Science Fiction Aficionados discussion

So, I realized to day that we haven't had a series read since we started
The Engines of God with The Academy series back in 2018...
Isn't that Terrible? Get off your ass, Maggie!

Anyway, this thread is for nominating a Sci-Fi series....it can consist of anywhere from 3 to 12 books, but they all need to be published, or at least will be published by the time we get to it!

There are a ton of great ideas out there...and I really need to catch up on my sci-fi reading! Nominate here for a series read to begin May 1

Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars, beginning with Red Mars.

Dan Simmons Hyperion Cantos. There are four books.

I went to see if there were any series I was interested in reading that I hadn't read yet -- and discovered many I felt went on too long or at least didn't hold me (or I have already read them all)!

A bit to my embarrassment, as a I believe well read science fiction reader, I find there was an Octavia Butler series I was not aware of. So I propose the Patternmaster series ( Wild Seed, Mind of My Mind, Clay’s Ark, Patternmaster) and if we do chose this series, and even if we do not, would be interested what order is considered best to read them

There are not many SF series I would commit to, but one of the few I've been meaning to take up is the Hainish Cycle by Ursula K. LeGuin. I imagine the best way to read the series is with Ursula K. Le Guin: The Hainish Novels and Stories: A Library of America Boxed Set

I note my earliest post to our group was from May 5, 2013.

Hmmm... I am about done rereading Asimov’s excellent Foundation series before it becomes an Apple+ TV series. I have already read the Dan Simmons Hyperion series, Octavia’s Lilith Brood series and McDivot Acadamy series and others.

I am in the mood for a blah mediocre series that has very few Goodreads reviews. A series that will finally turn my mind into pure mush.

I choose Crossover by Joel Shepherd.
https://www.goodreads.com/series/5170...

I have read the first two many years ago and had no interest in finishing the series. Now there is a desire to finish off my brain.

I change my mind do not select this book, Apple iBooks does not have the whole series. Probably because it is not a popular series.

I am debating with myself to delete this post.

I actually liked the Crossover series and read all four a few years ago. One series I read quite a while back and liked enough for a reread would the Gerrold's A Matter for Men. I would be game for Butler, however.

How about the Expanse series. Finally finished at nine books; starting with Leviathan Wakes and finishing with Leviathan Falls. Also includes a bunch of related novellas for the completists out there.

I could read the Expanse; I read the first 6 I think and have been waiting until the last book came out to read number 7 and 8.

Ok I got this one and I enjoyed this series.

Reap the Wild Wind by Julie E. Czerneda. A trilogy:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/4312...

I could read the entire Clan Chronicles by the same author.

https://www.goodreads.com/series/1598...

Your choice 3 books or 9, depending on how much brain matter to be turned to mush.

The Damned Trilogy: A Call to Arms, The False Mirror, and The Spoils of War

The first in the series is A Call to Arms

Paul wrote: "Dan Simmons Hyperion Cantos. There are four books."

Agreed.

I second the Expanse series.

We already did the Expanse series, fairly recently too: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

It turns out to be one of those series more people think they'd like to read than actually do. It didn't get much participation when it was on offer.

I would most like to read something I have not already read. I like Mike's choice, as well as Butler. I love the Simmons quartet, but I have read that at least three times.

Mickey wrote: "Hmmm... I am about done rereading Asimov’s excellent Foundation series before it becomes an Apple+ TV series...."

this is new & very exciting news to me!

mark wrote: "Mickey wrote: "Hmmm... I am about done rereading Asimov’s excellent Foundation series before it becomes an Apple+ TV series...."

this is new & very exciting news to me!"

Yea, I bought a new iPhone and it came with a free one year subscription to Apple TV. If you have one of those new fancy smart tv’s, you not need any external apple device. My smart tv comes with an Apple TV App that also supports Apple Play and Chromcast.

Foundation has no date, just says sometime in 2021 from the foundation show trailer.

I will definitely be biting the bullet sometime this year and will purchase their streaming service on my tv, if only to watch this series. well I also want to check out their upcoming adaptation of Essex Serpent. and maybe I will watch Servant.

The Spiral Arm by Michael Flynn

The January Dancer, Up Jim River In the Lion's Mouth, and On the Razor's Edge

Somebody mentioned the Foundation series but how about the Robot series.
Either just the 4 x R. Daneel Robot novels or include all the Robot books before, which is 6 I think.

https://www.goodreads.com/series/4917...

Dan wrote: "We already did the Expanse series, fairly recently too: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

It turns out to be one of those series more people think they'd like to read than actual..."

Looks like we only did the first 5. That’s as far as I’ve got to, so could be an opportunity to finish the series properly now all nine are out.
Might be a bit more popular now the tv series is well known.

Adrian wrote: "Somebody mentioned the Foundation series but how about the Robot series.
Either just the 4 x R. Daneel Robot novels or include all the Robot books before, which is 6 I think.

https://..."

