</b> I will confess to being a bit Philip K. Dick deaf. Enough people whose opinions I respect say he's a great author. I accept their opinion, but I don't get it.

The Dispossessed, Ursula K. Le Guin
Stand on Zanzibar, John Brunner

<b>Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell</b> This book still gives me nightmares. Most people had to read for English. So I'll skip recommending it.

The Demolished Man, Alfred Bester

<b>The Martian Chronicles, Ray Bradbury</b> Most everybody reads a little Bradbury. This is a good thing!
<b>Starship Troopers, Robert A. Heinlein</b> There is definitely stuff in this book that has affected my personal morality. However it’s a very complicated relationship and I wouldn't suggest this book for you <lj user = serenejournal>.
<b>Downbelow Station, C.J. Cherryh</b> I remember enjoying this book but I can't for the life of me remember any details. So I guess I don’t recommend it.
<b>Ringworld, Larry Niven</b> I like Lary by himself better than his collaborations with Jerry, but there's nothing important about this book.

2001: A Space Odyssey, Arthur C. Clarke
The War of the Worlds, H.G. Wells

<b>Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury</b> This is my favorite Bradbury. Besides the main character is named Guy! Definitely worth reading.
<b>The Mote in God's Eye, Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle</b> Run, don’t walk away from these two. *sheesh

Way Station, Clifford D. Simak I read <u>The City</u> by him and enjoyed it very much.

Star Maker, Olaf Stapledon I read <u>Sirius</u> by him and like it. I plan to read more.

Dying Inside, Robert Silverberg

<b>The City and the Stars, Arthur C. Clarke</b> I'd skip it.

Dhalgren, Samuel R. Delany I've tried several times to read this book and failed miserably. I really enjoy reading his autobiographical stuff.

<B>Rendezvous with Rama, Arthur C. Clarke</b> I wouldn't bother.

Mission of Gravity, Hal Clement

<b>City, Clifford D. Simak</b>

Cyteen, C.J. Cherryh

<Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes</b> This is a favorite of mine. You would enjoy it.
<b>Double Star, Robert A. Heinlein</b> Though most un-Heinlein, Heinlein novel. If you decided that you really enjoyed Heinlein. I would recommend this book unreservedly.
<b>Earth Abides, George R. Stewart</b> *Yawn*
<b>The Door Into Summer, Robert A. Heinlein</b> You might like this book in the way you like old science-fiction that doesn't quite predict the future but almost.

Last and First Men, Olaf Stapledon
Ubik, Philip K. Dick
Norstrilia, Cordwainer Smith
The Witches of Karres, James H. Schmitz This is the only book on the whole list that I never of.

<b>Frankenstein, Mary Shelley</b> A much better book than any of the movies would lead you to believe. I think its worth reading.
<b>Have Space Suit -- Will Travel, Robert A. Heinlein</b> This is the best of his juveniles. It is one of my favorite Heinlein's and I think you would enjoy it.
<b>Time Enough for Love, Robert A. Heinlein</b> I like this book but it is admittedly problematic in its depiction of race and gender. I think it would push all of your buttons. Skip it.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick

<b>The Gods Themselves, Isaac Asimov</b> This was one of Asimov's better attempts, but it's still not worth it. Unless you are a hard-core SF fan
<b>"Riverworld" series, Philip Jose Farmer</b> The first two of these were really fun reads, but I wouldn't go out of my way to read them.

<b>Fantasy Novels</b>

I suspect there are going to be a lot less of these that I have read.

The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien Like it or not this is part of the cannon. If you hang out with SF fan's it would be helpful to read it. I plan to try again real soon.
<b>The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien</b> A prequel to The Rings. It is definitely worth reading the period
The Book of the New Sun, Gene Wolfe I haven't managed to read any Gene Wolfe
"Earthsea" series, Ursula K. Le Guin

<b>Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll</b>

"Gormenghast" series, Mervyn Peake
The Once and Future King, T.H. White
Little, Big, John Crowley

<b>Nine Princes in Amber, Roger Zelazny</b> Read the first three and stop.
"The First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant", Stephen R. Donaldson
<b>Dragonflight, Anne McCaffrey</b> A very light read. Your probably too old to read them now and really get into them.

"The Belgariad", David Eddings

<b>The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis</b> If you can overlook the Christian stuff, I like them

The Anubis Gates, Tim Powers
"The Dying Earth" series, Jack Vance

<b>The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum</b> I just recently read this online. It's a much darker story than I expected. Definitely worth reading.

Dracula, Bram Stoker

The Last Unicorn, Peter S. Beagle Having read other Beagle stories, I'm interested in reading this.

The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley
The Stand, Stephen King

<b>Watership Down, Richard Adams</b> I liked it. I'm not sure I can recommend it
The Riddle-Master of Hed, Patricia A. McKillip

The Worm Ouroboros, E.R. Eddison I've intended to read this book for a long time.
<b>Glory Road, Robert A. Heinlein</b> I would skip this one.

