Fiction_L Archives Best of recent Science fiction Dates: 2/14/02,2:16 PM  through  3/7/02,7:30 PM  (14 postings) Search for: Select one or more indexes to search: 2011-current     2009-2010     2004-2008    1995-2003    (Matches from each index will be displayed separately in the results page.) Return to February 2002 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

FROM: Susan Creed <[removed]@spokanelibrary.org>
REC'D: 2/14/02, 2:16 PM

My favorite 'problem patron,' my husband, asked me to bring him some recent
science fiction that was the best of its kind. He made it clear that he
didn't want science fantasy or science horror, but something more along the
classic Heinlein, Clarke, Asimov kind of book. Since I don't read much
science fiction I thought I would appeal to this list for suggestions of
personal favorites among science fiction books in the last few years or so.
I'll look at some of the awards lists as well, but I would appreciate
something a little more personal. Thanks --Susan

Susan Creed
Youth Services Librarian,
Shadle Library
Spokane Public Library
2111 W. Wellesley
Spokane, WA 99205
[removed]@spokanelibrary.org

FROM: "Marsha Valance" <[removed]@mpl.org>
REC'D: 2/14/02, 2:26 PM

Here are some recent favorites:
any SF by Lois McMaster Bujold, Steven Gould, John Barnes, John Ford. or Kathleen Goonan; and some individual titles:

Dorsey, Candas Jane. A Paradigm of Earth. New York: Tor, 2001.
A beautifully crafted allegory about acceptance, in the framework of a murder mystery.

McArthur, Maxine. Time Future. New York: Warner Aspect, 2001.
A burnt-out female space station commander must quell internal rebellion, cope with a blockade, and catch an alien serial killer.

McMahon, Donna. Dance of Knives. Tor, 2001.
In a post-pandemic 22nd century Vancouver, a young member of the Fisher Guild fights for her right to an education--and for her life.

Shwartz, Susan. Second Chances. New York: Ace, 2001.
In this homage to Conrad's Lord Jim set in space, a professional soldier chooses to carry a burden of guilt and atonement.

Zettel, Sarah. Kingdom of Cages. New York: Warner, 2001.
Two orphaned girls must solve their mother's murder and prevent the extinction of the human race.


Marsha Valance
Regional Librarian
Wisconsin Regional Library f/t Blind & Physically Handicapped
813 West Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
1.800.242.8822 [in-state]
<[removed]@mpl.org>

>>> [removed]@spokanelibrary.org 02/14/02 02:20PM >>>

My favorite 'problem patron,' my husband, asked me to bring him some recent
science fiction that was the best of its kind. He made it clear that he
didn't want science fantasy or science horror, but something more along the
classic Heinlein, Clarke, Asimov kind of book. Since I don't read much
science fiction I thought I would appeal to this list for suggestions of
personal favorites among science fiction books in the last few years or so.
I'll look at some of the awards lists as well, but I would appreciate
something a little more personal. Thanks --Susan

Susan Creed
Youth Services Librarian,
Shadle Library
Spokane Public Library
2111 W. Wellesley
Spokane, WA 99205
[removed]@spokanelibrary.org

FROM: Sandy Westbrook <[removed]@crlc.org>
REC'D: 2/14/02, 2:37 PM

Susan,
One of the best science fiction books I've read recently is "Chimera" by
Will Shetterly. It deals with a mystery involving genetically engineered
"human-animals". Each genetically engineered human had to have his/her
animal represented by a mark on their forehead - giving a whole new meaning
to horse-face! I found it very thought provoking, imaginative and well
written - my definition of "best sf".

