larry (05/12/82)
As a "newcomer" to the world of Sci-Fi reading, can anybody make a suggested "Beginner's Reading List" ?? When I go into the bookstore now, many of the titles look interesting, but with so many trilogies, and series, (etc) I feel a little put-off that I may be starting off in the middle of something. So how 'bout it, name your favorite 10-15 books (and any specific reading order!) thanks, Larry Marek ps. a survey like this in net.movies really got a lot of action going in that net, so don't be bashful here!
jtb (05/13/82)
Here are some of the Classics (in my opinion, of course): The Foundation Trilogy: Foundation, Foundation and Empire, 2nd Foundation, by Asimov Dune, by Herbert (first and by far the best of a long series. Try the rest only if you LOVE the original). by Heinlein, hmmmmm, for computerists, my favorite is The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, and of course there's always Stranger in a Strange Land (his more recent stuff gets weird, and repetitititive) Ringworld, by Niven (and if you're hooked Ringworld Engineer) Louis Wu, the protagonist is in lots of his other stories, too. Luicifer's Hammer, by Niven and Pournelle (This recent pairing has several other good ones, this is the best, so far) Babel-17, Delany -- another good one for computers-in-SF lovers Well, that ought to get you (and the net) started. Cheers, John Burgess BTL Piscataway
nrh (05/13/82)
In response to the person who wanted a list of suggested sf books: Oh NO! PLEASE do not clutter net.sf-lovers with endless lists of your ten favorite books! I had to unsubscribe to net.movies for a month to avoid a blister on the finger that types the "n" key. How about this: suppose we send mail to the fellow who wanted suggested reading, listing our ten favorite books. If he's willing he can summarize to the net, but I would rather not plow through the dozens of articles that just might answer this query. I COULD just un-subscribe 'till it blows over, but I might miss some good articles.
bormanp (05/13/82)
Now we have !esquire!nrh telling us not to put a list of our favorite science fiction on net.sf-lovers. I ask you, why do we have it in the first place then? The main reason I subscribe to it is so that I can here about new (to me) books, but when it starts, I get: Oh NO! PLEASE do not clutter net.sf-lovers with endless lists of your ten favorite books! I had to unsubscribe to net.movies for a month to avoid a blister on the finger that types the "n" key. I really don't care about his right index finger, maybe he should put a band-aid on it. Then he 'threatens' me with: I COULD just un-subscribe 'till it blows over, but I might miss some good articles. Well go ahead, unsubscribe, then I won't have to listen to your flaming. If you want to flame, go to net.music (it seems to be having problems). As for the survey, I would put the following on my list: Foundation Trilogy - Asimov Dune - Hurbert I Robot - Asimov Space Trilogy - Lewis (I liked the first two books better than the third) Paul R. Borman St. Olaf College ...!ihnss!ihps3!stolaf!bormanp
jtg (05/14/82)
I agree totally with Paul Borman, and think that such a survey will interest most people. So here are my favorites: The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever--Donaldson The Magic of Xanth Trilogy (Tetralogy now... and still growing)-- Piers Anthony Split Infinity and Blue Adept--Piers Anthony The Well World Pentalogy --Chalker The Four Lords of the Diamond Tetralogy (Lilith, Cerberus,...)-- Chalker The World of Tiers Series--Farmer and lastly, The first three books of the Riverworld series by Farmer--the last and concluding book should be read to complete the story, but, in my opinion is far below the quality of the first three books. I would also like to volunteer to compile a survey of the favorite three books/series of everyone. Send me your favorite three (in order), and I will compile the survey (3 pts for 1st, 2 for 2nd,...). If there is enough interest, I will post the results. Jim Grosch harpo!jtg
rlr (06/07/82)
That's funny. I've seen previous articles like the one you mentioned.
("Oh, no, not another sur....") Only this was in net.music. C'mon,
does somebody out there have a shell script, "nosurvey NEWSGROUP",
which submits an article complaining about a survey in NEWSGROUP?