I enjoy reading Science Fiction or SF, as it is abbreviated.
I won't say I'm an expert, but I usually know a bit more than the other librarians I'm with when we start talking about SF. Science Fiction is a sub-genre of Speculative Fiction which includes Fantasy, Alternate History, Utopian/Dystopian fiction, Paranormal and Horror.
In general, SF appeals to the reader's intellect. It is often described as the left brain reaching out to the right brain--logical toward artistic. These novels imagine worlds and technologies that could exist. Science, rather than magic, drives these stories, and often ethical implications of the choices characters make is at the heart of the tale.
Science Fiction is not all space battles and aliens. If you care about character, there is some SF for you. If you like being immersed in another time or place, there is SF for you. If you like action or prefer a leisurely exploration of ideas, there is some SF for you. As Joyce Saricks writes in The Reader's Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction, "this is a genre rich in both physical and intellectual adventure...From Romance to Mystery and beyond, Science Fiction is an unexpected treasure trove of crossover authors and titles." (p. 244)
I usually recommend a few sure bets to new readers of Science Fiction, trying to match the SF title with things they like about the current books they read. If you want to stretch your reading and go out of your comfort zone, I've read and enjoyed the following books and I think you might enjoy them, too!
If you like books in which characters and their experiences are important, you might try Mindscan by Robert J. Sawyer. Jake Sullivan has cheated death: he's discarded his doomed biological body and copied his consciousness into an android form. The new Jake soon finds love, something that eluded him when he was encased in flesh: he falls for the android version of Karen, a woman rediscovering all the joys of life now that she's no longer constrained by a worn-out body either. But suddenly Karen's son sues her, claiming that by uploading into an immortal body, she has done him out of his inheritance. Even worse, the original version of Jake, consigned to die on the far side of the moon, has taken hostages there, demanding the return of his rights of personhood. A quick read with a conversational tone, and the added bonus of making you wonder if you’d make the same choice as Jake and Karen did, make this book a good read.
If you like books with quirky humor, eccentric characters and satire, you might try The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. Set in an alternate London, literature is so important that it is a crime to forge verse and it's possible to travel into novels and poems. When someone starts kidnapping literary characters it's up to Special Operative Thursday Next to catch and punish the perpetrator. Clever word-play and satire make this a fun read, and best of all, it's the first in the "Thursday Next" series.
If you like action and adventure, you might try Old Man's War by John Scalzi. John Perry did two things on his 75th birthday. First he visited his wife's grave, then he joined the army. The good news is that humanity finally made it into interstellar space. The bad news is that planets fit to live on are scarce - and aliens willing to fight for them are common. Seventy-five-year-old John Perry joins the Colonial Defense Force because he has nothing to keep him on Earth. Suddenly installed in a better-than-new young body, he begins developing loyalty toward his comrades in arms as they battle aliens for habitable planets in a crowded galaxy. As bloody combat experiences pile up, Perry begins wondering whether the slaughter is justified; in short, is being a warrior really a good thing? Humor and action abound in the first book in the Old Man's War series.
If you like fables and parables, you might like The Carpet Makers by Andreas Eschbach. A barren, isolated planet's whole economy funtions around weaving carpets, allegedly for the emperor's palace, out of the hair of the weavers' wives. Although a weaver must have several wives to make his particular carpet, he may have only one son, who becomes his successor when he finishes his carpet and dies. But what if you don't want to be a carpet maker, and why are all these carpets needed anyway? Soon ships from the new government arrive with officials wondering the same thing. The new interstellar government learns why the ousted emperor secretly maintained thousands of carpet-making planets--and so will you! Eschbach's parable-like writing style as well the mystery we watch unfold are the primary appeals for this book.
One last...
