books, books, books - all my life is about books.

[vacivity]

So, for one of my classes (my favorite, so far), we have to write a book review on a fantasy or science fiction book (guess what this class is called). The instructor gave us a list of books and said "pick!" which is nearly impossible for me to do so. Quite a few of the books we had to pick from I've already read (and he said we needed to read

Comments

[februaryfour]

My second choice would be the Ursula K LeGuin book. Whatever you do, stay away from the Anne McCaffrey--if you have any sophistication in your reading tastes (and I'm very sure you do, just from the way you write fic) her books are almost unreadable.

Also--GET WELL SOON. *hug*

[vacivity]

I never did get to finish Foundation (started but things came up so I couldn't finish) so I am thinking of going with that. Thank you for voting! :D

And thanks - I have creams for this stupid rash and they seem to be helping.

[februaryfour]

♥

[snakeprint]

I thought Dune was fascinating -- it's a very political book, with many ties even to present-day politics. Also, I dislike the the Fantasy genre, so obviously my tastes will be skewed as such.

I miss you, Cyn!

o/

[snakeprint]

I actually... have that same rash, I break out in the sun. My doctor prescribes a steroid cream for me -- Triamcinolone Acetonide. Otherwise, just keep it moisturized and cover your body as much as you can when you go out; that's the only thing that helps.

I know how terrible it is. I itch until I have bleeding sores all over my body. I hope it leaves you alone soon.

[vacivity]

I got prescribed the same cream, actually. xD It really doesn't seem to help me too much with the itching, though. It's horrible, Marie. I'll wake up itching, without even realizing what I'm doing.

I hope yours goes away as well! But if not, at least we can be miserable and in pain together.

[vacivity]

I saw the movie Dune, which I thought was awesome and I've always wanted to pick up the book, I just haven't gotten around to it.

I miss you too. And akjdasjd we need to hang out some time!

[sira]

Another commenter had a negative opinion on what I voted for, so I realize you might feel conflicted! But I really really enjoyed Dragonflight and most of the main books in that series. I think the whole universe is amazing, and that they at least deserve a shot. :)

[emothy]

I have actually heard it is better not to tar all her writing with the same brush, that her earlier Dragonriders of Pern books are better, but the later ones have tended to lose the same spark. She definitely gets mixed reviews!

I was lent ones of her books myself (can't remember the title now, it was a while ago), but knowing it was in the middle of the series ended up putting me off - I like to start from the beginning with settings and characters! Initially I wouldn't say her prose or characterization put me off, though maybe I hadn't read far enough, who knows? ;)

[sira]

I can definitely see that, actually. I didn't enjoy a couple of the later books and lost interest entirely after a certain point in the timeline. The original first trilogies really hold the true Pern for me (Dragonflight, Dragonquest, The White Dragon; Dragonsong, Dragonsinger, Dragondrums). I mean, there's as much as a 20-30 year difference in publication, so it's kind of inevitable that her style and ideas would change significantly.

[vacivity]

I had tried to read one of her books before, I can't remember which, but it didn't hold my attention very well. But I'm all for giving authors a shot, no matter what. Especially when there is such a big gap in publishing dates and all, it makes sense that things would change for her.

my biased opinion, because -

[emothy]

-out of the entire list so far I've only read Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny and Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin. And I have both in compilations, and though I have continued on with the Chronicles of Amber (but not Earthsea) I'm still not finished. Neither grabbed me with the prose-style. But thinking along the lines of a review, I think the world created in the Chronicles of Amber would be something you would be able to discuss because it is so interesting :)

Re: my biased opinion, because -

[vacivity]

I've heard lots of good things about Amber, and I only need to read the first book so I wouldn't need to worry about continuing if I didn't like it. It's just hard to decide when I have such a huge choice to pick from! And so many of them I have been wanting to read for a while.

[pschogrl613]

The only book on the list that I have read is the Dark Half, my fiance collects Stephen King books and both of us are fans and have read almost all his books. I suggested the Regulators, but almost anything else by him is awesome. Needful Things might also fit the bill, though I'm not sure any of his books are truly Sci Fi or Fantasy. You could try Dreamcatcher as well (aliens!) the book is awesome, whether or not you have seen the movie.

[vacivity]

You know, until this class I never truly pegged King as a sci fi or fantasy writer - just horror. But it makes sense that he would be considered in the genre. I'm not a big fan of his (I like his short stories and The Dark Tower series) normally, but I might use this as a chance to actually test out his stuff. :D

[pschogrl613]

I never did either, though I would think that the Dark Tower is more fantasy then some of his other stuff (I still have to read that) though I'm basing that on a short story I read that involves the character in the Dark Tower series. But I definitely encourage you to read his books, I enjoy them a lot and I hope you do too. It and the Stand are both amazing.