Mythago Wood, Robert Holdstock

<b>"Alvin Maker" series, Orson Scott Card</b> Actually I only read the first two of this series. No recommendation here.
<b>A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle</b> Here is another *must read*. I never enjoyed anything else by the author, but this one is definitely worth it.

Witch World, Andre Norton
"The Fionavar Tapestry", Guy Gavriel Kay
Deryni Rising, Katherine Kurtz
"Discworld" series, Terry Pratchett
"Elric" series, Michael Moorcock
Replay, Ken Grimwood
Something Wicked This Way Comes, Ray Bradbury
"Fafhrd & Gray Mouser" series, Fritz Leiber

<b>The Incomplete Enchanter, Fletcher Pratt & L. Sprague de Camp</b> These were great fun. If you're in a silly mood, I'd recommend these.

There are lots of books I would put on my list of books to read that is not on this list. However, I don't have the energy to add them in today. Maybe I’ll make my own list in the future. One can always look at my homepage for some favorite books and authors of mine.

Comments

SFF recommendations

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

Earth Abides, George R. Stewart *Yawn*

goodbye. i will not contact you again.

just kidding. :) that is one of my very favourite SF books.

The Mote in God's Eye, Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle Run, don’t walk away from these two. *sheesh

wow. really? i actually love the mote. i don't feel anywhere the same about their other collaborations, but this one was wonderful to read, for me. besides which, hearing "on the gripping hand" makes sense if one's read this book, *grin*.

The Door Into Summer, Robert A. Heinlein -- heinlein, who presses many of my buttons, and whose books i dislike as much as his fans like them, has written one book i didn't hate but remember fondly, and this is it.

i don't actually know what serene usually reads, which makes it difficult to recommend anything off this list, darnit. :) what are the "must read" books based on? just potential enjoyment, or potential enjoyment plus getting a decent grounding in SF? or emphasis on reading the canon while enjoyment, while not umimportant, is secondary?

other comments:

i never got into zelazny's amber series, but i think lord of light is absolutely inspired.

i'm with you on card, but i wouldn't recommend speaker for the dead without having read ender's game first. in general i have no idea whether or not to recommend card to people, because i am pissed off at him, but i think that he's rather more easily accessible than a lot of others. but i don't consider him canon in any case.

cherryh is one of my favourite authors, but i am not sure i'd recommend either cyteen or downbelow station for a first reader of SF. i'd probably make that the chanur series.

we agree on wolfe and delany. well, i _like_ delany, and i consider what he writes important, but i find him extremely hard to read. i cannot get into wolfe at all, *sigh*.

agreed on leguin. any SF by her, really, but definitely the left hand of darkness and the dispossessed.

(i've read everything but the karres on the SF list, and everything except discworld, elric, and replay on the F list. egads. i would have thought my F reading is a lot less in tune with popular numbers.)

Re: SFF recommendations

[stonebender.livejournal.com]

Earth Abides, George R. Stewart *Yawn*

goodbye. i will not contact you again.

:-(

just kidding. :) that is one of my very favourite SF books.

I realize I'm in the minority. *shrug* What can I say, sometimes I'm a philistine. I hope we can still be friends.

The Mote in God's Eye, Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle Run, don’t walk away from these two. *sheesh*

wow. really? i actually love the mote. i don't feel anywhere the same about their other collaborations, but this one was wonderful to read, for me. besides which, hearing "on the gripping hand" makes sense if one's read this book, *grin*.

It's been awhile since I've read this particular book. As I remember it, and the same theme was used in Footfall, they propose an alien race which has a third response to conflict besides just fight or flight. They add to a submit response. Which is basically a recognition of ok, you win, you're boss. Once the alien race submits it's over. Now after the authors present this response and show it to be reliable they still go ahead and try killing off the alien species. I love the idea I hated the ending.

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<b>Earth Abides, George R. Stewart *Yawn*</b>

<i>goodbye. i will not contact you again.</i>

:-(

<i>just kidding. :) that is one of my very favourite SF books.</i>

I realize I'm in the minority. *shrug* What can I say, sometimes I'm a philistine. I hope we can still be friends.

<b>The Mote in God's Eye, Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle Run, don’t walk away from these two. *sheesh*</b>

<i>wow. really? i actually love the mote. i don't feel anywhere the same about their other collaborations, but this one was wonderful to read, for me. besides which, hearing "on the gripping hand" makes sense if one's read this book, *grin*.</i>

It's been awhile since I've read this particular book. As I remember it, and the same theme was used in Footfall, they propose an alien race which has a third response to conflict besides just fight or flight. They add to a submit response. Which is basically a recognition of ok, you win, you're boss. Once the alien race submits it's over. Now after the authors present this response and show it to be reliable they still go ahead and try killing off the alien species. I love the idea I hated the ending.

