More funny is that they also do surveys to find out how much you think your life is worth, you know, to validate their numbers. Any takers? - Steve Spalding
“@desaraev I think you just described every meeting that has ever existed.”
Yup, a nice thing to think about with the 4th of July just behind us. - Steve Spalding
Did you see Shel Israel's take on this? He pointed out that they almost called "Naked Conversations" "Blog or Die," until someone noted that in some countries the rule is "blog AND die." They renamed their book. - Ontario Emperor via fftogo
No I didn't but it's really apropos. We should all probably reflect a little more often on the freedoms we are afforded. - Steve Spalding
Truer words never spoken. I assume that article is now on the front page? Nothing Diggers like more on the front page than bitching about some article calling the site out. - Cyndy
Awesome. I would suggest more books by Frank Herbert, he was an absolute genious. Especially – since it is almost no longer sci-fi – I would suggest "The white plague". And also the last books in the Dune saga (by Brain Herbert and Kevin J Anderson) are nice, but not necessary. - dekay
I'd recommend Samuel R. Delany - "Dhalgren", "Babel 17", or "Stars In My Pocket Like Grains Of Sand" are three of my favourites. - Bob Kingsley
One I'd recommend is "The Mote in Gods Eye" by Niven and Pournelle - about the best book on first contact I've ever read. - Colin Walker
Colin - but stay away from "Footfall" that book stank. - J. Phil
I would recommend "Blood Music" by Greg Bear, and "The 5th Column" by Robert Heinlein. And how about some Larry Niven love.. ah you have ringworld. Yes, good choice. - J. Phil
Agree with Colin on "The Mote In God's Eye" - I'd forgotten about that one! I recall now that it was, indeed, a terrific read. - Bob Kingsley via twhirl
Most of the books on the list cant find it on my mother tongue - George The Writer
Yea I put in Ringworld. Thanks for all the suggestions folks. You've given me a ton of new books to read. - Steve Spalding
It's amazing the way that most probably know the majority of these stories by watching the films but NOT by reading the book. Occasionally a film will do the book justice (Animal Farm was a great adaptation and had a huge effect on me as a kid watching it at school) but not often. - Colin Walker via fftogo
One other book that I've always liked: "Wave without a shore" by C.J. Cherryh - an interesting look at perception and willpower and how they shape our "reality". - Colin Walker via fftogo
Yeah, you should really check out Jeff Noon, he's buzzing :) - HollowMarkeD
"Thanks for the measured response. Like I said earlier, this is a list that serves to -
a. Share a (relatively) broad set of Science Fiction books that I have read.
b. Solicit other opinions on the subjects (unfortunately, I haven't read everything though I wish I had).
As for the "must not reads" -
I think Timeline is worth reading if only because it (for whatever reason) is widely read. It's widely read enough for people to have a clear picture of why they hate it. I also think people should see certain "bad" movies (maybe it's just me).
The "is not Sci Fi" debate -
I would argue that Atlas Shrugged is Sci-Fi (speculative fiction) but it's steeped in politics which drowns it out for a lot of people. It's also included because it's so critically acclaimed, despite the fact that it's also just drowning in over the top Objectivist screed.
Thanks again for the comment, I hope this explains my reasoning." - Steve Spalding
"I like Mona Lisa Overdrive and Virtual Light more than Spook Country. I wanted to add a couple of books where he did something a little different." - Steve Spalding
"I am going to agree that I left off some great authors, and I am really happy with all the suggestions that you guys have left.
There are books on this list that you won't like (Giver and Timeline) but tons of people do and that's why I included them. They were influential in their own right, even if they aren't your cup of tea.
If I put together a list of my favorite sci fi books, there are about a dozen others I would have included.
You make a good point though, thanks." - Steve Spalding
