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Locus 2003 Recommended Reading List
Embedded Geek writes "Locus magazine has published its 2003 Recommended Reading List of science fiction, fantasy, and related titles. With nearly 300 entries, it's a safe bet that even the most voracious reader will find something new. Personally, I was delighted to see Hitchhiker: A Biography of Douglas Adams under non-fiction and the great listing of short fiction (so I can mine my old magazines for the gems). If you're more of a completist, check out Locus'es exhaustive listings (continued here
and here). Definitely worth downloading to your PDA for your next trip to the bookstore."
This is a great reading list. In fact, I've read my fair share of these books and can vouch for the quality.
I wasn't particularly impressed with the Douglas Adams biography, personally, but Adam's book itself (not released this year) is extraordinary.
I have been pwned because my
He died, IIRC, after a basketball game. Ruptured aorta, I think. Something that happens to tall people on occasion and Douglas was 6'4" (also, IIRC)
I did have the great fortune to meet him (and Terry Jones) at a reading (Startship Titanic) in Larkspur, CA several years ago. A truly entertaining fellow to listen to. I wonder how much recorded, documentary style footage there is of him.
One thing I'll pass along, and pardon me for not wording it exactly as he had: WWW has to be the longest to pronounce, as an acronym of what it stands for. Double-U-Double-U-Double-U, that's 9 syllables, while World Wide Web has only 3. Why don't they call it something shorter, like Triple-U?
A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
Glad to see the Tad Williams book up there; it was excellent.
Another series by the same author that I'd highly recommend (especially to this crowd) is the "Otherland" series; four books long (and I do mean long.)
It set in the future, and raises some interesting points about the possible future of the internet, VR, and gaming technologies.
On to business: When I submitted the article, I wanted to use the word, but found (as you did) that it does not appear to be defined anywhere (I was actually trying to check the spelling). In checking around, though, I saw that nevertheless it was being used.
So, like a good little sheep, I caved into peer pressure and used it. No doubt, my English teachers would be ashamed of me ("Hey, all the cool kids are saying 'completist'. You should, too. The first one is free, you know...")
"Prepare for the worst - hope for the best."
Quite a few authors I have not read...and me being a fantasy addict....
"The Crystal City, Orson Scott Card (Tor)"
I am actually just now reading though this series. I sometimes can't believe just how deep he seems to build this alternative look at america. I admit I am just finishing the third book but I am hooked already.
"The War of the Flowers, Tad Williams (DAW)"
I don't know how Tad ever got the chance to write. His first book was about cats, it was not very good and he even mentions that it took forever to find someone to publish it. He then went on to write his great Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series...and then on to his amazing Sci-Fi Otherworld series. The War of flowers was good but not as amazing as his last series.
"Fool's Fate, Robin Hobb (Voyager; Bantam Spectra 2004)"
I did not even know the third one was out (or is it?..a quick check of chapters seems to think not, in my local stores...if it is I better get to the book store fast!). If you have any interest in the fantasy genre then you have to go give these a read NOW! Each book she publishes seem to get better and better with no end in sight. I often find that many authors seem to hit their "peak" and then taper off (Hey I am looking at you Robert Jordan) but that is just not the case here.
And just to ruin my many image (please oh please don't let anyone I know find this post), she was the first author to actually make me cry while reading one of her books...(shhhh don't tell).
Thats all I have read (well kinda) off that list.
David Brin's "Glory Season" is about as thought provoking as they come. It has it's flaws, since Brin was more focused on the ideas than keeping the story consistent, but provokation of thought is what you're after and this one will do the job.
Ursula LeGuin's "The Dispossesed" and "The Left Hand of Darkness." Humanist philosophy at it's best. LeGuin is the master of exploring humanist themes in story without getting preachy, letting the characters and the story bring out the points she wishes to illustrate. I wish more writers would follow her example. "The Lathe of Heaven" is the work that really brought her fame, less mature in style than the previous two but definately worth the read.
Harlen Ellison's classic anthologies "Dangerous Visions" and "Again Dangerous Visions." Collections of short stories written specifically for the anthology (not collected from other sources) with the express intent of publishing short works that could not find publication in the usual places.
