Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Thread

[A Good Friend]

Anyone want to complete the stereotype and talk about the loser shit we're reading/ have read?

Just read both of these. Definitely hard sci-fi, but the focus is more on abnormal and cutting edge topics in neurology and linguistics with some general philosophy and philosophy of mind here and there. The second deals with a little sociology as well.

 

[nausea]

metro 2033 by Dimitri Glukhovsky

post apocalyptic stuff

 

[A Good Friend]

metro 2033 by Dimitri Glukhovsky
post apocalyptic stuff

I think I have the game based on this in my backlog. I'll check out the book when I'm finished with my current series.

 

[nausea]

yea I suggest you try also the sequel.. good games

 

[blickpall]

Boris and Arkady Strugatski have written some great ones. My personal favorites are "Hard to be a God" and "Roadside Picnic".

 

[A Good Friend]

Boris and Arkady Strugatski have written some great ones. My personal favorites are "Hard to be a God" and "Roadside Picnic".

Both sound interesting. I'll probly go for Roadside first

 

[Deleted member 306]

Anon's First Time

 

[modus_coperandi]

Currently reading Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse 5". Interesting combination of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Nobel-Prize in Literature material.

 

[A Good Friend]

One of the most famous recommendations is the foundation trilogy by Asimov. Quite good.

Spoiler

The part where they're waiting for Harry Seldon to appear and confirm that The Mule is the current crisis they should be watching out for, and the panic that ensues when their faith in Psychohistory, the one thing that has won them all their battles up until that point, might be flawed, fucking love it.

good call, spoiled plot points above, highly recommended (just the first three, at least)

 

[A Good Friend]

Strongly recommend The Three-Body Problem and its sequels. Makes for a good head-fuck.
Very unfamiliar territory.

(Trumpettes can feel free to ignore because of Obama endorsement and go jerk-off to some Steven Crowder vids)

 

[Swecel]

Philip K Dick.
The Dune series.
The Illuminatus Trilogy.
Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy.
Roadside Picnic.

All good books.

 

[A Good Friend]

Philip K Dick.
The Dune series.
The Illuminatus Trilogy.
Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy.
Roadside Picnic.
All good books.

Foundation already confirmed god-tier, second rec for Roadside Picnic so I should probably just read it already. I've seen /lit/ discuss Illumatus a few times, haven't looked into it yet. As for Dick, still not sure. I think I picked up a PKD Reader in my epubs, and I've enjoyed the cinematic adaptations, just haven't actually read him yet.

 

[blickpall]

I'll second the recommendation for PKD. The obvious recommendation to start with is the "... electric sheep" title.

 

[A Good Friend]

I'll second the recommendation for PKD. The obvious recommendation to start with is the "... electric sheep" title.

I'm just concerned that the themes won't grab me. I'm not really one these big-state paranoia people, and from what I've read about the man, he was. Not sure if that makes it into Androids or not, but I know Darkly and Minority deal with it.

 

[Tuttle]

I'm just concerned that the themes won't grab me. I'm not really one these big-state paranoia people, and from what I've read about the man, he was. Not sure if that makes it into Androids or not, but I know Darkly and Minority deal with it.

I finally read some PKD.  Ubik was fucking amazing IMO.  Very short work.  Nice tight little story but a real imaginative mindbender.  Naturally read Androids, being a Bladerunner fan.  Good, solid work.  However, it was like everything got worse the more I read after that.  Darkly was indeed ahead of its time and I appreciate the work but I just am not a druggie and there is a fair amount of druggie scene portrayed in it.  I read Valis and it was a real struggle to finish - kinda seemed metaphysical try-hard stuff.  DON'T start with that one but definitely read Ubik.

 

[mantits]

Dan Simmons' Hyperion Cantos is pretty great In part. The first novel is phantastic, it creates an interesting world, intriguing characters and mythology; however the follow-up loses the ball very soon in and screws up almost anything that was promising and interesting in the first novel the closer it comes to the end. The two Endymion novels aren't even worth reading unless a switch to Robinson Crusoe-esque meandering, fem-trash worship and relationship-shit is your thing. However, the first-and-a-half Hyperion novels are still great. Might as well read the Hölderlin one afterwards for a real literary experience.

