Recommended Reads 2004

Here are some of the books that I read in 2004 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.

Note: this is not a complete list at all. I just never got back to updating it even though I did read more and would recommend more than just two books.

Species Imperative: Survival

by Julie E. Czerneda

This one is the first of a new trilogy. It starts with Mac, a salmon researcher on Earth a hundred or so years from now and what happens when she’s unwillingly asked to work with an alien scientist.

What I liked:

Czerneda’s writing continues to improve with each book. The characters are one of her strong suits, but then so is the pacing of her books. They keep you hooked in until the last page and leave you wanting more.

What disappointed:

That I have to wait until next year for the next one in the series. Not so much a disappointment, but I’m noticing a trend of the female protagonist frequently partnered with an ultra-competent male. Sometimes I’d like to see a few more flaws in the protagonists’ associates.

A Canticle for Liebowitz

by Walter M. Miller Jr.

The book tells the story of a small monastary in the American southwest trying to preserve the remaining bits of knowledge from civilization after its collapse.

What I liked:

The book tells the story over a span of hundreds of years. Later parts refer to characters or events in earlier parts.

What disappointed:

I was sorry to see some characters go when the book moved on to its next time period.