Rod's List: 10 Really Good Classic Sci-Fi and Fantasy Novels

A conversation this afternoon led me to quickly compile this list.

You might find something here that you like or that might introduce you to a classic author with a wide catalog you might enjoy.  Your library will have most, if not all, of these books.

All of the books that landed on this list are classic Sci Fi or Fantasy (written in the 1960’s and 1970’s) and helped shape me as a reader when I stumbled over them in our small Catholic school library, which had a surprisingly complete collection of classic science fiction:

"The Dragon and the George"  Gordon R. Dickson (first in series)

http://www.amazon.com/The-Dragon-George-Gordon-Dickson/dp/0345350502

This book is in Rod’s permanent collection, it is a classic fantasy about a knight and a dragon - told from the dragon’s point of view.

"Dorsai"  Gordon R. Dickson (first in a series)

http://www.amazon.com/Dorsai-Childe-Cycle-Gordon-Dickson/dp/0812503988/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379103020&sr=1-1&keywords=Dorsai

I could not mention Gordon R. Dickson without mentioning Dorsai, the first book in the Childe Cycle.  Excellent story telling.

"Jack of Shadows" Roger Zelazny

http://www.amazon.com/Jack-Shadows-Roger-Zelazny/dp/0802755356/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379103138&sr=1-1&keywords=Jack+of+Shadows

Brilliant fantasy story with a great central character.  Zelazny is a prolific master.

"Hammers Slammers" David Drake

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Hammers-Slammers-I/dp/1439133093/ref=sr_1_1s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379103236&s1&keywords=hammers+slammers+david+drake

A classic of military Science Fiction, think Tom Clancy meets James Cameron, with tanks.

"Nine Princes in Amber" Roger Zalezny (first in a series)

http://www.amazon.com/Nine-Princes-Amber-Roger-Zelazny/dp/0380014300/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379103357&sr=1-3&keywords=The+Princes+of+Amber

This was among the first epic fantasy series I ever read, a multi-book collection.

"Arthur Rex" Thomas Berger (a retelling of the Arthurian cycle by the author of "Little Big Man".)

http://www.amazon.com/Arthur-Rex-Legendary-Thomas-Berger/dp/0440003628/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379103423&sr=1-1&keywords=arthur+rex+thomas+berger

This is a gritty, funny, and irreverent take on King Arthur (I’ve read every book Thomas Berger has written).

"Callahan's Crosstime Saloon" Spider Robinson (first in series)

http://www.amazon.com/Callahans-Crosstime-Saloon-Spider-Robinson/dp/0812572270/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379103565&sr=1-1&keywords=spider+robinson

This is the one I spoke of.  In Robinson’s catalogue, he has, I think, 11 Callahan novels or collections.

"Deathbird Stories" Harlan Ellison (short story collection)

http://www.amazon.com/Deathbird-Stories-Harlan-Ellison/dp/1585867985/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379103679&sr=1-9&keywords=Harlan+Ellison

This collection is considered the seminal Ellison collection (though I personally prefer “The Beast That Shouted Love At The Heart of the World”, some of the stories from that collection landed in this one.

"Glory Road" Robert A. Heinlein

http://www.amazon.com/Glory-Road-Robert-Heinlein/dp/0765312220/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379103813&sr=1-1&keywords=Glory+Road+Heinlein

I’ve read everything Heinlein has every written, including his juveniles, his essays, and his short-story collections.  Glory Road is one of his fantasy novels that was hugely popular with my brothers and my friends growing up, mainly for the pure adventure of it.  I re-read it every now and then from pure enjoyment.

"The Forever War" Joe Haldeman

http://www.amazon.com/Forever-War-Joe-Haldeman/dp/0312536631/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379104036&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Forever+War

This is probably one of the most brilliant anti-war war novels ever written (along with its companion “The Forever Peace”).  This is a novel I revisit periodically as well.

And last, a personal favorite:

"Time Enough For Love" Robert A. Heinlein

http://www.amazon.com/Time-Enough-Love-Robert-Heinlein/dp/0441810764/ref=pd_sim_b_4

Though at the time (the sixties and seventies) Heinlein’s quintessential novel “Stranger in a Strange Land” was far more popular, this novel had a far more profound impact on me and served to, in many ways, shape me as a young man and even later, as an adult.  Critics love it or hate it.  Some consider it Heinlein’s masterpiece and others consider it a rambling mess.

The Thousand Names

So, there is this thing called a personal life. I do have one.  I just sometimes forget where I set it down and then I wander around for a while looking for it.  I am about to enter into a sweet little cycle here - first, there is the three day weekend associated with the Labor Day holiday, then I work for three days, and then, due to my 9/80 work schedule, I will be off for another three day weekend.  That should provide me with a nice little decompression schedule for the high work cycle.

I actually flexed out early today, leaving around 1:00 PM and driving home so I could take a nap.  It was not a particularly good nap.  The landscapers were here at the apartment complex with their variety of machines making an equally impressive variety of noises. I slept, but it was fitfully. It did manage to take a little bit of the edge off.  When I was at work and I ran out for lunch I realized that I was dangerously tired, so I thought I would pop home before it became risky to drive.

I fitfully slept about two hours, then woke up to have breakfast (a homemade sausage and potato soup), and a nice call with T.R..  My plan was to watch Ray Donovan off the DVR, but instead I ended up in the phone and had another nice conversation with my mom and step-dad, both in good spirits at the age of 77. By the time I went to watch Ray Donovan, my DVR was fully engaged recording several shows at once, so I decide to let it rest for tomorrow.  I am planning on working short but productive days for the rest of the week, focusing down on what needs to be done.

