SF/F books
Nov. 15th, 2006 08:03 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
affrecaNow edited with opinions!!
This is a list of the 50 most significant science fiction/fantasy novels, 1953-2002, according to the Science fiction book Club. Bold the ones you've read, strike-out the ones you hated, italicize those you started but never finished, and put an asterisk* beside the ones you loved.
1. The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien
I've tried. I've threatened to turn in my geek card, but the only time I've ever made headway was during flights back from Europe, and it was the only thing on me that I hadn't read. Twice. I tried skipping the first part. No joy.
2. The Foundation Trilogy, Isaac Asimov
Read sophmore year of college. I prefer the first one I read, Prelude to Foundation.
3. Dune, Frank Herbert
Somewhat like, though it was not the world altering book for me, as it was with others. Mostly I enjoyed it because it made the movie make sense. I liked the next two, but couldn't stand the rest of the series. I blame Shaf for that.
4. Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert A. Heinlein
I finally read this in high school when it was on the list of books I could read for freshman English. Proof that nobody vets those lists for things that might offend delicate students/parents. Thankfully I'd read worse by then.
5. A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. Le Guin*
Adore. And I like the later books, though Tehanu took a while to grow on me (rather, I had to grow up).
6. Neuromancer, William Gibson
One that I read to late to wow me.
7. Childhood's End, Arthur C. Clarke
I think I started it. One that I've had several copies of, but never got me interested.
8. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick
Don't read Dick if you expect the same as the movies. Not the sci-fi style I've ever liked.
9. The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley
Apparently, I don't hate it as much as everyone else. I blame the fact I read it young (middle school), and didn't have much to compare it to. I am highly annoyed at the number of sort-of prequels and sequels it has. MZB is a very prolific dead woman.
10. Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
Somehow I escaped high school and college never reading this. I'm scared to.
11. The Book of the New Sun, Gene Wolfe
I started this on the toliet once (Dad's fault) and never got far.
12. A Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter M.Miller, Jr.
Read at field camp when there was nothing else to read. Don't remember much of it.
13. The Caves of Steel, Isaac Asimov
Nope.
14. Children of the Atom, Wilmar Shiras
One of the few I hadn't heard of. Looks interesting though.
15. Cities in Flight, James Blish
Another field camp read. Well stocked shelves the cabins. And I was bitter and hated my classmates. Not terribly impressed.
16. The Colour of Magic, Terry Pratchett
Good light read. Better done than most comic fantasy.
17. Dangerous Visions, edited by Harlan Ellison
Ok, I'm not sure if I've read it. I know it's around.. I might have read some stories.
18. Deathbird Stories, Harlan Ellison
Nope
19. The Demolished Man, Alfred Bester
Nope.
20. Dhalgren, Samuel R. Delany
This one was hard. There is very little Delany I've ever gotten through.
21. Dragonflight, Anne McCaffrey
I adored Pern as a kid. Like I reread them all every six months. She can stop now.
22. Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card
Hmm.. Well done. I hate the rest of the series. Again, I blame Shaf.
23. The First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Stephen R. Donaldson
I tried. I got all the books, and I tried. Do yourself a favor and just read The Mirror of Her Dreams/A Man Rides Through.
24. The Forever War, Joe Haldeman
I sort of get this one and the Forever Peace mixed up. Which annoying because they're not really related. But useful for me just out of OCS to read.
25. Gateway, Frederik Pohl
Read in highschool. I remember buying the series from the Book Cellar, a punnish used bookstore in Vermin town (in a basement of a store, really cool).
26. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K. Rowling
Yes. Ok, light stuff. Not terrible unique.
27. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams*
A great source of geek references that Tom actually gets.
28. I Am Legend, Richard Matheson
Jeff loaned it to me, claiming its greatness. Ok. Better than the next book he loaned me.
29. Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice
High school.
30. The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin*
Classic.
31. Little, Big, John Crowley
Nope. Heard good things, so might want to try.
32. Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny*
Amazing language. Nobody can write like Zelanzy. And a cool story.
33. The Man in the High Castle, Philip K. Dick
See previous comments about Dick.
34. Mission of gravity, Hal Clement
Nope.
35. More Than Human, Theodore Sturgeon
I don't think I finished it. Combined with a wierd story about a circus freak/superman which I finished (and taught me about formic acid).
36. The Rediscovery of Man, Cordwainer Smith
Nope.
37. On the Beach, Nevil Shute
Nope.
38. Rendezvous with Rama, Arthur C. Clarke
Neat idea, though I get it confused with Eon.
39. Ringworld, Larry Niven
One of the first Niven's I read. I once really like his stuff. Less so now.
40. Rogue Moon, Algis Budrys
Nope.
41. The Silmarillion, J.R.R. Tolkien
Nope.
42. Slaughterhouse-5, Kurt Vonnegut
Nope. Liked the movie.
43. Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson
Cool.
44. Stand on Zanzibar, John Brunner
Nope.
45. The Stars My Destination, Alfred Bester
Nope.
46. Starship Troopers, Robert A. Heinlein
Not as impressed as everyone else. Read it to late, I guess. I do like the movie, even if they are nothing alike.
47. Stormbringer, Michael Moorcock
My Dad is wierd. These were the stories he told me.
48. The Sword of Shannara, Terry Brooks
Barely tried. Definately not worth my time.
49. Timescape, Gregory Benford
Nope.
50. To Your Scattered Bodies Go, Philip Jose Farmer
Nope.