If you enjoy more literary books you might enjoy The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. Father Emilio Sandoz, a Jesuit linguist, heads a team of scientists and explorers on an expedition to the planet Rakhat, where first contact has been established with two sentient races. Fr. Sandoz is the only survivor of the mission. The narrative shifts back and forth between 2016, when the mission began, and 2060, during a Vatican inquest into the failed mission. Through Fr. Sandoz's tale we learn the terrible story of the mission and the reasons he came back maimed and broken in spirit. An excellent choice for book groups and, like most literary novels, can be read on many levels.
There are many more authors and books to explore in this genre. Have you read any SF novels? What would you recommend to readers new to the genre?
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
50 Book Challenge: First Quarter Update
It is the last day of April. Do you know what that means? The year is already ¼ over. How many books have you read so far? To be on track to finish the 50 by the end of the year, you should have read about 12 books so far. My count right now is 21 (21.5 if you count the book I’m currently reading), and that doesn’t even include my text book from my class (and I read every page, I swear!). I know I am ahead of the curve, but hey- where I work, there are books EVERYWHERE.
A lot of the books I have read so far this year are books I’ve spotlighted in earlier posts; but here is a little description of each.
1.Just Kids by Patti Smith-(Nonfiction)
A biography of Patti Smith’s early years with Robert Mapplethorpe in NYC.
2.Uglies by Scott Westerfeld- (Teen Fiction)
What if everyone was “ugly” but turned pretty on their 16th birthday? That’s all Tally wanted until she meets Shay, who might just want to stay ugly.
3. Houdini the Handcuff King by Jason Lutes- (Graphic Novel)
A short story about one of Houdini’s greatest illusions and set in early 1900s Boston
4. Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles- (Teen Fiction)
I read the first book, Leaving Paradise, last year about two teens’ unlikely friendship and romance after a horrific car accident. Return to Paradise wraps up Maggie’s and Caleb’s story nicely.
5. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and Levithan- (Teen Fiction)
I’ve seen the movie and read one of Cohns and Levithan's other books, Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares so I thought I would give it a try. Follow Nick and Norah for one night all around New York City just as they are getting to know each other and Norah is in the middle of making a big life decision.
6. I Know I Am, But What Are You? by Samantha Bee- (Nonfiction)
A collection of funny essays written The Daily Show’s Samantha Bee. Find out what it was like to grow up in Canada and be just a little bit different.
7. The Eternal Smile by Derek Kirk Kim and Gene Luen Yang- (Graphic Novel)
Three intriguing, thought-provoking stories about how what we believe in shapes our decisions.
8. Janes in Love by Cecil Castelucci and Jim Rugg-(Graphic Novel)
Continues the story of four teenage outsiders named Jane. They started PLAIN, sort of a guerilla neighborhood beautification project but will they be foiled by friends, parents and the local government? I was sad to hear that a sequel to this book was scrapped during the planning phase; But do not let that stop you from reading it. It is a great standalone story.
9. The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman-(Fiction)
This book focuses on interconnected stories about people at an English language newspaper in Rome. Narrators of each story are all connected to the newspaper from all departments and all time periods throughout the paper’s history.
10. Sleepwalk with Me by Mike Birbiglia- (Nonfiction)
Another collection of humorous essays about being a little bit different, but this time it is hazardous to his health. The author has a sleep disorder and once jumped out of window while asleep. You should also check out some of his stories on This American Life. And he is from Massachusetts.
11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Fables 11-14 and 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham (Graphic Novels)
I highly recommend this series about Fables who set out to make a new home in NYC, but just can’t ever seem to catch a break. Great art and funny and thrilling storylines always keep me interested. I am currently reading Fables #15 Rose Red now and cannot put it down.
16. The Help by Kathryn Stockett- (Fiction)
I listened to the audio book version and really enjoyed the performances. Both Diane and I have mentioned this book so you can read what we’ve previously said here and here.
17. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins- (Teen Fiction)
Sort of a cringe-worthy title to me, but I really enjoyed the book and read it very quickly. Anna spends her senior year at a boarding school in France, learning the language and making new friends including the dreamy Etienne.
18. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld- (Teen Fiction)
This is a sequel to Westerfeld’s Uglies. I do not want to give too much away because you need to start with the first book, but just know that is it the continuation of Tally’s story and her place in the Ugly/Pretty/ Special society.
19. Jumpstart the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde- (Teen Fiction)
When Elle’s mother remarries, she is forced to live in her own NYC apartment. That is a dream come true for any 15 year old, right? Well Elle doesn’t see it that way, but when the kind couple next door takes her under their wing, it doesn’t seem that bad.
20. One of Our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde- (Fiction)
The sixth book in the series about Thursday Next that I recommend to anyone who will listen. This time it is fictional Thursday’s turn to save the day, but can be as cunning, clever and brave as her real-life counterpart if she wasn’t written that way?
21. Bossypants by Tina Fey- (Nonfiction)
Once getting past the slightly creepy cover, inside you will find many funny (and even some laugh-out-loud) stories about Tina Fey’s childhood, time at SNL, and about her current position as writer and star of 30 Rock.
22. (Currently Reading) A Red Herring without Mustard by Alan Bradley- (Fiction)
Flavia de Luce and her bike, Gladys, are back solving mysteries around Bishop’s Lacey, a small village in England. The youngest daughter, she is still exacting revenge on her sisters Ophelia and Daphne, while befriending a girl named Porcelain and finding out more about her mother Harriet, who went missing during a mountain expedition 10 years earlier.
And I was going to star* the books that I most highly recommended, but I couldn’t pick which ones were the best. I have been really lucky so far this year because I have not read one book that I didn’t enjoy.
So what is the best of the best that you have read so far this year? Or have you been and lucky and I have been and liked them all? Either way, let me know!
A lot of the books I have read so far this year are books I’ve spotlighted in earlier posts; but here is a little description of each.
1.Just Kids by Patti Smith-(Nonfiction)
A biography of Patti Smith’s early years with Robert Mapplethorpe in NYC.
2.Uglies by Scott Westerfeld- (Teen Fiction)
What if everyone was “ugly” but turned pretty on their 16th birthday? That’s all Tally wanted until she meets Shay, who might just want to stay ugly.
3. Houdini the Handcuff King by Jason Lutes- (Graphic Novel)
A short story about one of Houdini’s greatest illusions and set in early 1900s Boston
4. Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles- (Teen Fiction)
I read the first book, Leaving Paradise, last year about two teens’ unlikely friendship and romance after a horrific car accident. Return to Paradise wraps up Maggie’s and Caleb’s story nicely.
5. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and Levithan- (Teen Fiction)
I’ve seen the movie and read one of Cohns and Levithan's other books, Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares so I thought I would give it a try. Follow Nick and Norah for one night all around New York City just as they are getting to know each other and Norah is in the middle of making a big life decision.
6. I Know I Am, But What Are You? by Samantha Bee- (Nonfiction)
A collection of funny essays written The Daily Show’s Samantha Bee. Find out what it was like to grow up in Canada and be just a little bit different.
7. The Eternal Smile by Derek Kirk Kim and Gene Luen Yang- (Graphic Novel)
Three intriguing, thought-provoking stories about how what we believe in shapes our decisions.
8. Janes in Love by Cecil Castelucci and Jim Rugg-(Graphic Novel)
Continues the story of four teenage outsiders named Jane. They started PLAIN, sort of a guerilla neighborhood beautification project but will they be foiled by friends, parents and the local government? I was sad to hear that a sequel to this book was scrapped during the planning phase; But do not let that stop you from reading it. It is a great standalone story.
9. The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman-(Fiction)
This book focuses on interconnected stories about people at an English language newspaper in Rome. Narrators of each story are all connected to the newspaper from all departments and all time periods throughout the paper’s history.
10. Sleepwalk with Me by Mike Birbiglia- (Nonfiction)
Another collection of humorous essays about being a little bit different, but this time it is hazardous to his health. The author has a sleep disorder and once jumped out of window while asleep. You should also check out some of his stories on This American Life. And he is from Massachusetts.