I start reading a new book while I was on vacation, but I haven't gotten very far into it.  I like the writers style so far and I suspect it is going to turn out to be a decent fantasy tale. The novel is called "The Thousand Names: Book One of the Shadow Campaigns" by Django Wexler.  I am looking forward to dedicating a little more time to reading, perhaps tonight, as soon as I finish this entry. Right here, right now.

So Much Reading, So Little Time

Most of the day was spent with my nose buried in an excel spreadsheet.  One of my co-workers is out on maternity leave for the next couple of months and I've picked up the daily administration of one of her programs. Unfortunately, stuck right in the middle of this program is a manual review process that is done by reading and manipulating a sizeable spreadsheet.  The process is ridiculously long - a total of 17 steps with minimal payback from each step.  If I had the ability to redesign the process I would have designed it entirely different - of course, we can lay this little bit of insanity at the hands of our idiot director as well.  Another example of micromanaging run amok.

So, other than that, I had two good conversation with TR today, on a wandering array of subjects. Then, I watched an episode of Ray Donovan. I followed that up by trying to call the ranch, but no answer.  They are running up to Rapid City for a doctors appointment this week and they may already be on the road.  I will give them a try again tomorrow.  I did send an email off to my nephew asking him to check the phone if he was still at home at the ranch. With that done, I tried to call my sister and landed in her voice-mail.  I swear to God my family is the most antisocial bunch in the world. I joke that I always picture them on the porch with a shotgun and a bottle of moonshine, waiting for strangers to wander by so they can pepper them with rock salt!

Then, I finally finished my Scott Lynch book, Red Seas under Red Skies, in the Gentleman Bastards Sequence.  It was an enjoyable ride.  He has a third book in the sequence coming out in October, so I will look forward to reading that.  Meanwhile, I am getting ready to start the next book. My plan is to hit Amazon real quick tonight for the latest Orson Scott Card and the latest Dean Koontz, both of which are high on my list of favored authors.  Though, now that I think about it, I actually have a pair of Neil Gaiman books in the queue as well.  Not to mention all the other non-fiction that I love reading.  So much reading, so little time.

Cicero on Reading

“Read at every wait; read at all hours; read within leisure; read in times of labor; read as one goes in; read as one goes out.” Cicero

A Contented Being Tonight

A pair of home made chili dogs for dinner, a spot of reading, a long hot bath and a fresh shave.  I feel remarkably human in the aftermath.  I've settled in to watch an episode of Ghost Hunters and I think I might do a spot of letter writing while I am sitting here.  It was a pretty good day at work and I made headway, which is always an important part of the day.  I'm actually looking forward tomorrow, though, granted, that has a lot more to do with it being Friday then work itself.  I don't have a lot to say tonight, more or less, I am a contented being tonight.

A Rare Work Day

It was a rare day at work today.  I have one meeting scheduled.  That's it.  One single meeting for the entire day.  That is so rare I can't remember the last time it happened on a regular work day.  I made good use of the time, mostly consulting with the vendor doing the configuration work on part of the project and working O&M items that have been stacking up in my in-box and pulled some data for HR in regards to an internal investigation.

In short, it was a productive day - even if I worked 12 hours, they were productive hours and that made them very enjoyable.  One more day to go this week and I am sliding into a three day weekend.  Most likely I'll be working over the weekend, because we are in that phase of the project. We are at the phase where grinding out the details is pretty much all that remains - and I am sure there are going to be some rocky days ahead as we make that final run.

Tonight though, I am going to curl up and make some project toward finishing The King of Thorns.I probably have an hour or so of reading left and then I will be finished with the book and ready to move on to the next.  I have several collections of short stories that I want to read through (and that I have been peeking at in the pauses in my novel), including several that T.R. recommended.  I just logged off work about twenty minutes ago and I am rapidly spinning in the direction of sleep.  So, whoever you are and wherever you are, I hope you're having a good day.

A Confession and A Photograph for Oct. 2nd

I am here to confess to a terrible sin. Given the slightest opportunity, given the weakest provocation, given a reason of any sort, no matter how fragile or flimsy and I will indulge myself in...reading. Hedonistic, unhesitating, opportunistic, sensuous, luxurious, passionate, all encompassing reading.

A book, whether fiction, non-fiction, poetry or any and all of them has the ability to transport me to another realm of the senses, where the real and the unreal mingle and we dwell in a world of almost limitless possibilities. There is a sweet surrender that takes place between the covers of a book, a total surrender to the will and the power of the author. I love it.

This photograph is part of my October collection, I have twin nightstands on each side of my bed. This is the one on the right side of the bed, if you stand at the foot and face the head. It serves as a resting place for the book that is read, even if only for a moment, as I fall asleep or as I wake.

If you want to make a small transformational change in your day, try this - place one of your favorite books, either new or old, next to your bed and immediately on waking, before you get out of bed, turn on the light and read a passage or two, then close your eyes and contemplate it for a while.

The book in current "high rotation" on my nightstand is "The Ink Dark Moon: Love Poems by Onono Komachi and Izumi Shikibu, Women of the Ancient Court of Japan." by Jane Hirschfield (Translator). If you are a fan of the beautiful simplicity of Japanese poetry, I would definitely recommend that you add this book to your collection. It was recommended to me by T.R. and I have been slowly devouring it. Some books of poetry are meant to be slowly consumed, so that you can truly savor each taste they contain.