This is a list of the 50 most significant science fiction/fantasy novels, 1953-2002, according to the Science fiction book Club. Bold the ones you've read, strike-out the ones you hated, italicize those you started but never finished, and put an asterisk* beside the ones you loved.
1. The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien
I've tried. I've threatened to turn in my geek card, but the only time I've ever made headway was during flights back from Europe, and it was the only thing on me that I hadn't read. Twice. I tried skipping the first part. No joy.
2. The Foundation Trilogy, Isaac Asimov
Read sophmore year of college. I prefer the first one I read, Prelude to Foundation.
3. Dune, Frank Herbert
Somewhat like, though it was not the world altering book for me, as it was with others. Mostly I enjoyed it because it made the movie make sense. I liked the next two, but couldn't stand the rest of the series. I blame Shaf for that.
4. Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert A. Heinlein
I finally read this in high school when it was on the list of books I could read for freshman English. Proof that nobody vets those lists for things that might offend delicate students/parents. Thankfully I'd read worse by then.
5. A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. Le Guin*
Adore. And I like the later books, though Tehanu took a while to grow on me (rather, I had to grow up).
6. Neuromancer, William Gibson
One that I read to late to wow me.
7. Childhood's End, Arthur C. Clarke
I think I started it. One that I've had several copies of, but never got me interested.
8. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick
Don't read Dick if you expect the same as the movies. Not the sci-fi style I've ever liked.
9. The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley
Apparently, I don't hate it as much as everyone else. I blame the fact I read it young (middle school), and didn't have much to compare it to. I am highly annoyed at the number of sort-of prequels and sequels it has. MZB is a very prolific dead woman.
10. Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
Somehow I escaped high school and college never reading this. I'm scared to.
11. The Book of the New Sun, Gene Wolfe
I started this on the toliet once (Dad's fault) and never got far.
12. A Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter M.Miller, Jr.
Read at field camp when there was nothing else to read. Don't remember much of it.
13. The Caves of Steel, Isaac Asimov
Nope.
14. Children of the Atom, Wilmar Shiras
One of the few I hadn't heard of. Looks interesting though.
15. Cities in Flight, James Blish
Another field camp read. Well stocked shelves the cabins. And I was bitter and hated my classmates. Not terribly impressed.
16. The Colour of Magic, Terry Pratchett
Good light read. Better done than most comic fantasy.
17. Dangerous Visions, edited by Harlan Ellison
Ok, I'm not sure if I've read it. I know it's around.. I might have read some stories.
18. Deathbird Stories, Harlan Ellison
Nope
19. The Demolished Man, Alfred Bester
Nope.
20. Dhalgren, Samuel R. Delany
This one was hard. There is very little Delany I've ever gotten through.
21. Dragonflight, Anne McCaffrey
I adored Pern as a kid. Like I reread them all every six months. She can stop now.
22. Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card
Hmm.. Well done. I hate the rest of the series. Again, I blame Shaf.
23. The First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Stephen R. Donaldson
I tried. I got all the books, and I tried. Do yourself a favor and just read The Mirror of Her Dreams/A Man Rides Through.
24. The Forever War, Joe Haldeman
I sort of get this one and the Forever Peace mixed up. Which annoying because they're not really related. But useful for me just out of OCS to read.
25. Gateway, Frederik Pohl
Read in highschool. I remember buying the series from the Book Cellar, a punnish used bookstore in Vermin town (in a basement of a store, really cool).
26. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K. Rowling
Yes. Ok, light stuff. Not terrible unique.
27. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams*
A great source of geek references that Tom actually gets.
28. I Am Legend, Richard Matheson
Jeff loaned it to me, claiming its greatness. Ok. Better than the next book he loaned me.
29. Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice
High school.
30. The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin*
Classic.
31. Little, Big, John Crowley
Nope. Heard good things, so might want to try.
32. Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny*
Amazing language. Nobody can write like Zelanzy. And a cool story.
33. The Man in the High Castle, Philip K. Dick
See previous comments about Dick.
34. Mission of gravity, Hal Clement
Nope.
35. More Than Human, Theodore Sturgeon
I don't think I finished it. Combined with a wierd story about a circus freak/superman which I finished (and taught me about formic acid).
36. The Rediscovery of Man, Cordwainer Smith
Nope.
37. On the Beach, Nevil Shute
Nope.
38. Rendezvous with Rama, Arthur C. Clarke
Neat idea, though I get it confused with Eon.
39. Ringworld, Larry Niven
One of the first Niven's I read. I once really like his stuff. Less so now.
40. Rogue Moon, Algis Budrys
Nope.
41. The Silmarillion, J.R.R. Tolkien
Nope.
42. Slaughterhouse-5, Kurt Vonnegut
Nope. Liked the movie.
43. Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson
Cool.
44. Stand on Zanzibar, John Brunner
Nope.
45. The Stars My Destination, Alfred Bester
Nope.
46. Starship Troopers, Robert A. Heinlein
Not as impressed as everyone else. Read it to late, I guess. I do like the movie, even if they are nothing alike.
47. Stormbringer, Michael Moorcock
My Dad is wierd. These were the stories he told me.
48. The Sword of Shannara, Terry Brooks
Barely tried. Definately not worth my time.
49. Timescape, Gregory Benford
Nope.
50. To Your Scattered Bodies Go, Philip Jose Farmer
Nope.
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Date: 2006-11-16 12:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-16 12:35 am (UTC)