Random’s Comments (group member since Apr 30, 2009)

Random’s comments from the Beyond Reality group.

I tend to like short stories. I've discovered some excellent authors over the years that I may never have looked at otherwise through short stories.

Some authors also excel in the short story format. IMO most of Neil Gaiman's best work has been his short stories and poems. One of my personal favorites is "Nicholas Was . . .", which is only a few paragraphs long.

They're also nice in situations where you don't have the time, patience, or energy to focus on a large piece of work. Or in situations where you want a break from a larger piece of work.

They can also be good if you're in the mood for a lot of variety.

And back to the subject of these magazines, my draw to Analog isn't just the stories. The first thing I read in every issue is the Editorial followed by the Science Fact article.

I've subscribed to Analog for a number of years now.

Marty wrote: "this is really interesting because I am now more confused than ever about what hard sci fi is....."

There's a Wikipedia article that does a decent job of classifying the different subgenres of Science Fiction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_...

In regards to Soft Science Fiction, I really don't see much difference between it and Hard Science fiction other than which sciences are its focus. Hard SF focuses on physics, astronomy, chemistry, etc. Soft SF has its focus on the softer sciences such as sociology, psychology, political science, etc. Soft SF tends to focus more on the human factor since the sciences that are its basis focus more on the human factor.

The difference between Hard (and Soft) SF is that they have the scientific concepts at the core of the story. Using Space Opera as an example, it falls under SF mostly due to its setting more so than due to the concepts it uses. Much the same can be said for Military SF.

It is not uncommon to see books mix the various subgenres.

On average I would say about 75% of what I read falls under spec. fiction, most of which is SF/F.

10% falls under general fiction (mostly humor).

The remaining ~15% falls under non fiction, the majority of which are technical books. I don't track technical books here on Goodreads since I don't read them like I do the others.

I prefer the Spec. Fiction genre because I tend to find it much more imaginative and creative than your average fiction.

I'd personally say Honor Harrington is more Military SF. While science is used, its not scientific concepts that drive the stories.

I managed to remind myself of this in another thread so I'll give it another go. :)

SF
Dragon's Egg by Robery L. Forward

Good book, definitely hard Sci-Fi. The main character is an evolving species. I found it a fascinating read.

I'm going to do like Charles did and assume a heavy emphasis on the Science.

Dragon's Egg and Starquake both by Robert L. Forward. Two of my all time favorites. Maybe one day I'll manage to get the group to try him out. :)

Anathem by Neal Stephenson

Just about anything by Stephen Baxter

The Dark Beyond the Stars by Frank M. Robinson

Janny wrote: "Hard vote coming - this group does that more than any other, it seems! "

One of the reasons I like it here. We rarely seem to rehash the books that every other group is reading. It makes for a much fresher experience. :)

Dawn wrote: "I have to say, I think I was duped. Maybe not duped.. Some other word-ed. From reading the back of the book I was prepared to hate Arithon, with his dark evil shadow magic, and to love Lysaer, with his glorious power of light and goodness."

The prologue does say "Yet contrary evidence supports claim that the Master was unjustly aligned with evil".

Got it, thanks Sandra!

I've already sent an email to the publisher as well.

Janny wrote: "Random - the later volumes in the series are issued for all formats, not just the Kindle. On query, my editor tells me the older books require more work to format (and HarperCollins UK does not stint, they do a good job). I have asked to have all of the series in that format, and was told, the earlier books are 'in the queue' -- demand will push them forward."

Sweet. I've only been able to find the ones available at Amazon in Kindle format. Do you have a distributor handy you could point me towards?

Candiss wrote: "Me, too! Southwest Missouri - "Tornado Alley" here! "

Central Illinois here. I spent my 13th birthday huddled in a basement reading with a flashlight while a tornado was causing havoc above. :)

I just picked up The Curse of the Mistwraith today. I'm going to try to see if I can keep up with the discussions. I'm rather depressed I ended up missing the discussions for some of my favorite Miles books.

