Escape into summer sci-fi

Ed, Forrest Lake, PA — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 02:10:48 GMT

"The Judas Strain" came out last week. Excellent read and very timely as the current news of killing bacteria with virus is hot.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Heather, St. Clair Shores, MI — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:01:33 GMT

The Time Traveler's Wife - Completely new take on Time Travel. Just awesome!

One of my favorites from my teen years is Orson Scott Card - Ender's Game.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Anna, Houston, Texas — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:34:31 GMT

I'd go with "Replay" by Ken Grimwood. It explores the question of living one's life over very believably, and the twenty years since the book's original publication have not dulled the resonance of the story.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Dennis McClain-Furmanski, Dalworthington Gardens, Texas — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 15:06:34 GMT

Appropriate for the summer is (will be) the movie "Sunshine". IMDB plot outline: "A team of astronauts are sent to re-ignite the dying sun 50 years into the future." USA release is July 20th.

For an extended escape, I recommend Vernor Vinge's 1992 Hugo winner "A Fire Upon The Deep". It's a massive book, but it's completely engrossing. It looks like a month's worth of reading, but every time I read it I end up sticking with it and finishing it in 4 or 5 days. Particularly fetching is his use of simulated computer communications, much like Usenet postings, to present relevant pieces of plot and illustrate politics in process, and a war of good vs. evil, at a galactic scale. This is also available on CD or tape as an audio book.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Norman, Houston, TX — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 15:13:31 GMT

Try anything by Peter Hamilton or Dan Simmons...best stuff I have read in the last two decades. Excellent writing with extraordinary imagination.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Judith Moore, San Diego, CA — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 15:18:38 GMT

Tops on my list is the always pertinant Slaughter House Five. And once you've read it, if you can find the movie, you'll fall in love with it too! And the sound track is the best!

Escape into summer sci-fi

Thomas L. Worley, Clarksville, IN — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 15:22:47 GMT

The finest escapist trip of the last generation is L.Ron Hubbard's Mission Earth series. Takes a very broad mind to enjoy however.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Kevin, Baltimore, MD — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:23:46 GMT

I'm looking forward to the latest William Gibson novel coming out in August. I don't know if Gibson's latest stuff qualifies as science fiction anymore, but it should be a good read.

Escape into summer sci-fi

JP — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:42:30 GMT

I can think of three really good novels right off:

Mainspring by Jay Lake, though that may get a bit heavy.

Sun Of Suns by Karl Schroeder, lots of swashbuckling in space.

Radio Freefall by Matthew Jarpe, scifi and rock and roll together in a near future Earth

Out of the three, Radio Freefall is probably the most escapist, but they are all imaginative and worth a read.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Fred, Denver, CO — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:50:18 GMT

I just re-read "The Stars My Destination" by Alfred Bester. One of the best SF books ever, and not at all dated, despite being written in the mid-50's.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Elizabeth Howe, Garden Grove, CA — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:51:14 GMT

One of the best ones for escapism, social commentary, and where humans fit in the universe versus the nature of existence is Frank Herbert's "The God Makers."
You can breeze through it as escapism, but then you have to re-read it (or at least re-think what it said), because it just keeps giving Gestalt revelations that you didn't even know you had in you.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Dave, Midland Park, N.J. — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:58:40 GMT

I strongly recommend Greg Bear's Darwin's Radio and Darwin's Children, but you have to wrap your mind around the hard science. For pure escapist reading, David Weber's Honor Harrington series is wonderful entertainment.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Richard Pearce, Topeka, KS — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:30:45 GMT

I recommend all of the works of Neal Asher for "hard" science fiction. After a couple of decades of being in the doldrums there is now a lot of good new SciFi out there. Also check Dan Simmons (more literary), Robert Reed, Linda Nagata, Kage Baker, and for more traditional SciFi, Frederik Pohl. If you like alternative history then Harry Turtledove is your guy.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Richard Pearce, Topeka, KS — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:36:06 GMT

The [reader] who recommended "Mission Earth" must be a Scientologist (L. Ron Hubbard invented Scientology). The books in the "Mission Earth" series are ill conceived, poorly written and just plain lousy.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Ron Sharlow, El Paso, Texas — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:14:58 GMT

I must agree with judith Moore on Slaughter House Five, which i recently reread for about the 20th
time. I also recommend Hubbard's Battlefield Earth,
because while the movie was a travesty the book was great.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Patrick Bishop, Caldwell, NJ — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:30:00 GMT

Alan,

Just watched the original Lathe of Heaven. There's a scene in which Seattle is described as sunny since it hasn't rained there in two years. You're not having affective dreams up there, are you?

