Author Topic: Science Fiction / Fantasy (Read 385000 times)

Babi · « **Reply #240 on:** July 10, 2009, 08:49:50 AM »

Science Fiction / Fantasy

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Welcome to the whole universe! This is where we gather to share our experiences in science fiction and fantasy. We like everything, from Gregory Benford to Stephanie Meyer—hard science to magic and fantasy.

Come in, sit down with us, and tell us what you are reading or have read, what you like or dislike.

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Discussion Leader: PatH

Once we watch a recorded show, we immediately 'erase' it. Isn't that the
same as deleting it? So far, we have had no problem with running out of
room. Of course, I may be talking about an entirely different set-up. I wouldn't know the difference.

$:-\$

mrssherlock · « **Reply #241 on:** July 10, 2009, 10:34:01 AM »

Babi: Erasing/deleting after viewing is probably what most people do. We are big fans of geology shows about earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, etc., and these often mean re-viewing. My son is an avid fan of car racing and he likes to see these more than onc. Add his football team, SF 49ers, tennis, soccer, pretty soon the space availoable is in the single digits. A program i have saved is Secret Yellowstone. Among other vignettes it describes the search for waterfalls in the outer wilderness. Previously there were 5 known falls. As a result of the search there are now at least 300. the graphics are super; a satellite-type view of the park is used to show different aspects - the areas of the wolf packs, the extent of areas damaged by fires, the locations of the 300 falls, etc. I will spend happy hours seeing this over and over.

Babi · « **Reply #242 on:** July 11, 2009, 07:52:58 AM »

Oho! I didn't know you could 'save' these programs indefiitely. Offhand, tho',
I can't say there have been any I would want to re-view again and again.
Some shows, of course, are available for puchase on DVD's. We can't get a
good picture on one channel here, so we watched a favorite show from that
channel on DVD's from Netflix.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #243 on:** July 11, 2009, 11:43:30 AM »

Isn't it grand that we can see whole seasons of faves, thanks to Netflix?

Steph · « **Reply #244 on:** July 11, 2009, 04:10:49 PM »

I loved the geysers and mud pots at Yellowstone. Not so crazy about all of the left over fire damage.. Buffalo are ok, but not really my favorite animal.. We never saw any of the wolves or bears.. Did see what was probably a coyote or the worlds smallest wolf all alone.

Steph · « **Reply #245 on:** July 13, 2009, 08:05:21 AM »

Needed a good laugh, so brought out one of my few Terry Pratchetts that I have not read before. This one was Rincewind..and the Magicians college. Something like The Fourth Continent.. Anyway.. funny.. intense, a lovely takeoff on Australia done with great love and humor..

PatH · « **Reply #246 on:** July 13, 2009, 11:56:44 AM »

Yes, Steph, I've read "The Last Continent" too. It's everything you say.

I recently read "Feet of Clay"--not a recent one, I think it takes place right after "Men at Arms"--not as good, but still pretty funny.

Steph · « **Reply #247 on:** July 14, 2009, 08:02:19 AM »

I have never read the Pratchett book in sequence. They are hard to get and I tend to buy them when I see them and then dole them out to myself for when I need truly funny. My favorite character however is Mort. Rincewind is funny, but I do love the Suitcase

Babi · « **Reply #248 on:** July 15, 2009, 08:28:09 AM »

Only Pratchett could come up with 'the Suitcase'. What an imagination that
man had! He is a treasure.

Steph · « **Reply #249 on:** July 16, 2009, 08:07:37 AM »

Yes , the suitcase in this book at one point was with a bunch of female impersonators and seems to have decided he liked it. Rincewind was horrified at the thought.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #250 on:** July 16, 2009, 11:07:44 AM »

The History Channel's series, The universe, is a favorite in this family. Last night I was sdpellbound watching Living in Space. ALong with excellent computer graphics illustrating current hypothetical application, latest developments in NASA's research in adapting environmental needs of Man to the harsh realities of space life as emplified by living on Mars was demonstrated by personable young scientists. I was spellbound, seeing some of the favorite SF scenarios brought to "life".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Universe_(TV_series)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Universe_episodes Scroll down to December 23, 2008, episode

Frybabe · « **Reply #251 on:** July 19, 2009, 06:22:44 PM »

I've just started Old Man's War by John Scalzi which some of you recommended. What attitude! Just love it so far. And here I wasn't sure I was going to like it.

PatH · « **Reply #252 on:** July 19, 2009, 07:49:05 PM »

Jackie--one aspect of the harsh realities of space: an acquaintance of mine at NIH is an ophthalmologist, specializing in cataracts, and he had a grant from NASA. Because of the radiation in space, it's going to take some work to prevent astronauts taking a slow route to Mars from being partially blind when they get there.

