Nice haul there Ira, seems like they're in great condition. I have an all-anthology haul coming in a week or so, i hit the mother-lode! I've also been adding shelving, although I'm fighting a losing battle....👍
Monster haul! You're making me realize how little I've actually dipped into the SF universe. Stephen Baxter is one of my favorites though. All those you showed are Xeelee entries. Evolution is probably my favorite standalone of his. Great stuff. The older I get, the more I enjoy short stories. Guess I can appreciate an author with the skill to get the job done and shut up. 😁 I understand the financial incentive for bloated, never-ending series though. I'm around the midpoint of Fire Upon the Deep. The characters and plot are a little ho-hum for me -- seems to be your standard race to get the thing to stop the thing. I really like the concept of the galactic zones though -- even if there doesn't seem to be an explanation for the phenomenon so far. 😁 Good luck with the shelf builds, and have a great weekend!
It can be overwhelming actually, haha, so many books. I remember you talking about Baxter/Xeelee, its something I think I'll enjoy at some point. I agree with your thoughts on shorter works, it's actually amazing how much story can be told with ~200 pages of older SF compared to what we have now. I think we are having the same experience with Fire, I'm 2/3rds in and while I think the Tines are interesting I want to know about the upper, transcendence species. Look for a review next week. As always thanks for the conversations, hope all is well. Your probably neck deep in corn right now.
Now you just need the other 23 books to have the complete Dragonriders of Pern series by McCaffrey haha. Great haul as usual. I really miss the days when sci-fi covers were beautifully illustrated (even if some where strange lol) I appreciate that you show the back of each book, gives me the opportunity to read the synopsis. Found a few I wanna keep my eyes out for when I go my local used books shops.
In my multi-gravity library, I have bookshelves on the ceiling 🙃I do wear my zero-grav belt in there.. PS: the weird stamps on the side of the books are from a bookstore's "roulette stamp." I saw them use one at Moe's Books in Berkeley, CA. It's like a little stick with, at one end, a little wheel bearing the same stamp repeated at intervals so they ink it and roll it along one side of big piles of used books..
Someone told me about this one a while ago and saw that it was in a series. Thanks for confirming that it can be read out of order. Might have to get to this one sooner than later. Thanks.
It's been 11 years, but I remember enjoying Spin State. I just read The Ophiuchi Hotline a few weeks back. It was pretty good and I can see where it influenced some other SF that came later. That's a really good haul!
It's his first novel and standalone and not long so it'd give you chance to see if you like his writing without that large a commitment. @@sfwordsofwonder
The World without Stars is one that I have read. it is pretty short, a one or two sitting read. I really enjoyed it. Nothing mind blowing but there are a couple interesting concepts. I always like a cool alien species.
Spin State is a hidden gem. 🎉 Stand alone but has a sequel. I waited too long to read it after buying it used two decades ago. Came out 2003 if I remember correctly. Cyberpunk military adventure - fairly serious and vivid with its descriptions. If I make comparisons they kind of spoil some of the vibe - however, think Richard Morgan's altered carbon books mixed with Walter John Williams Hardwired or Voice of the Whirlwind. It was overlooked upon release but it's better than 99% of the stuff self-published on Amazon these days. One of the fascinating concepts was how it predicted AI development whereas they achieved citizen rights and would often contract out their services like actual humans or Union groups.
Lastly - gratz on all the Phohl Heechee books 📚 - those look like they're in great condition. As the years go on used versions get beat up pretty hard.
You've got some nice books there! One series that jumped out there was the two books by Alan Dean Foster. The Tara-Aiym Krang was the first written in the series that I read when it first came out. The series has so far extended to around 14 or 15 books. This is one of my favorite series of all time. It follows Flinx and his venomous flying snake Pip through his childhood into his teen years and on into adulthood. The books are a great SF adventure series as orphan Flinx searches for knowledge of his parents and his struggles with his odd "talents".
Thanks for the description of the Pip & Flinx books. I think I have a few of them now. Do these need to be read in order or can you pick them up wherever?
@@sfwordsofwonder The Tara-Aiym Krang Is the first written book and a good starting point. For the Love of Mother-Not is actually the first story in the character's life but was actually written somewhat later. You can read that at any time. It's best to read the rest in order as this series is a written record of the development of Flinx's life. However you can read them out of order if you chose and eventually get caught up if you want. You will miss a few things but later readings will fill in.
I know the Xeelee Sequence series is really good... read the 4 novels ("Raft", "Timelike Infinity", "Flux" and "Ring") of that series and they are excellent. The first one "Raft" is also rather a short one of about 200 pages with the interesting concept of a part of the universe where mass is a billion times denser than where are in our part of the universe. Haven't read the short story collection "Vaccum Diagrams" yet but if the others are anything to go by it should be quality as well. Heinlein's "The Door Into Summer" is a really enjoyable story as well btw, about cryogenic freezing and awakening. There's even a recent Japanese movie based on that novel, which is a fun watch as well.
