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Favorite Books & Authors
I primarily read science fiction (usually more towards the "hard
science" end of the spectrum), although I have been slowly getting more
into the fantasy genre, as well. Until college, science fiction and WW2
history (non-fiction, particularly Pacific Theatre) were my mainstays of
book choices. During college, I read many different types of books for
classes and as recommended by friends (e.g. Heike Monogatari,
various comparative world religion texts). I have also always been a fan of
the Greek and Roman classics, such as Virgil's Aeneid (in the
original Latin, if you can, to truly get the flow and subtleties), and
Homer's Illiad and Oddysey as well as many plays
and tragedies (e.g. Euripides, Aeschylus).
Favorite Authors
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John Varley (science fiction) - My favorite
author, Varley has written books such as the Gaean Trilogy
(Titan, Wizard, and Demon)
and Steel Beach, the latest in his Ophiuchi
Hotline universe. One of my favorite kinds of stories he
writes are where he takes common taboos of societies and runs
with them, exploring how technology and changing mores might affect
them. Praised by other authors such as Tom Clancy and Spider Robinson.
-
E. E. "Doc" Smith
(science fiction) -
One of the old-time greats, my father introduced me to Smith's works
at a young age. Best known for his
Lensmen
series.
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David Brin
(hard-science fiction) -
A writer of strong technical knowledge, this astrophysicist-turned-author
has penned such greats as The Postman (and I don't mean that
abomination of a movie based on it), Heart of the Comet
(with Gregory Benford), and Startide Rising.
His collections of philosophical essays, such as Otherness,
are also delightfully thought provoking.
-
Jeffrey Carver
(science fiction/fantasy) -
A close second to Varley in my library, I particularly like his
Star Rigger series and other books such as The Rapture
Effect.
- Tom Clancy (military fiction) - The master of
technically accurate military "what-if's" (Hunt for Red
October, Red Storm Rising, Cardinal of the
Kremlin), I thought he was out of a job when the Cold War
ended, but he has continued on strongly with excellent novels such as
Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger,
Without Remorse (wherein we finally learn who the
msyterious but super-competent "Mr. Clark" really is), and
Executive Orders.
Other Books I Highly Recommend
- Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card. A classic
of science fiction, this story takes a look at the results of ruthless
pursuit of goals, and how humans deal with destructive situations.
- The Dragonriders of Pern series, by Anne
McCaffrey.
While she is far from the best writer, I constantly find myself drawn
into the world she has created, despite often unsympathetic characters
or poorly written prose. I just love the world itself.
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