Re: OT: Read a book!
 

anyone read Steven Erikson ???

Re: OT: Read a book!
 

Hamilton, love her stuff. (sort of an adult Version of Buffy http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif )

Best 'sci-fi' novel I've read in ages though would be 'Altered Carbon' by Richard Morgan (his first novel). Absolutely incredible. There is a new Deathstalker Novel out by Green but I have yet to get ahold of it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: OT: Read a book!
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shoot, now that rang a bell. I totally forgot about that series... was a lot of fun! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

My goodness, if none of you have read The Annals of the Black Company by Glen Cook(first 3 novels in the series), run like mad and sign it out! Absolutely terrific! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Re: OT: Read a book!
 

I recently read the Night's Dawn Trilogy, by Peter F. Hamilton. Wonderful, wonderful books (though the subject matter is somewhat adult in nature at times). The books in the series are, in order:

The Reality Dysfunction
The Neutronium Alchemist
The Naked God

Each book is 1000+ pages in paperback format, and each book is progressively longer than the one before it (which is good, IMO).

Also, there is a book of short stories taking place prior to the events in Night's Dawn, collected in a book called "A Second Chance at Eden". Plus, there's a handy little reference guide to the universe he set it all in, called "The Confederation Handbook". All of the books are available in eBook format, too. So those of you with PDAs can read it anywhere. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

I personally like the eBook style now a lot. Having an entire library on a CD-ROM frees up my shelf space for other things. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: OT: Read a book!
 

After wading through one of Hardi's more turgid novels (damn, I hate that 19th Century stuff, but I thought I ought to read it since he used to live just up the road from me) I am treating myself to another Iain M Banks book: Against a Dark Background.
Only a few chapters in so far.

Anyone read any of his non (or at least, less) sci-fi stuff published under the name Iain Banks? Walking on Glass was cool. Wierd, but cool.

Re: OT: Read a book!
 

I am second to recommend Stanislaw Lem as one of the best sci.fi. writers of all time.

Weber/white - "On Death Ground" and "Shiva Option" are best SEIV game novels http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
Did't like "Crusade" and "Insurection" very much http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: OT: Read a book!
 

I like C.J. Cherryh (her Sci-Fi work) very much. Especially her books about the Alliance-Union are great. Her basic assumptions that a stellar empire must be based mainly on space stations because most of the planets are unhabitable (if there are any), that FTL space travel is limited to certain routes (between "warp" points) sound "right" for me. What these assumptions mean for warfare, logictics and the administration of an empire is quite well extrapolated.
Downbelow Station comes with a description how life on large carriers/troop transports could be, what kind of battles could evolve between carrier fleets. Still have these descriptions in my mind when I play SE IV. Well, I have to admit that my preference for carrier fleets is based on books I read 20 years ago. Oh my God, I'm old...

Re: OT: Read a book!
 

How our tastes vary.

My list: Heinlein, Niven, Pournelle, Asimov, Clark, Forward,... These I'll read just about anytime, but I also love time travel/alternate universe storys.

A new guy and a Canadian to boot is my current favorite. James Allen Gardner. AFAIK he has written 5 books, Expendable, Commitment Hour, Vigilant, Hunted and Ascending, all set in the same universe. His premise is that the Universe is run by super advanced being. They are benevolent but don't give away too much tech. They have but one law. No non-sentient may leave its home system. A non-sentient is defined as a being that murders a sentient. Oh, accidents and self defense are okay, but war isn't! If a non-sentient trys to warp out, it will find itself quite dead! In fact entire civilizations have been cut off from the universe because their government has been declared non-sentient. Its a cool premise and makes for some fascinating stories-- Ascending is absolutely hilarious without sacrificing the SF story.

Give him a read, you won't be disappointed.

Kim

Re: OT: Read a book!
 

Asimovs Foundation series is an all time high.
But I also like Jack L Chalkers Well of souls series, quite original:
Well World
(Midnight at the Well of Souls. 1977)
(Exiles at the Well of Souls. 1978)
(Quest for the Well of Souls. 1978)
(The Return of Nathan Brazil. 1980)
(Twilight at the Well of Souls. 1980)
Watchers at the Well
(Echoes of the Well of Souls. 1993)
(Shadow of the Well of Souls. 1994)
(Gods of the Well of Souls. 1994)

Also Ursula K LeGuin wrote good SF and Fantasy.

Re: OT: Read a book!
 

I may have said this already, but I recommend Zelazny's Lords of Light. And no, it's not a book based on Thundarr the Barbarian(although that would totally rule!!)!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
It is an awesome book that uses technology to mimic the powers ascribed to miracles or divinity in the Indian tradition. The hardest thing about the book, and what makes it most enjoyable to re-read, is that the chapters can alternate between the past and the present. I found that I often mixed up events as they occured in the storyline, and how much more sense they made when put in proper perspective.

That reminds me. In addition to wanting to create a design names list based on types of cheese, I want another one based on Hindu/Eastern deities, demons, heroes/heroines, places and things. Perhaps another list with names for guns would be fun...you'd have your Colt, Magnum, Kalashnikov, etc