<iThe Door Into Summer, Robert A. Heinlein -- heinlein, who presses many of my buttons, and whose books i dislike as much as his fans like them, has written one book i didn't hate but remember fondly, and this is it.</i>

*nod*

<i>i don't actually know what serene usually reads, which makes it difficult to recommend anything off this list, darnit. :) what are the "must read" books based on? just potential enjoyment, or potential enjoyment plus getting a decent grounding in SF? or emphasis on reading the canon while enjoyment, while not umimportant, is secondary?</i>

I started out wanting to give serene a tastes of my opinion about the books on the list. I also wanted to point out some books that I thought she would especially like and some books that are very important to me that would be nice if she read for my own edification. As I went along I think I did make more general comments about books since I knew other people would be reading the list.

<i>other comments:

i never got into zelazny's amber series, but i think lord of light is absolutely inspired.</i>

I would agree that many of zelazny's other work was a more interesting and important. I still think the first three amber books were great fun.

<i>i'm with you on card, but i wouldn't recommend speaker for the dead without having read ender's game first.</i>

*shrug* you may be right. I think speaker is the most important book card wrote. He deals with things that are important to me and then book. The question of what do you do when you have done something that is unforgivable? Is a fascinating topic that doesn't get talked about enough.

<i>in general i have no idea whether or not to recommend card to people, because i am pissed off at him, but i think that he's rather more easily accessible than a lot of others. but i don't consider him canon in any case.</i>

I don't know that generally would recommend card. He certainly isn't canon.

<i>cherryh is one of my favourite authors, but i am not sure i'd recommend either cyteen or downbelow station for a first reader of SF. i'd probably make that the chanur series.</i>

*nod* I was working with what was given.

<i>we agree on wolfe and delany. well, i _like_ delany, and i consider what he writes important, but i find him extremely hard to read. i cannot get into wolfe at all, *sigh*.</i>

Yep!

<i>agreed on leguin. any SF by her, really, but definitely the left hand of darkness and the dispossessed.</i>

Yeppers!

<i>(i've read everything but the karres on the SF list, and everything except discworld, elric, and replay on the F list. egads. i would have thought my F reading is a lot less in tune with popular numbers.)</i>

What did you think of The Worm Ouroboros?

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

I'll post a longer response later, but may I just say *smoooooooch* for all the effort you went to here? Oh, and:

if we're going to continue being lovers

If? IF???

Hmph.

[stonebender.livejournal.com]

I gotta keep you on your toes, my love. I wouldn't want you to start taking me for granted. :-)

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

Keep throwing around the "if" word, and we'll see who is on whose toes. *bares teeth in a scary smile*

[stonebender.livejournal.com]

Too far? Pardon me Mistress! (Groveling appropriatly)

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

Too far?

Oh, nonono, love. Just funnin' with ya.

[stonebender.livejournal.com]

See how quickly I "snap to"? I guess I'm still a wannabe top. :-)

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

You can top me any day, sweetness. :-)

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Robert A. Heinlein Even taking my bias towards Mr. Heinlein into account, this is a truly fine science fiction novel.

I was liking it when I had to turn it back in to the library. Gotta order it again, or just finish it next time I'm up at your place.

The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin I really think this is a *must read* book especially for you. The politics and the discussion of gender would be of great interest to you.

Cool!

Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert A. Heinlein Well, you know about this one.

Heh.

A Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter M. Miller Jr Another *must read* although I wouldn't put it high up on the list of books serenejournal should read.

How come?

Hyperion, Dan Simmons I loved this book, although it's really the first half of a full novel. Add Fall of Hyperion and you have a great novel. This one would rank high on the "serenejournal should read" scale.

Check.

More Than Human, Theodore Sturgeon Yes, if we're going to continue being lovers, this book is an important to read. It is the best disability related book I ever read!

I guess I'd better read it, then, especially if our sex life depends on it! ;-)

Neuromancer, William Gibson Again, I have fond memories of this book. I wouldn't call myself a fan of Gibson, but this novel felt like a splash of cold water the first time I read it. You can skip this one serenejournal.

Is it cyberpunk?

Startide Rising, David Brin I will say I really enjoyed this book when I read it. Once I considered the implications of the central theme. I can't recommend it to anyone.

Details?

The Time Machine, H.G. Wells it's a tough read and although it's a very important novel for the genre, you don't really need to read it.

Read it in high school and loved it.

Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell This book still gives me nightmares. Most people had to read for English. So I'll skip recommending it.

Loved it.

The Martian Chronicles, Ray Bradbury Most everybody reads a little Bradbury. This is a good thing!

*nodnod*

Starship Troopers, Robert A. Heinlein There is definitely stuff in this book that has affected my personal morality. However it’s a very complicated relationship and I wouldn't suggest this book for you serenejournal.

