The BookSpace
Reading
is one of my favorite things to do. It's nice to curl up with a good book
and escape the mundane world for a while!
My
favorite reading is Science Fiction. I love tales of spaceships, robots,
and new worlds. I have books by Sir Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury, Larry
Niven, Ben Bova, and Ursula K. LeGuin. My favorite science fiction author
is Isaac Asimov, who passed away in 1992. I have well over 100 of his books,
including his non-fiction titles and articles.
I, Robot--An anthology beginning in the near future and centering on robots and the problems that they encounter. Awesome reading!
Pebble In The Sky--A great book about a man who steps over a doll on his way home and winds up lost 20,000 years in the future. This is one of the books of the "Future History" series and is a great book.
The Bicentennial Man--A tale about a robot named Andrew Martin who, through the years, fights for the rights of robots and the right to become Human.
Nightfall--I would say that this is one of the Good Doctor's best books! It's about a world that only sees a sunset once every 2,000 years, and the effect that this event has on its citizens.
The
Caves Of Steel--This has got to be my all time favorite Asimov series.
This is the book that starts it all, about two detectives, Elijah Baley,
and his partner, Daneel Olivaw, a robot. Elijah and Daneel must solve the
murder of a Spacer scientist on an Earth which hates robots and Spacers.
There are several books in this far reaching series, and before he died,
Asimov indicated all of his books that fall into what has become known
as his "Future History" series. These books make some of the best science
fiction reading around!
Analog Science Fiction and Fact
And, while you're at it, check out these cool spots devoted to the Good Doctor:
Isaac
Asimov's Foundations Universe
Some other books that I think make for interesting reading:
Long Walk To Freedom--This is a phenomenal book by none other than Nelson Mandela! Beginning with his childhood, and ending with his election as South Africa's first Black president, LWTF takes us on a long journey with Mandela and shows us, the readers, how and why he became the person he is today.
Madiba has written over 30 books and articles. Most were written while he was still in prison!
The Color Purple--The book on which that wonderful Steven Spielberg movie was based. One of my favorites! It tells the story of Celie, an African American woman born in the early 1900's in the deep South.
The Elegant Universe--My geekiness is showing here. This is a neat book that explains about general relativity and quantum mechanics, and how scientists are seeking to unify these two theories via an exciting theory called Superstring, or String Theory. It is hoped that String Theory will provide scientists with a better understanding of nature and the universe.
A Brief History Of Time--Written by Stephen Hawking, considered by many to be the greatest physicist since Einstein, this book explores the universe from the Big Bang to black holes. It's down to earth, humorous, and easy to read.
Oedipus The King--Yes, I do enjoy the classics! About a just man who unknowingly lives out a terrible prophecy, and his road to self-destruction.
The Prince--A fascinating book by Niccolo Machiavelli about political power--how to get it, and how to keep it. As an envoy to the French courts and Italian principalities, Machiavelli was able to observe firsthand the lives of people united by a strong and powerful ruler. Inspired by this, and wanting to see the Medici family achieve such power, he wrote this "primer for princes" for them.
Voices of A People's History of the United States--Author Howard Zinn teamed up with Anthony Arnove to write this companion volume to his earlier book, A People's History of the United States. Both books give a history of the U.S. that doesn't appear in the history books. "Voices" is written from the perspective of slaves, poor folks, laborers, activists, and others. Although there are many articles and writings by famous Americans, there are also many pieces by ordinary citizens, including Yours Truely!
Harriet The Spy--Ok, so I like children's books once in a while. This is a cool little book that I read as a kid, and that I still have. It's about the adventures of a girl named Harriet who is overly curious about everything and everybody. She keeps a journal of her thoughts and adventures and this journal serves to get her in a lot of hot water with her friends! It's a cute little book that the kids will enjoy.
The Hobbit--The Hobbit is the prequel to J. R. R. Tolkien's epic fantasy, The Lord of the Rings. Here, we meet Bilbo Baggins, learn of his reluctant Quest, and how he comes to be in possession of the One Ring of Power.
The Fellowship of the Ring--The adventure continues. Bilbo has passed on the Ring to his nephew, Frodo. Evil powers have been searching for Frodo, knowing that he possesses the One Ring of Power. It is decided that in order to defeat the evil Sauron, who created the Ring, the Ring must be Unmade. Frodo and a band of friends must take the Ring to the heart of Mordor, Sauron's domain, and cast it into the fires of Mount Doom. The adventure continues in The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.
The Silmarillion--The Silmarillion actually predates The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Ring, but it was published posthumously. It tells the history of the Elves, the Elder Days, and the quest for the Silmarils, or perfect Jewels.
If
you want to learn more about Professor Tolkien and his works, visit The
Tolkien Society.
So, that's my BookSpace. I hope you enjoyed your stay in my library. Keep coming back for more of my favorite books. Now, you may return to The Living Room, or Go home now, and check out the rest of my place!
You
are visitor #to see this part of my house.