PatH · « **Reply #253 on:** July 19, 2009, 07:55:24 PM »

Frybabe--I'm glad you like "Old Men's War" so far. If you don't mind the gore and profanity, you're in luck, because the 2 sequels and the after-sequel are, if anything, even better.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #254 on:** July 19, 2009, 10:23:16 PM »

I second the recommendation on Scalazi's books. He's a keeper.

The suits for the Mars residents will have gold plated visors to protect vision. There was an interesting segment on the suits, too. This program was a real treat, it made living on Mars almost feasible.

winsummm · « **Reply #255 on:** July 20, 2009, 02:26:39 AM »

hi all

I see some of you currently at the people of the book discussion. I'm rereading, which is very unusual the first of a series by Lois McMasters about space politics featuring Miles, a very inventive dwarf. the writing is good which is the reason I'm back at it this time. the book is Warriors Apprentist and there are lots more of them

Another good series by Robin Hobb starts with a title very much like this assassins apprentist. I read the whole series, the first one free on my kindle.

claire

Steph · « **Reply #256 on:** July 20, 2009, 08:36:48 AM »

Robin Hobb is a new author for me.Will try and track down one of them.

Babi · « **Reply #257 on:** July 20, 2009, 08:46:10 AM »

Lois McMasters Bujold is a great favorite of mine, CLAIRE, and I read all of
the series you referred to. Miles bone growth was impaired due to a poison
gas attack during his Mother's pregnancy. (Both parents are great characters, too.) The bones were very fragile as well, and broke easily. Miles spent a
great deal of time in hospitals getting bones replaced...and limbs painfully stretched at the same time. He eventually winds up a few inches taller than
his original adult height. All of which, of course, is only a sidebar to the exciting
stories.
Have you read her 'Curse of Chalion' series? Only three books, but also wonderful!

winsummm · « **Reply #258 on:** July 20, 2009, 11:46:56 AM »

I have several books going at the same time in other areas as well as here. remembering names is an issue for instance I'm partway into one by a poet, his first novel and lovely writing. .... the name of the wind by Patrick

/ will look later or google the title if interested magic fantasy.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #259 on:** July 20, 2009, 12:24:28 PM »

Robin Hobb's work spans many frontiers in fantasy which never ceases to enchant me.

winsummm · « **Reply #260 on:** July 20, 2009, 12:43:11 PM »

her it is. I googled the name of the wind

http://www.patrickrothfuss.com/content/index.asp

claire

PatH · « **Reply #261 on:** July 27, 2009, 12:14:04 AM »

I recently saw the new Harry Potter movie, and commented about it in "Books into Movies". Here's some of what I said.

How good was the movie ("Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince")? I have a lot of complaints. They made the choice to go for gee-whiz flashy special effects over connected story telling, and added some new, unnecessary, bits to the story at the cost of leaving out stuff. But it's good enough that Potter fans will want to see it.

I suspect that anyone who hasn't read the book would have a lot of trouble making any sense whatever of the plot.

In addition, I'll say that Jim Broadbent did a nifty job as Horace Slughorn (about the only new character) and, although the surrounding battles were not so good, Alan Rickman as Snape did full justice to the climactic moment.

Steph · « **Reply #262 on:** July 27, 2009, 08:06:08 AM »

Have not yet seen the new Harry Potter. Have of course read all of them and am now listening to the audio tapes, which I adore. I hate being close to the end..Next to last book on tape.. Will see the movie though.

Frybabe · « **Reply #263 on:** July 27, 2009, 10:05:08 AM »

Okay gang, you wanted to know what I think of Scalzi's Old Man's War. Just loved it. Hard to put down. I liked the humor (tongue in cheek? smart***?), the bit where he discovered his wife's clone, and the last sequence involving the Rraey and, of course, the demise of the politician, Bender. I am going to have to add Ghost Brigades to my buy list.

PatH · « **Reply #264 on:** July 27, 2009, 07:40:28 PM »

Steph, I've heard the audio tapes are remarkable in quality. The books do read well aloud. I read the first four (all that were out then) to my husband when he was too shaky to read himself but welcomed being read to. We had some surprises about what does and doesn't do well aloud. Agatha Christie is hopeless, and Sherlock Holmes is excellent.

Frybabe, I'm glad you liked the Scalzi. Three more to go. You're right, Bender is a hoot.

Babi · « **Reply #265 on:** July 28, 2009, 10:27:56 AM »

I,ve just gotten well into Roger Zelazny's "Eye of Cat" and I'm finding it fascinating. His writing style is unusual, and he weaves in so much of the Navajo culture. He has some Navajo 'songs', or chants. If they are not genuine, they could be; they seem to capture the spirit of the People. As the jacket says, "The gods, powers and monsters of Navajo legend provide the backdrop for the working out of Singer's fate".