Sandy Westbrook
South Windsor Public Library
South Windsor, CT 06074
Ph 860-644-1541
Fax 860-644-7645
[removed]@crlc.org


At 12:20 PM 2/14/2002 -0800, you wrote:
>
>My favorite 'problem patron,' my husband, asked me to bring him some recent
>science fiction that was the best of its kind. He made it clear that he
>didn't want science fantasy or science horror, but something more along the
>classic Heinlein, Clarke, Asimov kind of book. Since I don't read much
>science fiction I thought I would appeal to this list for suggestions of
>personal favorites among science fiction books in the last few years or so.
> I'll look at some of the awards lists as well, but I would appreciate
>something a little more personal. Thanks --Susan
>
>
>
>Susan Creed
>Youth Services Librarian,
>Shadle Library
>Spokane Public Library
>2111 W. Wellesley
>Spokane, WA 99205
[removed]@spokanelibrary.org
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>

FROM: "Dr. Joni Richards Bodart" <[removed]@earthlink.net>
REC'D: 2/14/02, 2:48 PM

I really enjoyed David Feintuch's "Hope" series, starting with
Midshipman Hope. It is space opera, with an almost nautical feel,
reminiscent of the Hornblower books, or the best of the original Star
Trek series. There are seven books in the series, with the last one
published just last year. The characters are complex, and so are the
plot lines, and the books read surprisingly quickly anyway. (At least I
thought so.) Customers I have recommended them to have also enjoyed them.

Joni Richards Bodart
Univ of Denver/DPL

FROM: "Deborah T. Walsh" <[removed]@geneva.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 2/14/02, 2:58 PM

He may have already seen this one, since Clarke is listed as the author, but
one of the most potent sf books I've read recently is a "joint" work by
Arthur C. Clarke and Stephen Baxter entitled The Light of Other Days. It
tells the story of events that occur with the invention of a new technology
that allows people to witness and observe historical events. Privacy and
accountability become interesting concepts in a world with this capability.

Deborah T. Walsh
Geneva Public Library District
Geneva, IL
[removed]@geneva.lib.il.us

FROM: [removed]@SLS.LIB.IL.US
REC'D: 2/14/02, 9:08 PM

I can recommend two new series:
S. L Viehl. Stardoc is the first of three.
Kristine Smith. Rules of Conflict is the first.
I thought David Brin's new book, Kiln People was quite interesting.
I'm looking forward to seeing the list, as the other titles that come to mind
are a couple years old.


Brenda O'Brien
Woodridge Public Library

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 2/15/02, 7:23 AM

Alan Dean Foster is currently bringing out a series of books about the early
history of the Humanx Commonwealth. If your husband has read any of the
previous books in his Future History, he should certainly get hold of these.
They're in paperback.

_________________________________________________________________
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

FROM: "Pat Barresi" <[removed]@wlsmail.org>
REC'D: 2/15/02, 10:36 AM

One of my favorites is "The Sparrow" by Maria Doria Russell. A sort of
sequel is "Children of God", both are excellent. A thoughtful, discussion
provoking look at what could really happen when we meet true aliens, also
some religious slant as included the discoverers are Jesuit priests.
Really, one of the best of "literary" science fiction.

Also, Domesday Bood by Connie Willis, intriguing time-travel, where someone
from London of the future goes back to the 1300's to do research and gets
the bubonic plague.

Also, "1636" by Eric Flint, a humorous yet serious time-travel, (an entire
town gets plopped in 1636 Germany and a on-going war)

I've been a librarian for over 30 years, and a science fiction reader longer
than that, so I can safely say
that these are among the best I've read recently.

Pat Barresi
Director
John C. Hart Memorial Library
Shrub Oak, NY 10588
-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Creed <[removed]@spokanelibrary.org>
To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
Date: Thursday, February 14, 2002 4:09 PM
Subject: Best of recent Science fiction


>
>My favorite 'problem patron,' my husband, asked me to bring him some recent
>science fiction that was the best of its kind. He made it clear that he
>didn't want science fantasy or science horror, but something more along the
>classic Heinlein, Clarke, Asimov kind of book. Since I don't read much
>science fiction I thought I would appeal to this list for suggestions of
>personal favorites among science fiction books in the last few years or so.
> I'll look at some of the awards lists as well, but I would appreciate
>something a little more personal. Thanks --Susan
>
>
>
>Susan Creed
>Youth Services Librarian,
>Shadle Library
>Spokane Public Library
>2111 W. Wellesley
>Spokane, WA 99205
[removed]@spokanelibrary.org
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: "Linda Lundquist" <[removed]@prodigy.net>
REC'D: 2/15/02, 3:30 PM

I don't know if your husband enjoys the avant garde in
SF, but I would recommend Neil Gaiman. "Stardust" came
out in 1999, and is more of a traditional fantasy with
what I consider to be a delightful twist of humor and
magic. "American Gods" is his more recent title, and
is on my 'to read' list, but I believe it would
qualify as more... experimental.