And to prove my commitment, other than The Adventure of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle (which I claim doesn't really count), this is the first physical print book I have purchased since February of last year.

Janny - Your publisher needs to consider ebook formats other than Kindle! :)

Candiss wrote: "I don't have a particular time of day I prefer to read, but I do find that I prefer to read when it's raining. I like the light quality in the house when it's overcast, and I find the sound of rain condusive to a reading mood. As I live in the Seattle-Tacoma area of Washington State, I have many rainy ready days."

I'm also in the Seattle area and I have to agree the best days to read are the cold gray rainy ones. I've been frustrated in my reading efforts today because the sun keeps trying to come out.

I miss the big summer storms we used to get when I was growing up in the midwest. I'd go out to sit on the porch swing and read while the world exploded around me. :)

Usually not. Music, for me, is an involved activity. I don't like to listen while doing anything else. When I listen to music, I like to put on headphones and give the music my full attention.

So, I'm not the only one. When I was a kid, there was music playing almost 24/7. Now I prefer to concentrate on the music I listen to.

A funny side note - My favorite way to listen to audio books in sitting back in a comfy chair with all the lights off and my eyes closed. An excellent book with a good narrator can be like listening to a good symphony. :)

Do you have a favorite time/place to read?
In the evenings, in a quiet and comfy place. Where ever I end up, I usually prefer the lights to be low and free of distracting other people.

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack:
I don't really snack, but I won't necessarily stop reading for meals. Actually I've been known to go out to restaurants by myself just so I can have some alone time with a book. :)

What is your favorite drink while reading?
Water. To be honest I rarely drink anything other than water or tea.

On an average day, how many hours do you read?
That is so dependent upon what's going on. The last 6 months I've been lucky to get a couple hours a week. Last year, I probably averaged 3-4 a day. More if I include audio books.

In an average month, how many books do you read?
Again, that really depends upon how life is treating me. Last year I averaged 8-9 a month. This year, well I'm currently half way through a book I started at the beginning of June. :)

Do you consider yourself to be a fast reader?
Yes, but....
I can read fast, however I often choose to slow it down to savor what I am reading. I've been known to reread pages over and over just because I enjoyed a certain turn of phrase.

Do you ever re-read books?
Yes, I have some favorites I tend to reread often. Sometimes I just want something specific so will pickup something I've read before because I know it will satisfy.

Do you like to listen to music while reading? Any favorite genres/artists?
No, I don't like to listen to music while reading.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
The though gives me the screaming willies. I refuse to even pickup a used book if someone has written in it.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open?
I usually shove some handy scrap of paper in between the pages. I've been known to do the others in a pinch.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?
I can stop anywhere, even the middle of a sentence. :)

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?
Yep, I've done it a few times actually. One got thrown out a handy open window. :)

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?
I usually try to figure it out from context before I look it up.

Are you the type of person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?
Sometimes, but if I do they are usually different media types like one text and one audio.

How do you organize your books?(by genre, title, author’s last name, etc.)
Organization? What's that? :D

I'm working on Breath and Bone which I am enjoying a lot. I do have to guiltily admit that I've been working on it for a month now. :D

Boss has promised me I'm not only going to get a full weekend, but a three day one to boot! I should be able to finish and get something else started.

My husband just told me my copy of The Adventure of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle just arrived today. SQUEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe I'll manage to get home early enough tonight to do a little reading. Happily it's short.

If you like a mix of hard sci-fi, try out Catherine Asaro's Skolian Empire series.

Bah, I'd swear I've posted this three times now. :)

There are so many good characters in this series that it is difficult to choose. If forced however, I would have to say Ivan. He's a lot more complex than he likes to be seen, and there's just something about him I adore. :)

Kerry wrote: "Janny, if you can post contact details for the publisher, I'll be happy to send them an email and add my voice to the requests for ebooks."

I'll do the same. I'm always willing to put in a little effort to get more titles into ebook formats.