Recommended Reads 2002

Here are some of the books that I read in 2002 that I’d recommend as good reads. Everyone’s taste being different, not all of these will appeal to everyone, but they appealed to me and it’s my Web site, so here they are.

They’re listed by most recently read at the top and older books further down.

Hominids

by Robert J. Sawyer

This Rob Sawyer’s most recently published novel and for the first time since his Quintaglio series, is part of a larger series. It tells the story of two parallel Earths coming into contact; the one we know, and another where the Neanderthals became the predominant race.

The use of an outsider to highlight our societies faults and quirks is not new, but Sawyer also contrasts this with moments in the Neanderthal world. About the only thing I object to, or find disappointing in the story is that Neanderthal society seems a little too perfect. This may be different in the next book if we spend more time in the Neanderthal world as seen from the human point of view.

Dragonflight

by Anne McCaffrey

This is the first novel in Anne McCaffrey’s ongoing story of Pern, a world that is threatened every on a regular cycle by a deadly spore, called "thread", from a neighbouring planet.

Though the subject has the trappings of fantasy, it is actually a science fiction story. There is no magic, only ancient technology.

The story focuses on two main characters dealing with the first attack of "thread" in hundreds of years, long after the dragon riders have fallen out of favour with the populace. Things are desperate and there aren’t enough riders to defend the world.

Guards! Guards!

by Terry Pratchett

Guards! Guards! introduces us to the characters of the city watch in Ankh-Morpork (a central setting Pratchett’s Discworld novels). Someone has released a dragon into the world. Its up to the watch to find out who and then stop them. God help the city.

Pratchett combines the funny and serious with his usual skill. Something that’s hard to pull off while keeping the funny parts funny and the serious parts dramatic.

Iterations

by Robert J. Sawyer

This collection of 22 short stories is well worth the read. Robert J. Sawyer’s stories range from funny to moving.

It may be hard for Americans to find, as it’s printed by a Canadian publisher, but find it and get it. You won’t regret it.

Changing Vision

by Julie E. Czerneda

This is the second book in her Web Shifters series. It continues the story of Esen, now the last known member of her species. Esen can assume the shape of almost any life-form, but who keeps that a secret. Only one person knows her true form.

Their second adventure together starts as a simple vacation, but twists and turns into a fight for their lives.

Czerneda’s characters are wonderfully involved and fleshed-out. She creates interesting alien cultures and keeps the pace humming along right to the end.