For something far lighter, I had a lot of fun reading
the first two books of what will be the Wind on Fire
trilogy by Nicholson. Book 1 is "The Wind Singer,"
(which just won the Smarties Award) and Book 2
is "Slaves of the Mastery." They both read very
quickly. Here's Amazon's synopsis of the first book:

In the city of Aramanth, the mantra is, "Better today
than yesterday. Better tomorrow than today." Harder
work means the citizens of Aramanth can keep moving
forward to improved life stations--from Gray tenements
and Orange apartments, upwards to glorious mansions of
White. Only some families, like the Haths, believe
more in ideas and dreams than in endless toil and
ratings. When Kestrel Hath decides she is through with
the Aramanth work ethic, she is joined in her small
rebellion by her twin brother Bowman and their friend
Mumpo. Together, they set the orderly city on its ear
by escaping Aramanth's walls for an adventure that
takes them from city sewers to desert sandstorms.
Guided by an archaic map, they know that if they can
find the voice of the Wind Singer, an ancient and
mysterious instrument that stands in the center of
Aramanth, they can save their people from their
dreamless existence. But the voice is guarded by the
dreaded Morah and its legion of perfect killing
machines, the Zars. Are three ragtag kids any match
for an army of darkness? The Wind Singer is a rich,
multilayered fantasy that can be read on many levels.
With this first volume of a planned trilogy, British
author William Nicholson deftly illustrates such
fundamental values as tolerance and the importance of
individuality, without sacrificing a bit of the
novel's breathless adventure. Watch out, J.K. Rowling!
If the rest of The Wind on Fire trilogy is as amazing
as this debut, Nicholson's books may be the next hot
English export.

Linda Lundquist
Bartlett Public Library
[removed]@prodigy.net

FROM: Susan LaBelle <[removed]@metronet.lib.mi.us>
REC'D: 2/18/02, 3:18 PM

Has anyone mentioned C. J. Cherryh? I have certainly enjoyed her science
fiction titles. The series that begins with Foreigner, followed by Invader
(and other titles) might be something the patron would enjoy. Maybe David
Drake? And I would certainly agree with the Lois McMaster Bujold
suggestion.
*******************************************************************************
Susan LaBelle Voice 248.647.1700
Librarian Fax 248.647.6393
Adult Services
Baldwin Public Library
300 W. Merrill
Birmingham, Michigan 48009

FROM: Bradley A Scott <[removed]@juno.com>
REC'D: 2/25/02, 1:43 AM

I've greatly enjoyed Robert J. Sawyer's books. "Calculating God", "The
Golden Fleece", and "Frameshift" are the three I've read. Sawyer devotes
considerable attention to the science behind his plots, as well as their
philosophical implications, and it shows. I found "The Golden Fleece" to
be reminiscent of Clarke's "The Sentinel" and "2001", but with a plot
that made infinitely more sense. ("Oh, so THAT'S why the computer went
bonkers....Of course!....")

If your "problem patron" enjoyed Heinlein's "Methuselah's Children", he
should take a look at Nancy Kress's "Beggars in Spain" and its sequels,
mentioned in a recent Fiction-L posting. Kress takes a situation similar
to Heinlein's, with genetically gifted humans facing suspicion and
persecution from the rest of the world's population, and develops it in a
different way.

If he enjoyed Heinlein's libertarian political leanings, he should take a
look at L. Neil Smith's books. In between writing books, Smith found
time to run for president on the Libertarian ticket in Arizona last
election. His political philosophy informs all his novels, but
especially "The Probability Broach" and "The American Zone". His writing
style may not be the greatest, but his ideas will interest some of
Heinlein's fans.

For what it's worth, I second those who mentioned Maria Doria Russell's
"The Sparrow" and Neil Gaiman.

