Redlemon

I've only read short stories by PKD, plus Electric Sheep. My inter-library loan just showed up today for this.

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I can't read your signature. Sorry.

Redlemon

OK, I'm done. Anyone else finish yet? I'd prefer that someone else begin the thread, I don't want to frame the discussion.

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I can't read your signature. Sorry.

Baraka_Guru

I was planning on starting a thread within the next week or two. I just got my copy recently.

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Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

Leto

The Rama series was quite enjoyable. hard SF is, in my opinion, always an entertaining read. You may want to delve into Larry Niven's Known Space books as well.

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You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

Baraka_Guru

Hey, guys.

So a few weeks ago I had a copy of The Man in the High Castle from the library. I delved into the first couple of chapters and then set it down, as other things cropped up and distracted me from my reading.

As it happens, it was due back to the library yesterday. I couldn't renew it because someone else put it on hold. So I put a hold on another copy. Unfortunately, I likely won't get it for at least two or three weeks, if not longer.

Given the situation, I would like to invite one of you who has/is reading it to start up the discussion thread. I don't want to hold anyone back if they're keen on it.

Let me know if you want any help setting up a thread. Otherwise, we'll just sit on it for now and see what happens.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

Redlemon

You really don't want me to start the thread. Anyone else?

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I can't read your signature. Sorry.

snowy

I just started reading the book, so I can probably start a thread on it once I'm finished (this weekend, most likely). Does that work?

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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Baraka_Guru

That's perfect, snowy.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

Redlemon

Snowy, did you finish yet?

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I can't read your signature. Sorry.

snowy

Yes, and I've been thinking about starting the thread...real life just keeps interfering to keep my questions from coalescing. I'm kind of overloaded with school stuff at the moment, but I'll try and find some time this week.

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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Strange Famous

I have only ever read one Asimov sci fi story: about three robots who get sent to Jupiter on a peace mission, with unexpected results... I thought it was clever and cute.

I have read his history of the bible, which is quite good though somewhat biased.

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"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."

The Gospel of Thomas

Baraka_Guru

A quick update: I managed to get my hands on an audiobook of The Man in the High Castle. I'm already on Chapter 2. It's a 9-hour listen, but I hope to get through it by this weekend, so stay tuned.

Sorry for the delay.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

Baraka_Guru

Without any further delay, let's begin the discussion on The Man in the High Castle. See the OP for the thread link.

Sorry for taking so long. I was listening to the audiobook version, and I found it frustrating and painstakingly long. It was like there was a guy in the room who insisted on reading the book to me and that he wouldn't listen to me whenever I told him to just give me the fucking book so I could read it. ...anyway....I finally got through it.

Next up on the reading list: Arthur C. Clarke's award-winning hard science fiction novel Fountains of Paradise. It's about a space elevator!

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

snowy

Space elevators! My SO will be so jealous.

I've placed it on reserve; it's due back July 13th.

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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Baraka_Guru

My copy is already on its way. I should get it tomorrow or shortly thereafter.



Space elevators, man...! Fucking space elevators...!

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

Baraka_Guru

Hey, an update.

So I started reading Fountains of Paradise, but I had to put it down. I found it unreadable. To me it was a rambling sequence of events, and I had a tough time pulling a story out of it. I usually give books at least 30 pages, regardless of the total page count. By then I know whether I should give up on a book or not. In this case, I put it down because of a sense of apathy.

I can start a discussion thread if there is enough interest from people, but since I didn't read it, I won't be able to contribute anything. Sorry.

I have decided to read the second Foundation book next: Forward the Foundation. At least I know I liked the first one.

If anyone is reading or plans to read Fountains of Paradise, I hope you have more luck with it than I did.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

ring

Baraka, if you enjoyed reading Ulysses,
I would highly recommend a book that has been called the, 'Ulysses of science/speculative fiction.' Dhalgren- by, Samuel R. Delany.