PB

Escape into summer sci-fi

TheFallibleFiend, LORTON, VA — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:10:04 GMT

A good one to go back and look at is "True Names," by Vernor Vinge which was written back when the Internet was still dedicated to DoD and academic research. (BTW, Dennis M., one of my favorite books is VV's "A Fire Upon the Deep.) Along similar lines is John Brunner's "The Shockwave Rider" or Gibson's "Neuromancer." All excellent choices.

Jules Verne's "From the Earth to the Moon" is another one worth the time to read.

I very much liked "War of the Worlds." Outstanding writing, with one of the most memorable, macabre, yet beautiful opening passages in literature.

Probably my most favorite SF is Stephenson's "Cryptonomicon." (His endings tend to really suck, but this ending sucked a lot less than the others. Other than that, it's a brilliant book.) Anyway, this one almost doesn't qualify as science fiction, but it's destined to become a classic.

R.U.R. is one of several plays by Karel Capek that I read with my two girls when they were quite a bit younger. If you like it, you might want to watch the silent movie, Metropolis, as well.

So long as I'm bringing up classics, I'll mention Walter Miller's "A Canticle for Leibowitz." Excellent, excellent book. (I'd really like to see this one made into a movie or mini-series.)

Two I haven't read in a very long time are "The Adolescence of P1" and "When H.A.R.L.I.E. was one."

I don't read much modern fiction, though I'm sure there's some really good stuff out there. Still, I think any of the ones I've mentioned are well worth the read, but be warned: once you get a taste for the classics, it's very addictive!

Escape into summer sci-fi

Stuart Bolin — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:01:26 GMT

I have always liked "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" also by Heinlein. With the talk about public space flight, Chinese lunar exploration and the present Russian/American cooperation in space, RH's vision may not be that far off.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Carl W, Ann Arbor, MI — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:48:17 GMT

“Childhood’s End” by Arthur C. Clarke is another great sci fi escape. It’s an interesting and relatively short read about first encounter and the future of humanity.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Charles Lurio, Brookline MA — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:00:02 GMT

Something great to dive in and out of over coming weeks: the annual 'World's Best SF' collection edited by Gardner Dozois - 24th edition, just out.

He also coedited a great collection of original 'New Space Opera' stories by some of the best people in that area -Baxter, Simmons, McAuley, etc. It came out in June.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Ralph G, Garden Grove, CA — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 19:46:58 GMT

For a different stylistic approach to short stories than the usual, try "Crystal Express", by Bruce Sterling. Also interesting if you've never read them, are Franz Kafka's short stories, not really science-fiction but interesting nonetheless. I read Battleship Earth many years ago. One of the things I will always remember about it is that appears (intentionally?) to be written by about 4 different authors. You can almost pick out the transition points. It's big, but how good it is, is in the eyes of the beholders.

Escape into summer sci-fi

mind bird — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 00:26:04 GMT

Cordwainer Smith, one of the greatest:

1993, The Rediscovery of Man (definitive & complete compilation of short science fiction writings)

1994, Norstrilia (corrected edition with variant texts)

Escape into summer sci-fi

Grey, Cleveland OH — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 04:54:51 GMT

I've seen some of my favorites listed here already, but the Peter F Hamilton books (especially Pandora's Star/Judas Unchained)Alastair Reynolds (dark brooding and rich - Revelation Space, Absolution Gap and the engrossing finale Redemption Ark - All I can say about Reynolds is WOW!) Dan Simmons (the entire multi-volume Hyperion Series is EPIC). Not to mention the BEST of Heinlein which, IMHO, are the later works like Number of the Beast, Friday, The Cat who walks through walls.

Make Mine Sci-Fi!!