Somewhat more subtle than the previous, but Roger Zelazney's "Lord of Light" is worth a read. Besides being an excellent story it explores themes of individual freedom set against an immortal oligarchy, cast ( as it were) in the framework of Hinduism vs. Buddhism.
If nothing else none of the above are particularly trite.
KFG
I agree it's unwieldy, but the Locus List has to be big to accomodate all Locus'es editorial staff. I mean, the magazine is basically nothing but reviews. If you want to thin the herd a little, try looking at some of the stuff nominated for the various awards or better yet at various reviewers personal best lists (sorry - couldn't find any links offhand).
"Prepare for the worst - hope for the best."
I just finished the last book of this trilogy. I've read way too much fantasy in the past couple years and it's sometimes hard to find a new author that I really like. This series is BY FAR one of the best I have read. I was hooked from the first few pages of the first book.
:-)
It's not on the list, but I thought I'd pitch it!
Here's their list from last year. Me, I'd rather buy 4 good paperbacks than 1 hardcover, and I only found one book from the new list available in paperback (admittedly, I only looked for 20-25).
And someone rememeber to remind me to revisit this list next year.
Cheers
-b
If I wanted a sig I would have filled in that stupid box.
It's no surprise to me that F&SF was well-represented in this list. If you love *good* fantasy and science fiction, F&SF is for you. I've had a subscription on and off since freshman year of high school, and I'm currently in the process of completing my collection by ordering the back issues from my "off" times. You can subscribe here.
They publish an incredible spread of stories. Some to make you think; some to make you feel; some to make you laugh; some to immerse you completely in the world the author has created. I can't say enough good things about the magazine. Check it out.
-monique
The Internet Top 100 SF/Fantasy List:3 /top100 .html
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Cavern/611
I'm currently working my way through this list. One or two of the authors are a bit hard to find, but trawling the 2nd-hand book shops nets quite a few of the more 'specialist' books.
Red.
The best new (to me) series I've read recently wasn't represented on Locus' recommended list. It's in the fantasy genre.
Tales of the Otori by Lian Hearn.
Book 1: Across the Nightingale Floor
Book 2: Grass for his Pillow
Book 3: Cloud of Sparrows
Highly recommended.
Join moola.com, play games to earn money.
From the Merriam Webster Collegiate, 11th Edition:
Main Entry: completist
Function:noun
Date:1951
: one who wants to make something (as a collection) complete
Araminta Station (and its sequels) by Jack Vance
Emphyrio by Jack Vance
To Live Forever by Jack Vance
Planet of Adventure by Jack Vance
Tales of the Dying Earth By Jack Vance. Just keep this in mind when reading this oddly beautiful, highly amusing, and often wistfully melancholic collection: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke
Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke
Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke
Gateway (and sequels) by Frederik Pohl
Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany
The Fall of The Towers by Samuel R. Delany
Stars In My Pocket Like Grains Of Sand by Samuel R.Delany
Protector by Larry Niven
The Mote In God's Eye by Larry Niven/Jerry Pournelle
Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons
The Many-Colored Land (and sequels) by Julian May
Earthclan by David Brin
Demu Trilogy by F.M. Busby
THE FOREVER WAR by Joe Haldeman
Anything from Gene Wolfe, Clifford D. Simak, Ray Bradbury, Roger Zelazny (by himself), Samuel R. Delany (you'll learn as you read his works) or Philip K. Dick will make you think. But, Jack Vance can outwit them all!
Good eating!
= 9J =
Lois McMaster Bujold's "Paladin of Souls" made the fantasy novel list. It and the book before it, "Curse of Chalion" are awesome, and unique fantasy.
Any geek that hasn't read her Mile's books certainly should consider them also. "Warrior's Apprentice" or "Borders of Infinity" are good starting points. Military SF at its best.
Cadmann
Childhood's End by Arthur C Clarke, the author of 2001: A Space Odyssey.
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin. Already mentioned by a previous poster.
The Stars My Destination and The Demolished Man, both by Alfred Bester.
Marooned in Real Time by Vernor Vinge.
Foundation by Isaac Asimov.
The Dreaming Jewels by Theodore Sturgeon.
A Mirror for Observers by Edgar Pangborn.
A Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein.
A Fire in the Deep by Vernor Vinge.
Startide Rising by David Brin.
Dune by Frank Herbert.
Use of Weapons by Iain M. Banks.