The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.

Book 23 of 2018 is The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Neal Stephenson.

Since Allison made me read Snow Crash, I have been craving every single thing he writes. It's always a loooong book with a great idea that I think I can't possibly finish but it ends up being a ravenous consumption of fiction.

The female lead is respectable, relatable and remarkable.

When science fiction, time travel and historical fiction mixes, you have a winner. At least when Stephenson writes it.

5 Neanderthals out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes. Yes. Yes!
What did I learn? History is much more interesting when you have context, any context.

Snow Crash

Book 18 of 2018 is Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson.

Finally got to read this book after every single big reader I know recommended it to me. Why did I take so long?

It was fitting that this was my tome when I watched Ready Player One. It helped me step back from my disappointment and realise that giant books can't always fit in to 2.5 hours.

This is a classic for a reason. A must must must read. I can't stop recommending this to everyone who loved RP1. It's the precursor for sure.

5 pwns out of 5.

Should I read this? Only if you love retro sci-fi.
What did I learn? The geek shall inherit the Earth.

Island

Book 16 of 2018 is Island by Aldous Huxley.

I've read reviews of this book that say it is one of his best but like most last-books-written by authors, this fell way too short for me.

Like all classic sci-fi of old, the author is more philosophical than a story teller. In this book, he preaches about how life can be lived well in contrast to the failings of modern western culture.

That got boring fast.

With some many other books of his being in my pile of favourites, this one will have to take a backseat. Not worth the time except to understand the references that people make to it. You can however gain that understanding using Wikipedia and save yourself the time.

2 attentions out of 5.

Should I read this? Nope.
What did I learn? I don't quite agree with what others think are classics.

The Fountains of Paradise

Book 10 of 2018 is The Fountains of Paradise by Arthur C. Clarke.

Continuing my quest to read classic literature after a couple of years of reading things published in the last year, I had to go for the space elevator book. I know the ideas behind it and the basic story but I had never actually read the book. Now I have.

Clarke is a good writer. It is easy reading and the ideas are original and brilliant. This was done in two sittings because it was so hard to put down.

An absolute classic.

5 more metres out of 5.

Should I read this? Yeah, everyone should. It's just that easy.
What did I learn? There are ideas that will dominate our future that we have not even thought of yet.

All These Worlds

Book 67 is All These Worlds, which is book 3 of the Bobiverse series by Dennis E. Taylor.

Rarely have I liked a trilogy this much. There were tough moments but all in all, this was an original and wonderful idea.

The only other time I have seen this idea of alternate selves was in ultimate dimensions. Taylor solves this with one dimension and the idea of slight differences in instantiations of the same person.

You know Bob 0 is no longer around.

A brilliant series worth reading, despite the slow middle bit.

4 Bobs out of 5.

Should I read this? For all modern sci-fi fans.
What did I learn? White middle-class male entitlement may persist hundreds of years into the future but at least I'll be dead.

For We Are Many

Book 66 is For We Are Many which is book 2 of the Bobiverse series by Dennis E. Taylor.

This has absolutely been an original and thoroughly entertaining series for me and one I shall continue to read.

The thing that became painful in this book specifically, was Bob's ego. It's fragile like an entitled white male geek boy from San Francisco. I had to actively try to avoid thinking of how whiney and weak he was while he constantly found he was impressed with himself. I guess replicant evolution doesn't evolve passed white male entitlement... or maybe it is the author.

Nonetheless, after finishing this I have skipped right on to the third and final book of the series.

There is something about the idea of the Bobs that I love. It is the many instantiations of their evolution or their exaggerated biases. I don't know. I simply enjoy them all.

4 growth opportunities out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes to Star Trek explorer kinds of sci-fi lovers.
What did I learn? I am glad there is only one of me in the world. Facing my many versions would be very confronting.

We Are Legion (We Are Bob)

 

Book 64 is We Are Legion (We Are Bob) by Dennis E. Taylor.

I read this because it had been recommended a thousand times. The reason I hadn't picked it up was because it sounded like it was about some Silicon Valley frat boy type who cryogenically froze himself and came back to save the world.

Truth is, it kinda is but he is likeable.

The philosophical questions got me through this whole book. His righteous confidence and entitlement made me cringe but I rubbernecked it like a true human.

An interesting and unique concept.

4 Bobs out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes. No bobs about it.
What did I learn? Is AI nature or nurture.

Scythe

Book 53 is Scythe which is the 1st book of the Arc of a Scythe by Neal Shusterman.

Discovered this on GoodReads from a friend who had listened to the audio book. And boy, am I glad that I read it. This is some of the best sci-fi I've read in a looooong time. The series is my new goal.

This reminded me of the Torchwood mini-series where people stop dying. Death is important. There is a sequence to things. There is a pile-on effect to not culling the population. We see it in crocodiles in Australia and insects that thrive and get out of control.

So what happens when your job is to cull humanity?

What a great concept! This was well executed.

5 lives out of 5.

Should I read this? No matter what you enjoy reading, this is good stuff. Yes, read it.
What did I learn? Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Armada

Book 47 is Armada by Ernest Cline.

This is not a sequel or an equal Ready Player One but it is an enjoyable read.

The first half of this book had me thinking that this is what sedate geek boys who spend hours playing online games wish would happen and it made me laugh. Once I got past that, I enjoyed how it unfolded.

Yes, it was predictable in ways but there were enough parts I did not guess that made it enjoyable.

There are far too many sci-fi books written so they can easily be adopted by Hollywood. Cline is the father of this sad genre.

Despite that, it is an entertaining read.

3 drones on and on out of 5.

Should I read this? Only if you are waiting for Ready Player One and can't hold out long enough.
What did I learn? I don't dream of Bejewelled invasions.

