 |
|
 Book
Sense 76 Picks
More Science
Fiction & Fantasy Picks from independent booksellers with Book
Sense. These great picks were chosen from the tons (metric) of Book Sense
76 nominations we constantly receive from indie booksellers across the
country. (Science Fiction links)
|
|
Islandia
by Austin
Tappan Wright
"This is a reissue of an underground classic of utopian fiction. Think of a modernized
Middle Earth set on the Planet Earth. Islandia occupies the southern portion of
the Karain Continent in the Southern Hemisphere. John Lang meets Dorn, a native
of Islandia, in their freshman year at Harvard, and thus begins his (and our)
introduction to Wright's truly remarkable imagination and invention." - Jesse
DeClercq, Bookshelf at the Boatworks, Tahoe City CA
 Technogenesis
by Syne
Mitchell
"This compelling read is cyber without the punk. Set in the near future, it's
part spy novel, part action adventure and part philosophical debate on the need
for freewill and the potential for benevolence in a conscious parasite. Immerse
yourself." - Natalie Barnes, Politics and Prose Bookstore, Washington, DC
 The
Fresco
by Sheri
S. Tepper
"My favorite book of the year 2000, The Fresco has it all: alien contact, political
satire, humor (lots), romance, art, adventure, eco-feminism, and a surprise
ending." - Louise Blake, Deerleap Books, Bristol, VT
 Dark
Of The Gods
by P.C.
Hodgell
"Finally! I have loved Hodgell since the first book came out 18 years. This
is a compilation of her first two novels, Godstalk and Dark of the
Moon. Curious as a cat and dangerous as a cobra, Jame came out of the haunted
lands with only sketchy memories of the last ten years to find her home destroyed.
In the god-ridden city of Tai Tastigon she searches for clues to her past as
she becomes an apprentice thief, friend of the Cloud King, enemy of her own
god's priest and bane to the city's ruling powers. A terrific, multi-layered
fantasy." - Kathy Magruder, Lee Booksellers, Lincoln, NE
 Skin
Folk
by Nalo
Hopkinson -- interview
"Hopkinson's writing is gritty, sensuous, and enveloping. These stories show
a living tradition of Caribbean myth & folklore unlike Tolkein's worlds of long
ago and far away. Deftly crafted, Hopkinson's stories explore issues of otherness
with an intimacy born of first-hand experience. One of the brightest new stars
of the genre!" - Tamia Greene, Olsson's Book & Records, Metro Center, Wash.
DC
 Trysts:
A Triskaidecollection of Queer and Weird Stories
by Steve
Berman
"An amazing story collection of fiction and dark fantasy that leaves the reader
begging for more. Fans of Clive Barker, Poppy Brite, and Neil Gaiman will delight
in discovering this new author." - Erik Swallow, Lambda Rising Bookstore,
Norfolk, VA
 Bones
of the Earth
by Michael
Swanwick
"The short story that this novel comes out of was a Hugo-Award winner. It
is not only a magnificent time travel story, but also a ferociously intelligent
scientific fiction. Dinosaur enthusiasts and fans of hard science fiction will
be thrilled and utterly transported!" - Lois Powers, The Toadstool Bookshop,
Milford, NH
The Clockwork Reader: Volume I
by Mark
Finn, Chris
Roberson, Matthew
Sturges, & Bill
Willingham
"Fans of modern writers like Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, and Laurell K. Hamilton
and bygone horrorsmiths like John Collier and August Derleth will find much
to enjoy from the Clockwork Storybook team and will be anxious to see more.
This team of writers has created a fascinating shared-universe collection of
tales of urban fantasy and horror. This contains works previously unavailable
in print, as well as excerpts from upcoming works. The author's common strengths
are their use of language, their knowledge of and high regard for history and
mythology, and their cast of characters who are often odd men and women out
in an already odd world. Some of these characters walk fully fleshed and realized
into the reader's imagination within a few paragraphs; others remain intriguingly
mysterious even at the end of the story or excerpt." - Patricia M. Cryan,
Tatnuck Bookseller, Worcester, MA
Hopscotch
by Kevin
Anderson
"A fantastic blend of characters & plot development. In the near future,
science has bestowed upon humanity a double-edged gift: the ability to "hopscotch,"
or to swap bodies with nearly anyone. As four childhood friends grow up, each
must face the consequences this Janus-like gift brings, as well as the joy it
can give. Blending technothriller together with a satisfying weave of character
development, Anderson creates an interesting story with exciting twists." -
Drew Needham, Scott's Bookstore, Mt. Vernon, WA
 Mars
Crossing
by Geoffrey
A. Landis
"NASA scientist and author Geoff Landis will take you on a thrilling trip to
Mars in this hard science fiction adventure. This novel is technically precise,
with fully drawn and complex characters, tight plotting and a mystery that doesn't
let up. You gotta read this book!" - John McMahon, Mac's Backs Paperbacks,
Cleveland Hts, OH
 Stardust
by Neil
Gaiman
"Gaiman skillfully plays one genre off another. This is a fairy tale of miracles
and wonders, a passionate romance, and a parody of both. Scruffy wizards reluctantly
grant one's heart's desire and then sagely remark that nobody appreciates them.
Ethereal beauties kvetch, kvetch, kvetch about their hero's stupid quest, and
the heroes stumble into legendary feats by guess and by gosh. I was tricked
into believing I could be jaded and starry-eyed simultaneously, and I wish this
book could have lasted longer than the sleepless night it took to finish it."
- Don Gardner, Bookshop Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
Darok
9
by H.J
Ralles
"From the explosive opening chapter, the pace of Darok 9 never falters!
It is 2120AD and the barren surface of the moon is the only home that three
generations of earth's survivors have ever known. Hank Harvard, a young scientist
is secretly perfecting SH33, a drug that eliminates the body's need for water.
When his First Quadrant lab is attacked, who can he trust? This is a great SF
book that will hook you from the very beginning." - Robert Layfield, Little
Professor Book Center, McKinney, TX
Further
explorations:
Look at these top
science fiction authors we've interviewed (or who have written something especially
for us!):
Sean
Stewart, Michael
Moorcock, Ray
Bradbury, Molly
Gloss, Maureen
McHugh, Lewis
Shiner, Connie
Willis, Nalo
Hopkinson, Jeffrey
Ford, and Karen
Joy Fowler.
|
|
Top