Don't Forget Your Towel - May 2013 REPORTING Thread

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Don't Forget Your Towel



The 25 May is Towel Day. It was started as a tribute to Douglas Adams, two weeks after his sudden death in May 2001. Why a towel? In his book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy he declares “A towel, it says, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have.”

So everyone grab your towel, we're going Hitchhiking in honour of this day around the world of Science Fiction.

The challenge this month is to read a subgenre of Science Fiction (no Fantasy) you have never read before. This challenge is to completely move you out of your comfort zone, and hopefully discover a subgenre you wouldn't usually read.

THERE ARE NO POINTS. You will however, have to compile TWO posts for me to earn your badge.

Post first to let us know what SciFi subgenres you usually read (if any) and then tell us what book you plan to read and what subgenre you think it fits into.
Do this before you start reading, as we will get our lovely community here to weigh in with their expertise, and help with genre checking. For example I just don't want you to start reading The Handmaid's Tale thinking it is a Space Western. So until you start reading the book, you aren't locked to a genre or a book.

When you finish the book, post and tell us what you thought of it. I don't need a long review unless you want to, but give us a couple of sentences to let us know what you liked, or disliked. And then tell us would you read more of the subgenre after reading this book?

To help with your thinking, here are some of the subgenres of SciFi for you to start thinking about:

Hard SciFi.......... Social/Soft SciFi.......... Cyberpunk.......... Time Travel.......... Alternate History..........Military SciFi.......... Steampunk.......... Superhuman.......... Apocalyptic.......... Space Opera.......... Biopunk.......... Space Western.......... Dystopian.......... Dieselpunk
And soooo many more...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_... is a reasonable place to start thinking.

Usual challenge rules apply:
1. The book may be in any format - paperback, ebook, audiobook.
2. The book may NOT be combined with the Year Long Alphabet Challenge.
3. The book must be read between May 1 and May 31, 2013. 

[Rusalka, Moderator]

If you have already posted in the thinking thread, please remind me of your final decision (and what you usually read) in here as your first post please.

[Marie Claude]

Since I have read a lot of sci-fi along the years, it is a hard challenge to find subgenres I have not read, but easy to convince myself to read more ;o) So I decided to go for 2 books this challenge, one for each subgenres I have not read: The Plot Against America for alternate history, and Phoenix Rising for steampunk.

[Janice, Moderator]

It seems that I read mostly steampunk, time travel, and alt histories when reading sci-fi. So I have chosen Starship Troopers which is military sci-fi for my choice. I've requested it from my library, so I hoping it arrives quickly.

[Sarah]

I mostly read dystopian/apocalypse and hard-fi so for this challenge I've chosen Cyberpunk and I will be reading (hopefully) Neuromancer. I have way too many books to read this month!

[Lisa]

First post: I don't normally read Sci-Fi (except for Cinder in the Cyberpunk genre) so I was able to pick pretty much any sub genre for this challenge. I settled upon Space Opera and will be reading Across the Universe.

[[deleted user]]

I thought I didn't read SciFi, but it seems I have read examples of Dystopia, Apocolypse, Comic SciFi, Steampunk & Time travel at the least.
I know I've not read anything with spaceships in, so have gone for Foundation by Isaac Asimov (Hard or Space opera)
And I'm not sure I've tried any alternative history, so picked up The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick.

Will let you know how I get on...

[Alexandra]

I thought I do not read SciFi but the funny thing is I´ve read and liked already a lot of the time travelling category.
Also I have discovered that I have Soulless on my TBR shelf which seems to classify as "steampunk". I don´t know what "steampunk" is but I guess I´ll give it a try for this challenge :-).

[Marnie]

I have read dystopia, apocalyptic, time travel, military, and alternative history. I have chosen Flowers for Algernon which is soft science fiction.

[Cherie]

Janice wrote: "It seems that I read mostly steampunk, time travel, and alt histories when reading sci-fi. So I have chosen Starship Troopers which is military sci-fi for my choice. I've requested it from my lib..."

Janice, If it does not come, you could try a couple others of RH's Space Cadet or Have Space Suit—Will Travel or Space Jockey or Starman Jones

[Cherie]

I will be reading Un Lun Dun for Steampunk. At least I will give it a try.