Edit: Iain Banks is always at least okay.

 

[Tuttle]

Vernor Vinge's A Deepness in the Sky and A FIre Upon the Deep are often overlooked but it is probably the best sci-fi I've ever read.  But that is a personal thing.  Some sci-fi I call "straight" sci-fi and it is stuff like Ender's Game and most early Heinlein.  Just a linear story with some neato stuff in it.  Usually not a great deal of depth.  The works by Vinge I listed are not that.  The books are large but they don't feel padded (I could list some that do - it seems to be a trait of the fantasy-leaning stuff)  Particularly the former, Deepness, the works exceeded in not just concepts and plot but the actual story-telling itself.  And even the prose itself.  I do think it is a little more of a challenge to read but worth it entirely. 

I also heard good things about Neuromancer and finally read that (I mistakenly picked up Necromancer and that was a mistake - couldn't get in to it).  I would say the same thing about them (a trilogy, really) being a challenge to read but in a little different way.  Seems you have to work your mind a little more with Gibson.  And I don't mean he failed to do his job - I think it was a deliberate way of guiding your mind but letting you fill in some things.  Just less spoon-fed is all.  And Gibson foresaw many things we are still seeing today - not just in gadgets but in societal trends.  I think some credit him with creating the sub-genre of "cyber-punk."  Neal Stephenson is ok (Snowcrash and Cryptonomicon) but Gibson did it sooner and better and shorter.

Vinge (and maybe to a lesser degree Gibson) is more than an author.  Plenty of just "authors" out there and I can't even claim to be that.  But it is the difference of reading something and saying "I could have written that" and "whoa, I could never have written that" and just admiring that ability.

 

[mantits]

I also heard good things about Neuromancer and finally read that (I mistakenly picked up Necromancer and that was a mistake - couldn't get in to it). I would say the same thing about them (a trilogy, really) being a challenge to read but in a little different way. Seems you have to work your mind a little more with Gibson.

Gibson isn't a good writer. His appreciation is all cult.

 

[Tuttle]

Gibson isn't a good writer. His appreciation is all cult.

I take your point.  The writing itself wasn't spectacular, perhaps.  What part of it did you not like? The style?

 

[mantits]

I can live with a "associative" writing style like his, but his novels are much more style/surface than substance. They exist to portray a certain (false) vision of technology, and that almost exclusively. Visions of tech carried by vague associations and truisms. Anything besides descriptions of locations or technobabble is amateurish trash and reads as if he was writing for a direct-to-video b-movie.

 

[non_factor]

The Kingkiller Chronicle - The writer is a cuck,but the books are incredible,third book is not out yet though and there's no release date as far as I know.

The First Law Trilogy

 

[A Good Friend]

Dan Simmons' Hyperion Cantos is pretty great In part. The first novel is phantastic, it creates an interesting world, intriguing characters and mythology; however the follow-up loses the ball very soon in and screws up almost anything that was promising and interesting in the first novel the closer it comes to the end. The two Endymion novels aren't even worth reading unless a switch to Robinson Crusoe-esque meandering, fem-trash worship and relationship-shit is your thing. However, the first-and-a-half Hyperion novels are still great. Might as well read the Hölderlin one afterwards for a real literary experience.
Edit: Iain Banks is always at least okay.

Re: Hyperion - I've heard good things. I hate it when a series fizzles, though. That's why I rec 3-Body so hard. It's one of the only trilogies where each successive entry is more amazing than the last, although the The Dark Forest is probably the most memorable one.

Re: Banks - It's been on my list for a while. Will check him out soon.

