Whenever Carl from Stainless Steel Droppings announces either the Once Upon a Time challenge or the Readers in Peril (RIP) challenge each year I am there, ready to sign up usually with a big pool of books to select from. That is not quite the case for the Science Fiction Experience. I have participated twice, but have missed the last couple of years. I am however signing up this time.
There are a couple of reasons for joining in this year. One is that I have read a lot more science fiction style books over the last year. The main reason though is that I have just started reading the Vorkisagan saga by Lois McMaster Bujold and so I am thinking that this would be a good series to have a number of posts about, depending on how many books I actually get through during the designated period.
When trying to decide which order to read the Vorkisagan books, I have decided to go with chronological order rather than publishing order so this is the order that I am following:
Dreamweaver’s Dilemma (short story)
Falling Free (Miles, Mutants and Microbes)
Shards of Honor (Cordelia's Honour)
Barrayar (Cordelia's Honour)
The Warrior's Apprentice (Young Miles)
Mountains of Mourning (novella) (Young Miles)
The Vor Game (Young Miles)
Cetaganda (Miles, Mystery and Mayhem)
Ethan of Athos (Miles, Mystery and Mayhem)
Labyrinth (novella) (Miles, Mystery and Mayhem)
Borders of Infinity (novella) (Miles Errant)
Brothers in Arms (Miles Errant)
Borders of Infinity (Miles Errant)
Mirror Dance (Miles Errant)
Memory
Komarr (Miles in Love)
A Civil Campaign (Miles in Love)
Winterfair Gifts (novella) (Miles in Love)
Diplomatic Immunity (Miles, Mutants and Microbes)
Cryoburn
Having said that, I couldn't find the first short story to read, so I have already missed one element! Oh well.
I also have a couple of other books here waiting to be read at some point which may well qualify for this experience.
For full details (including to find out why this is an experience and not a challenge) head over to Carl's blog.
*Edited to add which Baen collection each book is in for my own records
*Edited to add which Baen collection each book is in for my own records
I plan to participate as well, but haven't read scifi in so long that I'm not sure what I ought to be reading. I'm hoping everyone's reviews will help!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you're reading the Vorkosigan saga! I've loved all of it, though I obviously haven't quite finished yet. I didn't start at the very beginning, annoyingly, but I didn't find that it mattered. It's all just good regardless. :)
ReplyDeleteMarg that's great! I've read some great Science Fiction this year -- 3 of them made it to my "best of" list. I meant to read this series and (believe) I have all the books already -- but didn't get to it in 2011. Maybe I'll join you and read it in 2012. (I did read The Mountains of Mourning and Labyrinth out of sequence).
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun "not-a-challenge" for you. I have a soft spot for Science Fiction, myself.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you have a half hour spare and want to read a really, really good short story, to catch up on things, try this one:
Connie Willis' "All Seated on the Ground", available free to read, here:
http://www.asimovs.com/_issue_0805/allseated.shtml
It's a Christmas story, on top of it. And has a romance tucked in. It will leave you, if nothing else, smiling.
What a great experience this will be for you! I am thinking about turning my husband loose on this one, as he loves Science Fiction, and pretty much reads it exclusively. Thanks for sharing this, Marg!
ReplyDeleteZibilee, I know that I like the author's writing. It's just a case of seeing if I like her sci-fi writing!
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks Susanna. I had vague plans of trying to track down that book before the holidays but I ran out of time.
Hilcia, my list of books I meant to read in 2011 is huge! Hopefully you will get to the rest of the series in 2012.
Meghan, I don't really need to start another long series, but I can't seem to help myself!
Col, I am usually a bit that way about sci-fi, but I figure all the dystopian stuff that is so popular at the moment pretty much counts if nothing else!
These are my favorite science fiction books of all time, and I read a lot of science fiction. Shards of Honor establishes the family and much as I liked it, I like the Miles books better. Hope you like it too.
ReplyDeleteOh yippee!! I am joining too. I love your list, can't wait to see your reviews!
ReplyDelete