Daughters of Dragons

Book 41 of 2017 is Daughter of Dragons from The Legacy of Dragons series by Jack Campbell.

Consumed this as an audio book, read by the always enjoyable MacLeod Andrews. Yes, I'm now following him on Instagram. Must be something to do with being read to bed each night.

Didn't realise that this was about the daughter of the protagonist from The Dragons of Dorcastle which I read in mid-2015 and didn't love. This is about her whiny daughter who I can compliment on growing up faster than her mother did.

The one reason I like this more is the Earth connection. It's like reading a meta version of the previous series.

Don't go out of your way for this but if you like Young Adult novels, you may enjoy it.

3.5 stamp collections out of 5.

Should I read this? Maybe if you like young adult lit and dragons.
What did I learn? Writers have a voice and accent.

Dust

Book 22 of 2017 is Dust by Hugh Howey.

This is the third and final book in the Silo series. It is a very good sci-fi series and one I'd recommend to anyone looking for a good spread of ideas and characters. The writing is good. The plot is well structured. The tone is mature. I was glad this was not a young adult style tale.

This book is the weakest in the series but it does end well. Overall, I would give the series 4 out of 5 stars and this book that as well. It might be that it was the more predictable of the books.

4 silos out of 5.

Should I read this? Absolutely!
What did I learn? Long sci-fi series do not have to be a tedious chore. They can be very enjoyable.

Shift

Book 21of 2017 is Shift by Hugh Howey

This is the first middle book in a trilogy since Two Towers that I have loved and not wanted to put down. I demolished this in days and even woke up early to read it. This makes sense since Wool leaves you in a state of wondering what is happening and why.

The character development is more solid than Wool. The history and cunning plans are laid out and understandable. This brings it all together and now I'm waiting for Dust to smash it home.

5 silos out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes. Read the whole series. This is very good sci-fi.
What did I learn? I have to finish more of the series I start.

AlterWorld

Book 19 of 2017 is AlterWorld by D. Rus.

This book was enjoyable after I got used to the inside a video game delivery.

It is sexist and that was cringeworthy. There are no strong female characters, which disappointed me. The main character comes across as a nerdy gamer teenage boy. Once you get past that, it is not too bad.

The writer seems to like the word guffawed a lot. It gets old. So, the writing isn't brilliant but the story is fun.

3 giant zombie teddy bears out of 5.

Should I read this? For gamers. I'm not a gamer and liked it so maybe.
What did I learn? Even gamer books are sexist.

Legend

Book 18 of 2017 is Legend by Marie Lu.

This is another young adult series that I will continue to read. Both the main female and male characters are likable and multidimensional.

The premise of the boy from the wrong side of the tracks mixed with the girl learning that the world she assumes is right may not be what it seems is interesting.

To be honest, the lead female character is strong and forceful. She is fun to read.

4 twists out of 5.

Should I read this? Only if you enjoy young adult novels.
What did I learn? I love female characters written by women.

Red Rising

Book 13 of 2017 is Red Rising by Pierce Brown.

Everyone has been recommending this book to me for the last 6 months so I had to read it. It didn't take long because it is a very easy read and thoroughly enjoyable.

This has the flavour of old sci-fi and a lot of the Hunger Games. It's done very well. This is part of a set and I will certainly read the rest.

5 discriminations based on skin colour out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes, if you get excited about the small rising up to slay their oppressors.
What did I learn? This isn't just the future. It's the present too.

A Princess of Mars

Book 67 of 2015 is A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

The first book in the John Carter series is much better than the movie. Considering it was written in the early 1900s, this is a very good book. Much better than War of the Worlds in writing, that I often rant about with much dislike and was written in a similar era.

Written in the first person from Carter's point of view, the read was easy and not as predictable as I was expecting.

The world created will draw me back at some stage but not soon.

3 giant leaps forward for mankind out of 5.

Should I read this? Only if you like sci-fi. If not, do not bother starting here.
What did I learn? Tom Cruise does no justice to anything and anyone. Don't watch the John Cater movie.

Swarm

Book 52 of 2015 is Swarm by Frank Schatzing.

There is a lot of sci-fi out there in the newly published books. This is a lot more traditional in that it is aimed at pimply teenage boys. The thing is, it is written well but I wish he'd used his talent to write something less macho and cliche.

3 nanites out of 5.

Should I read this? Nah. Go wash your hair.

What did I learn? Geek boys need a girlfriend.

Fahrenheit 451

Book 11 of 2014 and the 3rd book I have read in ten days, is Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.

The name comes from the temperature at which books will burn. It is about a future world where firefighters are no longer needed to put out fires since buildings are built to be fireproof. They are instead responsible for seeking out and burning books in a world similar to the middle ages where information is destroyed in order to prevent dissention.

I did spend a lot of time after this reading about the periods through history when books were burned. It is both disturbing and depressing to think of how much we regressed in those times. Where would humanity be now if those incidents never happened?

There were a lot of original ideas in this book but to be honest, it is not the kind of writing I enjoy. It feels like a lengthened short story and on further investigation, I found that it basically was.

Yes, this is my third book in three days. When I can't stop my brain from overthinking EVERYTHING, I read. It lets me escape my own thoughts and enter in to a world in which I don't exist. I share the concerns of the protagonist and forget my petty worries. I wonder if other people go to books to escape stress.

It might be time to move away from dystopian science fiction for a while. Not sure what awaits me now. Maybe I need a Kindle shuffle feature. Or I can just throw my to-read book pile in the air and read the next one I catch.

Should I read this? Honestly, don't bother. There is much better science fiction out there. This is a classic because it helped shape the genre. Read its spawn and leave this on that list of stuff to read when they've burned all the other good books.
What did I learn? The autoignition point of paper.