Vernor Vinge's A Deepness in the Sky and A FIre Upon the Deep are often overlooked but it is probably the best sci-fi I've ever read. But that is a personal thing. Some sci-fi I call "straight" sci-fi and it is stuff like Ender's Game and most early Heinlein. Just a linear story with some neato stuff in it. Usually not a great deal of depth. The works by Vinge I listed are not that. The books are large but they don't feel padded (I could list some that do - it seems to be a trait of the fantasy-leaning stuff) Particularly the former, Deepness, the works exceeded in not just concepts and plot but the actual story-telling itself. And even the prose itself. I do think it is a little more of a challenge to read but worth it entirely.
I also heard good things about Neuromancer and finally read that (I mistakenly picked up Necromancer and that was a mistake - couldn't get in to it). I would say the same thing about them (a trilogy, really) being a challenge to read but in a little different way. Seems you have to work your mind a little more with Gibson. And I don't mean he failed to do his job - I think it was a deliberate way of guiding your mind but letting you fill in some things. Just less spoon-fed is all. And Gibson foresaw many things we are still seeing today - not just in gadgets but in societal trends. I think some credit him with creating the sub-genre of "cyber-punk." Neal Stephenson is ok (Snowcrash and Cryptonomicon) but Gibson did it sooner and better and shorter.
Vinge (and maybe to a lesser degree Gibson) is more than an author. Plenty of just "authors" out there and I can't even claim to be that. But it is the difference of reading something and saying "I could have written that" and "whoa, I could never have written that" and just admiring that ability.

Yeah, I tried Neuromancer and just couldn't get into it. Felt like noir with computer terms sprinkled in. Same with the other cyberpunk godfather, Stephenson. I can't put my finger on why I hate every moment of his writing. The terminology just gets ridiculous.

I wanted so badly to like cyberpunk.

 

[Tuttle]

Re: Hyperion - I've heard good things. I hate it when a series fizzles, though. That's why I rec 3-Body so hard. It's one of the only trilogies where each successive entry is more amazing than the last, although the The Dark Forest is probably the most memorable one.

Re: Banks - It's been on my list for a while. Will check him out soon.


Yeah, I tried Neuromancer and just couldn't get into it. Felt like noir with computer terms sprinkled in. Same with the other cyberpunk godfather, Stephenson. I can't put my finger on why I hate every moment of his writing. The terminology just gets ridiculous.

I wanted so badly to like cyberpunk.

I hear you.  The works by Vinge are not that, though.

How about Peter Hamilton?  Prior to Vinge I held Peter Hamilton's books Pandora's Star/Judas Unchained as my favorite and they are still very good IMO.  I even re-read them recently.  A lot of characters and a really good tale.

 

[A Good Friend]

Re: Hyperion - I've heard good things. I hate it when a series fizzles, though. That's why I rec 3-Body so hard. It's one of the only trilogies where each successive entry is more amazing than the last, although the The Dark Forest is probably the most memorable one.
Re: Banks - It's been on my list for a while. Will check him out soon.
Yeah, I tried Neuromancer and just couldn't get into it. Felt like noir with computer terms sprinkled in. Same with the other cyberpunk godfather, Stephenson. I can't put my finger on why I hate every moment of his writing. The terminology just gets ridiculous.
I wanted so badly to like cyberpunk.

I hear you. The works by Vinge are not that, though.
How about Peter Hamilton? Prior to Vinge I held Peter Hamilton's books Pandora's Star/Judas Unchained as my favorite and they are still very good IMO. I even re-read them recently. A lot of characters and a really good tale.

Have read neither, nor have I looked into them. Will do.

 

[Tuttle]

Have read neither, nor have I looked into them. Will do.

I will say the Hamilton books (which are really like a Part 1 & 2 of the same book) require a little up-front investment in effort to follow the characters they introduce.

 

[Battlefield3cel]

Who Goes There - John W Campbell Jr
Halo: The Fall of Reach 
Limbo 90

 

[gstvtrp]

One of the most famous recommendations is the foundation trilogy by Asimov. Quite good.

It sounds ridiculous but I truly believe that incel Blackpill theory is the closest thing to Psychohistory. We are all basically the Foundation here. We are pioneers, got us feeling like Hari Seldon.

 

[gstvtrp]

Adding Permutation City as my contribution.

 

[Deleted member 776]

wow. Old thread back from the dead. kek.

Anyone read the Revelation Space series by Alistair Reynolds?

Revelation Space
Chasm City
Redemption Ark
Absolution Gap

Didn't see it among the usual sci-fi stuff like the foundation trilogy or Dune.

