Military Scifi

*I hear that the Poll may not be working unless you are a member of the Boston Scifi/fantasy Book Club.  You can either post your favorite in the comments, or you can join good reads group.  You could also ignore this post, but we don't want you doing that. 

Poll

What is the Best Military Scifi Novel

Starship TroopersEnder's GameThe Forever WarArmor

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NPR's top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books

NPR has published their list of the top 100 scifi and fantasy books.  I have read or attempted the top 10.  Actually out of the top 30, I had read or attempted 27.  I finished with a total of 52 complete.  I disagreed with some (Neverwhere was good, but how is it there and not Good Omens and why is Gaiman on here four times).  I think Hitchhiker is top ten book but I don’t think it is A. #2 on the list, nor B. the best science fiction entry.  I had at least heard of most of the science fiction entries, but can’t say the same for the fantasy entries especially #18 The Kingslayer Chronicles.  I mean on a list where I have read 27 of the top 30 and have seen movie versions of two more, I have never even heard of #18. 

I think a lot of authors got a bump due to being very hot right now.  Brandon Sanderson, for instance, had three things on here and I just don’t think he is going to be that relevant in 20-30 years.  It is worth noting that this list isn’t really a best of list, but more of a popularity contest.  A lot of people have commented on the fact that the list should have been split or that an author should only be allowed on the list once.  These are great ideas. 

Pleasant surprise-  Mary Stewart’s The Crystal Cave

Glaring omission-  John Steakley’s Armor.

  

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5 Reasons Why I Don't Care About Harry Potter



Not the best picture but you get the point.

 Wow, that title is a little harsh.  It isn't that I don't care, it is more like I haven't been consumed for hype about the conclusion of the movie series.  Well on to the list.

5.  Edward died in the 4th movie.  So that is already done. 
4.  The actors are like 30 or something now.  They have to shave Ron after every scene, Emma Watson has to debeautify (should not be allowed) in order to look younger (plus she has to snog Ron, Yuck!)  Radcliffe still only looks twelve and it makes it hard to take him seriously when he is the only kid in a movie full of adults.
 
3.  Order of the Pheonix killed the magic.  Harry was tolerable before then, but I never could really like him after that book.
 
2.  I am not in my early twenties.  Harry Potter isn't my Star Wars;  Star Wars is my Star Wars (all three and 1/2 movies).  I didn't read the books until I was majoring in English in college.  While Rowling is a good writer and improves throughout the series, the series and writing are just okay.  Full of tropes and cliches, they are very formulaic.  Shakespeare it isn't.  Jane Austen it isn't.  Heck, Stephen King the early years plus his short stories it isn't. 

1.  I have read the books.  I know exactly what happens.  While I read a movie plays in my head.  Since I saw the first few HP movies before I read the last book, the movie in my head has all of the stars except that Hermione wears a bikini throughout.  Also in my head version there is Hermione and Cho Chang make out scene (Cho also wears a bikini(sorry, couldn't find a picture of that)).  I would say my head version is the better version. 

Did I miss anything? Disagree?  Let me know in the comments.