Bradley A. Scott

P.S. Here's a side note for those who are interested in such things:
both Gaiman and Heinlein considered James Branch Cabell to be a key
influence on their writing. See Gaiman's notes to his "Sandman" books,
and check out the prizewinning essay for 2000, "The Heir of James Branch
Cabell", from Virginia Commonwealth University's annual Cabell Prize, for
an exhaustive analysis of JBC's influence on Heinlein:
http://www.library.vcu.edu/jbc/speccoll/exhibit/cabell/jbcprize.html
________________________________________________________________
GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.

FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 2/25/02, 7:50 AM

If the patron wants another one on genetically gifted and persecuted people,
he might want to try A.E. Van Vogt's classic "Slan." Its depiction of
prejudice and persecution still resonates.

........................................................................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac


-----Original Message-----
From: Bradley A Scott [[removed]@juno.com]
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 2:05 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Best of Recent Science Fiction


I've greatly enjoyed Robert J. Sawyer's books. "Calculating God", "The
Golden Fleece", and "Frameshift" are the three I've read. Sawyer devotes
considerable attention to the science behind his plots, as well as their
philosophical implications, and it shows. I found "The Golden Fleece" to
be reminiscent of Clarke's "The Sentinel" and "2001", but with a plot
that made infinitely more sense. ("Oh, so THAT'S why the computer went
bonkers....Of course!....")

If your "problem patron" enjoyed Heinlein's "Methuselah's Children", he
should take a look at Nancy Kress's "Beggars in Spain" and its sequels,
mentioned in a recent Fiction-L posting. Kress takes a situation similar
to Heinlein's, with genetically gifted humans facing suspicion and
persecution from the rest of the world's population, and develops it in a
different way.

If he enjoyed Heinlein's libertarian political leanings, he should take a
look at L. Neil Smith's books. In between writing books, Smith found
time to run for president on the Libertarian ticket in Arizona last
election. His political philosophy informs all his novels, but
especially "The Probability Broach" and "The American Zone". His writing
style may not be the greatest, but his ideas will interest some of
Heinlein's fans.

For what it's worth, I second those who mentioned Maria Doria Russell's
"The Sparrow" and Neil Gaiman.

Bradley A. Scott

P.S. Here's a side note for those who are interested in such things:
both Gaiman and Heinlein considered James Branch Cabell to be a key
influence on their writing. See Gaiman's notes to his "Sandman" books,
and check out the prizewinning essay for 2000, "The Heir of James Branch
Cabell", from Virginia Commonwealth University's annual Cabell Prize, for
an exhaustive analysis of JBC's influence on Heinlein:
http://www.library.vcu.edu/jbc/speccoll/exhibit/cabell/jbcprize.html
________________________________________________________________
GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.

FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 2/25/02, 8:54 AM

I agree with Kathy Stipek. Slan was excellent.

Binnie Syril Braunstein
Romance novelist/former librarian

FROM: Susan Creed <[removed]@spokanelibrary.org>
REC'D: 3/7/02, 7:30 PM

Many thanks to all of you who gave me suggestions for my patron of recent
science fiction. He enjoyed several of the books that I selected but was
particularly impressed by "The Sparrow." Here is the compiled list of
suggestions with an apology for how long it has taken me to get around to
this. They are in no particular order.

Particular Titles:

Flashforward Robert Sawyer
Humanix Commonwealth Alan Dean Foster
Pick Up Artist Terry Bisson
Kiln People David Brin
Rules of Conflict Kristine Smith
Stardor S. L. Viehl
Midshipman Hope David Feintuch (and others in series)
A Paradigm of Earth Candas Jane Dorsey
Time Future Maxine McArthur
Dance of Knives Donn McMahon
Second Chances Susan Shwartz
Kingdom of Cages Sarah Zettel
The Light of Other Days Arthur C. Clarke and Stephen Baxter
Stardust Neil Gaiman
The Wind Singer and The Slaves of the Mastery Nicholson
Doomsday Book Connie Willis
1636 Eric Flint


Authors:

Lois Mcmaster Bujold
Steven Gould
John Barnes
John Ford
Kathleen Goonan


Thanks again--SC

Susan Creed
Youth Services Librarian,
Shadle Library
Spokane Public Library
2111 W. Wellesley
Spokane, WA 99205
[removed]@spokanelibrary.org

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