I have just finished the best of Eric Frank Russell enjoyable stuff Russell was a British writer who was a mainstay of the SF magazine Astounding in the 1940's and 50's and it is a good introduction to his work. I also finished the Moons of Jupiter the 5th of Isaac Asimov's Space Ranger series (written for teenagers). The book I am reading at the moment is They Shall Have Stars the first volume of James Blish Cities in Flight series. Now I could get this for the Kindle (as an omnibus edition) but as I have all 4 volumes in paperback.... about 30 pages in and very promising 1950's SF.
I don't expect this trend for physical to continue I am just clearing up a few books I have not got a round to over the years that I now have the urge to read and not sure how long it'll take.
I have to say I am enjoying going back to 1940-50's SF. It is amusing to read these views of the future, they envision flights to other planets but not touch screens. There is blatant sexism, the little woman etc etc which modern readers will find jarring but these are stories of there time. Often they lack the writing skills of modern writers but they have an energy and economy of pages that modern writers lack. They tell a good story.
3 comments:
I've never read that much science fiction apart from John Wyndham and H G Wells (would you call the later SF??). I still read "proper" books although I do buy most fiction now to read on the Kindle. But like you I have old books I have never got round to reading or want to read again. And when I can I buy non fiction as a "proper" book although I do have some nature writing on the Kindle. Kindles are great for holidays especially as you can take so many books with you :)
An e-book will never replace a 'physical book' as far as I'm concerned Pete. I don't read as often as I used to, but when I do, it has to be a proper book.
Caroline..... Wells ? yes some of it is. the War of the Worlds? Time Machine certainly is.
Keith.... well for fiction it really has for me.... there is something timeless about a book but I don't have the space! Reference books though I WAY prefer in the eformat :)
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