Book Nook


There are lots of great books.  My favorites are science fiction novels, from early classics such as RUR through Asimov and Clarke up to these present-day novel series in which fans can indulge online, finding others seeking the same worlds, in no particular order:

Arthur C. Clarke has written a lot of books, and they are definitely not all fiction.  He is best known for 2001: A Space Odyssey, but many of his other books are worth a read.  I particularly like Rendezvous With Rama, the story of the exploration of an enigmatic "object" called Rama that visits our solar system.

Here is a page for followers of the Sime~Gen series of novels by Jacqueline Lichtenberg and Jean Lorrah.  This is a series in which humanity has changed; at puberty, a child either establishes as a Gen, who produces life energy called selyn, or a Sime, who must take this energy from a Gen once a month, which kills the Gen.  Eventually, this would lead to the extinction of both groups.  These books tell the story of a few Simes called Channels who can transfer selyn without harming Gens, and how they hope to change the world.
Other books by the same authors are also worth looking for.  The Dushau trilogy by
Jacqueline Lichtenberg is a good choice for (further) reading.

J. Michael Straczynski, who created Babylon 5, has also written several horror novels, including Othersyde, which is downright creepy and disturbing.

[Dragon]Dragons are all the rage now for romantics and goths alike.  Among her many other works, Anne McCaffrey has created some beautifully textured dragonthings.  Here is a link to one of the better pages devoted to her.  She has also written several other series of novels worth reading.

Larry Niven is good at using hard science in his stories.  He has built many stories in on universe, and this series, Known Space, includes some of his best-known works, including Ringworld.

William Sleator has written many interesting books.  Among the best is House Of Stairs a disturbing look at psychology and behavior modification.  Many of his books are directed toward children, but this is not a requirement for reading them

David Brin has written a series of novels called Uplift which involves many fascinating aliens and concepts.  The idea behind the series is that all intelligent species are uplifted by genetic manipulation from less advanced forms by a sponsor race.

Roger Zelazny's Amber books are a fantasy series that deals with alternate universes and where the Earth is but a Shadow of reality.  These books present the reader with an interesting puzzle that twist and turns as many times as the Pattern referenced therein.

[Don't Panic!]Here is a link to Project Galactic Guide.  In the style of The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy is this site, on which Earth people here write advice for hitch-hikers to this planet.  If you're a new arrival to Earth or simply want added perspective on Jolt Cola, this indexed archive covers a wide range of topics with tongue firmly planted in cheek.  And don't forget to read the books or check out the Online Guide.

And here is a link to a bunch of quotes from science fiction author Terry Pratchett, who pokes fun at many classic plot devices of science fiction and other genres.  His books are worth seeking out.  The easiest to find are those in the Discworld series.

There are many good stories involving transformations of one or another sort, which can be quite interesting, and in many cases disturbing.  This includes everything from werewolves to DNA-mutating viruses to ... you get the idea I hope.  Here is a partial list.

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© 2005 by Frances Shefl