Escape into summer sci-fi

JC, Fairbanks, AK — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 05:11:29 GMT

Stuart Bolin (Moon is a Harsh Mistress) and Carl W. (Childhood's End) suggest 2 of my *favorite* science fiction stories when I was growing up! I recommend "Fountains of Paradise" (AC Clarke), and ESPECIALLY "NightFall", by Isaac Asimov and Robert Silverberg for anybody, but even for kids. These may seem 'advanced' for kids, but I have been delighted to see how the "Harry Potter" series of books has turned thousands of kids into avid readers of BOOKS! Though in a different way, I have no doubt many kids will find one or more of these 4 inspirational.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Fred Fisher, Lordsburg, New Mexico — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 17:49:35 GMT

Ah yes, the days of a distant summer, the 50's, escaping to the top of a local oak to read in peace. Days spent dreaming with science fiction as prelude to science. Days in thrall to the four masters, Asimov, Heinlein, Norton and Van Vogt - still fresh after all these years.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Roger Meyer, Huntington Beach, Ca — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 17:52:49 GMT

I have read Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game and its sequels over-and-over.
Anything by Larry Niven is a must read.
And how about Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke?

Escape into summer sci-fi

Phil, Indiana — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 20:21:35 GMT

It isn't really science fiction but has science fiction elements: Atlas Shrugged. Robert Heinlein was influenced by this book and the author's philosophy, incidentally.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Alan Boyle — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 22:34:41 GMT

I love that image of escaping to the top of a local oak... When I was young, my favorite place was sitting at the bottom of a spreading elm in the back yard, or on a board we had set up in the crotch of a climbable tree ... a perch too humble to be called a treehouse. Back when "2001" was so far in the future the very title was science fiction.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Otis Gieszl, Bullhead City, AZ — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 03:03:15 GMT

For pure escapism, the Edgar Rice Burroughs' Martian Series are very good. Jack Chalker's initial Well World series is also a lot of fun. The Forerunner books from Andre Norton were enjoyable reads.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Dale, Houston, Texas — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 21:28:21 GMT

Here are two set primarily in the ocean. One involves a heretofore undiscovered life form, the other an evolving predatory life form that learns to fly and live on the land:

The Swarm -- Frank Schatzing (English translation from German)

Natural Selection -- Dave Freedman

Escape into summer sci-fi

Sclaus, Iceland — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 21:29:38 GMT

Atlas Shrugged? Hardly science fiction, but definitely fantasy.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Mike Salsgiver, Portland, OR — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 03:34:01 GMT

Hard to beat Asimov's original "Foundation" trilogy. I also enjoy Michael Flynn's "Star" series, and of course, Kim Stanley Robinson's "Red/Green/Blue Mars" trilogy.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Tenney Naumer, Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:00:31 GMT

I agree -- Cordwainer Smith's work, certainly. Also, "The Martian Chronicles" and "The Ship Who Sang".

Escape into summer sci-fi

Carlos, Austin, Tx. — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:56:01 GMT

My all-time favorite was TAU ZERO by Poul Anderson. That's right, P-o-u-l. It's not a misspelling. It harks back to the early 70's and was the winner of the Nebula award.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 05:07:05 GMT

Not Sci-fi in the classic sense but certainly something to approach as a curiousity I found.
"Cosmos and Psyche-Intimations of a new world view" - by Richard Tarnus. Dispell all your pre-conceived notions about astrological ideas and approach with an open mind. It's not an easy read and you have to spend time with it but it certainly is a curious subject.

Escape into summer sci-fi

W.A. Nicholson, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 13:29:59 GMT

I must say there are some wonderful and enthusiastic postings on this topic. I have made a list and will try to read as many of your recommendations as I can find. I recently re-read (for the umpteenth time) THE TIME MACHINE and WAR OF THE WORLDS by H.G. Wells, and I strongly recommend them. I always discover something new and thought-provoking. I also recently picked up a copy of the 50th Anniversary boxed set of FORBIDDEN PLANET. Who knew Shakespeare wrote Sci-fi. Really, you can't go wrong with the classics.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Tony, Peoria, Il — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 13:46:39 GMT

Dune. War of the Worlds. DownBelow Station. A Canticle for Leibowitz. And, does anyone remember those paperbacks from the sixties that were two books back to back? The Solarians was one of those, and it was a real escapist piece of work.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Gregory, Northampton, MA — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:56:45 GMT

I recently read by Dan Simmons Illium and Olympos, truly a great work of sci-fi. For the classic cyperpunkers try Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash. For some great space opera, check out Peter Hamilton's Pandora's star. All great works!

Escape into summer sci-fi

Peter Smith, Chicago, Illinois — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:12:39 GMT

"The [reader] who recommended "Mission Earth" must be a Scientologist (L. Ron Hubbard invented Scientology)." --Richard Pearce, Topeka, KS

Now now Mr. Pearce. Not everybody who has read Hubbard is a Scientologist. I read Battlefield Earth a few times for the pure entertainment value of it, and I am definately *not* a Scientologist (Lapsed Catholic).

