Review of my Favourite Sci Fi, Fiction and Fantasy Book Authors
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Ranked #2,107 in Me, #227,681 overall
What I have on my Fiction Bookshelf
I read a lot. I read many authors, and many books. I enjoy mostly fiction, but I also read a lot of texts on computing and technology. For this page I will focus on the non-technical books, though not strictly fiction.
This is a collection of some of the great science fiction and fantasy writers, why I read them and how their work has sometimes contributed to far more than just literature.
Perhaps an overview of my reading habits will give you an insight into who I am, or perhaps it will just inspire you to pick up and read a book. Either way, reading a book is my favourite habit.
This is a collection of some of the great science fiction and fantasy writers, why I read them and how their work has sometimes contributed to far more than just literature.
Perhaps an overview of my reading habits will give you an insight into who I am, or perhaps it will just inspire you to pick up and read a book. Either way, reading a book is my favourite habit.
Contents
- When do I find time to read so much?
- Give someone else the opportunity to read
- Iain M Banks
- Read Iain Banks
- Or Read Iain M. Banks
- Terry Pratchett
- Read some Terry Pratchett
- More Discworld goodies
- Douglas Adams
- Read Douglas Adams
- Buy Hitch Hikers Guide Gear
- Isaac Asimov
- Read Asimov
- Collectable Asimov
- Arthur C Clarke
- Read Arthur C Clarke
- J R R Tolkien
- Read some Tolkien
- Robin Hobb
- Try Reading Robin Hobb
- Comics
- Bookmark This Lens
- Reader Feedback
- Image Sources
- About Me
When do I find time to read so much?
It is easy to find time to read when ones day includes a longish commute. I travel around 45 minutes each way on the tube, with a bus ride when coming home. By using public transport, and knowing where/when to get seats, I am able to sit down and read mostly uninterrupted.
In the evening, I obviously like to spend time with my wife, but as we rarely watch any TV, I also find time to read. Reading in the evening is a good way for me to relax. I make time for reading, because it is a worthwhile activity to me.
In the evening, I obviously like to spend time with my wife, but as we rarely watch any TV, I also find time to read. Reading in the evening is a good way for me to relax. I make time for reading, because it is a worthwhile activity to me.
Historic Reading Posters - January, A Year of Good Reading Ahead Art Print
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Give someone else the opportunity to read
I talk about how much I love to read. You are reading this too. How about giving someone who needs it most the opportunity to read?
Room to Read is an organisation that is non governmental and independent of denominations. Its purpose is to provide school rooms and reading spaces to those who may otherwise not have this simple pleasure.
Room to Read is an organisation that is non governmental and independent of denominations. Its purpose is to provide school rooms and reading spaces to those who may otherwise not have this simple pleasure.
Room to Read partner with local communities throughout the developing world to provide quality educational opportunities by establishing libraries, creating local language children's literature, constructing schools, providing education to girls and estab
Iain M Banks
Iain Banks writes with two personas. The "M" is used when he is writing SciFi.Both his styles, sci fi and contemporary fiction are inspiring to read. It can be dark, on a grand scale, somewhat satirical as well.
The stories are often somewhat pessimistic, but yet compelling. I have yet to regret reading any of Banks work.
Among my favourites are "The Wasp Factory", "Against a Dark Background", "Whit" and "The Bridge".
Read Iain Banks
This is the less Sci Fi and more contemporary side of fiction.
Or Read Iain M. Banks
This is his more Sci-Fi moniker. I like how his work can be distinguished by the use of a single initial, although it is all worth reading.
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Terry Pratchett
When I am in a lighter mood or in need of one, I love to read Terry Pratchett. I have mostly read the Discworld series, although I have read some of his other novels.
I love the ridiculousness and comedy of it, yet it is still in places a satirical reflection on real life. The Science of The Discworld series is a fantastic way to engage popular science and I own the whole set.
Some Pratchett books are very difficult to put down. I am a bigger fan of the Wizards of the Unseen University like Rincewind and Chancellor Ridcully or the antics of The Watch than the witches of Lancre. But of all the characters in the Discworld, perhaps Death is ironically the most colourful.