11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Fables 11-14 and 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham (Graphic Novels)
I highly recommend this series about Fables who set out to make a new home in NYC, but just can’t ever seem to catch a break. Great art and funny and thrilling storylines always keep me interested. I am currently reading Fables #15 Rose Red now and cannot put it down.
16. The Help by Kathryn Stockett- (Fiction)
I listened to the audio book version and really enjoyed the performances. Both Diane and I have mentioned this book so you can read what we’ve previously said here and here.
17. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins- (Teen Fiction)
Sort of a cringe-worthy title to me, but I really enjoyed the book and read it very quickly. Anna spends her senior year at a boarding school in France, learning the language and making new friends including the dreamy Etienne.
18. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld- (Teen Fiction)
This is a sequel to Westerfeld’s Uglies. I do not want to give too much away because you need to start with the first book, but just know that is it the continuation of Tally’s story and her place in the Ugly/Pretty/ Special society.
19. Jumpstart the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde- (Teen Fiction)
When Elle’s mother remarries, she is forced to live in her own NYC apartment. That is a dream come true for any 15 year old, right? Well Elle doesn’t see it that way, but when the kind couple next door takes her under their wing, it doesn’t seem that bad.
20. One of Our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde- (Fiction)
The sixth book in the series about Thursday Next that I recommend to anyone who will listen. This time it is fictional Thursday’s turn to save the day, but can be as cunning, clever and brave as her real-life counterpart if she wasn’t written that way?
21. Bossypants by Tina Fey- (Nonfiction)
Once getting past the slightly creepy cover, inside you will find many funny (and even some laugh-out-loud) stories about Tina Fey’s childhood, time at SNL, and about her current position as writer and star of 30 Rock.
22. (Currently Reading) A Red Herring without Mustard by Alan Bradley- (Fiction)
Flavia de Luce and her bike, Gladys, are back solving mysteries around Bishop’s Lacey, a small village in England. The youngest daughter, she is still exacting revenge on her sisters Ophelia and Daphne, while befriending a girl named Porcelain and finding out more about her mother Harriet, who went missing during a mountain expedition 10 years earlier.
And I was going to star* the books that I most highly recommended, but I couldn’t pick which ones were the best. I have been really lucky so far this year because I have not read one book that I didn’t enjoy.
So what is the best of the best that you have read so far this year? Or have you been and lucky and I have been and liked them all? Either way, let me know!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Read ‘Em Before They Hit the Big Screen!
Once a book becomes very popular, the first question on many people’s minds is when is it going to be a movie? This year many great books are hitting the big screen and will have people lining up to see them. Now most people know that another installment of the Twilight franchise is coming out in November and the last half of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be out in July, but I wanted to highlight some other great books that are coming to a theater near you this year.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
I actually read this book a few years ago and have recommended it to quite a few friends. Set during the Great Depression, Jacob loses his parents so he quits Veterinary school and hops on a circus train. He helps train Rosie the elephant and falls for Marlena, the woman who performs with Rosie. Marlena also happens to married to the short-tempered and mercurial August. Narrated by a 93 year old Jacob, did he get his happy ending?
READ BEFORE: April 22
Cast Highlight: Robert Pattinson? Eh. Reese Witherspoon? OK. But I’m most looking forward to Hal Holbrook as older Jacob.
One Day by David Nicholls
Nicholls uses one day each year to spotlight the changes over twodecades of friendship for Dex Mayhew and Em Morley. Follow their career highs and lows and their break-ups and make-ups with an interesting string of characters. Some years they are close, others they are barely speaking, but why is this one day so important? Find out!
READ BEFORE: July 8
Cast Highlight: Can Anne Hathaway pull off Em’s English accent?
The Help-Kathryn Stockett
I am currently listening to audiobook and find it very captivating. As I am getting ready for work, I start to think, “I can’t wait to hear what happens next.” Follow Skeeter, Abileen, and Minny as they struggle with daily life in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi. Diane already highlighted this book in a previous post, so you can read more about the book here.