Also recommend the expanse series by James S.A Corey.

 

[Juxtaposition6]

Brave New World is the closest thing to science fiction that i've read recently, it was a nice read.
I've got The Invisible Man which i plan to start reading soon.

 

[BlackOpsIIcel]

I do not like it when the good guy is a typical Chad. I like anti-heroes. The main character might or might not be the most evil one. Usually they are written beyond concepts like good and evil. And the main character is just looking out after his own interests. Not causing unnecessary harm, but also not risking his own life for a girl in danger. Two links below:

Kane a character in a number of books by Wagner.


The Broken Empire Trilogy

Edit: Worth mentioning that females in these works aren't warriors. They might use their sexuality to manipulate men to fight for them. But that is all.

 

[Iagoisdone]

Philip K Dick.
The Dune series.
The Illuminatus Trilogy.
Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy.
Roadside Picnic.

All good books.

Seconding all of these. Re-reading Wilson's Schrodinger's Cat at the moment and picked up Walkaway by Cory Doctorow this weekend. Not sure on that one yet.

 

[Tuttle]

wow. Old thread back from the dead. kek.

Anyone read the Revelation Space series by Alistair Reynolds?

Revelation Space
Chasm City
Redemption Ark
Absolution Gap

Didn't see it among the usual sci-fi stuff like the foundation trilogy or Dune.

Also recommend the expanse series by James S.A Corey.

Just finished Revelation Space a few days ago and I have those other three books on hand. So far I would put it in the upper tier of sci-fi I've read.

 

[KyloRen]

@A Good Friend

Please be alive, brother.

 

[Deleted member 776]

Just finished Revelation Space a few days ago and I have those other three books on hand. So far I would put it in the upper tier of sci-fi I've read.

When i read them originally i read Chasm City after Redemption Ark and Absolution Gap. I'm not actually sure what the official order is but i think its best to read Chasm city before Redemption Ark.

 

[Deleted member 776]

@A Good Friend

Please be alive, brother.

Shit. He's been gone for nearly a month. Was he talking about suicide before he disappeared?

 

[KyloRen]

Shit. He's been gone for nearly a month. Was he talking about suicide before he disappeared?

No, luckily. I do hope he's all right.

 

[Tuttle]

When i read them originally i read Chasm City after Redemption Ark and Absolution Gap. I'm not actually sure what the official order is but i think its best to read Chasm city before Redemption Ark.

Thanks. B&N has Chasm City as #2 while Goodreads suggests it is after the other two.

 

[Deleted member 776]

Thanks. B&N has Chasm City as #2 while Goodreads suggests it is after the other two.

Yeah. Not to say to much but some characters make a very abrupt appearance in Redemption ark and it WTF'd me a little until i read Chasm City. Oh and i can recommend Pushing Ice and Century Rain by Alistair Reynolds too.

 

[Maeror]

It sounds ridiculous but I truly believe that incel Blackpill theory is the closest thing to Psychohistory. We are all basically the Foundation here. We are pioneers, got us feeling like Hari Seldon.

Isnt necroposting prohibited?

 

[Tuttle]

Yeah. Not to say to much but some characters make a very abrupt appearance in Redemption ark and it WTF'd me a little until i read Chasm City. Oh and i can recommend Pushing Ice and Century Rain by Alistair Reynolds too.

Just started Chasm City. Already like it.

 

[Deleted member 776]

Just started Chasm City. Already like it.

Glad to hear it. Let us know what you think as you get on with the series.

 

[Mr Joyboy]

I've read just about all of Philip K Dick's novels--VALIS is really outstanding.

 

[Tuttle]

I've read just about all of Philip K Dick's novels--VALIS is really outstanding.

After hearing of PKD I tried Ubik and was blown away by it. Such a tight little story. Having always loved Blade Runner I figured I would read the book that was based on. Pretty good. But with Scanner I kinda lost interest and Valis I just didn't get. So that was the last of PKD for me. Ubik seems to be one-off.

Heh - found this little Asian honey reviewing Valis.

 

[Indari]

ive been reading a lot of doritos and mountain dew xdxd