[Janice, Moderator]

Thanks for the recommendations, Cherie. I think it will arrive soon because it shows that copies are available. They just have to be shipped.

[Esther]

First Post: I have every genre I could find, but steampunk seems to be the one I have barely touched. I ordered Perdido Street Station, a title I wanted to read for a while. Hopefully it will arrived in time for me to read it for the challenge.

I also realized that I missed cyberpunk, anyway the type that Cinder covers. I got the audio-book from the library yesterday and I will listen to it for the challenge.

[Esther]

First post - I am reading The Time Machine by H.G. Wells :)

[Esther]

Second Post - first post is....above lol. I guess The Time Machine wasn't very long (150pages) so I've managed to get through it in one evening. I have mixed feelings about it. I enjoyed the accounts of when he was physically travelling back in time, those bits were so cool! I was less enamoured with the Dying Earth aspect and how we had "evolved" as a species, based on a class system (being slightly reductive there). I can see how this book sparked the imaginations though and I am pleased I've read it for that reason alone.

[Michelle]

First post: I am reading Solaris, which we agreed in the other thread was hard Sci-Fi and/or Space Opera. I don't usually read sci-fi (although I did LOVE The Time Travelers Wife, and actually hadn't thought of it as sci-fi till I read this thread!) so either genre is new to me. Almost done, so will report more soon.

[Marie Claude]

While researching for this challenge I found out there was a Sci-fi convention this weekend in Montreal. So, in a coupe of hour I will join the other 150+ attendees for a few more hours of talking about scifi and fantasy. :)

By the way, I am about a third through The Plot Against America and love it!

[Michelle]

Second Post: Finished

I really liked the interesting philisophical questions the book raises about the nature of consciousness, and the possibility of any meaningful contact between species that have absolutely nothing in common. It was a book that made me think, and I will keep thinking about it for some time.

On the other hand, I had a lot of trouble getting through the pseudo-science, or "data dump" parts of the book. I read a review that explained that much of those parts are actually paradies of what real scientific debate is like, and that if you're familiar with the genre it's actually funny. So I learned that I'm Penny from Bib Bang Theory, and just don't get that "nerdy" science stuff!

The book left much unanswered. But maybe that's what makes it so powerful?

Will I read this sub-genre again? I'd give it a try...with hesitation. But I'm glad I read this one!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

This dropped off my notification thread until now (sheake fist at goodreads). Yay to Michelle and Esta to being first off the ranks and finishing!

I'm intrigued how your first scifi con goes Mariecg!

Esta and Michelle - I'm glad your both glad you read your books. Both are on my to read list (Solaris is closer to the top at the moment) so I love having guinea pigs! I'll let you know about the scientific data aspect for me Michelle. I am a big stats/social research nerd (started a masters in it with undergrad degrees in Sociology and Psych). I am a data queen! lol But if it goes into anything physics based, I will be lost.

Hope yours gets better Cherie, and hope yours continues Mariecg. I unexpectedly liked Soulless Alexandra. And let us know Janice and Helen how you're getting on.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Me personally. I read alt history, steampunk, social scifi and dystopias.

I don't do spaceships. I definitely DO NOT do colonies on other planets. So I will read Midnight Robber as space opera (if you disagree with the catergorisation please speak up oh better versed in scifi people than me).

[Marnie]

Second Post
FinishedFlowers for Algernon and am glad I picked this book. I read it on a plane and had to fight back tears at how cruel people can be. Friendship and dignity are universal needs. For that reason this book remains relevant today.
I will definately read more of this genre and know that I want to read most of the other categories too.

[Cherie]

Marnie wrote: "Second Post
FinishedFlowers for Algernon and am glad I picked this book. I read it on a plane and had to fight back tears at how cruel people can be. Friendship and dignity are universal needs. For..."

Welcome to the Sci-Fi family, Marnie! Glad to hear you liked the book. I do not know of anyone who has read this book admit to not crying.

[[deleted user]]

My second post - I've finished Foundation. Sorry to anyone who thinks it's marvelous, but the best I can do is meh. It's an interesting idea, but there's no character development, you start one story section, that crisis or turning point appears and then you're off to the next societal changing point. No character development, not being able to relate to the characters involved, it's all 2 dimensional cardboard cutouts. I'm sure it was groundbreaking in the 50s when first published, but I didn't think it was a great read

[Michelle]

Marnie wrote: "Second Post
FinishedFlowers for Algernon and am glad I picked this book. I read it on a plane and had to fight back tears at how cruel people can be. Friendship and dignity are universal needs. For..."

