SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
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Going to see John Scalzi and Tobias Buckell friday
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If you've read Scalzi's Old Man's War and didn't like it, I'd recommend The Androids Dream. It's different from OMR and that series. I really enjoyed it.
If I thought the series improved after OMW, I would read more of them. It seemed fluffy and unfunny to me. And those tiny aliens were ridiculous. Does it get better?
Just got back. It was pretty fun, though there were only about 10 people to show up because the book store didn't advertise it.Melko's book looked pretty interesting. It's a YA book called Singularity's Ring. I didn't buy it though because it was only in hardback and cost $26. His background is in nuclear engineering but he said his book isn't what you would call hard SF.
I ended up buying Crystal Rain and Ghost Brigades. I probably won't be reading them for a while though because I have other things lined up.
The good thing about the OMW series is that it's not a series where there's a cliffhanger leading into the next novel. Each one is self contained (at least so far...I've only read the first three), but all form a part of a larger universe. Yes, readign them in publication order will allow some things to build, but if you read the third first, you won't feel totally lost.I think Scalzi improves as the series goes along.
I liked the OMW books because they were quick reads. I read them all in the course of a week. My expectations weren't all that high going in so I was able to enjoy them for the sf pulp they were. Same goes for The Android's Dream.I have Zoe's Tale on my to read list, but I won't get to it for a while.
I've been reading Scalzi's blog almost since he started it ten years ago and I think that helped in setting my expectations.
William Gibson was there a couple of months ago and it was great to listen to him take questions. He looked and talked like an old man though, which was weird because I've only seen his photos on his books.