Marissa's comments (member since Feb 06, 2009)

Marissa's comments from the SciFi and Fantasy Book Club group.

I don't think I can address all of those questions, but I love the ending of this book. I love british humor, and this one is no exception. My favorite part of the ending is the idea that humanity has reached a state where it willingly and knowledgeably eat "the apple" - gain the knowledge of good and evil. Another book that embraces this idea, albeit in an entirely different way, is Phillip Pullman's amazing series, His Dark Materials Trilogy. I love this idea, and it's one that has really stuck with me through all of my re-readings of this very fun book.

I knew I had read this story before the minute you had mentioned it. After a short search on Google I found it - it's a short story by Isaac Asimov called "Profession". There's even a copy of it online: http://www.abelard.org/asimov.php
It drives me nuts when I can't remember those things! I'm glad I could find it. I would highly recommend Asimov's short stories and novels. Quite excellent.

I loved Lathe of Heaven and The Dispossessed, but some of my favorites are her short stories. Changing Planes is one of my favorites. The Birthday of the World And Other Stories is also excellent. Does anyone have a link to or know the order that the Earthsea books should be read in? I often have this problem. I want to read them, but at the library it's impossible to tell which book comes first, and I walk away with something else.

This reminds me of a concept Dan Simmons mentions in the Hyperion/Endimon books - the Zen concept of "mu" or "unask the question". There are some questions that can have no useful answers, or that never have "right" answers. I think it becomes more about asking questions whose answers will be useful and help you or your companions.

Thanks for all the help! I'll hit the library!

I haven't read Anne McCaffrey before - a major oversight in my fantasy reading. I'd love to start. Should I read the Dragons of Pern series before I get to this book? What order are they in?

Thanks for the help!

I, too, am madly in love with this movie. I will probably actually pay more money to go see it again, which I tend to never do. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought Spock was ridiculously sexy! Good lord! I loved him and Uhura! I thought they were perfect together. Does this mean I'm overly attracted to emotionless men? ;)

I'm amazed that it made it! Fox has been historically quite stupid about good shows. I'll be happily watching in fall!

I love the way that Willis treats chaos. I think it is most interesting that the space/time continuum acts almost like a living thing, a breathing, changing entity. That is what was most unique and interesting about her interpretation for me. Thanks for the info about her short stories - I'll check it out!

I utterly loved this book. So funny! As is my tradition, I went to the library and got 4 or 5 more of Connie Willis' books. They are all fabulous! She does have a continuing theme of the main character trying to remember something that is just on the edge of their mind, trying to put things together - and since this happens to me often when trying to remember things, and drives me nuts, I can't stop reading until the character figures it out! I am so glad to have found this great new (for me) author.

Honestly, how can you not love Buffy? I love all things Joss Whedon, have all the lyrics to "Once More With Feeling" memorized, and even read the comic. Don't forget Joss's Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog! A fantastic mini-musical. He wrote and produced it during the writers' strike to prove what you can accomplish online. I have that one memorized too. Any song involving freeze rays has to be good. I'm not sure if it is still available on iTunes, but I heard there was supposed to be a dvd release sometime. Neil Patrick Harris makes a fabulous super-villain wannabe. And Nathan Fillon as Captain Hammer! A must-see.

I completely agree about the ending. It made more sense in the movie, and kept the same spirit of uniting the earth against an "alien" aggressor. I thought they did pretty well packing in as much backstory as possible and still not making it a 4 hour movie. I also loved that it was faithful to the novel in so many ways. I was prepared for the graphic scenes because I know that the director does really graphic stuff after seeing 300. I also closed my eyes occasionally. I liked the actors a lot as well - especially those playing the Comedian and Rorschach. Definitely well done.

I would try Robert J. Sawyer. Great hard Sci-Fi, and he really delves into all of the aspects of the ideas he creates.

Hi all -
I've been a voracious reader since I devoured all of the boxcar children books when I was 7. I am currently 27 and absolutely addicted to Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Magical Realism books. I have read a ridiculous number of books, and can't even begin to list them here - that's what my goodreads page is for! I tend to find an author I like and then read every book they've ever written. It's a pretty good system. I was excited to see this group and grateful to find readers who won't criticize me for not reading "real" literature. I could rant about that for a while, but I'm just happy to be among such wonderful readers. I'm always looking for the Next Great Book, and I'm sure I'll find some to read and discuss here! :)