Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Weekly Geeks 2010.35: Readers Advisory


Weekly Geeks this week is an intriguing assignment wherein we ask for recommendations and we give recommendations.

But first to answer some questions:

-- Where do you go for book recommendations?

It's all from you bloggers these days, seriously. Your influence over me is huge. It's a little scary, isn't it? That and just falling love with authors and then wanting to read everything by them, or things they like. That adds to my list too.

-- How often do you challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone?

Probably not really that often, though I'm not opposed to the idea. My comfort zone is pretty broad I think, so it's hard to find something "out of it" really.

-- How often do you read outside your genre?

Hmmm... so what's my genre? All types of YA? Fantasy? Classics? Contemporary, literary fiction? If I consider these "my genres" then I don't get outside of them often. I have read more non fiction this year than normal, and I love it, so that's good. I have read more horror this year and that's been fun too.

-- How often do you try a new-to-you author?

I love trying new authors, and in recent years, my list of new authors I've discovered every year grows and grows. It's very fun learning about how many authors there are out there to love and read.

-- How often do you take a chance?

Again I would say, not very often! So here goes nothing!

And now for the experiment to help me take a chance!

I'm looking for:

....something considered real true science fiction. I think I've read many science fiction type books, and they are all YA for the most part, so I want something in the adult section which is considered real true science fiction. A sub genre of this that intrigues me and which I don't really know what books would be classified as this is space opera. Tell me, what books can I read that would fall in this genre? Anyone? Anyone?

If you're looking for:

....books to help you escape real life (as my sister-in-law whose husband just died this week is asking me for) I would recommend:

Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Insatiable by Meg Cabot

....to name a few.

 (What would you add to this list for me to recommend to someone who truly needs to forget about real life pain right now?)

4 comments:

  1. Hm, Dune, anything by Isaac Asimov, A World Between by Norman
    Spinrad.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am building a list of sci-fi books to read based on recommendations from sci-fi readers. I am on a computer that does not have that list, but I will get back to you.
    However, the following comes to mind...

    The Iron Dragon's Daughter
    http://stageandcanvas.wordpress.com/2010/07/08/the-iron-dragons-daughter/

    Pump Six and Other Stories
    http://dreamsandspeculation.com/2010/03/02/review-pump-six-and-other-stories-by-paolo-bacigalupi/

    Take a look at Dreams and Speculation blog. They are holding a sci-fi read along next year.
    The reading schedule is posted on this page... http://dreamsandspeculation.com/2010/09/02/2011-book-club/
    There are some good book suggestions there.

    Mish @ Stage and Canvas is hold a Sci-Fi Challenge. She has some suggestions on her post. http://dreamsandspeculation.com/2010/09/02/2011-book-club/

    For me...Warbreaker is on my list of books to read. Daughter of the Forest is a great book, really loved that read. I need to read Leviathan, and Secondhand Charm.

    Hope you have fun reading, and gain some great sci-fi suggestions.

    ReplyDelete
  3. wiki keeps a strangely short list of 'Space Opera' books http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_space_opera_media

    my husband has read some of the Ender's series and most of the Foundation series...he watches alot more of the sub-genre than he reads; according to the list.

    I had asked him about a few like Bester or Herbert, but he said that 'space opera' tended to reference bad sci-if up to a point.

    you expand horizons for me Suey.

    as for escape books... I'll have to think, as nothing comes readily to mind.

    ~L

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am so sorry about your loss and that of your sister in laws. I cannot imagine wanting to do anything but curl up in a ball sometimes if I were her. Thoughts and prayers will get her through. I hope you know I'm sending you some right now too.

    Escapism Sci-fi, hmmm.
    ~~ Ender's Game
    ~Alcatraz Versus the Evil
    Librarians by Brandon Sanderson - lest you forget!!
    ~Only You can Save Mankind by Terry Pratchett
    ~My teenage years found me falling for Ray Bradbury, I still love Fahrenheit 451 and Something Wicked This Way Comes

    Hang in there....

    ReplyDelete

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