Science Fiction and Fantasy Books

I used to read a lot of Sci Fi and Fantasy novels - I haven't read so many recently, but occasionally a new one comes my way.

  • Lord of the Rings Trilogy by JRR Tolkein

    • The classic. I first read the trilogy between the ages of 7 and 8 - my parents gave me the hobbit as a birthday present and then followed it up with these on successive Christmases and birthdays. It's one of the few novels I've read more than once. The films were tremendous as well, even if they did mess with the story a bit. I have also found it interesting in later years as I have visited and learned more about Finland to learn about some of the origins for the stories.

  • The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein

    • See above!

  • Neuromancer by William Gibson

    • The original cyberpunk novel. I went to see Gibson speak at the Edinburgh Book Festival a couple of years ago where he was promoting his latest book, Spook Country. Let's just say he writes better than he speaks - although maybe he was jet-lagged :-).

  • Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
  • Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
  • The HitchHikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

    • I read these before they became cult status - in fact I heard the first edition of the radio series entirely by accident. I happened to be going somewhere in the car, listening to radio 4 when it came on. Now my eldest son thoroughly enjoys them. Eoin Colfer's "final" book in the trilogy of six is on my to read list.

  • Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams
  • The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul by Douglas Adams