@@sfwordsofwonder The Xeelee influences are often in the background so not that linked that you have to read them in a specific order. Except for the Destiny's Children trilogy which are successive in nature. (Had forgotten there are some Xeelee presences in that series as well but it came to mind again... I listened to this trilogy on audio a few years back).
Domain by Steve Allen was surprisingly good, it’s mostly an action story with really good Mayan culture backdrop. Very fast read. I believe there were sequels. Domain is much better than his Meg novels in my opinion.
OMG! Hominids !!! I love that trilogy! Honestly so far I've only read one of his that I didn't care for. Flashforward by him, was made into a TV miniseries. It wasn't the same, but adapted because he had 30 years and the show did a lot less, for good reason. I'm sure you have read Anne McCaffrey, one of the Grand Dames of science fiction. I haven't heard of some of these others, but Sawyer... I got to meet him when he was at a con in Houston.
I have yet to read Sawyer but he sound right up my alley. I just got 4 more pristine books by him that will be in my next haul. Cool you got to meet him.
It's definitely worth reading the Fire Watch short story before Doomsday Book. And that whole collection is great, too. I like Willis better as a short story writer. I covet that Ace Double. Super covers. I'd preferably like it without punch holes, though. 😐
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Nice haul there Ira, seems like they're in great condition. I have an all-anthology haul coming in a week or so, i hit the mother-lode! I've also been adding shelving, although I'm fighting a losing battle....👍
I've become a part time amatuer carpenter, but its been a lot of fun. I'll be looking for your next haul video.
Monster haul! You're making me realize how little I've actually dipped into the SF universe. Stephen Baxter is one of my favorites though. All those you showed are Xeelee entries. Evolution is probably my favorite standalone of his. Great stuff.
The older I get, the more I enjoy short stories. Guess I can appreciate an author with the skill to get the job done and shut up. 😁 I understand the financial incentive for bloated, never-ending series though.
I'm around the midpoint of Fire Upon the Deep. The characters and plot are a little ho-hum for me -- seems to be your standard race to get the thing to stop the thing. I really like the concept of the galactic zones though -- even if there doesn't seem to be an explanation for the phenomenon so far. 😁 Good luck with the shelf builds, and have a great weekend!
It can be overwhelming actually, haha, so many books. I remember you talking about Baxter/Xeelee, its something I think I'll enjoy at some point.
I agree with your thoughts on shorter works, it's actually amazing how much story can be told with ~200 pages of older SF compared to what we have now.
I think we are having the same experience with Fire, I'm 2/3rds in and while I think the Tines are interesting I want to know about the upper, transcendence species. Look for a review next week.
As always thanks for the conversations, hope all is well. Your probably neck deep in corn right now.
Nice one!
Now you just need the other 23 books to have the complete Dragonriders of Pern series by McCaffrey haha.
Great haul as usual. I really miss the days when sci-fi covers were beautifully illustrated (even if some where strange lol)
I appreciate that you show the back of each book, gives me the opportunity to read the synopsis. Found a few I wanna keep my eyes out for when I go my local used books shops.
I probably won't pass by additional Pern books if I see them for a good price. I love the old art too. Thanks.
In my multi-gravity library, I have bookshelves on the ceiling 🙃I do wear my zero-grav belt in there..
PS: the weird stamps on the side of the books are from a bookstore's "roulette stamp." I saw them use one at Moe's Books in Berkeley, CA. It's like a little stick with, at one end, a little wheel bearing the same stamp repeated at intervals so they ink it and roll it along one side of big piles of used books..
I guess it's like marking your territory, haha.
Haha, yes, but more like branding the cattle..
Vacuum Diagrams by Stephen Baxter blew me away, and can be read as a standalone. A rare hard SF that never bores.
Someone told me about this one a while ago and saw that it was in a series. Thanks for confirming that it can be read out of order. Might have to get to this one sooner than later. Thanks.
I've heard of the authors, but few of the titles. The books without barcodes are in great condition considering they are 40 plus years old.
I'm always on the lookout for pristine vintage SF for the museum 😀
It's been 11 years, but I remember enjoying Spin State. I just read The Ophiuchi Hotline a few weeks back. It was pretty good and I can see where it influenced some other SF that came later. That's a really good haul!
2 votes to keep Spin State, thanks! I have yet to read Varley, would Ophiuchi be a good start before getting into the Gaea trilogy?
