h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I read it to the end, but slowly, with other stuff interspersed - now I seldom look into it to reread a story, but only one bit at a time...
I admit being put to sleep by Madame Bovary, too - one of the 2 classics I needed countless beginnings to finish it (the other was the count of Monte Christo by Dumas... this chapter where he's prisoned *yawn*)

ps - Bluebottle: count me in for Donaldson, Arthur C. Clarke and
Julian May, Asimov I haven't read for ages...

I've become addicted to the Gap series - I'm nearing the end of Gap Into Vision: Forbidden Knowledge, and I only started reading the series on Tuesday! It's just so addictable - but then, I read Mordant's Need (both books) in 2 days, so I haven't broken any speed records...

I think the best sci-fi author is Asimov. He isn't as famous as Arthur C Clarke, but the sheer quantity of the amount he wrote is impressive; and his imagination is incredible. Has anyone else here read his novel Nightfall? It's my favourite sci-fi book (though I am a ACC's Rama fan as well)

I read "Nightfall", both the short story, and the novel, immidiately after witnessing the 1999 Eclipse - it really made the whole story a lot more haunting.
But it is so very well written - you really should read the novel. The short-story doesn't have the full effect.

The "Robots" series from Azimov, was a great set of books. Azimov is a great author of exceptional ability and he understands the true science behind his work. I think that Robots of Dawn might be my favorite Scifi book. But I have to stand back and look at Dune and wonder which I like better.

Yes - I read the robot series, and Nightfall - but nothing in the last few years, I have to get in the right mood for really scientific scifi

"Dune", naturally!!!! I mean, the whole 6 books are a masterpiece, although the best would be, for me, "Dune Messiah". I don't know why, it's just darker, pessimistic...
I'm "Dune" obsessed - got the games, got the Film, love the books, and even have the Figures...
My e-mail is Dune-related!

I still haven't read any of the Dune books. Can I borrow them sometime, Bluebottle?

Erm... there in Sandown, sorry.
Once I got Home sorted out, then sure.

I'm prepared to wait for the toasted Spam.

One of the first reviews of Douglas Adams first book compared him to Kurt Vonnegut. I've met them both and Douglas is much taller.

What's this got to do with my Spam?

This isn't the cookery room - this is where we discuss the books we've read recently.
Anyone read "Goon For Lunch" by Harry Secombe?

Never heard of Harry, 'lunch' sounds good.
What's the story?

Spam? Personally I prefer corned beef, maybe that's just me.

I have only read the first two (and have tries starting the third), but I must say that Dune and Dune Messiah go hand in hand. Because of the nature of the ending of Dune, you can pick up Messiah as if it was the same book. So really, I think that the first book ends with the end of Dune Messiah (if that makes any sense).
And the David Lynch film is awesome (and it's playing on the big screen in my town next week).

I own every Dune book, but I only liked Dune itself. But as for the film, I have the directors cut on video which has a lot of back story that you don't even get from the books. It is very interesting. I you have the chance I would recommend see this version. BTW Frank Herbert's son just released a new Dune book called "House of Atredies" I have not read it yet. Any one else????

I've not read most of the sci-fi books mentioned here. No Dune whatsoever. But looking at that last title, "House of Atredies", I've got to ask: is there a lot of parallel between the Dune books and Greek Mythology? I know the House of Atreus is the precursor of Aeschylus' Oresteian Trilogy...

I'm a huge fan of the Robot series myself. What I really love about Asimov, though, is his non-fiction. He has an incredible knack for explaining everything from science to literature, making it both fascinating and easy to understand.

I know this is the book room. Anyone rad any good spam recently (doh!)