READ BEFORE: August 12
Cast Highlight: Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson. She performed the part in the audiobook version and now she will reprise the role in the movie.
One for the Money- Janet Evanovich
In the first book in a series of 16 titles (with another being released in June) we find Stephanie Plum, former lingerie buyer, begrudgingly accepting a job as a bounty hunter in her small hometown in New Jersey. These books are filled with many laugh out loud moments. Follow Stephanie’s trials and hijinks (and romances!) throughout the series.
READ BEFORE: July 3
Cast Highlight: Katherine Heigl as Stephanie was definitely nothing like I pictured, but I can’t wait to see Debbie Reynolds as Stephanie’s hilarious Grandma Mazur.
Check out some other books with movie versions coming out soon:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
READ BEFORE: March 11
The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
READ BEFORE: March 18
Something Borrowed- Emily Giffin
READ BEFORE: May 6
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
READ BEFORE: July 15
Moneyball- Michael Lewis
READ BEFORE: September 23
The Invention Of Hugo Cabret- Brian Selznick
READ BEFORE:November 23
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- Stieg Larsson
READ BEFORE: December 21
If you’ve already read the book and don’t mind subtitles, we already own the Swedish film version of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Finally a challenge:
If you know a movie that is better than the book please tell me which one and why you think so.
I have yet to find a single movie that improves upon its book.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
I actually read this book a few years ago and have recommended it to quite a few friends. Set during the Great Depression, Jacob loses his parents so he quits Veterinary school and hops on a circus train. He helps train Rosie the elephant and falls for Marlena, the woman who performs with Rosie. Marlena also happens to married to the short-tempered and mercurial August. Narrated by a 93 year old Jacob, did he get his happy ending?
READ BEFORE: April 22
Cast Highlight: Robert Pattinson? Eh. Reese Witherspoon? OK. But I’m most looking forward to Hal Holbrook as older Jacob.
One Day by David Nicholls
Nicholls uses one day each year to spotlight the changes over twodecades of friendship for Dex Mayhew and Em Morley. Follow their career highs and lows and their break-ups and make-ups with an interesting string of characters. Some years they are close, others they are barely speaking, but why is this one day so important? Find out!
READ BEFORE: July 8
Cast Highlight: Can Anne Hathaway pull off Em’s English accent?
The Help-Kathryn Stockett
I am currently listening to audiobook and find it very captivating. As I am getting ready for work, I start to think, “I can’t wait to hear what happens next.” Follow Skeeter, Abileen, and Minny as they struggle with daily life in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi. Diane already highlighted this book in a previous post, so you can read more about the book here.
READ BEFORE: August 12
Cast Highlight: Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson. She performed the part in the audiobook version and now she will reprise the role in the movie.
One for the Money- Janet Evanovich
In the first book in a series of 16 titles (with another being released in June) we find Stephanie Plum, former lingerie buyer, begrudgingly accepting a job as a bounty hunter in her small hometown in New Jersey. These books are filled with many laugh out loud moments. Follow Stephanie’s trials and hijinks (and romances!) throughout the series.
READ BEFORE: July 3
Cast Highlight: Katherine Heigl as Stephanie was definitely nothing like I pictured, but I can’t wait to see Debbie Reynolds as Stephanie’s hilarious Grandma Mazur.
Check out some other books with movie versions coming out soon:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
READ BEFORE: March 11
The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
READ BEFORE: March 18
Something Borrowed- Emily Giffin
READ BEFORE: May 6
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
READ BEFORE: July 15
Moneyball- Michael Lewis
READ BEFORE: September 23
The Invention Of Hugo Cabret- Brian Selznick
READ BEFORE:November 23
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- Stieg Larsson
READ BEFORE: December 21
If you’ve already read the book and don’t mind subtitles, we already own the Swedish film version of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Finally a challenge:
If you know a movie that is better than the book please tell me which one and why you think so.
I have yet to find a single movie that improves upon its book.
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