Escape into summer sci-fi

Wayne, M'town TN — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:13:19 GMT

"Jules Verne's "From the Earth to the Moon" is another one worth the time to read."

"I very much liked "War of the Worlds." Outstanding writing, with one of the most memorable, macabre, yet beautiful opening passages in literature. "

"R.U.R. is one of several plays by Karel Capek that I read with my two girls when they were quite a bit younger. If you like it, you might want to watch the silent movie, Metropolis, as well."

"Walter Miller's "A Canticle for Leibowitz." Excellent, excellent book. (I'd really like to see this one made into a movie or mini-series.)"

"I don't read much modern fiction, though I'm sure there's some really good stuff out there. Still, I think any of the ones I've mentioned are well worth the read, but be warned: once you get a taste for the classics, it's very addictive!

TheFallibleFiend, LORTON, VA (
"

We have similar tastes
"Intellects vast and cool and unsympathetic"

I have an old Play book that includes R.U.R.
I tried to get some friends interested in doing an Indy film based on the play as written with no attempt at updating anything.It's on the back burner for now.

"I just re-read "The Stars My Destination" by Alfred Bester. One of the best SF books ever, and not at all dated, despite being written in the mid-50's.
Fred, Denver, CO
"
another great.

Campbell's "Who goes there" is a favorite, and anything by Stanley Weinbaum, Murray Lienster, or CM Cornbluth, or the team of Eando Binder.

Kieth Laurmer is in a class by himself. I really don't like his style but his stories rise above his shortcomings, that ain't easy.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Ann, Kansas City MO — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 18:06:42 GMT

"Nightwatch", "Daywatch" and "Twilight Watch". Truly different vampire/magic realism/sci fi/what-not/fiction from Russia.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Jason K., Chicago Illinois — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 18:49:36 GMT

For young adult readers (like me,) read Feed by M.T. Anderson, An Audience for Einstein by Mark Wakely, The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer, and Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Chris, Elgin, IL — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 18:53:40 GMT

The Sky People by Sterling is really good, as a through back to Burroughs (Venus is a tropical world with dinosaurs).

Ian Douglas is a good escapist writer, as long as you're willing to walk away from it not wanting a whole lot more. The classics, for me, are Starship Troopers by Heinlein, and Armor by Steakley (I think). The Old Man's War and Ghost Brigade by Scalzi are also pretty good. I'm watching for new Turtledove books, but I think he's in short supply this year. I'm also in the process of finishing Pesawar Lancers by Stirling, and enjoying it as well.

I'm also looking forward to the followup to Armageddon's Children from Terry Brooks, but that's Fantasy, not sci-fi, the final HP book, as many others are as well, and the next book from George RR Martin.

Enjoy the sun with a good book.

Escape into summer sci-fi

susie, slinger, wisconsin — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 21:25:33 GMT

Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series. Excellent space opera!

Escape into summer sci-fi

Al Garrison, Huntsville, AL — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:11:05 GMT

Robert K Morgan's book "Altered Carbon" is one of my new
favorites of recent years. I've been reading sci-fi a long time since the 60's. Larry Niven's collection "Neutron Star" is a fav too.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:35:17 GMT

About the classic "2001: A Space Odyssey": It's true Alan, the title 2001 itself was sci-fi back then. I wonder what Clarke thought upon realizing 2001 was marked by an historic terrorist attack on the US instead of colonies on the moon? Also, the notion of a HAL 9000 computer is still in the realm of dreams. I don't think even Bill Gates has ever spoken about such an endeavour as being a possible reality. The idea of autonomously thinking machines on that level is perhaps...3001? 4001? beyond?

Escape into summer sci-fi

TheFallibleFiend, LORTON, VA — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:06:25 GMT

Dale, those sound very interesting. Putting them on my list. Will be around, but I'll eventually get around to them.

I'll mention in return one that I think is destined to become a classic: Hogan's "Code of the Lifemaker" which pits two future nemeses that look a lot like Uri Geller and James Randi against each other while trying to understand a planet of robots that thinks it evolved and refuses to believe it was created by a lesser life-form like humanity. (It's been a long time since I read it, but I think that synopsis is not far off.)