Okay, that has me curious. 'splain, please.

Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury This is my favorite Bradbury. Besides the main character is named Guy! Definitely worth reading.

Loved it.

The Mote in God's Eye, Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle Run, don’t walk away from these two. *sheesh

Check.

Cyteen, C.J. Cherryh
This is a favorite of mine. You would enjoy it.

Lots of people I respect like Cherryh a lot. I'll give it a try.

The Door Into Summer, Robert A. Heinlein You might like this book in the way you like old science-fiction that doesn't quite predict the future but almost.

I think I read this and liked it. Not positive, though.

The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien Like it or not this is part of the canon. If you hang out with SF fan's it would be helpful to read it. I plan to try again real soon.

I got about halfway through and got bogged down in detail.

The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien A prequel to The Rings. It is definitely worth reading the period

The kids loved this book. I've read it at least twice, and lots more if you count re-reading sections of it to them.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum I just recently read this online. It's a much darker story than I expected. Definitely worth reading.

I want to read this.

Watership Down, Richard Adams I liked it. I'm not sure I can recommend it

No? It occupies "great book" space in my head, though it's been years since I read it.

Had to cut this short because it exceeded comment-length restrictions. More in a minute.

[stonebender.livejournal.com]

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Robert A. Heinlein Even taking my bias towards Mr. Heinlein into account, this is a truly fine science fiction novel.

I was liking it when I had to turn it back in to the library. Gotta order it again, or just finish it next time I'm up at your place.

Sure, sure.

The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin I really think this is a *must read* book especially for you. The politics and the discussion of gender would be of great interest to you.

Cool!

I hope you'll like it.

A Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter M. Miller Jr Another *must read* although I wouldn't put it high up on the list of books serenejournal should read.

How come?

I don't think the themes of though book would particularly speak to you, I think you would enjoy it. It just wouldn't be special and I'm trying to push the books that serenejournal will love.

More Than Human, Theodore Sturgeon Yes, if we're going to continue being lovers, this book is an important to read. It is the best disability related book I ever read!

I guess I'd better read it, then, especially if our sex life depends on it! ;-)

Okay I overstated for dramatic effect. This is a book that is important to me. I would love if you read it and I enjoyed it as much as I did. If you read it and don't like it. I at least hope you will understand a little more about me. How's that?

Neuromancer, William Gibson Again, I have fond memories of this book. I wouldn't call myself a fan of Gibson, but this novel felt like a splash of cold water the first time I read it. You can skip this one serenejournal.

Is it cyberpunk?

Yep. I find the posts cyberpunk author's much more interesting. Neil Stephenson, Ian McDonald.

Startide Rising, David Brin I will say I really enjoyed this book when I read it. Once I considered the implications of the central theme. I can't recommend it to anyone.

Details?

The books are about an intergalactic civilization that takes "inferior" species and uplift them to sentience. Human beings happened to be a species that gained sentience on our own. I object to the whole concept. How one decides to uplift a species. Basically they do it without the species consent. It also feeds into old tapes of how they treat people with disabilities. Doing everything they can to "help" then be able to stand or walk a little. Whether or not it improves a person's actual quality of life.

Starship Troopers, Robert A. Heinlein There is definitely stuff in this book that has affected my personal morality. However it’s a very complicated relationship and I wouldn't suggest this book for you serenejournal.

Okay, that has me curious. 'splain, please.

This is a much longer conversation, but to make a few short points. Often people think of this book as a glorification of the military. Which certainly is part of it, but are also is about an individual's responsibility to the society/community. It is often hard to discuss the rest of it because this is one of the books that pushes People's buttons the most. I'd be happy to talk to you more about it.

Cyteen, C.J. Cherryh
This is a favorite of mine. You would enjoy it.

Lots of people I respect like Cherryh a lot. I'll give it a try.

I'd probably listen to piranha's recommendation of her Chantur series.

The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien Like it or not this is part of the canon. If you hang out with SF fan's it would be helpful to read it. I plan to try again real soon.

I got about halfway through and got bogged down in detail.

Me too.

Watership Down, Richard Adams I liked it. I'm not sure I can recommend it

No? It occupies "great book" space in my head, though it's been years since I read it.

Maybe I should read it again. I read it a very young age.

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

Gonna answer this in email because I hate trying to do three-deep quoting on LJ. *smooch*

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle Here is another *must read*. I never enjoyed anything else by the author, but this one is definitely worth it.

I loved it.

The Incomplete Enchanter, Fletcher Pratt & L. Sprague de Camp These were great fun. If you're in a silly mood, I'd recommend these.

When am I *not* in a silly mood? :-)

I will add these to my new "book recommendations page" and post the link when it's done (fsvo "done"). Thank you, love, so much. *smooch*