Steph · « **Reply #266 on:** July 28, 2009, 03:24:07 PM »

I am reading Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs. I had read her three about the girl who becomes a coyote, but this is the same world, but a different intent with the werewolves. Excellent thus far.

Steph · « **Reply #267 on:** July 31, 2009, 08:35:01 AM »

Finished Cry Wolf.. Oh me, I loved it.. She writes a very human love story intertwined with Werewolves and witches..

mrssherlock · « **Reply #268 on:** July 31, 2009, 01:32:05 PM »

Steph: I agree that Patricia Briggs can reach my heart. Last night I saw a new series on BBCAmerica called "Being Human" which also has that heart-rending quality. This is about three 20somethings who are trying to be human though they are handicapped: the girl is a ghost, one guy is a werewolf and the third is a vampire. A very poitnant scene was when the pizza delivery guy was able to see and talk to the girl; she was ecstatic! The nerdy looking guy with glasses, the werewolf, is devastated when he reaches his hideyhole minutes before his change and finds it full of workmen who are remodeling the space into new administrative offices for the hospital where he and his vampire buddy work. The vampire and the werewolf are trying to deny their warped natures and be human instead. Not a bit over the top but very appealing. The next episode is this Saturday and is reshown on Thursday which is what I saw last night.

Babi · « **Reply #269 on:** August 01, 2009, 09:11:10 AM »

I'm reading Jane Yolen's "Sister Light, Sister Dark". An intriguing premise and
an unusual writing format. It has sections entitled 'Myth', "Legend"-which is a
scholarly (fictional) commentary on the myth- and 'Story', which is the actual
events. Ver-r-ry interesting.

Steph · « **Reply #270 on:** August 01, 2009, 09:32:47 AM »

I had heard about the BBC series and meant to watch it, but I am still suffering from either allergies or a sinus attack and simply flake at 9pm and slept until 6 am the next day. I have finally broken down and will go to the doctor on Monday to see if I can get some relief on this. Not being able to breathe and sneezing six or seven times in a row all the time is just way past fun.

Babi · « **Reply #271 on:** August 02, 2009, 08:29:01 AM »

Yeah, STEPH. No point in being thickheaded about it.

Steph · « **Reply #272 on:** August 02, 2009, 09:38:31 AM »

Babi, I did laugh. Both my husband and my best friend( who lives far away and we email all the time) have pronounced me "blockheaded" this week for not giving in until now.. Ah well. I am mostly healthy and have problems believing I am ill..

Babi · « **Reply #273 on:** August 03, 2009, 08:35:26 AM »

I think a lot of us react that way, STEPH. It seems to me the older generation
is less likely to run to a doctor for minor things or dose up for minor pains. But
then, maybe that's because we see so much more of them, now, and decide
not to 'sweat the little stuff'. Sometimes we can carry it too far.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #274 on:** August 03, 2009, 12:41:43 PM »

Last night, on ABC, I watched a new seres which excited me. It is called "Defying Gravity", four men and four women on a six-year space voyage. As they be4gin their mission we are treated to flashbacks about their testing, their friendships, their crises. the scene shifts realistically IMHO between the ground support and the astronauts. My son called it Space Opera, and I replied, I like SO. I give it an eight. Did you see it?

Steph · « **Reply #275 on:** August 04, 2009, 08:42:08 AM »

You make me feel I should pay attention to the TV.. I have never been a fan, so leave the viewing up to MDH and he watches things like House and Bones, etc.

Babi · « **Reply #276 on:** August 05, 2009, 08:23:39 AM »

So do I, STEPH, in spite of the fact that House is a real b........, and shows like
Bones can get horribly graphic. I sometimes think I missed my calling. Tracking
down clues and finding answers really appeals to me.

Steph · « **Reply #277 on:** August 06, 2009, 07:54:39 AM »

The little I have seen of House is scary.. I would hate to have a doctor who treated me like dirt and always accuses everyone of lying.. The drugs are terrifying. I know.. its tv, but I dont like the attitude in it.
I guess I will stick to my books.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #278 on:** August 06, 2009, 11:36:00 AM »

House and Bones are hits in this house. We watch Burn Notice, too. I haven't laughed so hard in months as I did watching last week's show.

PatH · « **Reply #279 on:** August 06, 2009, 12:48:44 PM »

Try not to laugh at me too hard. I haven't yet gotten around to hooking up my converter box so I can watch TV again.

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Author Topic: Science Fiction / Fantasy (Read 385000 times)