I love to read. My favorite genre is science fiction, followed closely by fantasy. These two genres are often intermingled, which makes the line between them unclear and their respective definitions difficult to distinguish. I like to read a variety of different genres, but as I've gotten older my reading time has unfortunately shrunk.
I also enjoy reading mysteries and detective fiction and find myself drawn to series characters like
Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin, Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe, John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee and Lawrence Sander's Archie McNally. I don't read much horror fiction, but Stephen King is one of my favorite authors, as well
Kurt Vonnegut, Philip K. Dick, Leigh Brackett and Jack Vance.
I did not reach my reading goal last year, alas, but these were my favorite reads from 2015:
The Prefect - Alastair Reynolds
This book takes place in the same science fiction setting of British author Reynolds'
Revelation Space series. Reynolds fiction is often categorized as the "New Weird SF," or just the "New Weird." This book is a murder mystery blending detective fiction with SF.
Hiero's Journey - Stanley E. Lanier
This story takes place thousands of years in the future after a post-apocalyptic destruction of modern society. Lanier's protagonist Hiero undergoes a mythical quest across a wild and overgrown landscape of ruined cities and degenerate cultures encountering giant animals, psychic bears, evil sorcerers, friendship and love.
The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula K. le Guin
Le Guin became known for writing science fiction with a more anthropological and sociological viewpoint than her peers and predecessors. This novel details the adventures of an off-world anthropologist on a planet where humanity has evolved into hermaphrodites. Winner of the 1970 Hugo and Nebula Awards.
Hi Jacob. I'm not a sci-fi or fantasy reader, but I greatly admire Stephen King's writing talent. Since you mention him, and some classic detective characters like Nero Wolfe, I'm wondering if you read King's "Mr. Mercedes" and/or "Finders Keepers"? I decided to read outside my usual choices with "Mr. Mercedes" and really enjoyed it. Even though it has a contemporary setting, I felt it had a strong film noire feel to it. I intend to find time to follow the Bill Hodges character through "Finders" and "End of Watch" when it comes out later this year.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read either of those King stories. I find he rarely disappoints, whether its his longer novels or shorter work. I will have to check out "Finders Keepers" and this Hodges character.
DeleteJacob I have never really read sci-fi or fantasy, so I did choose to read fantasy. I also picked horror as I have not read any since I was young and Stephen King frightened my to death. I could not believe that I love watching horror but I could not read it at all. I always forget graphic novels and comics for some reason, so I was so glad that added this to your list. I am an avid follower of Walking Dead and I love anime.
ReplyDeleteI like the Walking Dead too. I thought the 2nd season was some of the best television I've ever seen. I don't read horror either, so I picked it as one of my reading genres. I do not enjoy very many horror movies though, too scary.
DeleteI enjoy sf and fantasy a lot as well, so I will have to look at the books you mentioned! Left Hand of Darkness has been on my list for a while now. I read LeGuin's The Dispossessed for a science fiction class and found it fascinating. If you like more anthropological/sociological sf, I'd recommend Speaker for the Dead, which is the second book in the Ender Wiggin series.
ReplyDeleteThe Dispossessed is on my list to read after City of Illusions. Speaker for the Dead is a book that is often recommended to me. I really enjoyed Ender's Game when I was younger. I tried to re-read it again before the movie was released but it did not hold the same appeal to me. Thank you for the recommendation though!
ReplyDeleteI have always been a huge fantasy fan, but recently I've been reading a lot more science fiction. My husband and I just read John Scalzi's Lock In together, which my husband loved. It's very tech-y. We are starting Asimov's Foundation series next. I am thinking now that I need to look into LeGuin! I have heard so much about her books, but have yet to read them.
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