Book #905 – The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

It’s hard to discuss modern science fiction without making some reference to H.G. Wells. Whether its the time paradox that prevents action taken in the past, or if our current weaponry would be effective if aliens invaded, Wells set ground work for the generations that followed. Along with Jules Verne, H.G. Wells is considered one of the fathers of the science fiction genre. Unlike Verne, Wells kept his novels mostly rooted in the mundane, only adding one either supernatural or scientifically advanced element. H.G. Wells had education in several physical sciences, with his earliest being biology, which certainly helped with this particular novel.

The Invisible Man was originally published serially in the magazine Pearson’s Weekly, and was published as a novel in 1897. This puts it between the Island of Doctor Moreau and War of the Worlds in the bibliography timeline, and one of Wells’ earliest works (even including the nonfiction he also wrote). Like several other early science fiction novels, The Invisible Man was recirculated in magazines for decades after its initial publication. It was also made into numerous films and tv series, or influenced characters and ideas. (For example, this was probably one of the few times League of Extraordinary Gentlemen got it right. Never thought you’d hear me say that, did you?) There was also a English stage play in the 1990s/2010s and like War of the Worlds, it was adapted for a radio broadcast.

Book #472 – Saga by Brian Vaughan

Before anyone asks about why I’m adding a science fiction Romeo and Juliet type story to the Halloween reading list, please look up “Saga The Stalk” and tell me she isn’t nightmare fuel! Also, there’s a pink disemboweled ghost as one of the main group of characters, as well as several races of creatures that would probably be termed as monsters if the comic series was set on Earth (Ginny the bat woman, and Heist the cyclops along with MANY others).

The first chapter of Saga was published in March of 2012, with chapters published monthly up until it’s hiatus in 2018. There are 54 chapters currently, published in 9 volumes or 3 books or 1 large compendium. I went with volume choice myself, as it seemed to be the most popular option, and split the book into what are considered the arcs of the story line. Also, just as a warning in case you decide to run out to the store and buy all 9 volumes, it’s been referred to as “the Star Wars for perverts” by the author, and he’s not kidding.

Book #697 – Dreamcatcher by Stephen King

While I may have taken North Carolina away from Nicholas Sparks, I wasn’t really able to do that with Maine and Stephen King. Yes, there are other authors that set a book in Maine, but none as prolifically as Stephen King. (There were 36 books by Mr King on the List) The book is set near Derry, Maine, a fictional town that Stephen King admits is his representation of Bangor, Maine. It’s also the setting for 4 of his other books, including It, which is referenced in Dreamcatcher.

Dreamcatcher is the tale of four childhood friends, now grown, remembering their past while an alien invasion rocks the hunting grounds North of Derry, Maine. I have a feeling that mixing the mundane with the supernatural/science fiction is going to be a recurring theme in the Stephen King books. What’s that? How many Stephen King books have I read? Including this one and the other one I’ve reviewed for this challenge? Four. Carrie and Under the Dome were my introductions to Stephen King.

Book #208 – The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

There were quite a few options for Ohio, but in the end, I went with one that was almost, but not quite, in my hometown. I lived, for 20-some years of my life half way between Dayton and Cincinnati, which is the general sphere in which the book takes place. I was also listening to the audio book while driving along the Ohio River on my way to an early Thanksgiving dinner with family. So, whenever the woods were described, I had the convenient ability to simply turn my head and there were the woods being described. Or lack there of because route 32 has long stretches of fields with the woods off in the distance like nature’s fence.

The book itself was first published in 2013, and is the beginning of The 5th Wave trilogy. It describes the world after an alien invasion has wiped out most of the population through a series of events referred to as Waves. First Wave, EMP pulse takes out the electric grid and cars/planes cease working. Second Wave, tsunamis take out pretty much all of the coastal areas. (Or why Wright Patterson Air Force Base becomes central command, despite Cape Canaveral or Annapolis tending to be more well known). Third Wave, a plague that’s like a mix of Bird Flu and Ebola wipes out millions. Fourth Wave, trust no one because the Silencers look human. Cassie, the first protagonist introduced, is left to wonder just what the Fifth Wave could be.

Book #204 – Foundation by Isaac Asimov

Let’s continue with the science fiction trend. Originally published in 1951, this science fiction novel was the start of a series about a scientific community trying to keep order in the wake of galactic empire collapse. While probably not the first use of the term hyperspace, this series probably started the widely known use of the term, as well as giving cultural relevance to things like parsecs. Without Foundation, Han Solo may never have flown the Millennium Falcon. Okay, that might be a bit far reaching, but to say Asimov was one of the founders of modern science fiction would not be lying.

