Happy Friday

12/2/2016

Sorry about posting so late today, but I'm in the midst of the research phase on a Space Opera novel project I'm excited about and I lost track of time. Today, I interviewed a space doctor to get some background information. I'm amazed at the number of incredible people I know these days, and their access to even more incredible people. (Did I mention I love being a writer?) At first, I was a little overwhelmed, but now I'm inspired. I've always secretly wanted to do this and I can't wait to give it a whirl.

For grins, do you have any recommendations? Non-fiction, SF Fiction[1], movies, inspiring music and/or visuals? Military SF is cool. Preferably nothing rape-y and nothing that throws Libertarian ideals in the reader's face.[2] My favorite SF movies are Bladerunner, Alien, Aliens, a number of Star Trek films, and the new film, Arrival. I like smart stuff. Action isn't necessarily a requirement.
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[1] The newer stuff, please--unless it's written by minority writers. I've read Heinlein, for example, and I don't need to go back to it. But Octavia Butler is on my list, and so is Samuel Delany.
[2] I tried Honor Harrington, and I just can't.

12 Comments

Mike

12/2/2016 05:25:13 pm

SF - one of my favorites I wish more people knew is Timothy Zahn's Conquerors' Saga (Conquerors' Pride, Conquerors' Heritage, Conquerors' Legacy). Starts off like a straight-forward "yay humans!" military SF but reveals layers and complexity with each discovery the characters make.

It's a couple decades old so there's a good chance you've read it, but it slipped under a lot of people's radars so I'm recommending it just in case. :-)

stina

12/3/2016 09:44:46 am

Sounds interesting and that one did fall into the gap. Thanks!

Maethona

12/3/2016 02:10:03 am

You probably read these already but 'Ancillary Justice', 'Ancillary Sword', Ancillary Mercy' by Ann Leckie are smart SF books . The books challenge gender roles, what makes a person a person and there are no babes with a ray gun so definitely a plus.

'Who fears Death' and 'The Book of Phoenix' by Nnedi Okorafor offer a unique mix of magic, science and mythology with a african focus. 'Lagoon' by her is also very interesting, because it casts a new spin on the aliens come to earth trope. First they arrive in Lagos, Nigiria not Washington D.C. and they first 'speak' with a sword fish and not the human race. I never encountered anything like that.

'Lock In' by John Scalzi not only offers a interesting point of view on what makes a human but also on who do people deal with d

12/3/2016 02:21:48 am

Sorry hit the send buttom too early. ;)

... deals with diseases and advanced technology in general. As a plus the gender of the main character remains open.

'The long way to a small and angry planet' by Becky Chambers. Diverse cast (human and non-human) and also a great character driven novel.

'The Ninefox Gambit' by Yoon Ha Lee. Uses Math as a magic system and features a mind game between a young female officer and the mind of a disgraced military genius who is only alive in a computer program. This one takes a while to get used to. :)

Hope you find something you might like.
'

12/3/2016 09:52:30 am

Wow. That list looks great. I've already read Ann Leckie, and Nnedi's Lagoon is physically on my reading bookshelf. :) Thanks so much for all the rest. That helps quite a bit.

12/3/2016 10:16:28 am

You're welcome! All the time spend on booktube finally paid off. ;-)
And I know you didn't have the greatest time on John Scalzis Big Idea but check it out, just avoid the comments, he has featured some very interesting sf books this year. I found 'The Ninefox Gambit' via the authors big Idea.
Have a nice and productive weekend.

12/3/2016 02:20:44 pm

Ninefox Gambit and the Imperial Radch (Ancillary) books have been some of my favorites from the past few years.

12/3/2016 02:27:08 pm

thanks! i'm unfamiliar with Ninefox Gambit.

12/3/2016 02:26:30 pm

Scalzi's Big Idea was fine. I just don't tend to pay much attention to the comments. (Largely because paying attention to the comments doesn't tend to go positive directions these days and sadly, hasn't for quite some time.) That's not John's fault. :)

You have a lovely weekend too.

Chris Levesque

12/6/2016 01:03:52 pm

I'm currently reading C.J. Cherryh's Downbelow Station. Not sure what I think of it, other than the setup being interesting. I also just finished Elizabeth's Bonesteel's The Cold Between, which was a good war to pass the time. Ninefox Gambit and Karen Lowachee's Warchild are next up.

It's has been a long time since reading them, but I rather enjoyed Elizabeth Moon's Familias Regnant and Vatta's War series. They had interesting looks at future spacefaring nations that were quite different from the Harrington books.

Stina

12/6/2016 02:15:47 pm

Thanks! There are a number of C.J.Cherryh's works that I enjoy but I had a hard time getting into that one. I'm already familiar with Elizabeth Moon's work, and I need to revisit it. I haven't heard of the others, though. Will look into them. :)

12/17/2016 05:39:25 pm

I also had a hard time getting into Downbelow Station. It got better, but I'm still not sure what to think of it. It feels like more context for the major conflicts driving the book is needed.

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