Reading...

I feel the need to pass on some great books I have read over the year's. Yea they are all pretty much science fiction, I take after Dad like that, besides our tastes are the same and I can pilfer from his huge collection of books. Surprise, I read other stuff, besides RPG books. :D

The Legacy of Heorot (Larry Niven/Jerry Pournelle/Steven Barnes): The tale of the first human colony on Tau Ceti. Centers mainly on their efforts to survive especially when they encounter planet's most vicious predator, a grendel. I enjoyed it mostly because I really liked the characters especially the main character, been awhile now since I had read it and its sequel: Beowulf's Children. A third book set in the same universe called Destiney's Road dealing with humanity's next attempt at a colony I haven't read.

The Mote in God's Eye (Larry Niven/Jerry Pournelle): The story of humanity's first contact with another race amidst the rebuilding of the Empire of Man. The aliens, called Moties, are very well done as are many of the primary characters. This one also spawned a sequel which was not as good but still a decent read called The Gripping Hand.

Startide Rising (David Brin): Follows the Earth vessel Streaker as it hides out on dying planet while her crew struggles to repair her and escape several large enemy fleets. A lot of the concepts introduced in this book I loved: uplifted Dolphins as crewmembers on a starship, probability weapons, and the general essence of being on the run throughout the story. It always bugged me though that we never find out more about why the Streaker is on the run, although I presume the last trilogy will answer that. A seperate tale called The Uplift War takes place in the same universe and is almost as good.

Footfall (Larry Niven/Jerry Pournelle): An elephant like race attacks Earth to use as a new home. It's been a long time since I have read this so can't say a lot about this but the human starship propelled by h-bombs was pretty cool.

The Dig (Alan Dean Foster): Written more towards teenagers then adults this is the novelization of an older computer game where three humans accidentally get sent to a dead alien world after save Earth from an asteroid. I suppose for me this book is really good because it describe some things not covered by the game, it's still a short interesting read. I love the Portal at the end.

Antarctica (Kim Stanley Robinson): Set slightly in the future, this book covers the events of when the Antarctic treaty is not renewed. The continent itself really the star of the show. This got me to read the much longer (and slightly not as good) Red/Green/Blue/Rainbow Mars series.

Cetaganda/A Civil Campaign (Lois Macmaster Bujold): Two of the Miles Naismith Vorkosigan series, both of these novels are the most enjoyable of the series due toward their more humorous bent. Cetaganda follows Miles as he attempts unravel a crime on the homeworld of nation's primary enemy during a state funeral no less. A Civil Campaign deals with Miles and his attempts at courting as well as continuing to handle his new job as Imperial Auditor admist the Emperor's wedding. What can I say, when Bujold makes a funny Miles story they are hilarious. The rest of the series ain't half bad either I'll admit.

I'd give you a Robert Heinlein book but there are a ton to pick from. Some good ones: The Moon is A Harsh Mistress, Starship Troopers, Starman Jones, Stranger in a Strange Land, The Star Beast. Look if it's Heinlein it's probably pretty good, especially a lot of the stuff he did from World War II to the 70s or so.

And last but not least: Major Ingredients (Eric Frank Russell): His collection of short stories that I am never gonna be able to finish (due to me always picking it up a week prior to leaving for school). However he has some very unique looks at science fiction and it's very refreshing.

Anyhow, there you go, some of my top picks. There are other series and books I've read but I guess these are some that eventually I will go back and read when/if I get the time.