This challenge has convinced me that I need to read Flowers for Algernon! So glad to hear you liked it...it's moving up my TBR pile!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Oh Helen I'm sorry you didn't like it. You can look superior now and tell people you have read it even if you didn't like it.

[Lisa]

Second post: I finished Across the Universe. It was ok.
The writing was quite good in terms of the setting and the characters, I liked how each chapter switched viewpoints between Amy and Elder and I felt that I got to know them fairly well as a result. I also liked the fact that the romance took time to develop and wasn't love at first sight as is often the case with YA. Unfortunately, the story was quite slow at times, particularly when Amy was frozen onboard the spaceship Godspeed and the murder mystery wasn't much of a mystery to me because the clues were very obvious and I worked out what was happening pretty early on which took some of the enjoyment out of the rest of the book. Overall, not a bad read but not a great one either so a 3 star rating from me. Will I read more Space Opera in the future (pardon the pun)? Yes, I think I will.

[Cherie]

Helen wrote: "My second post - I've finished Foundation. Sorry to anyone who thinks it's marvelous, but the best I can do is meh. It's an interesting idea, but there's no character development, you start one sto..."

I thought about the same as you, Helen. It was a long time ago, but Asimov was/is not a favorite with me.

[Cherie]

Lisa wrote: "Second post: I finished Across the Universe. It was ok.
The writing was quite good in terms of the setting and the characters, I liked how each chapter switched viewpoints between Amy and Elder and..."

I have added this one to my "maybe" list. I have seen the cover a couple of times, but it has a lot of mixed reviews. I have never read this author either.

[Cherie]

@ Rusalka - I am still hanging onto my book. I do not know if I am just starting to like the characters, or if the story is getting more interesting. A little of both, I guess. A smelly little milk carton for a pet. Who is this guy?

[Ava Catherine]

First post:

I read very little science fiction. The only works I have read are utopian or dystopian novels.

As of now, I am planning to read The War of the Worlds, which is military science fiction.

My second choice is Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, which is Steampunk.

[Anna]

First post.

From science fiction genre I've mostly read Doctor Who series and Kurt Vonnegut's books.

For this challenge I'm reading alternate history Dominion

[Almeta]

10 Space Western Firefly Series
Serenity: Those Left Behind, 80 pages
Better Days, 80 pages
The Shepherd's Tale,56 pages

Total of 216 pages

In the first two, the artwork is strictly based on the film series' characters/actors, and is incredibly realistic. I envy people who have such artistic talent.

The last book was the most interesting, as a biography of Shepard Book. The life of this gentle man that we know was anything but gentle in his past. Something that is alluded to in the series, but never really told.

In the spirit of SciFi reading I am moving on to Consider Her Ways. I have absolutely no idea what genre this would fit! Social SciFi? Too Bizarre.

[Roz]

First post: I plan on reading Revelation Space for the Space Opera genre.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Almeta wrote: "10 Space Western Firefly Series
Serenity: Those Left Behind, 80 pages
Better Days, 80 pages
The Shepherd's Tale,56 pages

Total of 216 pages

In the first two, the artwork is strictly based on the..."

OOoo. I've always wanted to know more about Book's story. It's alluded too and then never explained (the perils of being cancelled in your first season. DAMN YOU FOX!). I need to check that out.

I would say yup to social scifi.

[Almeta]

Rusalka wrote: "OOoo. I've always wanted to know more about Book's story. It's alluded too and then never explained (the perils of being cancelled in your first season. DAMN YOU FOX!). I need to check that out...."

It took me a while to figure out the timing. I would have faired better reading it from back to front!

Just be aware of the backward motion.

Present...ten years earlier...ten years before that....ten years before that..three years before that, etc.

[Cherie]

Almeta wrote: "10 Space Western Firefly Series
Serenity: Those Left Behind, 80 pages
Better Days, 80 pages
The Shepherd's Tale,56 pages

Total of 216 pages

In the first two, the artwork is strictly based on the..."

Consider Her Ways Oh, now that one sounds very interesting! I cannot wait to hear how about it!