Any book where an Orangutan is a library is a winner too.
I love the ridiculousness and comedy of it, yet it is still in places a satirical reflection on real life. The Science of The Discworld series is a fantastic way to engage popular science and I own the whole set.
Some Pratchett books are very difficult to put down. I am a bigger fan of the Wizards of the Unseen University like Rincewind and Chancellor Ridcully or the antics of The Watch than the witches of Lancre. But of all the characters in the Discworld, perhaps Death is ironically the most colourful.
Any book where an Orangutan is a library is a winner too.
Read some Terry Pratchett
Guards! Guards!
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/08/2009) 
Pyramids
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/08/2009)
The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/08/2009)
More Discworld goodies
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byDouglas Adams
Douglas Adams is known for the Dirk Gently series, and more famously, The Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy.
The h2g2 series (as it is commonly known among fans) has entertained and influenced me hugely in my life. Its comic and stark irony, its jaunty viewpoint have been with me for a long time, pretty much since my childhood since I heard the BBC Radio version and saw the TV version.
The h2g2 series (as it is commonly known among fans) has entertained and influenced me hugely in my life. Its comic and stark irony, its jaunty viewpoint have been with me for a long time, pretty much since my childhood since I heard the BBC Radio version and saw the TV version.
Read Douglas Adams
The Salmon of Doubt: Hitchhiking the Galaxy One Last Time
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/08/2009)
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/08/2009)
Wish You Were Here: The Official Biography of Douglas Adams
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 12/08/2009)
Buy Hitch Hikers Guide Gear
The Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy was perhaps the greatest, but it was not the only hitch hikers guide...
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byIsaac Asimov
Those who know me will know I am very interested in robots. No author has influenced the idea of robotics more than Isaac Asimov. In fact, the interesting thing to note is that it is Isaac Asimov that first conjugated the word robot into "Robotics".
His three laws of robotics have shaped the idea of robots, and he studied both robot as menace and robot as friend concepts. He investigated what would happen when robots became sophisticated enough to request rights, for example the Bicentennial man. He showed how simple semantic concepts like the three laws still have enough play for intriguing and amusing stories like "Runaround" and "Reason".
His three laws of robotics have shaped the idea of robots, and he studied both robot as menace and robot as friend concepts. He investigated what would happen when robots became sophisticated enough to request rights, for example the Bicentennial man. He showed how simple semantic concepts like the three laws still have enough play for intriguing and amusing stories like "Runaround" and "Reason".
Read Asimov
If you want to pick up and read Asimov, here are a few ideas.
Foundation (Foundation Novels)
Amazon Price: $10.08 (as of 12/08/2009)
Isaac Asimov: The Complete Stories, Vol. 1
Amazon Price: $16.52 (as of 12/08/2009)
The Naked Sun
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/08/2009)
Collectable Asimov
On eBay, you may be able to find first edition and signed copies of Asimov's books. I own a collection of early or first edition Asimov hardbacks which I will not part with.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byArthur C Clarke
I am sure there are some who are exclaiming that I left it this long before getting to him.
Arthur C Clarke has given massively to science fiction, and indirectly or directly to science.
Arthur C Clarke was responsible for the concept of geostationary orbital satellites. Considering how much those are now used, this is a massive contribution.
The Space Odyssey series is amazing. I have read it more than one time and will probably read it again. There are a number of other novels and short stories I have read by Clarke.
Arthur C Clarke has given massively to science fiction, and indirectly or directly to science.
Arthur C Clarke was responsible for the concept of geostationary orbital satellites. Considering how much those are now used, this is a massive contribution.
The Space Odyssey series is amazing. I have read it more than one time and will probably read it again. There are a number of other novels and short stories I have read by Clarke.
Read Arthur C Clarke
Childhood's End (Del Rey Impact)
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 12/08/2009)
2001: A Space Odyssey
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/08/2009)
The Collected Stories of Arthur C. Clarke
Amazon Price: $11.83 (as of 12/08/2009)
The Fountains of Paradise
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 12/08/2009)
J R R Tolkien
The Lord Of The Rings is perhaps one of the most well known fantasy epics of all time, establishing well the ideas of Orcs, Elves, Wizards, Halflings (the same as Hobbits) and a manner of other creatures.
