Most popular science fiction novels - how many have you read?

[Bick]

It's interesting how many of us casually put DNF for books in that list.
I think the tendency at one time, when you had to physically go to the library or book store, was to plod on with a dull story because the alternative was nothing to read.
Nowadays a lot of us have a large number of ebooks/audio books, all clamouring for our attention, so we can happily walk away from a book without any regret at not finishing it

I can only do this if I don't get too far into a book. But if I've spent a few days on it, and have read over, say, 200 pages, I usually have to finish it. Otherwise I wasted my time. Don't ask.

 

[Vince W]

I can only do this if I don't get too far into a book. But if I've spent a few days on it, and have read over, say, 200 pages, I usually have to finish it. Otherwise I wasted my time. Don't ask.

I'm usually the same way, but there have been a few I've dropped after 200+ pages. Leviathan Wakes comes to mind.

Danny makes a good point. When I was young with very little pocket money I would spend a long time at the book shop agonising over a book purchase. Once I bought the book I was going to read it whether it was good or not.

 

[Bick]

I'm usually the same way, but there have been a few I've dropped after 200+ pages. Leviathan Wakes comes to mind.

Staying off-topic, but in a different way... I've heard such varying opinions about the expanse books. What didn't you like? It won the Hugo for best series (which is actually slightly off-putting), and lots of folks seem to like it?

 

[Vince W]

Staying off-topic, but in a different way... I've heard such varying opinions about the expanse books. What didn't you like? It won the Hugo for best series (which is actually slightly off-putting), and lots of folks seem to like it?

I made it to about the 300 page mark and it felt like the writers were regurgitating whatever it was they had watched on tv the night before. The characters are very thin and the writing itself is plodding. When vomiting space zombies showed up I actually threw the book across the room into the bin. I've tried watching the show on amazon and it's just as bad.

It's meant to be somehow dark and gritty, but it's dull and laughable. After having just read The Stars My Destination again the quality between this and The Expanse is light-years apart. Bester did more in that one book that the writers of The Expanse could possibly come close to.

I know my opinion is very much in the minority, but once the television series is done I think the series will be forgotten by the public at large.

 

[Bick]

Thanks for the feedback. There are so many things to read, I'm happy to be able to skip something, so that's good to know.

 

[Rodders]

I’ve read up to Persepolis Rising. They’re enjoyable enough, but are not great science fiction. I’d say they were on a par with Brian Herbert’s Dune series.

 

[Paul_C]

I made it to about the 300 page mark and it felt like the writers were regurgitating whatever it was they had watched on tv the night before. The characters are very thin and the writing itself is plodding. When vomiting space zombies showed up I actually threw the book across the room into the bin. I've tried watching the show on amazon and it's just as bad.

It's meant to be somehow dark and gritty, but it's dull and laughable. After having just read The Stars My Destination again the quality between this and The Expanse is light-years apart. Bester did more in that one book that the writers of The Expanse could possibly come close to.

I know my opinion is very much in the minority, but once the television series is done I think the series will be forgotten by the public at large.

I liked the first one, but by the end of the second I was less enthused, mostly as it felt more like a TV series than a book.

I haven't bothered with the rest.

 

[Bick]

I’ve read up to Persepolis Rising. They’re enjoyable enough, but are not great science fiction. I’d say they were on a par with Brian Herbert’s Dune series.

Hmm, okay. That’s not even damning with faint praise is it - it’s damning with significant criticism.

 

[Vince W]

I’ve read up to Persepolis Rising. They’re enjoyable enough, but are not great science fiction. I’d say they were on a par with Brian Herbert’s Dune series.

Ba-DUM-tish!

 

[CHB]

36 actually, but realized my Sci-fi knowledge is terribly outdated, as it was mostly the classics.

Very few Gibson on the list, actually.

 

[Rodders]

I’ve read seven of the Expanse series books and fully intend to finish the series. I wasn't mean as criticism I enjoyed them (as I enjoyed the Dune books). I just don’t see the, as being up there with the best of Science Fiction about today. Ideal commuter fodder.

 

[AndrewT]

14. About half of the rest are on my "want to read list".

 

[Matteo]

39 (though Frankenstein is a DNF). There's also five on my TBR shelf (Enders Game, Hyperion, The Forever War, Foundation (and War of the Worlds (yes...I know, I know...)). Forty of them I'd never heard of - think they're relatively new.

 

[Galactic Bus Driver]

Read 41 of these with at least half of the rest on my TBR list. Interesting that in July of 2020 the top five are about, or take place in, authoritarian governments.

 

[Dave Vicks]

About 26.

 

[BAYLOR]

Ive read 28 on that list.

Correction , 33 on that list.

 

[AE35Unit]

23

 

[JJewel]

46 out of 100, but mostly the older ones

 

[TomMazanec]

Most but not all.
Bookmarked on my Mac.
I think the interlibrary loan here in Twinsburg will be getting a workout soon (I've already asked the librarian to look for the two series found on my book search threads).
THANKS!

 

[asp3]

28 for me but I didn't keep track of books I started but didn't finish. I know there is at least one I just couldn't get into.