A lot of people might not enjoy how much the book jumps around, and in that respect, it’s similar to the other Asimov book I’ve read (The Gods Themselves). The book gives glimpses of the newly formed Foundation society on the planet Terminus. (Latin for boundary, since the planet is literally on the edge of the universe.) This first book has several plot lines, but feels like the set up for the rest of the series; it feels introductory.

Book #81 – Dune by Frank Herbert

I continue with the science fiction theme started with my Father’s Day book. Dune was originally published in 1965 and received both the Nebula and Hugo awards (similar to The Gods Themselves). In 2003, it was claimed as the highest selling science fiction novel ever written, and with about 19 books in the collective series, it’s no wonder that many people can at least tell you about the blue-on-blue eyes of the fremen. There was also the movie in the 1980s and a video game series in the 1990s that helped keep the name in memory.

The story itself is about a political trap and betrayal of a Duke, and how his son survived after the loss of his home and way of life. It is set on the desert sands of Arrakis, a world so devoid of water that people wear specialized suits to reclaim their own body moisture. The planet holds the spice called melange, which apparently tastes similar to cinnamon and helps elongates human life. Too bad it didn’t really help the characters of this story, because there is so much death.

Honorable Mention #2 – The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov

Happy Belated Father’s Day, Jim!

My second Freebie is to my stepfather, who selected this book for me to read. We did toy with the idea of Asimov’s Foundation series, since it’s part of the Great American Read, but after some deliberation, The Gods Themselves was selected. And it’s certainly an adventure.

Originally published in 1972, it won both the Nebula and the Hugo award in literature. It’s set in 3 parts, with a researcher concerned about a new energy source, then in an alternative universe where aliens survive in 3 gendered groupings, and then finally on the moon with a disgraced researcher and an intuitionist creating an inter-dimensional tool.  For one of my few forays into science fiction books, this novel was pretty interesting.

Book #72 – The Martian by Andy Weir

Originally published in 2011, this book caught my notice when my younger sister listened to the audiobook about 2 years ago and told me “You have to read this someday”. Apparently, this was the sentiment of many a nerdy young engineer as it ended up in the Great American Read for most beloved novel. The story follows Mark Watney, trapped as he is on the Martian surface after a hasty evacuation of the rest of his crew. Some have critiqued the book, stating that it reads more like a nerd’s journal than an actual account of living on mars, to which I point out that Mark is supposed to be an engineer/botonist. He’s the very definition of a nerd. He’s not military, apparently, but rather an accomplished scientist that was selected for the mission. Which explains why his logs don’t read like Star Trek… unless they were written by Scotty.

There was also a movie made in 2015, starring Matt Damon as Mark, with other known names helping to boost the movie to a metascore of 80. Also, it should be noted, this is one of the few films were Sean Bean doesn’t die. (Seriously, Sean, you need to get a new agent.)

Book #104 – Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Happy belated birthday to my mother! When I asked her to select a book from the Great American Read for her birthday, I wasn’t expecting a newer novel. Then I realized the content.

I was born in the last dredges of the 80s. The worst thing about being born on the cusp of the 90s is that while all of my classmates were getting into Christina Aguilera and Backstreet Boys… I was still listening to Journey and R.E.M. because that’s what my parents blasted from our stereo system whenever possible. The movies I watched growing up where a mixture of Disney (whose renaissance in the early 90s made for great electric babysitter) and WarGames, Short Circuit, and later, Revenge of the Nerds. So, when I got to the two page discussion on whether LadyHawke was good research for the 80s? I immediately knew why my mother chose this book.

Set in 2044, it uses the immersive video game/world builder that Second Life was supposed to be. If you’ve paid any attention to Japanese Anime in the past 6 years, Sword Art Online is basically this set up. The real-world parts of Wade’s life are a dystopian fuel-crisis where Columbus (seriously, Columbus Ohio?) is a mecca of fast WiFi. The online realm, however, is a colorful patchwork of all the things my parents saw in their late teens are early 20s. This book is such an homage to the 80s that I’m not sure why it isn’t sold with parachute pants.

Book #20 – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

This one’s for you dad! Happy Father’s Day.

So, this book happens to be one of my father’s favorite series (I was going to go Fellowship of the Ring, but by the time I got to Tom Bombadil, I wanted to throw some hobbits into Mount Doom, ok?) So, instead I followed Arthur and Ford on their rather hilarious first adventure through space.

First published in 1979, this book has a lot of mixed reviews. Either people love the darker humor, or they find it utterly repulsive, much like Vogon poetry. Some people were also turned off by the random asides in the book to explain parts of alien culture. I, for one, found it fascinating.