Book Club

[xdesperado]

Jul 6, 2013 0:00:35 GMT -5 rsgong said:

Well, I for one have to help endorse Armor. I usually read it every couple of years. The Engine is a killing machine! 

Others may come, many will die, some will live, but the engine will always go on!

To bad the author died before doing more than a rough draft of first chapter for a sequel.

[rsgong]

It's funny I decided to read this thread when I did. Earlier today while waiting for AoP and taking a break from TA, I went to Amazon books and typed in 'Science Fiction War". Downloaded 39 free books (a lot are first in a series) and several were mentioned on this thread.

I recently read the Honor Harrington series (again). One of my favorite series.

[A Lazy Rabbit]

Jul 6, 2013 0:19:56 GMT -5 rsgong said:

It's funny I decided to read this thread when I did. Earlier today while waiting for AoP and taking a break from TA, I went to Amazon books and typed in 'Science Fiction War". Downloaded 39 free books (a lot are first in a series) and several were mentioned on this thread.

I recently read the Honor Harrington series (again). One of my favorite series.

How DO you get free books from amazon? Is there a price setting?

[rsgong]

On my Kindle, I go to the store. Then, for example, in the search bar I'll type free science fiction. I get a list of free books, short stories, novellas, ect. Scrolling down the list, there start to be more and more books with prices.

From my understanding, Amazon periodically offers books for free that they have been selling. I know for a fact that some of the books I downloaded had a retail value of $8 to $15.

[johndramey]

I love getting free or indie published books on Amazon. Sure those $2 books are usually sub-par, but every once in a while you hit something that is really, really great. Like the series I posted early in the thread, the Doom Star series.

This is a totally non-serious recommendation, but if you want a funny sci-fi series go read Red Dwarf! There are actually 4 books in the series, but the first two are the best. The 3rd and 4th books are after the authors had a falling out and wrote two seperate endings to the series following their own ideas about where the story should go.

But, Red Dwarf is, has, and always will be the funniest sci-fi comedy I've ever read. I like Hitchiker's guide, but Red Dwarf whips it hands down.

[BlastGT1]

I never knew there was a book series for Red Dwarf, wow. Now I have to read them and compare them with the BBC TV series!

And I totally agree, the hilariousness of Red Dwarf is epic.

_______________________________

"Issue the standard Cadar greeting, Ensign."
"But sir, that's one of our allies!"
"I know that, Ensign. We're confirming that the treaty is still in effect!"

[Jamozk Ekhiss]

Oh, Red Dwarf is great (at some point in my life, I MUST write "I am a fish" on an exam paper) - though if you want funny sci-fi in book form, nothing can compare to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

[johndramey]

Just thought I'd share this with you guys;



I was looking for a good recommendation on what to read next. While I've read most of these books, I think the quality of the list coupled with the "choose your own adventure" feel to it is really quite cool. Hope you guys (and gals) enjoy it!

[Jamozk Ekhiss]

Nice - though I'd say the whole of Asimov's Foundation saga, not just the original 3, as Prelude to Foundation and Foundation's Edge are some of the best books i've ever read.

[grävling]

People who are enjoying AoP and who haven't read Patrick O'Brien's series about Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin should give it a try.

Since O'Brien didn't make up the naval battles out of his head, but based them on the actual exiting records of real encounters on the sea, they have more realism than your run-of-the mill book of fictional adventures on the sea.

[Lt. Hathaway]

Unknown Shore! Of all the O'Brien I've read, (I've just learned I've missed some, but read all the nautical ones,) this is the most appropriate to AoP. It takes place earlier than his huge series, and covers a fascinating mutiny.

I don't recall pirates per se, but it's way more "Argh, matey! At them!" than "I do believe we have the weather gauge. Two points to Starboard if you please, Mister Christian. We'll have them in an hour, or watch them fetch up on the shoals."

[xdesperado]

Just a friendly bump to see if we can get some more excellent books listed!

[tenbsmith]

That Honor Harrington series is another I've been eying for a while and may need to give a try.

Lt Hathaway "...fetch up on the shoals" made me laugh, well written.

I'm gonna make some recommendations without reading all posts. Hopefully not completely redundant.

For military scifi, Gaunt's Ghosts by Dan Abnet is pretty awesome. I read an omnibus of the first several books and they were all very good. Warhammer and all that.

If you're looking for a classic that set the stage for military scifi, check out Forever War by Haldeman (sp?).

Mote in God's Eye by Niven and Purcell is a very good first encounter with another intelligent species book that has a military bent. The majority of main characters are military, but there isn't that much fighting. The alien species is very well realized.

[Deleted]

Anne McCaffrey.

Brain Ship series.
Dragon Riders Of Pern.
Acorna series.

--------------

K. W. Jeter

Farewell Horizontal.

[Jamozk Ekhiss]

Jan 30, 2014 9:49:43 GMT -5 tenbsmith said:

Mote in God's Eye by Niven and Purcell is a very good first encounter with another intelligent species book that has a military bent. The majority of main characters are military, but there isn't that much fighting. The alien species is very well realized.

This description makes me think of The War Against the Rull by AE Van Vogt - there's a war raging throughout the galaxy, and the main character's an important person in the war effort, but there's not actually much fighting. A very good book.