Dec 17

Books on the Nightstand Podcast, Episode #20: Sci-Fi for the Rest of Us

By Ann Kingman Podcasts Add comments

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Books on the Nightstand, Episode 20 (18:18)

(You can listen by using the player above. If you’re using Internet Explorer, click twice to listen. If your browser does not support javascript, you won’t see the player; click the link below the player to listen, or right-click to download the episode. If you are receiving this post by email and cannot see the player at the bottom of the message, please visit http://www.booksonthenightstand.com to listen)

headphonesToday, we talk about the love triangle of the 21st century: do you read the book, or the e-book? Michael and I share just a few of our true feelings about the Sony Reader and the e-book platform.

Next, we talk about science fiction — a category that Ann doesn’t read very often. Still, a book that could be categorized as science fiction is one of Ann’s favorite books of all time, and she tells you about it. The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell is also a literary novel, so even those readers who think they don’t like science fiction should give it a try. Michael, who is a science fiction reader at least occasionally, tells us about of one his favorites, Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein — also a book that can be enjoyed by anyone.. Do you have other candidates for this category? Please leave them in the comments, and join us on our GoodReads group where we are discussing further.

Lastly, we present our usual “Two Books We Can’t Wait For You to Read.” Ann talks about Life Class by Pat Barker, which will be published in paperback on January 6th. Michael talks about Firmin by Sam Savage..
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We encourage you to write down or print out the title information and shop at your local bookstore. Titles link to LibraryThing, a social networking site that allows you to catalog your home library. LibraryThing also links to various online purchasing options. Here are the books from this post:
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, Ballantine trade paperback
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein, Ace trade paperback
Firmin by Sam Savage, Delta trade paperback
Life Class by Pat Barker, Vintage trade paperback
(all information is for the U.S. editions).
  • http://prairieprogressive.com Tim

    Can’t wait to listen to this episode. The Sparrow is one of my desert island books.

  • http://prairieprogressive.com Tim

    Can’t wait to listen to this episode. The Sparrow is one of my desert island books.

  • http://www.robaroundbooks.com Robert Burdock

    Interesting discussion on the Sony Reader guys. I kind of think exactly the same thing especially in relation to your comment Ann – “if it’s really good writing especially you just fall into the book itself and forget the mechanism you’re reading on”. So true and I’m glad Michael concurs with you :o )

    I absolutely adore my Sony Reader. It’s pretty much changed my reading life (and we’ve only had them in the UK since September), but if it’s a book I’m really, really excited about reading then I think I would always go traditional for reading it, simply because the physical side can be such an important part of the sublime experience; 8 out of 10 books though, I have no problem reading with my Sony.
    Warmest
    Robert

  • http://www.robaroundbooks.com Robert Burdock

    Interesting discussion on the Sony Reader guys. I kind of think exactly the same thing especially in relation to your comment Ann – “if it’s really good writing especially you just fall into the book itself and forget the mechanism you’re reading on”. So true and I’m glad Michael concurs with you :o )

    I absolutely adore my Sony Reader. It’s pretty much changed my reading life (and we’ve only had them in the UK since September), but if it’s a book I’m really, really excited about reading then I think I would always go traditional for reading it, simply because the physical side can be such an important part of the sublime experience; 8 out of 10 books though, I have no problem reading with my Sony.
    Warmest
    Robert

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

    Tim, happy to meet a kindred spirit! Have you read the follow-up to The Sparrow, Children of God?

    Robert, I confess that it took me a long time to really warm up to the Sony Reader, but I do think I’d have a hard time being without it!

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

    Tim, happy to meet a kindred spirit! Have you read the follow-up to The Sparrow, Children of God?

    Robert, I confess that it took me a long time to really warm up to the Sony Reader, but I do think I’d have a hard time being without it!

  • Dottie R.

    Ann — you didn’t link the Goodreads group in the notes as you said you would. i’m sure people would find it anyway but it will be more likely if you give them the link to click. Great one, you two! And my list grows with every episode but then I’m hopeless as you already know.

  • Dottie R.

    Ann — you didn’t link the Goodreads group in the notes as you said you would. i’m sure people would find it anyway but it will be more likely if you give them the link to click. Great one, you two! And my list grows with every episode but then I’m hopeless as you already know.

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

    Dottie, thanks for the catch! Don’t know what I’d do without you. Going to fix now …

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

    Dottie, thanks for the catch! Don’t know what I’d do without you. Going to fix now …

  • http://prairieprogressive.com Tim

    Ann — I have read Children of God, as well as A Thread of Grace and Dreamers of the Day. I’m somewhat of a SF fan so liked Children of God better than the other two but less than The Sparrow. Her debut was so wonderful, I will probably continue to buy and read any book she writes.

  • http://prairieprogressive.com Tim

    Ann — I have read Children of God, as well as A Thread of Grace and Dreamers of the Day. I’m somewhat of a SF fan so liked Children of God better than the other two but less than The Sparrow. Her debut was so wonderful, I will probably continue to buy and read any book she writes.

  • http://taueret.typepad.com Taueret

    hey guys, I just wanted to say thanks for the recommendation of ‘the sparrow’. I am a sci fi fan, but hadn’t even heard of it. I downloaded it as an ebook and am reading it now. Hopefully the ending won’t devastate me so much, you know what a fragile flower I can be ;-) .

    On the subject of ebooks, one of the ways I can tell that a book is worth bothering with (for me, with extremely limited time for print) is that it engages me even on the iphone screen! I have a higher tolerance when reading paper, which isn;t always a good thing.

  • http://taueret.typepad.com Taueret

    hey guys, I just wanted to say thanks for the recommendation of ‘the sparrow’. I am a sci fi fan, but hadn’t even heard of it. I downloaded it as an ebook and am reading it now. Hopefully the ending won’t devastate me so much, you know what a fragile flower I can be ;-) .

    On the subject of ebooks, one of the ways I can tell that a book is worth bothering with (for me, with extremely limited time for print) is that it engages me even on the iphone screen! I have a higher tolerance when reading paper, which isn;t always a good thing.

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

    Taueret,
    I’m crossing my fingers for you re: the ending. I should have given you advance warning — it’s one of the most powerful books I’ve read, and even my jaded husband described it as “harsh.” I’m not sure I would have recommended to you, being such a “delicate flower” … but is brilliant and i’d hate for you to miss it, so I don’t know. Do check back in if/when you finish.

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

    Taueret,
    I’m crossing my fingers for you re: the ending. I should have given you advance warning — it’s one of the most powerful books I’ve read, and even my jaded husband described it as “harsh.” I’m not sure I would have recommended to you, being such a “delicate flower” … but is brilliant and i’d hate for you to miss it, so I don’t know. Do check back in if/when you finish.

  • Chris

    I loved the Sparrow. The ending was surprising and “harsh” but very well done. The book group I used to belong to read it. There were varied reactions but it led to a good discussion. I also liked Stranger in a Strange Land. I read the unedited version but not the edited so I don’t know the differences. Another great podcast.

  • Chris

    I loved the Sparrow. The ending was surprising and “harsh” but very well done. The book group I used to belong to read it. There were varied reactions but it led to a good discussion. I also liked Stranger in a Strange Land. I read the unedited version but not the edited so I don’t know the differences. Another great podcast.

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

    Thanks, Chris! I have long recommended The Sparrow for courageous book groups — thanks for confirming it as a choice.

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

    Thanks, Chris! I have long recommended The Sparrow for courageous book groups — thanks for confirming it as a choice.

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