[Naomi]

I have read all types of sci-fi with dystopian and time travel being the most read. I am going to read military Sci-fi (nearly the least read) for this challenge and am half way through Old Man's War

which is good so far and written with a sense of humor.

[[deleted user]]

And me again, post 2 for the second time.
this time I've finished The Man in the High Castle which was odd, but strangely satisfying. There are a number of seemingly unrelated threads of story, but they do touch each other, sometimes in seemingly inconsequential ways, but it does tie together and things seem to work out for the best.

[Cherie]

Anna wrote: "First post.

From science fiction genre I've mostly read Doctor Who series and Kurt Vonnegut's books.

For this challenge I'm reading alternate history Dominion"

There is so much new sci-fi out there, Anna, that is is hard to keep up. I marked your book and added it to my list. This one looks really interesting. I cannot wait to hear what you think/thought about it!

[Cherie]

Helen wrote: "And me again, post 2 for the second time.
this time I've finished The Man in the High Castle which was odd, but strangely satisfying. There are a number of seemingly unrelated threads of story, but..."

I have never really cared for any of Philip K Dick's books that I have read in the past. None of them stand out, and I cannot recall one title to even reference. You said it was 'odd, but strangely satisfying'. Is it worth a 2nd look?
edit to post. I looked in my Read list and the books under his name, and I do not even have one marked. I absolutely know that I have read some of his books, but with the new covers, I cannot tell which ones - even the old titles do not ring a bell.

[[deleted user]]

Difficult to say, Cherie, not having read any of his other books. I don't know if it's different/better than those you might have read.
I think the spark of inspiration is writing an alternative history in which a book has been written that describes an alternative history that happens to be somewhat close to the truth.
At times it was written in an odd manner, very formal and stilted, but those sections were concerning the Japanese characters, so the style seemed to fit with the perception of them.
I'm not going to rave about it, 3 stars was my conclusion, and it didn't really fall into place until the last chapter, but when it did it was quite satisfying.

[Cherie]

Helen wrote: "Difficult to say, Cherie, not having read any of his other books. I don't know if it's different/better than those you might have read.
I think the spark of inspiration is writing an alternative h..."

Thanks, Helen. That satisfies me. I will not be adding this one to my TBR list. :)

[Almeta]

The movie Blade Runner is supposed to be based on Philip K. Dick's book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. I have it on my TBR. Blade Runner is a favorite of mine.

[Janice, Moderator]

Almeta wrote: "The movie Blade Runner is supposed to be based on Philip K. Dick's book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. I have it on my TBR. Blade Runner is a favorite of mine."

Added the book. I enjoyed Blade Runner too.

[Sarah]

Almeta wrote: "The movie Blade Runner is supposed to be based on Philip K. Dick's book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. I have it on my TBR. Blade Runner is a favorite of mine."

I've had that on my TBR for a while too due to Blade Runner.

[Almeta]

I've read several of PKD's novels, and my husband and I both think that he was a better idea man than a writer--tailor made translating his works to a movie script. ..."

Interesting observation.☺

[Janice, Moderator]

Sarah wrote: "Almeta wrote: "The movie Blade Runner is supposed to be based on Philip K. Dick's book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. I have it on my TBR. Blade Runner is a favorite of mine."

I've had th..."

I wonder if it's a banned book. We could nominate it for June's group read if it is.

Edit: I looked at all the listopias connected to the book and didn't see that it was on any lists for banned books. Scratch the idea.

[Almeta]

Janice wrote: "I wonder if it's a banned book. ...."

Well it is about androids being banned from earth!☺☻☺

[Cherie]

Gaeta1 wrote: "Cherie wrote: "Helen wrote: "And me again, post 2 for the second time.
this time I've finished The Man in the High Castle which was odd, but strangely satisfying. There are a number of seemingly un..."

Funny, I guess that is the thing. One can have great ideas, but getting them down on paper or into a book IS a different story (pun intended). Maybe it was the early books that put me off, because I have not read any more recent ones. I know Blade Runner, the movie, but I have not read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. It IS on my TBR list. I will give him another try and see if anything has changed for me. Thanks, Gaeta1.

[Cherie]

Gaeta1 wrote: "I am posting my assessment of The River of No Return. No, I only read a sample, but that's more than most novels get from editorial assistants and agents--or from people standing in the aisles of b..."

Great review! LOL!!!