+1 wow! Correct about the Hotline comparison. You are well read to see the similarities. Gratz 🙏
It's his first novel and standalone and not long so it'd give you chance to see if you like his writing without that large a commitment. @@sfwordsofwonder
The World without Stars is one that I have read. it is pretty short, a one or two sitting read. I really enjoyed it. Nothing mind blowing but there are a couple interesting concepts. I always like a cool alien species.
At 150 pages I'm sure I'll give that one a read at some point. Thanks for the advise.
Spin State is a hidden gem. 🎉
Stand alone but has a sequel. I waited too long to read it after buying it used two decades ago. Came out 2003 if I remember correctly.
Cyberpunk military adventure - fairly serious and vivid with its descriptions. If I make comparisons they kind of spoil some of the vibe - however, think Richard Morgan's altered carbon books mixed with Walter John Williams Hardwired or Voice of the Whirlwind.
It was overlooked upon release but it's better than 99% of the stuff self-published on Amazon these days.
One of the fascinating concepts was how it predicted AI development whereas they achieved citizen rights and would often contract out their services like actual humans or Union groups.
Needs a rerelease and a better cover 📔
Lastly - gratz on all the Phohl Heechee books 📚 - those look like they're in great condition. As the years go on used versions get beat up pretty hard.
Well that's 2 votes to check out Spin State and keep it, the AI aspect sounds interesting and relevant. Thanks. Agree the cover could be better.
Yeah, I'm passing on many books these days if they aren't in great condition. The dry Montana air and a basement room will keep these preserved.
I love The Meg books by Steve Alten. They will give you Jaws vibes.
The Iron Dream by Spinrad is one I’ve been on the lookout for. The premise just sounds so crazy!
I'm always on the lookout for Spinrad books, he is very unique.
You've got some nice books there! One series that jumped out there was the two books by Alan Dean Foster. The Tara-Aiym Krang was the first written in the series that I read when it first came out. The series has so far extended to around 14 or 15 books. This is one of my favorite series of all time. It follows Flinx and his venomous flying snake Pip through his childhood into his teen years and on into adulthood. The books are a great SF adventure series as orphan Flinx searches for knowledge of his parents and his struggles with his odd "talents".
Thanks for the description of the Pip & Flinx books. I think I have a few of them now. Do these need to be read in order or can you pick them up wherever?
@@sfwordsofwonder The Tara-Aiym Krang Is the first written book and a good starting point. For the Love of Mother-Not is actually the first story in the character's life but was actually written somewhat later. You can read that at any time. It's best to read the rest in order as this series is a written record of the development of Flinx's life. However you can read them out of order if you chose and eventually get caught up if you want. You will miss a few things but later readings will fill in.
Nice haul. Read the Iron Dream-I want to know more.
Will do, look for a video probably within the next month.
I know the Xeelee Sequence series is really good... read the 4 novels ("Raft", "Timelike Infinity", "Flux" and "Ring") of that series and they are excellent. The first one "Raft" is also rather a short one of about 200 pages with the interesting concept of a part of the universe where mass is a billion times denser than where are in our part of the universe. Haven't read the short story collection "Vaccum Diagrams" yet but if the others are anything to go by it should be quality as well.
Heinlein's "The Door Into Summer" is a really enjoyable story as well btw, about cryogenic freezing and awakening. There's even a recent Japanese movie based on that novel, which is a fun watch as well.
How linked are the Xeelee books? Is it a must to read them in order?
Door into Summer concept sounds interesting, thanks.
@@sfwordsofwonder The Xeelee influences are often in the background so not that linked that you have to read them in a specific order. Except for the Destiny's Children trilogy which are successive in nature. (Had forgotten there are some Xeelee presences in that series as well but it came to mind again... I listened to this trilogy on audio a few years back).
Domain by Steve Allen was surprisingly good, it’s mostly an action story with really good Mayan culture backdrop. Very fast read. I believe there were sequels. Domain is much better than his Meg novels in my opinion.
OMG! Hominids !!! I love that trilogy! Honestly so far I've only read one of his that I didn't care for. Flashforward by him, was made into a TV miniseries. It wasn't the same, but adapted because he had 30 years and the show did a lot less, for good reason. I'm sure you have read Anne McCaffrey, one of the Grand Dames of science fiction. I haven't heard of some of these others, but Sawyer... I got to meet him when he was at a con in Houston.
I have yet to read Sawyer but he sound right up my alley. I just got 4 more pristine books by him that will be in my next haul. Cool you got to meet him.
It's definitely worth reading the Fire Watch short story before Doomsday Book. And that whole collection is great, too. I like Willis better as a short story writer.
I covet that Ace Double. Super covers. I'd preferably like it without punch holes, though. 😐
Thanks for the Fire Watch confirmation. Those Ace doubles are pretty cool.