It is a bit of an undertaking to read all of it, yet it is also very rewarding to get through. The scale of this is breathtaking. Although the films show some of this, there is a great deal more to the books that the films did not capture.
I have also read The Hobbit, and intend one day to read The Silmarillion. As a child, I read The Father Christmas letters.
It is a bit of an undertaking to read all of it, yet it is also very rewarding to get through. The scale of this is breathtaking. Although the films show some of this, there is a great deal more to the books that the films did not capture.
I have also read The Hobbit, and intend one day to read The Silmarillion. As a child, I read The Father Christmas letters.
The Lord of the Rings Poster
Cauty, J.
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Read some Tolkien
If you have only ever seen the movies, I highly recommend taking the time to read the books. It will take time, but there is far more to thr books than the movies could capture.
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Robin Hobb
This is a deeply touching and somewhat pessimistic fantasy writer. The work is very imaginative - I love the idea of The Whit and The Skill.
Colourful, dark and gritty.
Colourful, dark and gritty.
Try Reading Robin Hobb
Royal Assassin (The Farseer Trilogy, Book 2)
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/08/2009)
Assassin's Apprentice (The Farseer Trilogy, Book 1)
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/08/2009)
Golden Fool (The Tawny Man, Book 2)
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/08/2009)
Comics
As a youngster and even a teenager I used to really enjoy reading comics.
My favourites were:
My favourites were:
- 2000AD - Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog and ABC Warriors were among some of my favourite characters in the SciFi scene.
- Aliens - There was a comic version of this for a while.
- Batman - I only ever had a few, but I would read them when they were handed to me.
- Eagle - When I was younger I used to read Eagle and Dan Dare. It was great to see these characters revived at the science museum in London.
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Reader Feedback
What are your favourite fiction authors?
Is there anything I have missed? Let me know what you thought about my lens.
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Reply
- Oosquid Oosquid Sep 14, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
- Ah Dan Dare pilot of the future! Where is he now the world needs him?
Great lens,5stars.
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Reply
- science_fiction_novels_cyberpunk science_fiction_novels_cyberpunk Aug 10, 2009 @ 6:18 am
- Hello, Danny!
I share with you the love for the fantastic and the long travelling on the tube...
Recently I read "Insomnia" by SK. I liked it because of its metaphisical and existential implications.
Your lens is nice! I rated and favorited it.
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- thebookaddict thebookaddict Jul 14, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
- I like your lens! Would love for you to check out my lens about books some time =)
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- PlayGuitarToday PlayGuitarToday Jul 12, 2009 @ 6:32 am
- Have three of my faves here, Tolkien, Clarke, and my all time fave, Asimov. My favorite books by him are the Foundation Trilogy. Good collection here.
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Reply
- KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Apr 21, 2009 @ 11:41 pm
- I often wish I commuted so there would be more time for reading. It's hard to get through more than a dozen pages at the end of a busy day. But I'm always reading something, and I enjoy seeing what other people are reading too. Thanks for sharing.
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Image Sources
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Some pictures are taken myself.
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Some pictures are taken myself.
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Furthermore, you get paid for improving your site with poster/print images! All of the images you use will link to AllPosters.com where your site visitors can make purchases. When they buy something, AllPosters.com pays you 25% - 30% of the sale. If the visitor decides to purchase within 10 days of their last visit from your website, you'll still earn commission on the sale! It's easy to sign-up, build links, and track your sales.
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About Me
Lensmaster dannystaple has been a member since July 5 2008, has rated 415 lenses, favorited 128, and has created 38 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "HOWTO: Fix Broken Christmas Lights Quickly". See all my lenses
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I build stuff, grow stuff, read stuff and like to write about it. I like to philosophise, research and learn, and then go the next step and apply, do and build. I love reading How-to's and will experiment with things to see what else I can learn. Read more about me and my lenses here.
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