I am an avid reader of novels. I've found a good measure of quality are those that I've read several times. While we're all waiting for Design and Theory to ramp back up, I'd be interested in what novels you've read several times, what you liked, and what(if anything) it brings into your life.
Here is passage that I am quite taken by, which has found practical use from time to time. Anyone recognise it?
Litany Against Fear
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
(no early peeking/googling)
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice there is.
Unlike the Litany against Fear from Dune, this one actually includes the name of the novel, although if I recall correctly, the author wanted to call it "Tyger Tyger Burning Bright".
Emergence, by David R. Palmer. It was just one heckuva entertaining read. The sequel "Seeking" was great, too, and I look forward to re-reading it when the book comes out (it was an Analog serial).
I've read it about three times. I've seen rave reviews by other readers who have read it dozens of times.
Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy. Had a few issues, but stands out in my mind anyway.
Can't say that I liked the Dunes, probably because it lasted too long. Loved the first one, but nagging things came up and kept bothering me across multiple books. And just so we're all on the same page, I avoid the works of Frank's son like the plague.
Tolkein - more times than I want to think about due to kid's requests for read aloud.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress - to corrupt my kids
Cryptonomicon - not exactly for kids - nicely complex story
The Survival of Freedom - Jerry Pournelle - more libertarian thoughts
Carmen Miranda's Ghost is Haunting Space Station Three - short stories inspired by a filk song.
Contact - Sagan
Kim - Kipling
What Do You Care What Other People Think - Richard Feynman
Almost anything by Terry Pratchett - hilarious
Monkey - Wu Cheng En - the Arthur Waley translation - classic Chinese adventure/fairy tale (AKA Journey to the West. Some translations are dry.)
As I look around I see a lot that I want to read again.
So many books so little time.
Your quote: got it in one. nice one
-Tom Boydston-
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn’t be called research, would it?" ~Albert Einstein
For those who haven't read it, the quote above is a rephrasing from the end of the book of the peom at the begining of the book where the last line is "and deaths my destination". It is a scifi retelling of The Count of Montecristo. Stands up surprisingly well after all this time. His other scifi story from that period is The Demolished Man which is loosely based on Crime and Punishment.
What is the difference between ignorance and apathy? I don't know and I don't care.
Stephen King - Dark Tower/Gunslinger series
Larry Niven - Ringworld series
Orson Scott Card - Ender's Game
Asimov - Foundation Trilogy
Heinlein - Starship Troopers
Walter Miller - Canticle for Liebowitz
And, when I'm in the right mood, I like to reread bits and pieces of John Ringo's Posleen war series... in a pulp sci-fi way, they have good commentary on the various theoretical fads (maneuver warfare, RMA, Transformation) that the military gets into, as well as some MSimonesque critique of the political left.
