[Kamakhya]

I was going to give up on this topic this month. I figured people would rather read the Fantasy section. However, the creator of the Fantasy topic, John, this month specifically asked that people only post Fantasy. So, I will give it another go here. What SF are you reading this month?

I just picked up Asimov's Mirage. It is a robot mystery novel based on Asimov's Foundation universe by Mark W. Tedemann. It is definately not Asimov. The writing is a bit stilted. But, so far it is ok. Certainly not a fabulous book, but not dreadful either.

[vortexreader]

Planning to read...

Use of Weapons by Iain M Banks
Chasm City by Alastair Reynolds
Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
Fallen Dragon by Peter F Hamilton

That's the plan anyway. Never quite works out though!

[Hobbit]

Vortex - http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Haven't read Chasm City yet (it's in the pile! :0 ), but would recommend both the Hamilton and the Morgan - read the Hamilton last and about 2/3rds of the way through the Morgan and it is good - very violent and film noir, but for a first novel quite stunning. Must read some Fantasy next as I have read a load of Sf recently...

Hobbit

[vortexreader]

I forgot to add The Visitor by Sheri S Tepper which should arrive sometime this week. It'll probably go straight to the top of the pile!

[Kamakhya]

Dang, are all the best authors overseas? http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

I would love to get my hands on Ian Banks. I read The Bridge a year or two ago and really enjoyed it. The only SF book I have found in the U.S. is Inversions and I hear that is not a good first culture book to read. I will have to search harder.

I also really want to read Altered Carbon, but it doesn't seem to be available in the US.

Fallen Dragon is out now and as soon as I can afford a copy, I will buy it.

Another new one that I really want is The Years of Rice and Salt; Kim Stanley Robinson's new novel.

Chasm City should be out now or very soon. For the most part, I enjoyed Revelation Space and really want to see what he does in Chasm City.

But, next is The Sparrow. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Kamakhya]

That's the plan anyway. Never quite works out though!

LOL...I always bring a book with me on the bus to work. I can't tell you how many times I have been running late and just grabbed a book because it was handy.

[Hobbit]

Kamakhya - sorry, yes these sare all UK I think. For further reference, Chasm City won the BSFA (British Science Fiction Association) award for best novel last weekend. A lot of reviews I've read liked it more than Revelation Space.

Incidentally Revelation Ark is out later in the year and is a sequel to Revelation Space. Cool cover - it's at Amazon.co.uk.

Back to task -I have a copy of Rice and Salt (signed!), which is out on both sides of the water, and really looking at that one....can I get away with it being Fantasy (or at least Alternate History) and therefore I can read it next...? (Though I do have Sabriel to read I don't think it'll take long) BUT that would then put Chasm City further down the pile.

I still have a copy of The Sparrow to read so let us know if it's any good! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hobbit

[Kamakhya]

Hobbit bragged:

I have a copy of Rice and Salt (signed!)

Kamakhya does a happy dance! For once I didn't buy the book too soon! I just found out that Mr. Robinson is coming to town (San Francisco, CA, USA) on April 19th for a book signing and reading from Years of Rice and Salt. That makes it worth the cover price, especially since I have real nice copies of Red and Blue Mars to boot.

[Hobbit]

O/T - Apologies Kamakhya.

My comments about signed books (of which I realise I've made many http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif ) are NEVER meant to boast. I'm sorry if they've come across that way. I've always thought I was showing how pleased I was at having one.....but never meant to rub people's noses in it. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/redface.gif

Stan seems a nice bloke by the way, I'm happy that you're going to have the chance to meet him. I missed my chance when he was visiting the UK with Antarctica - as I was at work and couldn't get there I asked the bookshop to reserve a copy for me and he wrote me a lovely inscription on the inside.

I have bought a few books from Mysterious Galaxy, San Diego, in my time (not too far away from you!) btw - they're often very good for signed copies.

Now of course I could get technical - which cover do you prefer for Rice and Salt - UK or US? http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Have a look at this website: http://gosh.ex.ac.uk/~cs99jdc/ksr.html

and a brilliant interview:
http://www.zone-sf.com/ksrobinson.html

Hobbit

[This message has been edited by Hobbit (edited April 06, 2002).]

[Kamakhya]

I'm sorry Hobbit. I was going to put a http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif after writing "Hobbit bragged", but didn't. Obviously, I should have! I was just joking with you. I assure you, I love hearing what other collectors have. I'm very sorry my joke was taken the wrong way. I forget sometimes that we are not all just sitting in my living room chatting! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

It's funny you mentioned you were at work...I will be too. Luckily, the book store is near my work and the reading will take place over the lunch hour.

As for covers, well I find the UK edition much more elegant. Quite frankly, I find the UK editions of most of his books are more aesthetically pleasing.

Thanks for the links Hobbit! I loved them.

Kamakhya


[This message has been edited by Kamakhya (edited April 06, 2002).]