A more recent vintage is Brin's two Sundiver trilogies. I love the basic idea: the galaxy is populated with innumerable species, each having been "uplifted" (genetically modified and evolved from) from non-sentience to sentience since the time of the now disappeared primogenitors. All species have been uplifted, except one, a wolfling species from the planet Earth that evolved on its own. There's some cool idea in these books - one of them is the galactic library that has all of the known knowledge of galaxy, and has been given to earth, but with a very limited search capability.

Escape into summer sci-fi

TheFallibleFiend, LORTON, VA — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:11:41 GMT

Wayne,
I agree entirely about Keith Laumer. I'm particularly fond of the Bolo series, since taken over by David Drake and others (some of whom are better writers). It seems so appropriate and just plain "right" that there would be many different writers telling those stories.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Joel Anderson, St. Paul, MN — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:16:32 GMT

I really love "The Rolling Stones," one of Robert Heinlein's so-called "juveniles." It certainly is a fun and family-friendly story, but don't misunderstand, Heinlein tells a good story and isn't shy about letting some of his politics show through.

It is a charming classic "hard SF" story that has plenty of nuts and bolts details of space travel.

I re-read this periodically - or listen to it - there is a wonderful full cast version (unabridged) that is a delight.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Greg, Odenton, MD — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:02:22 GMT

For my money, you can't beat:

1) The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
2) Downtiming the Night Side by Jack Chalker
3) almost anything by Piers Anthony

Escape into summer sci-fi

Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:24:09 GMT

Oh BTW, here is the link to examine "Cosmos and Psyche" http://www.cosmosandpsyche.com/ExploreTheBook.php

Escape into summer sci-fi

Don Atlanta, Ga — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:46:53 GMT

I have read everything that Heinlein and Herbert have written (including "Grumbles from the Grave"). I find it difficult to find anyone writing sci fi in the grand tradition of Heinlein or Herbert but the closest are David Weber, David Drake, and a relative newcomer (a couple of years) John Ringo. I have also just finished the Brian Herbert (book 1) ending of Chapterhouse Dune.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Mark Kelso, Dallas, TX — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:50:48 GMT

I'm a little surprised that Connie Willis hasn't shown up yet. "To Say Nothing of the Dog" is as much fun as anything I've read in years. Hard to describe, a mix of time travel, historical romance, bureaucratic satire, and slapstick comedy. (I told you it was hard to describe. Trust me. Read it.)

Her "Doomsday Book" is set in the same time travel system, but much darker, without the humor. It's brilliant, but probably too heavy for stereotypical summer reading.

I would also strongly recommend her "Fire Watch" and "Impossible Things," short story collections that range over a great variety of styles and subject matters.

"Bellwether" is good fun too. It's not SF, really, but let's not get picky here. Anyone who has worked in a large bureaucracy will recognize every character and situation in the book.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Frank Benu, Nashville, TN — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:35:47 GMT

For truly mind-bending SF, try any of Stephen Baxter's "Manifold" series ("Manifold: Space," "Manifold: Time" and "Manifold: Origin") It doesn't matter which one you read first; they each loop around the other two. It's wild. Many other Baxter books are very good also.

Escape into summer sci-fi

Dr L, CO — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:45:28 GMT

can anyone help me?
I am looking for a book, I know the plot, but nothing else.
It's a look 50 years into the future, where New Orleans is flooded, old people use sunglass cameras to report crimes, everyone is literally plugged in with a chip on the brain, they nuked the swiss alps and now they live on deteriorating ships, animals are being kept in huge biospheres, etc etc. If you know this book please email me at drliving@comcast.net. thanks!!!! Dr L :o)

Escape into summer sci-fi

Douglas Rea, Tasmania, Australia — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:51:53 GMT

MOBILE TREK (Because In Space No One Can Hear You Dial), is a humorous, zany, off-the-wall look at Sci-Fi and call centres and is currently available in e-book form from www.ereadable.com. For anyone who ever had to phone a “call centre”, or worked in a call centre, and thought they were connected to some spacecraft in the distant future. USS Cellforce 1 is an intergalactic mobile phone call centre, in which Captain Pilchard battles the call centre's of the Krapulans, defeating them and forming a communications alliance. From there they battle the Bornagain and defeat them by crippling their international roaming rights. They go on to negotiate with the Phoebians over their ability to transport any object via a mobile phone to anywhere in the universe, which they call 8G. Through all this Captain Pilchard dreams of retiring to his ferret farm in Edinburgh.
“Anything resembling anything living…..isn’t”
Kind Regards,
Douglas Rea.
douglasrea@bigpond.com