Hmmm... I might be up for another Asimov reread.

The group read Asimov's Foundation series four years ago: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group..., but only read the first novel of Asimov's Robot series, and that nine years ago: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/.... Personally. I've read both--they get my highest ratings--but I'd not be up for a reread, not when there's so much awesome stuff I haven't read to get to.

Mary wrote: "The Spiral Arm by Michael Flynn

The January Dancer, Up Jim River In the Lion's Mouth, and On the Razor's Edge"

Excellent series, that.

Yes!! Red Mars would be awesome

Phil wrote: "I actually liked the Crossover series and read all four a few years ago. One series I read quite a while back and liked enough for a reread would the Gerrold's A Matter for Men. I wou..."

Phil--is that actually a nomination? lol

Well, the War with the Chtorr series is (four book series; a matter for men is the first book). I would rather read something I have not read already, however.

Mickey wrote: "Ok I got this one and I enjoyed this series.

Reap the Wild Wind by Julie E. Czerneda. A trilogy:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/4312...

I could read the..."

so, jst so I am sure, youre dropping Crossover and nominating this instead?

Maggie wrote: "Mickey wrote: "Ok I got this one and I enjoyed this series.

Reap the Wild Wind by Julie E. Czerneda. A trilogy:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/4312...

I..."

YES!!!!!!

ok-I hope I got this straight...If I missed anyone's nom, let me know!

First, I am going to make my own nomination: Gibsons Bridge series starting with Virtual Light

other nominations:

Butler's Patern master series...Wild Seed

Flynn's Spiral Arm Series...The January Dancer

Gerrold's War against Chtorr A Matter for Men

Donaldson's The Gap--The Gap Into Conflict: The Real Story

Czerneda's stratification series: Reap the Wild Wind

Foster's The Damned trilogy A Call to Arms

Mars Trilogy...Red Mars. We have read Red Mars, but not Blue or Green, so I will leave it in for now unless people are opposed to that idea...

Robinson's Mars series Red Mars

We already read the Foundation series not too long ago, and read the first Robot book. If no one minds, I will stilll include the Robot series. It is Asimov after all! Let me know if anyone has a problem with that...

Asimov: Robot Series The Caves of Steel

For the Hainish cycle, we have read The Left Hand of Darkness, but it's LeGuin, so I dont care.

LeGuin's Hainish cycle Rocannon's World


Maybe:


As far as Hyperion goes, I thought we had already read that one, but it ends up we just read the first two. Same discussions....Do we drop it? do a reread? or just read the Endymion books?

Talk amongst yourselves,,,i think they're both good series so I don't mind.

Maggie wrote: "ok-I hope I got this straight...If I missed anyone's nom, let me know!

First, I am going to make my own nomination: Gibsons Bridge series starting with Virtual Light

other nomination..."

As the Expanse series is rather contentious could I swap my nomination to the Gap series by Stephen R. Donaldson. A five book galactic political actioneer apparently loosely based around Wagner’s Ring cycle.
The first book The Gap Into Conflict: The Real Story is rather short but they definitely get chunkier as they progress.

ok_i will switch that...anyone else want to add in anyhting, I will be back early this evening....

Happy Spring!

ok-so the final results listed in message 30 will be the poll! I will put that up shortly.....

Mine got missed, Reap the Wild Wind, but that is ok.
I voted for another reread, robots.

The votes are going to Asimov's robert novel series, which is to be expected. It's been around the longest and is therefore the best known. That always wins regardless of quality. I've read the series before. The first in the series is great. It's even the one book that was my contribution to our group's greatest science fiction list. If you want to see the group's discussion the first time the group read it, I found it here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/....

Nevertheless, I won't reread it. I have a good memory, so don't really need to reread. There's too much good stuff out there deserving an initial read I have yet to get to, like the Hainish series by LeGuin. Hope you all enjoy.

I haven't had much luck with Asimov in the past, but from what I understand The Caves of Steel is a mystery novel so I've been mildly interested in that one.

I’ve read the series before, long long ago. However, Book 2 (The Rest of the Robots) is not available on my preferred platform iBooks. I have the remaining Robot Books in Hardback and in Apple eBook format. I bought five robot novels sold as a collection for less than one Hardbound book. Like $4 per eBook.

However, At least one of those stories from Book 2 is in my Asimov’s Complete Robot Book (My favorite of the Asimov’s books).

Caves of Steel (Book 3) was my favorite of the Robot Novels. I believe Caves of Steel was a single book read and not part of a series read. I also recommend reading this book before reading the Asimov’s Foundation series.

I also have a kindle and I just do not like it, it just stays in a drawer.

I will reread the series if chosen. It has been a long time.

Richard Paul Russo's Lt. Frank Carlucci series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/1130...

or
Jeff Noon's John Nyquist series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/2069...