SciFi/Fantasy Book recommendations

[Bob Russell]

Here is a site that with links to recommended book lists and custom recommendation systems...
http://www.sfwa.org/reading/

Diomark also mentioned this in another thread, but I haven't tried it...
http://www.metacritic.com/books/

[Alexander Turcic]

Thanks for the links, Bob. I am currently reading the first book of Robin Hobb's latest series, The Soldier's Son. Highly recommended if you like fantasy novels with strong character development.

[Alexander Turcic]

For newer books in the SciFi/Fantasy genre, have a look at this list of the "Best Books of The Millenium (Thus Far)":

http://speculativereviews.blogspot.c...-thus-far.html

[deathpack]

If you want some really good fantasy book recommendations, check out www.bestfantasybooks.com; it's got a really huge recommendation list for the best fantasy books. What's particularly useful is that the author explain what he/she likes about the book.

I've been using the site the past few months to find new fantasy series and the author's been bang on as far as his/her recommendations go.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by deathpack

If you want some really good fantasy book recommendations, check out www.bestfantasybooks.com it's got a really huge recommendation list for the best fantasy books. What's particularly useful is that the author explain what he/she likes about the book.

I've been using the site the past few months to find new fantasy series and the author's been bang on as far as his/her recommendations go.

The site is an advertising avenue for Amazon.com. Every book has a link and the sidebar adverts for Amazon are rather annoying (IMHO).

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The site is an advertising avenue for Amazon.com. Every book has a link and the sidebar adverts for Amazon are rather annoying (IMHO).

Your probably skewing the facts a bit. They are most likely an Amazon affiliate and they get a little commission if you buy a book from the books link on the site. I'd be surprised if they make enough to run the site.

BOb

[Andybaby]

this is the list i use to find out about authors of some of the classics

http://home.austarnet.com.au/petersy...oks_rank1.html

I hated Electric sheep by philip k d1ck. and i guess im nto really into cyberpunk cause neuromancer by gibson. it was a bore. but the other things ive read ive liked.

anyone know a good place to find out about new Scifi? the only author im reading that is still writing is Orson Scott card, and Joe Haldeman. i would like to add to that list.

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by Andybaby

anyone know a good place to find out about new Scifi? the only author im reading that is still writing is Orson Scott card, and Joe Haldeman. i would like to add to that list.

I like http://www.sfsite.com/

[MdB]

Thank you all guys, for these great resources.

[Andybaby]

Thanks Sparrow. Exactly what im looking for

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Andybaby

anyone know a good place to find out about new Scifi? the only author im reading that is still writing is Orson Scott card, and Joe Haldeman. i would like to add to that list.

If you want to find some great authors who are most definitely still actively writing, you can do no better than to head over to Baen and check of some of the books in their free library.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

If you want to find some great authors who are most definitely still actively writing, you can do no better than to head over to Baen and check of some of the books in their free library.

Actually I think that is bad advice. If you like a certain kind of sf you will find it on Baen. But if you like challenging sf or like to read about interesting ideas this is the wrong place to look.

Here are some links:

http://www.strangehorizons.com/reviews/

http://www.sfsite.com/

http://www.scifi.com/sfw/books/column/sfw19233.html

http://www.johnclute.co.uk/

[bill_mchale]

Originally Posted by tompe

Actually I think that is bad advice. If you like a certain kind of sf you will find it on Baen. But if you like challenging sf or like to read about interesting ideas this is the wrong place to look.

Here are some links:

http://www.strangehorizons.com/reviews/

http://www.sfsite.com/

http://www.scifi.com/sfw/books/column/sfw19233.html

http://www.johnclute.co.uk/

I think that is a little hard on Baen. That being said, they don't tend to do Hard Science Fiction. Still some of the books and stories that their authors have written do contain challenging ideas.. just not scientifically challenging ideas.

--
Bill

[tompe]

Originally Posted by bill_mchale

I think that is a little hard on Baen. That being said, they don't tend to do Hard Science Fiction. Still some of the books and stories that their authors have written do contain challenging ideas.. just not scientifically challenging ideas.

They do not seem to have the authors I find most interesting like Charles Stross, Ian M. Banks, Ian McDonald, James Morrow, Cory Doctorow, Adam Roberts, and so on. The Baen authors I read are more straightforward action stories. I like to read a lot of the Baen books but I do not think they accurately reflect the state of science fiction today. On the other hand looking now at their catalog I find authors like Vernor Vinge so maybe things have changed since I last looked at this.

[bill_mchale]

Originally Posted by tompe

They do not seem to have the authors I find most interesting like Charles Stross, Ian M. Banks, Ian McDonald, James Morrow, Cory Doctorow, Adam Roberts, and so on. The Baen authors I read are more straightforward action stories. I like to read a lot of the Baen books but I do not think they accurately reflect the state of science fiction today. On the other hand looking now at their catalog I find authors like Vernor Vinge so maybe things have changed since I last looked at this.

Ah, but it is important to keep in mind that your viewpoint is your viewpoint. What you find interesting, others might find pretentious or boring. As for reflecting the state of SF today, considering they are one of the more successful publishers at the moment, I would suggest they do represent at least part of the state of SF today.

--
Bill