Please remember that you are choosing to read my opinions.

I read a lot of science fiction. If any of you have stuck with me long enough to remember the sorts of things I read, then you will understand what I mean. Since that leaves about three people that aren't my relatives, I'm going to tell you what's on my bookshelf.

Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

This is a good book and the first that i've read of Le Guin's. I like a story about magic every now and then, and this one quinched the thirst. Now, though, I wonder what else she has written? Hidden within the book is the exciting possibility that she's written something outside the fantasy genre. This is a great book, and one that younger people ill have no trouble picking up and reading, yet still vastly entertaining to older readers. It's a bit short, so if you are a fast reader like me, you might want to pick up the first few books in the series.

The Dune Series by Frank Herbert
Dune
Dune Messiah
Children of Dune
God Emperor of Dune
*Heretics of Dune

Dune is a masterpiece of science fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed the first novel. It was a slow start, but when you have a big story to tell you have to expect that. Once you get used to the engrossing universe that Frank Herbert has created and start to understand the intricate workings, it is hard to stop reading. Until the fifth book, at least that's where I've apparently lost interest. That isn't to say the story isn't good any more, but at the end of the book, all the characters you've come to know (except perhaps a certain ghola) now cease to be. With two books left to go, I can't bring myself to keep going yet. I will, however.

Discworld Series books by Terry Pratchett
The Color of Magic
The Light Fantastic
Equal Rites
Mort
*The Truth
*Small Gods

The discworld universe is one of the most entertaining series of books you could ever pick up. Terry Pratchett hit comic gold with his unforgettable characters like the ever incompetent Rincewind and DEATH. But, you really need the read the books to understand. I use these to cheer me up when I don't want to read my favorite book yet again. I'm attempting to read the books in the order they were written, but Pratchett has not intended this to be a series of books. For the most part, it seems to be a bunch of novels with characters that some times return, but always connected by the fascinating discworld universe.

The "Enderverse" books by Orson Scott Card
Ender's game
Speaker for the Dead
Xenocide
Children of the Mind
Ender's Shadow
Shadow of the Hedgemon
Shadow Puppets

I can't say enough about these books. Orson Scott Card had an amazing story to tell, and he told it well. The first three books are the best, but the next three are a must as well. Card is going back and basically finishing the story that he alluded to in the first three books using a character from the first book. Ender's Shadow is basically Ender's Game rewritten from the perspective of Bean, a fellow student at Battle School. The second telling is as new as the first, and I think only Card could make you want to jump back into the same story for a second go and come out feeling like you experienced something brand new.

The Dark Tower series by Stephen King
The Gunslinger
Drawing of the Three
The Wastelands
Wizard and Glass
Wolves of the Callah
Song of Susannah
The Dark Tower

The Gunslinger, the first book in this series, starts off with the most memorable line that I can think of. "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." I was hooked from that moment on. Most of the entire experience was great, but in the end I wasn't sure that I had completely enjoyed the direction that was taken by the author. King did, however, manage to create characters that you wanted to follow, and he may well be the master at characterization. Some would say this was his greatest achievement, and others would agree. I think, if you are a fan of King, you shouldn't hesitate to read the books. King has way of tying it all together and weaving a brand new story.

Lord of the Rings (one volume containing the series) by J. R. R. Tolkien

Tolkien was far from the greatest writer ever. In fact, he wasn't a writer by trade. Yet, this is also one of the best, most recognized fantasy books of all time. It inspired countless authors, movie-makers, game-makers, with its vast array of creatures. That isn't to say that these books (as well as The Hobbit) aren't some of the greatest stories of all time, though. It was thoroughly enjoyable. Tolkien had a story to tell, and he obviously pulled it off successfully. If you haven't read this, get with the program.

Neuromancer by William Gibson



Gibson's Neuromancer practically started the cyberpunk genre of science
fiction. It is a beautifully composed book, but as far as the story
goes, I couldn't begin to explain it. Not because it is extremely
complex, but because I just didn't "get it'. The words on the pages are
almost lyrical and even though I felt like I read the greatest book
ever, I just didn't seem to understand much of what I read. I'm not
complaining, though. It gives me reason to treat myself to a second
reading.

Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov
Lots of 'em. Apparenly not all of them are on my book shelf, but I've read all but the last couple.

These are great books by a great author.Asimov was an intelligent man. He may have committed more words to paper than any other human being ever. The Foundation novels follow the story of a universe (presumably our own) but set very far in the future. Only one man is keen to the fact that civilization as the know it is, in a mere 500 years, going to be thrown into the dark ages. Hari Seldon is this man, and he takes steps to ease the suffering of the catastrophe. Any science fiction fan should read this series. It is a classic.

Ringworld (and also Ringworld Engineers) by Larry Niven

I haven't had the pleasure of reading outside of the ringworld books as far as the work of Larry Niven goes, but if these books are any indication, he is a powerful author. These books contain subtle humor, large cat like aliens, life-lengthening substances, futuristic slang (TANG! means THERE AIN'T NO JUSTICE), and other such interesting tidbits. Oh, and a large planet that is a giant ring. Great books from beginning to end.

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

This book was fantastically entertaining. But, I don't really want to give you anything on it. I'll tell you it is written in the first person perspective, something that isn't really in style at the moment, and a very emotional elvis makes a guest appearance. READ IT.

And, last and most importantly, The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide by Douglas Adams. This is without a doubt my favorite book of all time and has been for a long time now. In fact, it rarely leaves my bed side. If you haven't read it, please stop depriving yourself of the experience. You are only hurting yourself. The movies based of the novels will be out in May. I think the movie will be cool and all, but I'd read the books first just in case.

So that is pretty much the book content of my book shelf. Some things aren't there yet, and other's I just neglected to mention, like my sociology related books, some Thoreau, H.G. Wells, and such.There are other things on it, too though. The two hats featured in my pictures at the top and to the right on my blog and located there. Reaching out from behind my Douglas Adams books is a plaster forearm fitted with a digital watch. I didn't do it on purpose, but I HHGTTG-fans will get the reference.

And my fledgling DVD collection has found a home there for the time being also.... but that's another post.

Now I need some new books... what's on your bookshelf?