Archive for the ‘My thoughts’ Category
An artist whose painting I had a poster of
Albert Bierstadt was an American painter who painted a lot of landscapes from the American West in the 19th century. The painting of his that I had a poster of when I was at university is “Among The Sierra Nevada Mountains, California.” Here it is: Among the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California (1868) He has many […]
Robot, Empire & Foundation
This is an update to this list. Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series is one of my favourites. I read the 7 books he wrote in the series many years ago. I’ve now reread them, plus the books that others wrote in the series. Asimov eventually connected his Foundation stories with the Galactic Empire series and the […]
Biden vs. Trump
Here are the drawbacks to voting for these two candidates. As for people who think Biden’s age is a drawback, look at what he’s accomplished as president — and imagine what he could accomplish with a Democratic majority in the Senate and House. Thanks to Keith Olbermann for helping me remember some of these. Biden […]
Canadian voters, prepare to work together
There’s an election coming, in 2025 or sooner, that needs the attention of Canadian voters. People need to be thinking and talking about what they’re going to do because there’s a giant looming problem. In Canadian history, whenever voters get tired of the Liberals they always vote for the Conservatives. That’s what’s happened every time. […]
Board & card games
Here’s an update to this list. The board games (and a few card games) I’m listing here are sometimes called Eurogames — often made in Europe, they rely on more strategy and less luck. My other list of card games is a list of games you can play with a regular deck of cards. Settlers […]
Best science fiction novels by decade
Here’s an update to this list. Winner Runner Ups Decade Author Title Author Title 2020s Adrian Tchaikovsky The Doors of Eden Sue Burke Immunity Index Ren Hutchings Under Fortunate Stars John Scalzi The Last Emperox Andy Weir Project Hail Mary 2010s Ann Leckie Ancillary Justice […]
Best fantasy novels by decade
Here’s an update to this list. Winner Runner Ups Decade Author Title Author Title 2020s Alix E. Harrow The Once and Future Witches Margarita Montimore Oona Out of Order Matt Haig The Midnight Library Claire North Notes from the Burning Age Jo Walton Or What […]
Star Trek
Here’s an update to this list. The Original Series I’ve read a lot of books in this series, and I’ve also reread a few of the best older ones. Spock Must Die! by James Blish 1970 -> 2/5 The Entropy Effect by Vonda N. McIntyre 1981 -> 4.5/5 Yesterday’s Son by A. C. Crispin 1983 […]
Tie-in books
Here’s an update to this list. Novels Best of the best ENT: Rise of the Federation — Live by the Code by Christopher L. Bennett VOY: Full Circle by Kirsten Beyer VOY: A Pocket Full of Lies by Kirsten Beyer B5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages #1 — Casting Shadows by Jeanne Cavelos B5: The […]
SF & fantasy collections & anthologies
Here’s an update to this list. Collections Best of the best I, Robot by Isaac Asimov Nightfall by Isaac Asimov Virtual Unrealities by Alfred Bester The Golden Apples of the Sun by Ray Bradbury Keeper of Dreams by Orson Scott Card Maps in a Mirror by Orson Scott Card Exhalation by Ted Chiang Stories of […]